Da Bulls

This is a big year for my big boys.  JLS has been waiting for seemingly forever to play baseball at the big fields like his big brudder.  JLS is in the youngest division of our Little League, called K-Ball.  The field is tiny, as are the boys and it is entertainment at its finest.  All the boys play through, outs are outs, but no one keeps track of runs and outs.  The little guys think they are in the big leagues with their "real" uniform and playing where the big guys play.  It's a riot.  We found out first that JLS was going to play on the Durham Bulls.  His coach was actually JBS' coach last fall for T-ball, and we really like him.  So, JLS is set for a great season.

Sweet JBS was born on a day that just sort of is a bummer in regards to age assignments for him.  He is six years-old, but playing on a 7/8 year old team.  On top of that, he is in Kindergarten while the others are second and third graders!  However, we choose to see it as a great experience for him to play with better players and learn from it.  We just have to get JBS to be confident with that mindset. 

We were very proud of JBS, but a little nervous when, after try-outs, JBS made the AAA team.  We were secretly hoping for the less intense AA team, but proud of him for making the competitive team.  I will admit, I was really apprehensive.  I have heard coaching stories, parent stories, kid stories.  It was just something I wanted to distance us from for as long as possible.  However, we landed an amazing coach.  He recognizes JBS' strengths and weaknesses, he takes the time to pull each player aside each practice and give him a "private" lesson.  He even sent a survey at the beginning of the season to ask how our child learns best, what our goals were for our child, what our child's goals were.  He has the perfect balance of intensity and patience.  He is an excellent coach.  And, he is a Christian.  What a blessing!

The other unplanned part of the season is that I somehow volunteered to be JBS' Team Mom.  I liked the coach and felt bad for him when he commented that he didn't have a Team Mom.  It's a big job, by the way.  Much bigger than I intended.  I will go in to that in a later post...

So the best part of it all, JBS is also Durham Bull.  The boys think it is so cool that they are both on the same team, albeit different divisions.  Most notably, JLS thinks he is as cool as his big brother and feels that he has finally become just like JBS.  JLS has arrived.

JLS is bound and determined to carry his own bat bag (that has JBS' name monogrammed on it.)  He will carry that bag, even if it tips him over.  JBS is less willing to carry his monster bat bag.  JLS informed JBS the other night, "You no want to be a baseball man JBS if you no want to carry your own bag!"  Nothing like a little peer pressure from your little brother...

Still My Babies

It seems these days that my little toots are growing up so fast.  JBS absolutely loves school. I am so grateful that we let him do Transitional Kindergarten last year, as his confidence is soaring in the classroom.  He loves being the oldest, he loves that he is one of the top readers, and he loves his teacher.  The kids get a certain color at the end of the day based upon their behavior.  A blue dragon is "superior"; green is "good"; yellow means "warning"; red is the bottom of the barrel.  To date, JBS has at least twice as many blues as he does greens and he exudes pride.   When I pick him up at school, I ask how his day was and he grins and giggles as he says, "another blue dragon, Mom!"  He loves it.

JLS is just as excited to tell me that he got in the "tweasure box" each day.  If he earns three happy sticks, he gets a prize from the treasure box.  As much as I detest treasure box toys, I love how happy it makes sweet JLS.  Since JBS has been coming home with "homework" such as a book to read, or site words to study, JLS wants nothing less than homework and flashcards.  So, each evening, JLS tells me, he needs to check his folder and work on his homework.  More specifically, he told me he needed to work on his "A's and I's."  The same pride exudes from this precious baby.

We were in the car one day last week and I heard the boys bantering about something when I heard JBS tell JLS, "But I am still Mommy's baby!"  I could hear JLS say, "No you not!" as I interjected, "Amen, brother! You will always be Mommy's baby boy!"  I am thrilled to keep it that way and thrilled to know that JBS, however old he thinks he is, knows that he is still my baby...relishing in these moments!

On My Mind

1.   Babe has been on his "two weeks" of mandatory back-to-back vaction.  This has pros and cons.
2.   It has been fantastic having Babe around the house and help with the daily activities.
3.   It has been a chore sharing my computer and my quiet time with another person.  He is EVERYWHERE!
4.   I went to the ER last week with JLS.  This week with WHS.  Everyone is fine.
5.   Why did I feel sorry for the coach and volunteer to be Team Mom?
6.   I am chairing the K-Life Dodgeball Tournament.
7.   I have a one-year-old that cannot go to school until he is 18 months old (2-24-11)
8.   I missed JBS' first teacher conference this week....bad parent.
9.   I have gone to the "dark side" and now see a chiropractor.
10.  After 2 months of physical therapy, my knee still isn't straight.
11.  I hope JLS' massive bruise on his chin heals by picture day.
12.  Very proud of JBS for making a AAA baseball team, but very VERY nervous about the intensity.
13.  I miss Oklahoma in the fall.
14.  My husband is back on the mini-van kick. (help us!)
15.  I am so tired of runny noses in my house.  It has been constant for almost a year.
16.  Babe goes back to work tomorrow...bittersweet :)
17.  I need to decorate for Fall.
18.  I am having a huge and fun party for Christmas shopping in November.
19.  We are "clean eaters" now and I feel great....or maybe its the chiro!
20.  WHS and Mommy love each other very much, but we need time apart....any takers?
21.  WHS is 13 months and not walking...he prefers to hitch a foot to a brother and be dragged on the hardwood floors.
22.  JLS has more energy than anyone I know.
23.  My house was cleaned today and I am in heaven. 
24.  It will be dirty by tomorrow.
25.  I am so very tired.  Good night!

A Nice Warm Shower

The other morning, I turned on the shower to get that tankless-  water-heater-hot water to my bathroom.  I stepped over to the sink to brush my teeth, (I never shower without clean teeth!) and when I turned around, someone had stolen my shower.

The cutest little toot crawled in my warm shower undeterred and took over, clothes and all.  He was not affected by the water streaming down his face, or the puddle of water he was sitting in, or even me squealing to get his little hiney out of the shower.  He loved every minute of it.  He even thought it might be a good time to check the drain. (ick!) 

So begins the adventurous life with WHS...

Social Media Pulls Through in the Clutch

Two days ago, I was inside with WHS when JBS came bursting through the door, "Mommy! JLS cut his lip!"  JBS and Babe were outside playing baseball, so I first thought he got hit on the mouth with the ball.  When we walked outside, sweet JLS was screaming as Babe was walking him and his bike down the street.

We live on a street with only one exit and two cul-de-sacs within eye shot.  So, the boys are allowed to ride their bikes in the direction of the cul-de-sacs (right in front of our house and one about four houses down).  We have wonderful neighbors in both directions, thus we have no worries if the boys take a loop around the circle.  Evidently, JLS was taking the loop and something happened, we still don't know what, as he refuses to tell us.  My best guess is he was jumping a curb or he wasn't looking where he was going, but he crashed in front of one of our friends house.  She said she was inside at her computer and heard the screaming and went outside to find JLS tangled with his bike.  At the same time, Babe realized that it had taken JLS too long to make the circle and started heading to get him when he heard the cries.

When I saw JLS, his poor face from nose down was covered in blood.  When we got him inside, he refused to let us look or touch him.  I finally got him calmed down, barely assessing that his mouth might be cut, but for the first time realizing he wasn't using his left hand.  He wouldn't let us close to it.  At that point, I decided to take him to the doctor, much to JLS' dismay.

We loaded up with DS and food in hand and headed to the ER.  When we arrived, JLS was asleep, so it made for an easier entry when I could carry him in.  John warned me as I left that they would be leary of my role in his accident, especially since I couldn't tell them exactly what happened.  When we saw the doctor, JLS hid and refused to show his injuries.  As soon as she left the room, he began screaming, kicking, crying, pushing.  For an hour, JLS yelled "I wanna go home!" over and over and over and over.  When I tried to calm him down he kicked me and pushed me away.  (Making me feel like the suspicious parent they were looking for.)  JLS never hits or kicks me and he was trying.  It was awful.  Not only was I getting the suspicious parent looks, but the parent-who-doesn't-know-how-to-discipline-her-child-looks.  It was awful. 

After an hour of them waiting for him to stop screaming, I lost it and started crying.  They couldn't do a thing and were discussing sedating him.  The battery on my phone was flashing red and out of desperation, I posted for prayers on Facebook.  Within a matter of seconds, my sweet friends started posting support and promises of prayer.  Less than a minute after I posted that, JLS went from raging lunatic to asking me if he could snuggle with me in my lap.  Just like that.  He stopped crying, screaming, kicking and became the JLS I know and love.  The doctor came in and said, "What happened? He's quiet?"  From there, they took him to X-ray and CT (during the fit, I noticed his ear was bleeding) and he was the perfect patient...even with his head strapped to the CT machine.  He was perfect through out the entire "picture-taking" process.  An utter miracle.

Having turned totally emotional myself not being able to comfort my own hurting child with blood streaming from his face, then watching the dramatic change in JLS in a matter of seconds after asking for prayers, I was sobbing.  I was emotionally spent.

When we returned to the room, JLS asked to play his DS and eat some Cheerios.  His previously over-protected left hand started to show a little sign of life.  The doctor came in to say the X-rays all looked normal.  When he asked JLS to give him five, he first used his right hand.  When I asked him to give the doctor "knucks" with his left hand, he fisted his hand and gave him a firm hit.  Again, in a matter of seconds his little  hand was operating normally again.

While it is always hard to portray the power of prayer to someone not in the moment, I witnessed it's awesome power unfold before my eyes.  I was desperate and the situation was getting worse until my Facebook friends started praying for us.  The results were completely drastic and unexpected and nothing short of miraculous.

As we left the ER, JLS and I loaded back in to the car.  The previously non-communicative little boy, randomly started his first discussion in hours.  He said, "Mom, 'member dat catfish I cawt that ate my cork?  Was dat a Daddy or a Mommy fish?"

And so life returned to my little JLS.  (I included the only picture he has let us take of him since the accident...with his best friend, Wodweego).  He is pretty banged up and painful to see, but the next morning, he hopped right back on his bike and begged to go to school.  Angelic little toot.

Plain Granny's 85th Birthday!

This past weekend, we made a whirlwind trip to Oklahoma for Granny's 85th birthday party.  We knew it was going to be crazy, but we wanted to see Babe's sister and her family and be there for Granny's party, so we just did it.  Babe was able to take off work on Friday and we took JBS out of school for the trip.  Early Friday morning we headed to O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A!  And poor WHS cried the entire way.  He had been feeling bad with an ear infection and runny nose, but there was nothing worse than the car ride.  I know this because WHS is never unhappy...and he was unhappy!

When we arrived at Aunt Jenny's, we thought for sure WHS would crash for the night.  In our wildest dreams/nightmares, we never thought he wouldn't sleep a wink...all.night.long.  It was rough.  When we woke up the next morning, the town was flushing their fire hydrants and somehow that made the water to their house brown...dark chocolaty brown.  So, we loaded up in our jammies and headed for Granny's house an hour and a half away to shower in time for her party.

When we arrived at Granny's we put WHS down for a nap immediately and he slept and slept and slept.  He slept so long that he missed the party and Babe did too.  But we were SO happy that he slept.

Granny looked fabulous for her party and around 100 people came out for the celebration....friends and family alike.  She was thrilled.

Mom brought a Wanda cake from Tulsa and boy, oh, boy it was delish!

This is Granny's posse.  They once hit a cow together...Granny was driving :)  We are glad they all survived!

These are two of my cousin's Chris and Tighe..and Vin.

This is my immediate family...Where's Paulie?  Babe was at home with a napping child...

Granny and our portion of the family...

Proof that Babe and WHS were actually in the vicinity of the party...

The cousins playing on the same floor in the same house that we used to play when we were their ages...

Granny and some of her great-grandchildren...

When the party was over, I think we were all exhausted.  It was so nice to see so many people that I hadn't seen in years.  We left at 6pm, hoping to make it to Dallas by bedtime.  However, when we made it to Dallas by the nine o'clock hour, Babe decided for forge ahead.  I wasn't totally thrilled with the idea, but the recent Dateline I watched about bedbug infestations at hotels all over the US kept me going...

Mom called the next morning to tell us that when she woke up the next morning, she went outside and there was the neighbor's bull in the yard.  Evidently, he was loose on the dirt road and found green grass a-plenty at Granny's house and settled in for the night.  He ate all her flowers and plenty of green grass!

That is exactly why I love the country....I will be there some day!

The Trailer

The new school excitement is wearing out and we are finally in the daily grind.  Mornings are chaotic, even though I am really working on getting up earlier to make them smooth. It's so hard! Every morning, however, we ride our bikes to JBS' school.  Some days JLS is banished to the trailer for "Driving dangerously."  If there was a bike police on our trail, he would certainly have been sited for wreck less endangerment.  He plays chicken with the on comers without really knowing it.  He jumps the dirt ramps and a previously top notch bike is in the shop with multiple ailments.  We were hoping to have this bike last thru #3, but that is questionable at this point.  JLS is a danger to society when he is on his bike, or weapon of choice.

But God bless that child.  He is preciously precocious.  Today, his bike was in the shop, so he rode in the trailer with WHS, which they both loved.  Babe is on vacation for TWO WHOLE WEEKS, which is fabulous.  So, biking to school is a family event for the next week or so.  So good to be a family again!

It is hot here....still very hot.  And this is sweet WHS sweating bullets as he gets dragged to yet another place to pick up his big brothers.  After some VERY long days of being sick, and growing 6 teeth at once, WHS is finally perking up.  What a sport....

Ex-tinquished

We made a whirlwind trip to Oklahoma and back this weekend to celebrate my Granny's 85th birthday...post to come soon.  While we were there we got to see Babe's sister and her family and a whole lot of my family.  It was quick, but refreshing.  Especially refreshing for us to be out of the city and in the wild blue yonder.  It was wonderful.

Last night we went out to dinner, having nothing prepared since our return.  As I sat next to Babe, I looked at the side of him, I guess for the first time in awhile or the light was just perfect.  Either way, I gasped as I saw the grey hairs shining through on his temples.  I said, "Babe!  You have gray hair!  You are looking so distinguished!"  JBS immediately responded, "Mom, Toley is extinguished, too!  And do you know who else is extinguished?  Sally.  (Grammy and Big Daddy's pre-maturely graying black lab.)  Sally is very extinguished."

Sally and Toley are both definitely graying and now Babe, just a little.  However, the day I find a gray hair on my head, I would rather not be described as "extinguished" in relation to getting old.  Somehow that just doesn't sit well with me.  Of course, men usually are described as distinguished and women just look old...the lack of respect for all we do! ;)

Soakin' What?

This morning, after several days of rain from ol' Hermine, we were back to the bike trail.  The boys love to ride their bikes to school and they, as any boy would, love to take the few off road "short cuts" to make them really feel like a boy.  The short cuts are nothing but a few feet, but they are definitely thick on mud.  By the time we dropped JBS off at school and returned home, JLS was covered in mud.  He had kicked it up the back of his legs and on his "shoes and shocks."  It was only 79 degrees, but the humidity was oppressive.  It didn't feel close to 79 degrees.

We loaded in the car to take JLS to school and he was dripping with sweat.  He looked at me and said, "I feel wike I need a bath, Mom."  To which I replied, "Are you soakin' wet?"  He said, "No, man, I soakin' dirty!"

Why does this child provide so much entertainment for me.  I love it.  "Soakin' dirty" is now entered in to my vocabulary from here forward...

Grammy-Time

Grammy made mention that Big Daddy gets all the blog love.  This is true.  Big Daddy happens to typically be where all the action is, while Grammy is behind the scenes keeping us alive with sustenance and in-home entertainment.  Thus, Grammy doesn't get the attention she deserves.  I understand this, as now that I am "Mom", no one takes my picture either.  They are few and far between.  So, today is Grammy's post.

While we are off gallivanting around the lake, Grammy always offers to stay back with WHS so we can tube or swim or just stay out longer in the heat. 

Or she hangs on to WHS so he doesn't fly off the back of the boat when my children are driving...

Just a token picture of me, too...and my boys.

I put this in here because I wanted to brag on Grammy playing with the boys, but then I remembered that I built this city :)  Grammy does, however, play with the boys...a lot.

And finally, Grammy and her boys as we were getting ready to leave.  Sniff Sniff. 

Grammy is alright.  She is usually the one behind the camera so we can have all the wonderful pictures we have.  We love you, Grammy!

Basketball Camp

At the beginning of this summer, JLS and JBS told me a list of sports they wanted to participate in and the exact order in which they wanted to do them.  It started with tennis, then golf, basketball, football and baseball.  We didn't get the proper order and we didn't get all of them squeezed in the summer, but I sure am for trying week long camps as opposed to making semester long commitments.  This way, we can decide pretty quickly what the boys like and the intention is to eliminate some sports.  Unfortunately for Momma's plan, we eliminated nothing and only added a new sport to our list of loves, basketball.

The boys love tennis and have taken private lessons (in order to accommodate a too-young-for-group-lessons JLS).  They play golf with Daddy, but we have plans of more private lessons (to accommodate a too-young-for-group-lessons JLS) post baseball season.  We then took a basketball camp at our church and both boys absolutely loved it.  I kind of liked the thought of being an onlooker in a temperature-controlled environment myself.  Needless to say, basketball was not eliminated.  Football, I sort of "accidentally" forgot.  And baseball, here we come.  I think we did a pretty good job of hitting all the bases (excuse my pun) in such a short amount of time.  The only sport we have officially eliminated for JBS is soccer.  JLS eliminated it too, but we might encourage him to re-visit that one in the future.  JLS was really good at it!  Anything that requires running and speed is right up JLS' alley.

So here's to basketball....hoping to eliminate it, but we only stirred up excitement for more.  I like sports. I like to watch sports and play sports, but I no idea how much time would be spent in sports with my 2/3 children.  The rule in this household is one sport at a time.  Lord, help me.  That is all I can keep up with at once!

On Friday, we received the e-mail we have been waiting for.  Wait for it....JLS is officially a Durham Bull.  This is big news in our house as JLS has, for a year (two seasons), been focused on playing in our town's Little League with JBS.  As soon as he saw JBS play Little League, Y-Ball was nothing to him.  He wanted the real deal.  For the record, I just found out that our Little League program is the second largest...in the United States!  Baseball here appears to be on the same level as Texas Football.  We are doing our best to stay out of the heat, considering JBS is only 6. But, we are already seeing the intensity from parents and coaches that we would like to avoid.  Fortunately or unfortunately, my boys are obsessed with baseball.  I have tried to steer them to try other sports, but they are pretty determined to play baseball.  And, here, it is a year round sport.  ALL. THE. TIME. 

Friday was a great day.  Babe came home early from work, so we headed to Sports Authority to get all off JLS' needed equipment and uniform supplies.  He was on cloud nine.  Precious toot is thrilled to be getting all of JBS' hand-me-downs...a bat, batting helmet, even cleats. Babe gave him JBS' old bat bag that even has "JBS" monogrammed on the side.  JLS doesn't care.  He is "in" now.  However, JLS was way too small to fit in JBS' baseball pants.  And, we needed royal blue socks and belt.  We now have red, navy and royal blue in our arsenal.  Surely, we will be able to recycle some uniform pieces eventually!

After all the fun, we headed out for our favorite, Mexican.  We sat at the table and talked about our day.  Not only were we on a high from JLS' baseball excitement, but both boys got stellar marks for the day.  JBS got a "Blue Dragon" for the second time that week.  (Translate "Superb" day.) And, JLS told us he got "thwee happy sticks" which meant he got to pick from the treasure box.  It was just a happy meal for everyone.

At one point in the meal when we were all discussing the day and bragging on the boys, JLS came up close to my ear to whisper. He said in a very low voice, "Mommy, we are 'wock stars!'"  and gave me the cutest little squinty smile. I almost choked I was laughing so hard at his sweet self.  When I repeated it to Babe, JLS said, "You have a big wock star (JBS) and a little wock star (JLS)."

JLS was right.  I have rock stars for kids.  They are amazing.

Boy Bonds

Lately, I have noticed JLS taking an even bigger interest in WHS.  He has always played with WHS and adored him, but I have noticed him taking more of a leadership role, rather a big brother role.  They have had more time together when JBS isn't around and JLS is settling in nicely to his role as "Big Brudder."

This afternoon, while waiting in car line to pick up JBS (a huge feat in and of itself), JLS said, "Mommy! Look at us!"  And this is what I saw... I know its blurry and taken from my phone, but I couldn't resist posting it for two reasons.  One, because I love that they love each other.  And two, to remind them that they love each other in a few years when they may not be choosing to hold each other's hands and brag about it.

Love them.

Fishing, Fancy That!

Well, of course, the boys had to go fishing in the blazing heat.  I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am that I don't have to go sit in the heat and help them bait their hooks and cast their lines.  Those boys are pros!  I am so impressed with them taking care of themselves while fishing.  Of course, an adult is always around, but that is usually Big Daddy.  It's good grandfather bonding time anyway.

JBS caught a big one in the "middle" pond.  Dad has all the ponds named and I will admit, I took a guess on that one, but I am pretty sure that's the one.  Grammy, WHS and I were relaxing in the A/C when we got the call...."Come quick!  JBS just caught a big one!"  So, we loaded up in the golf cart and whirred down to see JBS beaming with pride next to his big ole catfish that Big Daddy insisted upon making him kiss for good luck.  JBS, clearly, isn't a fan of that ritual.

Since fishing has become the boys "thing" that they do with Big Daddy, Big Daddy, in usual form, has invoked rules.  Rules for safety, and rules for operation...just like a good check-list man would do. When they were fishing last, they were catching fish faster than Big Daddy could get them off the hooks.  So, Big Daddy said to JLS, "If you are old enough to fish, then you are old enough to take your fish off the hook."  He went on to say that he would help them if the fish had swallowed the hook, but otherwise it was time to learn to take their own fish off their line.  So, the next fish JLS caught, he grabbed his Big Daddy required rag from his pocket and reached to take him off the hook.  Big Daddy said the fish actually jumped off the hook, but JLS was so excited thinking he easily took him off the hook.  Next fish in, JLS removed from the hook all by himself.  Milestones, friends, milestones.  Sweet JBS caught the next fish.  While JBS has many wonderful qualities, taking risks, is not one of them.  (As his mother, I happen to like that quality, or lack thereof.)  He used his rag and attempted without success to take his fish off the hook.  He told Big Daddy that he needed help.  Little bro, JLS, heard his plea and set his pole down.  "I hep you Jake.  I can do it for you!" 

The fish had actually swallowed the hook and they needed Big Daddy to come to the rescue.  However, JLS is fully confident that he is now a true fisherman since he can take his own catch off the hook.  Nothing like a little competition from your little brother...

Tiny Little...

I have a thing with my little boy's hiney's.  They are just so cute.  I took the same picture, probably in the same location a few years ago of JBS and I love it.  So this year, it was JLS.  Not only does JLS not eat well, but he has a totally different body structure.  He has the tiniest little hiney you have every seen on a four-year-old.  I am certain of it. He is a lean machine...only muscle and skin on his body.  Even his gymnastics teacher moved him up to the 5 year-old class last year.  She asked me if it was OK and said, "That kid is strong!  Do you know that?"  I just always thought he didn't have much to lift, but he is definitely gifted in the motor skills department.  I should clarify, GROSS motor skills.  God bless him, but with the work coming home from school, he needs quite a bit of help in the FINE motor skills department.  Which is really interesting, as JBS was born with a pincher grasp...seriously!  Funny how the boys are so different.

So, this cute little toot loves to ride bikes with me.  I have been biking the boys to school, but before that, in the summer, the boys would go with me in the evenings around the neighborhood to work my knee out a little.  It hurt, but always felt better when the ride was over.  There is a really large cul-de-sac in the back of the neighborhood that feels a little uphill when you are on a bike.  JBS was a ways in front of us and JLS was just behind me.  He sounded really sad, "Mommy.  I weally need a west.  My wegs are very tiwed."  The whole speech thing melts my heart and felt bad for him.  So, my crippled self stuttered to a halt and as soon as I put my foot on the curb to look back for him, I saw him whip by me on the right.  I heard his devilish laugh and all I saw was his dust.  When the dust cleared his head was down, elbows out, and those "tiwed little wegs" were going ninety to nothing pedalling that bike fast than it had been pedalled before, for sure!

That little stinker totally worked me over...his injured mother, no less!  Saying it right here.  You have got to watch out for this one.  He's a sneaky little toot.

Workin' Hard

Living on lake time is hard work.  Big Daddy is starting my boys young behind the wheel...WHS loves to drive the golf cart and JBS and JLS are big fans of driving the boat.  I can remember being young and Dad letting me steer the car or letting me steer the boat, but I never remember driving alone.  I guess that's where "Grandparents" get to lighten up a little.  I, on the other hand, was quite nervous being in the boat as it raced across the water knowing my four-year-old was at the wheel....alone!  Yes, Big Daddy was close by, but seriously!  JLS took his job quite seriously, though.  See that serious look on his face.  It never left his face.  It's the "responsible-don't-mess-with-me-mom" look.  Such a big boy...

Now that we are a state away and don't get to run to the lake for a quick weekend, I appreciate everything about being in the boat and on the water.  We love taking rides in the boat across the water early in the morning and after the sun has gone down.  I love water skiing, which sadly didn't happen for the second summer in a row.  Not because I am prego, but because I had knee surgery a week prior to our lake trip.  Ugh.  The boys loved catching fish and catching more fish and fishing more.  Amazing how they love to stand in the heat with their pole in the water and wait...and wait some more.  I love to sit in the house and read a book on the couch with a quiet house.  Quiet doesn't happen all the time, but when that hour or so comes around, you gotta take advantage of it while you can!

Graduating from golf cart to boat driver...

But when the day is winding down and the hard driving is over, my serious boat driver is still just a little boy who is...exhausted.  There is nothing like a good nap on a boat. 

Everyone goes down for the count. 

Nothing more relaxing than the sound of the motor and the movement of the waves to just. close. your. eyes. Tired little toots.  That means we did our job.  They were officially worn out.