Rainy Day = Umbrellas and Rain Boots

We were off to run some errands in the pouring down rain.  The plan was that either Scott or myself would run into whichever store we went to and leave the kids in the car.  All three insisted that they get their rain boots and umbrellas so they would not get wet.  We did let them get out at a few stops and play in the rain while waiting for daddy to come back to the car.  If this is all it took for them to be happy then so be it!

Big Brothers watching their little brothers play ball

This is a picture of Colby and his buddy Carson watching Dylan and Colton (Carson's little brother) play ball.  The two of them play on the Sr TBall team and they feel so "big" when they get to help out on the Jr Tball field.  This is only the beginning of some long but fun times at the baseball grounds!!

Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Food Coloring....

Another pinterest idea......baking soda in a bowl, add food coloring to vinegar then let the kids have a blast squirting the colored vinegar into the baking soda! So far it is a big hit and they are discussing what they are making as they squirt and the baking soda fizzles.  One of my favorite things about kids is the little things that make them smile!!

Our Potatoes Grew!!

Nana and Papa brought some seeds to plant in hopes that we would get some potatoes in the end :-).  Considering that Nana and Papa had never grown potatoes in pots we weren't sure what we would get if anything.  After 2 months of caring for the plants and watching them grow Colby found a potato at the top of the soil just a few days ago. 

After clearance from the farmers AKA Nana and Papa we were told we could pull the plants and dig in the dirt to search for what we hoped would be potatoes.  Sure enough we got a bucket full!!  The kids really enjoyed watering them, caring for them, and seeing them grow taller and taller.  Maybe its time we move to a farm and grow more stuff.....OK just kidding I will settle for a box to grow a few things right here in out own backyard. 

Its all clicking....

Today we were getting ready to go out of town but prior to leaving I needed to do a few errands.  As i was leaving daddy asked me "should I f-e-e-d them" spelling out the word feed.  Colby responded with "he just asked if he should feed us".  The looks on our faces was priceless!!  I cannot believe we will have to start spelling backwards to keep him from knowing what we are talking about!

Then as we were eating lunch Scott and I were discussing what time we needed to be out the door.  Scott said "2:00" and Colby looked at the clock and said "that is in 35 minutes". 

So crazy how things just start to click in a kids mind.  After a year of homeschooling I was getting a little worried that I had not done enough.  It just takes time for each kid to finally "get it"!

Lunch with the Riddle's

This morning I texted Hannah and asked if she had time to stop by Jacksonville on their way out of town for a quick lunch.  I honestly thought she would say they needed to get back or were already on the road but to my surprise she said Yes! After they cleared out the shops at the outlets we met for what I thought would be quick lunch but Hannah and I managed to talk and talk and talk :-).  Thank goodness Aaron is patient! 

Celebrating Colby's Birthday

Since we had all the the O'Hare clan in town on Colby's birthday we kinda had a mini party in itself :) ! We started the morning off a little competition on the Wii, ate pancakes for breakfast (daddy stayed home for the morning), then went outside to beat up on Lightening McQueen, opened presents, and ended with ice cream cake all before 10:30 in the morning! It was so fun to have everyone here to celebrate as soon as he was awake.  He had been counting the days since Daddy's birthday so to have all of his cousins here was such a special treat. 

Colby asked for a remote control Helicoptor...

can you tell he got one?!?!?!?

The night before I put streamers across Colby's doorway.  I didnt make them go all the way to the groud because it would have been the one night that one of the boys needed us.  The next morning Colby thought I put a "gate" up so he crawled under the banners vs breaking through them :-)! Then I blew up balloons and they were piled at the bottom of the stairs. 



Colby's 6th Birthday

Whoa! 6 years ago I gave birth to this child?!?! How can that be possible? If someone was to ask me to give a summary of the last 6 years of his life I am not sure I could give it in great detail.  It has flown by so quickly!!! What I can say is that he is a very loving and sensitive child.  His heart is over flowing with kindness and love.  He is so sweet to his mommy in so many ways and his daddy is his hero.  Although him and Dylan may bump heads more often than not he loves having him as his best friend and little brother.  Abby and Blake are his little buddies.  He is so worried that they may get hurt or lost when we are in a crowd.  He protects them like a big brother should.  I can only hope and pray that he continues to grow with kindness and love others so unconditionally the way he does now!

6 years ago!!

Mini O'Hare Cousin Reunion

What a fun night! It just so happened that JR and Stephanie were visiting from CA, Dave and his crew were here from VA, and Hannah and Aaron were starting their FL vacation so we were all able to get together for dinner at our house! We had 22 people over and half were kids.  I loved having so much family here and being able to catch up with each one of them.  If only we could do this way more often and have the rest of the O'Hare cousins included!

The cousins

Cousins and Spouses

Big Kid AKA cousin Bryan playing with little kids

Who's winning?

I think Bryan may have found some protection :-)

Having fun with the cousins at the beach

When the VA clan comes we go to the beach and pool as much as we can.  Digging in the sand and playing in the water was a big hit.  One of the days we were there Kasey Repass helped teach the kids how to find sharks teeth.  Aunt Kristy and I are thankful for the ease factor that the club offers since we have an army that we take to the beach.  For me its so nice to see the kids happy and playing with one another.  Again, the simple things in life that can make a child smile.