James' 1st truck!

I love Craigslist! One person's junk/clutter is another person's treasure! James is so happy to be the new owner of a used Jeep that only had about 6 hours on it....as slow as it goes, that probably translates to 12 miles! :)

He loves anything VEHICLE! Trucks, cars, airplanes, boats...he loves it all! So, I decided that I would take a look at some of the ride in trucks for him. I found out very quickly that they are VERY expensive! When that happens, my next step is to hit Craigslist. And the day I searched for a Jeep, is the day there happened to be one in Navarre Beach for $100...just waiting for my truck loving boy to come get.

It was going to be a week before we could head over that way...so I called the owner and he was SO nice to hold it for me. Jason and I brought a sheet with us, so we could hide it from the boys. James fell asleep in the van on the way...PERFECT! But woke JUST as we pulled into the driveway. Good thing we brought the sheet, because we just backed the car up to the garage and were able to sneak it into the back without either boy knowing.

We were supposed to wait until James' birthday (July 2) to give it to him...but we were just too excited and decided it would be an early gift!







I'm glad we made that decision...because he and Jack have had hours of fun already. It's adorable to see them pretend play. James typically is the driver, and Jack is anything from a truck mechanic to a fastfood drive thru worker.




Even Jason couldn't resist the fastfood drive thru pretend play with what he calls his "goofy hat!"

My baby graduates preschool

Oh boy! It's so hard to believe Jack is wrapping up his last week of preschool this week! It honestly doesn't seem real that he'll be in elementary school next year! Everybody warned me when Jack was a baby...to enjoy it, it goes by fast. I can say that I have enjoyed every minute of Jack so far. He's an old-soul child who makes me so happy every single day! His growth over the last couple of years in preschool has been extraordinary. He has such a passion for school, friends, and his teachers. His love of school will undoubtedly carry over to Kindergarten next year.

Tonight I watched Jack graduate! I know, it's a PRESCHOOL...what's the big deal?! But for me, and for Jack, it was a symbol of growth. A time to honor the small child we're leaving behind and welcome the big kid coming upon us. I often think about this...how a child growing up can be painful. Because with the loss of baby Jack, came the birth of toddler Jack. And the loss of toddler Jack, became the birth of preschool Jack. And so on and so forth this will go. I am so scared to say goodbye to each of these Jacks...because I've enjoyed those people so much. But, I welcome the "new" Jack each time because he is constantly blossoming into something more and more beautiful.

So, tonight...YES, I got teary-eyed as my sweet boy walked across the stage in his cap and gown and during the OH SO EMOTIONAL slide-show played to a song about babies growing up. Uggghhh! I was not prepared! Luckily, a friend had some extra tissues on hand! :) The center-pieces on the tables should seriously involve facial tissue of some sort! Idea for next year!!!

Jack was so proud...and Jason and I were too! We love you so much Jack!






Jack with his best buddy, Sam.



Jack's teacher, Mrs. Lynn, helped ease Jack's transition from his Texas preschool to his Florida preschool. She welcomed him with open arms and Jack LOVED her!



Before I know it, it'll be James walking across that stage!

Bragging on him...

...because I'm proud of him!

Jason traveled to San Antonio yesterday for last night's award ceremony where he was recognized as the Instructor Trainee Of The Year! The award is given once a year to the top PIT (pilot instructor training) student of all the students that pass through the PIT program.



Unfortunately, I was unable to attend because of costs to get there...and Jack's graduation ceremony the next day. However, I am so grateful for my family that went in support of Jason to the ceremony. My mom, grandmother, and grandfather were all able to be there in attendance (they live in San Antonio).



This is a special award given by the Order of Daedallians. It's an organization of military pilots dedicated to the preservation of aviation history and the education of future pilots. When Jason was 17, he was awarded a scholarship from the Daedallions to get his private pilots license. So, it's even more special coming from this organization. The statue in this picture has plaques with the names of those who have received this award. What an honor for Jason to have his name added to the list of great pilots!

Can't Kill Them

So, we have a decent size garden this year in our backyard. The most abundant vegetable is tomatoes! I found THIS caterpillar on one of the tomato plants this weekend. The thorn thing is quite impressive.



With a little help from google, I found out that it's a caterpillar called a Tobacco Hornworm (often confused with the Tomato Hornworm). Both caterpillars like to feed on tomato and pepper plants. Having wasps around helps eliminate these caterpillars by laying it's larvae inside of the caterpillars, therefore killing it when the larvae grows. Weird. Jason started collecting them off of the tomato plants and "doing away with them." Today I found several more, but can't kill them! I don't know why! The one pictured above, I put into a glass jar so Jack and I could learn about him. I just found the jar outside and the poor caterpillar was still alive and skinny skinny! So, I threw the other ones I found in with him...along with some of the leaves...and he's EATING like crazy! So, we were starving him to death. Uggghhh! Poor guy! So, maybe I'll just save the caterpillars in a bug cage, feed them...and we'll see them turn into the ugly moths they become. Then release them away from our house. I'm such a sucker! I guess the good news is, when I found the other caterpillars this afternoon, there were a couple of wasps flying around our tomato plants! Isn't nature interesting!?!

X Marks The Spot...That spot is Walt Disney World!

So, we're taking a trip to Disney World! But Jason and I have not told the boys that we're going. We wanted to surprise them. So, for a few weeks we've been formulating our grand plan of how we're going to surprise them! Here's what we came up with:

First, I found a vintage-type photo of Florida on the internet. I expanded the image to 8.5x11 size. I had envisions of it being printed on old, stained paper. However, I only had bright white. So, I dug around in an old memorabilia binder and found a high school National Honor Society certificate. PERFECT color!!! And the backside was blank...PERFECT! After I printed the map on the backside, I crumpled, and crumpled some more, then burned some of the edges and a couple of holes into the paper. We marked the map X on the spot! The "spot" being Walt Disney World!



We then rolled the map and placed it in, none other than an Abita Root Beer bottle and sealed it with a cork. We had this for a few days until we could find a chance to make it out to the beach. So, finally last night, we were able to squeeze some time at the beach. Jason distracted, and I threw the bottle in (nevermind the fact that glass is probably not allowed...whoops). It was James that noticed it first as we looked for hermit crabs. He yelled, "There's a CUP!" Jack promptly took over as the one that REALLY found it first and went after the bottle.





Jack didn't know WHY there was a bottle in the water. We explained to him why there may be a bottle floating in the water. That sometimes people leave messages in bottles in hopes that someone else will find it one day. This got him VERY curious and he soon discovered there WAS a message rolled up inside!



Jack was thrilled to find the old map inside. He said he thinks there's a treasure where the "X" is! And he eventually figured out that it was a map of the state of Florida.



James was even amazed with the discovery of the map inside the bottle!





Jack was so excited! As we walked back to our car, he told me how lucky he felt that it was our family found that bottle. I LOVE the ages of our boys! This is the kind of stuff Jason and I dreamed of doing with our kids. We love those boys like crazy...and are blessed beyond belief!

So, the next thing that will happen, is the letter that will arrive two days before we leave. It will be addressed to the whole family and will have the following note inside (notice the initials are of Mickey Mouse):



The next day, we will stumble upon the first clue. It will include instructions on finding a place for Potter to stay while we're gone and someone to care for the cats. It will also have a picture of something that we'll hang onto to help us figure out where we're going:



Departure morning, another clue will randomly pop up (maybe under one of their pillows)? This one will help get us started on the road (thanks to Lightning McQueen).



This next clue we'll find when we stop for lunch and sit down to eat...just like when Bell sat down to eat in Beauty & The Beast!



The last clue we'll find at another stop for gas or a potty break. By this point, if Jack hasn't already figured it out, he will once he gets this last piece to the puzzle from Nemo!



We're so excited to be bringing the boys to such a magical place! And making the journey magical, fits right along with the adventure we have in store! Love it!

'Frogging' or 'Blogging'???

Four nights in a row, this frog has stood at our back sliding door. By morning he's gone. He (or she) just stands there and stares in at us. Our cats seem to like him too. They just walk right by him...almost as if he's just in their way. And he's not scared of us either. Last night I took the frog's picture...and the boys got a super close look at him through the glass. I hope he shows up again, I kind of like that he likes us. Maybe he heard that I'm 'blogging,' but misunderstood it for 'frogging'. Hmmm...or maybe he's a prince?! Or a princess?! We HAVE been watching Princess and the Frog a lot lately. Hmmm....???? Tonight, I will have Jason kiss her if she shows up again! :)

Bye Bye Soccer...

For this season, at least. Jack's last soccer game was today. We are so so so proud of his hard work during his first season of a team sport. We really didn't know what to expect, but we were pleasantly surprised with his intense spirit and enthusiasm towards soccer. After each practice and game, he'd ask us, "What did I do good?" and, "What can I do better?" He had a great first experience, thanks to his two coaches...Coach Harry and Coach Andrew. They made it super fun for the kids...and the Galaxy team had a GREAT season! They were the #1 team in the U6 division. There were 10 teams in U6. Jack's team only lost one game! There is no 'keeping score' in this league, but the parents (and especially the kids) keep score in their heads! What a fun season. And I must say, our whole family is sad it's over. We enjoyed Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings at the soccer field the last few months!