Another one says farewell to soccer

Today was the final game of soccer for Action. I am sure there will continue to be many games still played on our front lawn, but he has chosen to say good bye to organized soccer and move on to football. Football at such a young age scares me, and that is saying a lot, since I am so not a worry wart, and pretty much think everyone will always be okay. We allowed our oldest to start football at 5th grade, thinking he might possibly have enough girth by then. Uh, not so much, but we kept our promise anyways. So Action is starting 4th grade in the fall, but somehow talked us into football this year. Again, not so much girth, but that may not happen with our boys until they hit college, so what's a mom to do?

Seriously contemplating his game...
(actually "taking a knee" for an injured player)



Great season, buddy, it's been fun watching you improve through the years.



Oh, and we took Kume to get some pictures. We took Jambo, too, but somehow his are not accessible online. So this girl is usually quite photogenic, and did a great job. Then I looked closely after the session and saw a ring of cracker crumbs around her mouth. Yeah, I know, why didn't I look closely before. So we returned to the studio and they had time to only take one shot. Mercifully, it was a good one.

How can you NOT like THE PRINCESS BRIDE???

The Princess Bride

Sophomore year of college, I went to Southern California for spring break with 2 college roommates. The first night we got in from the beach, we decided to watch The Princess Bride, since my roommate's brother had it and recommended it. Then we watched it again the next night, and the next and the next. Five nights in a row. It became OUR movie. For the next few years, when we just needed a boost, we would watch it again. I tell you, this was our feel good movie. You probably have one, too.

Hello, we even nicknamed ourselves from the movie. I, of course, am the sweet Buttercup and hubby is the handsome Farmboy (since he thought Westley sounded a bit too non-tough).

So I am talking to one of my dearest friends, Laura, today. Seriously, she is an awesome friend. We have known each other since college (but....she wasn't on the California trip), and our friendship has developed to the point that she is like a kindred spirit to me. She is my accountability partner. She is hopefully traveling with me to pick up Li'l B when I go to Ethiopia, so Farmboy can stay home with the family to keep it somewhat intact. She is one of only 2, maybe 3 people that I can be almost totally vulnerable with. Hey, we are sisters and I love her dearly. But....we were on the phone this morning planning a get together for this evening when I mentioned that one of the things I wanted to do was watch The Princess Bride with the family. She couldn't recall what movie it was, and when I explained it, she said something like, "Oh, you know, I don't really like that movie. Chuck (her sweet husband who gets the movie) is always quoting the next line before it's said (isn't that cool???) and it sort of bugs me. I just don't get the draw of it." Huh? Don't worry, Laura and I will work through this. Our friendship deserves it, but it IS inconceivable....



If you haven't seen it yet, rent it and enjoy!

Spring has Sprung

The heat has finally convinced us that the long cold winter is over. We wait impatiently for our missing documents. We've had to try to explain the delays inherent in the process a few too many times, although we really can't understand it ourselves.

Just so you all know we have kept ourselves busy...

Mothers Day, we had a chance to picnic with the Grand Parents


...and later take a hike.


...in the mud. Always a nice surprise!




HE made the vine, they climb the branches.



OchoCinco also turned thirTEEN on us, May 10
Happy Birthday Chief!



And Farmboy got to "stroll the plantation" with Buttercup...
For the record, Farmboy does the work outside the house.










If any of you have seen the upside down tomato plants aka "TOPSY TURVY" for the low low price of $19.95 plus S&H. Farmboy will attempt to make do with 2 tidycat bins and a shepherds hook... more to come as we progress: