Simply Summer Two

Simple summer outings are my favorite.  Especially with my little man.  I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed not working this summer.  I might just be a little too comfortable spending time at home and having sweet simplicity moments with my family!  This particular date was my other main man and me.  What a relaxing way to start our day!

  

Seriously you can never go wrong at Chick-fil-a! Mmm!

                           

I told ya so!;)

More Simple Summers are on the way!  It’s just been too much fun living in the moment to keep up with blogging!

He’s FIVE!

 

This year, I decided to have a baking birthday party as he likes to help in the kitchen, LOVES pizza, and it was a something hands-on all the kids could enjoy!  Here is the little invite:  

   

party goodies!

  

Our little guy and all friends had a great time learning how to make their own pizza a pull-apart cinnamon bread.   We had two college girls (sisters), run the party and I have to say they did an excellent job of keeping all the kids engaged and gave very good child leveled instruction.  I was so impressed with how they asked questions first and let the kids predict.  The kids were excited, calm and (though, I am usually a teensy stressed when it comes to planning parties), I was not the tiniest bit stressed at this one!  I was actually feeling elated and relaxed at the same time.  More importantly, Brayden and all his little friends had a super time!  Everything went smooth and it seemed to go quickly.  

preparing their pull-apart cinnamon bread

     

 

 

B opened his gifts as the pizza and pull-apart cinnamon bread baked.

Doesn’t it look great?!

 

Bitter sweet to see your baby boy celebrate his 5th birthday, I must say.  I seriously kept thinking, he is now a little boy, no longer a baby or toddler.  It makes me feel a little sad, yet know it’s inevitable.  I am very comforted that I have a general idea of what to except as he grows and develops (only bc I have a teenager).  However, I look forward to “unknowns”  and making plans for his future.  How blessed we are to have such a little man so kind and loving.  Happy Birthday to MY baby boy!    

saying bye to sweet Ella…which he’ll was to see soon.  Her birthday was immediately following the baking fun!

Birthday hug, then group hug!

     

Stacey, Jesse, Mandy, Megan, & a little Emily

Mommy loves this big boy so much!

just a little collage I made on my phone, once we were home settled and playing

simply summer one

As we do various activities in the summer (and I am certain I will post about some of the others too), I am calling our family summer walks: one.  It’s one of the simple things that I love so much.  There is something special about randomly going on a walk as a family.  During the school year, we are usually swamped due to our schedules and too tired after work.  SO, needless to say, here are snaps of one of those walks I cherish like crazy.

First, let me introduce our newest family member, Joey!  He is certainly post worthy.  I am compiling some sweet snaps to honor him (coming soon).

  

This is on the way to an old pond in our neighborhood.  We think the newly laid trail might have been a Boy Scout project.  The grass has been cut down.  Brayden likes to throw horse apples in.  It makes for a quick walk, yet gives us some time to explore a little bit of nature too!

    

Daddy’s Day 2012

What a happy happy day! Love you Scott!  Thank you for being a great hubby and daddy.  You are loved BIG!!!

My favorite was Nealy’s card….the Snoopy one. 

Happy Father’s Day

to a Dad who taught me what life is all about….

Can you repeat?  I wasn’t listening.

lions, tigers, and bears OH! my!

On  April 27th, in the evening, Brayden had his spring program.  I can’t tell you how adorable it was.  I sadly didn’t get pictures worth posting as the ones in the sanctuary ended up a bit blurry.  However, the memories and few decent photos I did get will certainly last a life time.  I’m sharing a few!…such fun!   The theme of lions, tigers, and bears OH! my!…was most appropriate.  The little ones made their little animal visors and sang the sweetest songs:

Here We Come

Who’s the King of the Jungle

Five Little Monkeys Swinging in a Tree

Let All Creatures, Praise the Lord

Spanish Color Song

The Monkey Dance

Friends Forever

This little program just made me “thirsty” for more.  We celebrated Brayden’s first year at school in pre-k.  Both grandmas were in attendance, as were Grand-dad, and Aunt Pia!  Of course, Nealy, Scott and I were there. Duh? :)  Seriously, what  a wonderful night it was!!!!

my handsome boy!