Fathers and Sons campout 6/10/11

This was the third Fathers and Sons camp out Ben and Tyson had been on together.  Ben got home a little early from work, packed up and they were off.  Tyson could not have been any more excited.  He loves camping, especially with Daddy!  This was the first camping trip for the year for Tyson. 

On their way to the campsite, Ben stopped at the store to get dinner for the two of them and some special treats for the evening.  Tyson got to pick what he wanted and gummy worms were the number one choice. Ben said  that those gummy worms were the entertainment for much of the night.  All the kids had a blast chasing each other around with their worms trying to gross each other out.

Ben said the weather was a little cool and the wind was blowing fairly hard, but at least the wind kept the mosquitoes at bay.  I woke up to rain hitting my bedroom window that night so I new the boys were getting the moisture as well.   Ben is always prepared though so no worries there...they were warm and dry all night long.

Ben sure does look forward to these camp outs with Tyson every year!  It is such a great opportunity for them to spend some time together, just the two of them.

Tyson, Logan and  Jackson

Tyson and Grant

Ah, the gummy worms...

Tyson and Grant

Tyson, Jackson and Landon

Mommy & Karissa Date 6/10/11

    

Since Daddy and Tyson got to go have fun at the Fathers and Sons camp out, I wanted to have a special date with my little girl.  We don't get too much one-on-one time, so this was the perfect opportunity to have a fun evening with Karissa.  

Once we got the boys off we got ready to head out ourselves.  As I was gathering my shoes and purse I noticed Karissa mimicking my every move.  She even went and found her little purse and swung it on her shoulder like I do.  It was so darn cute!  With purses in hand we asked grandma to take a picture of the two of us to document the occasion before heading out the door.

  Our first stop, the mall, where we could ride the merry-go-round and the train.  In the car I was trying to get Karissa all excited by telling her we were going to go ride the horses.  Once there as soon as she saw the merry-go-round she started running toward it. She could hardly wait for me to buy the token and once in the gate she headed straight for the....rooster?  Yep, out of all the pretty horses my little girl chose the rooster.  (My initial thought was, out of all the pretty and cute animals in the world, why would one put a rooster on a merry-go-round)?  Well, apparently it's for little girls like Karissa, but hey, whatever makes her happy, right? Anyway, she loved that ride.  We were the only ones riding and she enjoyed every minute of it.  It wasn't easy trying to get pictures of her, it's hard to stand on a spinning platform trying to keep from falling over while taking a picture and staying close to Karissa at the same time.  I thought for sure I would be feeling a little sick by the end but I did okay.  When the ride was over she wanted to sit on the zebra before we left.  She really did not want to leave the merry-go-round but after some coaxing we managed to walk away after I bribed her with some pizza.  (Note-to-self, don't eat the pizza from the mall). 

 After dinner I tried to get Karissa interested in the train but she wouldn't have it, the merry-go-round is what she wanted.  So, to the merry-go-round we went and this time she wanted the zebra.  Once she had her fill of that went down stairs to throw pennies in the fountain.  She could have stayed there for quite some time if I hadn't have run out of pennies. 

 Finally, on our way out of the mall we stopped at the little riding toys.  She climbed right up on this little truck and was having a fabulous time, that is until I put money in it and actually made it move.  Once the movement and loud, obnoxious music started she DID NOT want to sit in it.  I had to hold her until it stopped and only then would she climb in and play some more.  After our adventures at the mall we met some friends for ice cream before heading home.  It was a great night spent with my little girl!!! 

Playing outside 6/9/11

I wanted to try playing around with one of my camera lenses that I hadn't done too much with, so we headed over to the park.  The kids were cooperating quite well and I got some pretty good shots, or at least I thought so, but when saving them to the computer I ended up deleting most of them.  It's a long story, needless to say I was quite frustrated with myself.  The funny thing is that I usually ALWAYS double check to make sure the pictures are saved on the computer before I delete them from the camera.  This time I was impatient and thought I had them all saved.  Oh well, live and learn.  These are the ones I had left.

Discovery Gateway, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day weekend we decided to head to Discovery Gateway with some friends of ours, Ryan & Hydee.  The kids had a great time playing with all the fun stuff.  I think the favorites were the water for all the kids, but Karissa also LOVED the play house.  It was fun to watch her, it reminded me so much of myself and how much I loved to play in the playhouse in kindergarten or wherever there was one.  She was pulling stuff out of the cupboards and running around with a shopping cart full of food. Ah, to be young again...  

Karissa love the playhouse!  There was just so much to see and find, she was in heaven!

Ben helping Tyson on the climbing wall.

Karissa had to try too, of course!

Most of their time was spent here, in the water.

They both loved being on the horse. "CHEESE!"

I think this is Tyson's favorite silly face.

My two helicopter pilots.

Tyson and Easton

Tyson's Preschool Graduation

 

Tyson has officially graduated from preschool.  We had a great year with all the boys and their moms!  What made it special was that they were all boys from our neighborhood. Yes, things got kind of crazy sometimes with seven boys, but I enjoyed each time it was my turn to teach!!!  Thanks to all you mom's who helped to teach Tyson and give him some wonderful memories!  I am going to miss this, but I guess it won't be too much longer before I will be doing it again with Karissa.  I just can't believe my little boy is getting so big.  He is the only one from his class will be starting Kindergarten this year.  I will be honest and say I am NOT looking forward to him starting school! I am just not ready to let him go yet, but he is so ready. Where did the time go?  Yes, I will be one of those mom's who will be sobbing the first day I have to send him to Kindergarten.  I just want to be around him all the time to protect and watch over him to make sure he's okay.  Deep down I know he will be fine, but it doesn't make it any easier!  

Tyson you are going to do so well in school.  I love you so much and pray everyday that you will be confident and successful in all you do! You are an amazing little boy!  You amaze me everyday with the things you've learned and abilities you've acquired.  I am so proud of you!  Your eagerness to learn has really paid off!  Our goal throughout this year was to try to have you reading before you started Kindergarten and YOU DID IT!!!!!!!.  You worked so hard!  It wasn't easy some days and I will admit that I wasn't always the most patient, but you ALWAYS forgave me every time I apologized.  Just how you would say "It's okay, Mom" or "I'm sorry you got frustrated.", just made me want to try even harder to be the best mom I know I can be. You are going to do GREAT!  "I LOVE YOU MORE THAN ICE CREAM!" (and cheesecake)!!!!!