Bittersweet

The end of the school year is here, and a month ago, I would have told you how excited I was for school to end. In may ways, I still am super-excited for summer. But in others, I am a bit sad... it really is bittersweet. We have been doing all of the fun, typical things we do that have signified (to our family) the end of the year... the strawberry patch with Harris' school,

the Little School family picnic,

and the Little School end of the year playdate. It is amazing how bittersweet these things are, though... Harris is about to enter kindergarten and is getting so independant! A few months ago, we were at this same playground, and Harris was mad at me for not helping him climb this structure (I'm not that mean... I wanted him to figure it out for himself). This time, he climbed to the top without even looking back. He didn't need me to help anymore.

Also, up until this year, I have done all of these things with both Jackson and Harris. This year, though, Jackson hasn't been with us on these adventures, as he has been in big school. I can't tell you how much I have thought about him and missed him.

He has moved on to bigger and better things this year, like phonics, reading, science, PE, timed math tests, Computer Club, and Cub Scouts. Last weekend we went to his last scout meeting of the year, which was an awards ceremony. Along with receiveing more belt loops for his accomplishments, he also officially finished his Tiger Badge and will move on to Bears next year. Again, I was reminded how quickly the toddler and preschool milestones turn into grade school accomplishments.

So many times when I have told someone how hard parenting is, I have been thinking about potty training, separation anxiety, discipline, and tantrums. That stuff is hard. But, what I am learning day by day is that the really hard things about parenting are watching them grow and letting them go. Letting them do things on their own, letting them go home with friends, thinking about them walking down those big, long halls of grade school alone, without holding their hand.

It is unbelieveable to me that this fall I will have a kindergartener and a second grader. Just as I was a month ago, I am still so looking forward to summer days with these two before school comes and makes them grow up even more. However, saying goodbye to first grade and preschool is much harder than I thought it would be.

Miss T's Big Day

My friend, Tracey, from grad school at UGA was Jackson's first babysitter. And probably Harris', too. She has come to "play" several time a month for over 7 years, and my boys have fallen in love with her (honestly, what's not to fall in love with????). When she asked them to be in her wedding in April, we were all super excited.
The boys really didn't know what to expect... all they knew was that there was going to be a "practice", there would be a big party, and they would get to wear "penguin suits". What could be better?

The wedding was at Middleton Place, and I'm not sure there was a more beautiful weekend nor place for the wedding... the flowers, the weather, and the gardens were incredible.

Both boys did well for the rehearsal, still not sure what was really in store for them. However, they did everything expected of them and listened beautifully.

Afterwards, there was a fun BBQ out at Folly on the beach, where we played with old friends, Sara and Jeff Dodson and their sweet little boys. Unfortunately, no good pictures of us! Harris swore that Tracey looked just like this hula dancer.

As we were leaving, Jason taught the boys a lesson in joggling boards.

The day of the wedding was an exciting one, as they got to wear the "penguin suits". Harris was a bit disappointed that it didn't really look like a penguin, but I think he enjoyed getting dressed up and looking "fancy".

They did an awesome job as ring bearers. Jackson came down to the guests once during the ceremony, but with a few threats from me, he went back up and finished the ceremony as he was supposed to. They were super-cute, and provided the entertainment that only children can provide during a wedding.

The bride was incredibly beautiful... everything was beautiful, really.

Everyone was so excited and so happy after the wedding. The boys were a bit relieved, and Jackson especially, wanted his time with the bride!

Look at that amazing location.... it was the perfect setting for a few family pictures.

The reception was a great party... so much fun! The DJ had all kinds of hats, glasses, and costumes for the guests, and my boys ate it up. They danced their hearts out and made us laugh till we hurt. Tracey and Chris had also hired two street dancers to entertain and get the guests dancing even more... such a fun party! There was even a photobooth where guests could get pictures taken for the guest book. It was a great idea, and we have several photo strips to remind us of the crazy evening.

It was certainly one of the most fun weddings I have been to in a long time. The bride was beautiful, the boys were well-behaved, the couple was incredibly happy, and the evening was perfect.

Congratulations, Tracey and Chris! Wishing you many, many happy years together.

Thank you for letting us be a part of it... it was a night the boys will never forget.

Love you lots!

Lots of Fruits and Vegetables*

About a month ago, we joined The Organic Buying Club. Every two weeks, we get a delivery of lots of incredibly fresh and organic fruit and veggies. The club orders organics from all over and distributes them to all of their members locally. So far, it has been amazing! In the first delivery, we received (seven!) avacados, (twelve!)apples, red leaf lettuce, bean sprouts, mushrooms, (twelve!) peaches, potatoes, sugar snap peas, and more. This time, it was a pineapple, eggplant, kiwis, cukes, portabellas, limes, etc. The assortment has been incredible. I am feeling a little guilty about not using our local CSA's, though. However, we tried that, and the variety was severely lacking... the number of turnips and beets we received that went bad was way too high, and I ran out of things to do with the greens after the first couple of weeks. So we are going to try this for awhile, and we will visit our local farms thoughout the summer for the local things when we can. I am excited to see what comes next... it's almost like Christmas!!

* Title by Jackson

Where's Harris? Continued...

I was getting pictures off of my point-and-shoot camera, and I was suprised to find a few more from my boat trip with Harris... I guess I had forgotten I had used it. Out for a late afternoon stroll in Swansboro, NC.When we were fogged in, Harris and I walked into town for breakfast at this little diner (can't for the life of me remember the name!). He was wowed by the huge dinosaur pancakes. And, he has no idea who he is standing with in this picture!By the end, he was one pooped puppy. At dinner in Beaufort, he had a tiny meltdown, then proceeded to almost fall over into his plate. Dad and I enjoyed our incredible dinner in peace and quiet!