Only Girls Allowed!

The older Bateman cousins came to Henderson for a weekend of wild and crazy fun! Maria, Katie, Kennedy, Hannah, and Meeka planned this for months. First stop, Red Robin for lunch and to celebrate...

Katie's 16th Birthday! We heard she loved surprises (wink, wink) so we sang to her and brought along a cake that Eric's mom had picked up. As you can see, Boston was the only boy allowed because of a scheduling conflict.

They also did a little shopping at the mall. Hannah asked me which glasses I liked better? I thought her mom would appreciate this picture and the innocence involved.

They hung out at our house and ate ebelskevers before heading to Grandma Bateman's for the remainder of the stay.

The festivities included lots of swimming, learning to knit, making tie-die shirts, pizza and bread making, gardening, painting, a movie marathon and lots of eating. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of grandma and grandpa. I know there are some but thought I would start with these. The girls had a great time together and were so respectful and easy going. They are welcome any time!

Sweet and Salty

Sweet = Jackson

At any waking hour, the kids are fighting about something. Yesterday Kennedy was edgy to put it nicely. On the way to pick Boston up from a friend's, Jackson spoke up, "Mom, I'd like to cheer Kennedy up. What do girls like?" And before I could answer back, he said, "Maybe lipstick? No, I know. I could take her out for a nice dinner."

He is such a sweet boy.

Salty = Leighton

On the same ride yesterday, I told Leighton to get his finger out of his nose. Then he came up with this profound theory.

"Mom, if I use my finger to pick my nose then I am saving tissue. If I am saving tissue, I am saving paper. By not using paper, I am saving a tree which means there is more oxygen in the air to breath."

Can't argue with that.

What's New?

We honored our Dad.

After washing the car, cleaning out the refrigerator, and babysitting, Kennedy finally earned enough to buy some Tom's. She also wanted to have a lemonade sale but I told her I would pay for the remaining money she needed if she DIDN'T have a lemonade sale. Lemonade sales are expensive and sticky for the parents.

An outing to the library - they love this place! I tolerate it.

The kids have graduated to a full size concrete from Nielson's Frozen Custard. Cheap ice cream outings are a thing of the past.

Boston found a new best friend - the remote. He doesn't go anywhere (within the house) without it.

After stopping at A&W for the older kids, Boston got his wish of McDonald's in Boulder City.

Jackson giving his best Michael Jackson impression.

Leighton torturing the bicycle.

Kennedy and Grace were out of control in here! I had to send them out to the car because they were scaring the smaller children. I think our days at the McDonald's play land are numbered.

Next week we head for Washington...excited to change things up a bit.

A little of this, a little of that...

scenes from the past week...

Kennedy's spring piano recital. She played a beautiful piece called Longing for Spring. Her teacher says she is ready to play Bach which means it's time to take it to the next level.

The Cultural Fair - Denmark was their country of choice and they worked very hard on their reports. They brought in a picture of their great grandfather when he was a guard for the King of Denmark, a Danish water color and ebelskevers to share. I was a few minutes late getting to their classroom (security at the school slowed me down) and the two of them were on the verge of a panic attack. They thought I wasn't going to show. I asked them if I have ever not shown up and they related one time in kindergarten I didn't show up to make pizza which is so not true. At any rate, they received rave reviews for the ebelskevers.

For the first time, we were invited to the end-of- the-year award ceremony where Jackson received an "Attendance" award for missing only 2 or less days the whole year. He was beaming.

However, Jackson was very concerned that Leighton didn't get the award and he kept looking back and checking on him, then after hugging him. Leighton was happy for his bro but a little sad too. If only he hadn't got strep throat and a yeast infection on his tongue.

Leighton actually achieved a major accomplishment. He was on the A-B honor roll for the third trimester! I told him we would have a party if this ever happened so I think a party is in store.

On the last day of school the boys invited a friend to come hang out and go to a movie and swim. Dylan is very mellow and blends in with the twins great. They were all dancing with Michael Jackson on the Wii and were much more coordinated than I. Thank goodness.

Our 15th anniversary came and went with Eric in Elko, Nevada. He was very thoughtful and sent this beautiful bouquet of roses. We will be celebrating this weekend as 15 years is a big accomplishment.

Kennedy babysat the girl version of Boston, Boston Starr Nichols, so we had to document the two Boston's together. My Boston was enthralled with her until she had a messy diaper. Kennedy couldn't finish the job and had to bring me in for back up. I realized she has never changed a #2 diaper. This is true. She needs practice but I am not going to provide the baby. Please call her for babysitting so she learn what it's all about.

Now that the kids are out of school, I am looking forward to lazy mornings and working on our tans (well maybe just mine). Actually we have lots going on with the twins doing summer reading school through the end of June, girl Bateman cousins coming to Vegas, traveling to Washington to enjoy family, football practice, swim camps, volleyball camp, math fact memorization, and a 20 year class reunion. It should be an exciting one.

Boston's World

At 5 years old, the world revolves around you. Last week Boston's school had 3 days of activities scheduled: a field trip to the Spring's Preserve, an ice cream party, a graduation ceremony and pizza party at the splash park. He ate it all up!

Mrs. Thomas was a dream kindergarten teacher. She had just the right mix of fun and focus. Boston grew leaps and bounds in all areas. He's starting to read, can add and subtract, tie his own shoes and sing the National Anthem. I love school (for my children) and can't imagine life without it.

Nothing like a room full of kindergartner's saying the pledge of allegiance and singing the National Anthem to bring you to tears.

He sure looks good in that uniform. Next year, he will go to public school and will get to wear whatever he wants. I asked the twins if they wanted to go to American Heritage next year and they emphatically replied, "No way! That place is like prison! You have to wear a uniform there!"

He finished the celebration by running through the water at the park and playing with his friends. He's very social and usually the ring leader. His teacher had nothing but great things to say about him so he must be a good ring leader (although he does like to use the word butt - we're working on that).

It could be a long summer. Boston is already bouncing balls off the walls, literally, and needing constant action. How to keep him entertained? If only we had a batting cage in the back yard...