SNAKE!

This morning we left early to walk and ride bikes on the Greenway before it got too hot. The boys loved having all the shaded space to ride their bikes, and after awhile they found a great place to stop and play in the creek. I warned them not to pick up any BIG rocks on the chance that a big snake might slither out. Well, they listened, but we still saw a snake. It was above the creek tanning on the rocks.
It is the second snake we've seen this summer; talk about "luck."

Happy Father's Day and Birthday, Daddy

Phillip's birthday is the day after Lofton's, so no matter how much Phillip tries to tell us he is younger, we know exactly how old he is because Lofton was born the day before his 30th birthday. So, you do the math, and you'll know exactly how old Phillip is. For Phillip's bday this year, which also fell on Father's Day, we celebrated poolside with the Griffins. Phillip cooked his own lunch even though Amy and I both offered to cook a Father's Day meal. I did make Phillip his favorite dessert, Oreo Surprise- a recipe of Amy's. We literally just relaxed all day while lounging around the pool, and Jonathan and Phillip did watch a golf tournament on tv.

Lofton is 6!

Lofton at 6 years old you...
- love the Lord! You say the sweetest prayers and talk about God all the time.
-are a sweet boy and the best big brother ever!
-love video games especially Super Mario Brothers!
-can't get enough crab rangoon; it is your favorite food.
-give the best hugs and kisses especially to your new baby brother who you hug every night.
-think mommy's pregnant belly is hilarious and that my belly button could win $10,000 on America's Funniest Home Videos.
-love to watch Man vs. Food, River Monsters, and just about any show on Animal Planet.
-love to fish and camp.
-have learned to ride your bike, to swim, and to tie your shoe all in the past year.
-are looking forward to Kindergarten.
-are just plain growing up right before our eyes!

Lofton's 1st Slumber Party

To celebrate Lofton's 6th birthday, he chose to have a slumber party mainly because he wanted to play Wii with his friends. I told him that he could invite 3 boys because four people can play Wii at a time and because I didn't think in my current state (big time pregnant) that I could survive with too many boys. He invited Jude, Jackson, and Justin, and with him and Landon, we had five total boys running around the house. They were all actually very good and hardly even played the Wii. They spent their time playing with toys and playing dress up. They were so funny because shortly after they all arrived, they broke out their sleeping bags and pjs to see what kind of pajamas everyone had! I am proud to say everyone was asleep (except for me) by 10:30, but I heard the laughter begin around 6:50am. Phillip cooked breakfast and then we took them outside for some redneck water park fun. Everyone left after lunch, and we took Lofton and Landon to see Toy Story 3 and to dinner. I am happy to say that I survived all the fun, but haven't been that exhausted in a long time!

Let the Celebrating Begin!

Lofton chose to have a slumber party for his 6th birthday, so my parents and Roanna came the weekend before his birthday to celebrate with him. We celebrated by first opening gifts because Lofton can't wait. He was thrilled to get Mario Galaxy 2, Mario Cart for his DS, a Mario costume, and tickets to Nashville Shores. We then got ready and went out for Chinese at Fulin's because his favorite food is crab rangoon. He couldn't wait to eat it; he had been excited all week for this meal. He devoured four large pieces of crab rangoon. After dinner, we went shopping for him some new tennis shoes. My parents promised him they'd buy him some Sketchers because he has been wanting some for a long time. He chose a blue and black pair that light up. We then went home for some cake (Mimi made him a Mario cake) and icecream. Lofton had so much fun and even told the lady at the shoe store that he was having his "adult party today and his kid pary was next week." He acted so grown up and looked so grown up. It is hard to believe six years have flown by.

Lofton Finds a New Reason to Go to the Pool!

Lofton is on the far left!
We have been enjoying the privacy of the Griffins' pool all summer, but today, our neighbor Presley and her friends were headed to our community pool, and the boys wanted to tag along. Luckily, it wasn't too crowded, which is the main reason I hate going there. Lofton enjoyed hanging out with Presley and her friends more than swimming. If the girls got out of the pool, he would too. If they got in, he would jump in around them and then ask, "Did I get ya'll wet?" When the girls were laying out, he'd put stuff on their backs to make them jump or he'd squirt them with the water guns. When we got in the car to leave, I asked if he thought the girls were pretty. He just smiled, blushed, and unconvincingly said no.

Camping

Phillip has a love for camping, and he has passed that love down to the boys. I being seven months pregnant can't say that I have caught the fever, but I did go and I so enjoyed it because I so loved watching the boys have a good time. We went to Dale Hollow Campgrounds and took Grandfather's boat. Friday night we just set camp and then went into town for some Subway. The boys also enjoyed the playgroud, riding their bikes, and playing with all the kids who were camping near us. Saturday we went on the lake all day with our friends Jeremiah and Kia. Lofton loved swimming in the lake, and he learned from Kia how to float on his back. He asked her how to do it, and she told him that "if you have more body fat than muscle that it is easy." The first words out of his mouth were "Momma, I bet you can float on your back." Out of the mouths of babes.

He and Landon both fell asleep on the boat for a few minutes, but they quickly woke up and went back to swimming and fishing. When we got back to camp, Phillip cooked a good meal (which is the best thing about camping with Phillip- you eat well); we took a walk, and we went fishing again. Lofton so enjoyed riding his bike around the campgrounds; it is a great place to ride.

So, I survived our first camping trip of the summer. Phillip and the boys say they are going again, but I think I'll sit my prego butt on the couch and sleep in my own bed.

Summer time is Finally Here!

The boys spent the first week of summer vacation at my parents, so we offically celebrated that school is out for summer this past Tuesday. Phillip borrowed his dad's boat and we took the boys to the lake. They had a blast fishing and surprisingly swimming in the lake. Landon would only put his feet in and lower himself in, but he wouldn't let go of the boat thanks to a show that he, Phillip, and Lofton watch called River Monsters! Despite the fear of congo monsters, the boys had a great time, and I have started working on a great tan.

After all the fun on the lake, we finished kicking off the summer with a pizza and icecream.

Visiting Mimi and Pop Pop

As soon as school let out the boys went to my mom and dad's for the week. They love spending time with their Mimi and Pop Pop, and they don't shed a tear for me while they're gone. In fact, Landon cried when I picked them up to come home. They had a fantastic time, and as much as I missed them, I did enjoy the break. Phillip and I went out to dinner with friends about every night; I, being in the nesting phase, worked my hiney off, and I laid by the pool and went to see Sex and the City.

The boys had fun too; they went to play putt putt three times; they went to Billy Bob's (which is like Chuck E Cheese) three times. Mom also took them to see Shrek. Then, when I went for the weekend to get them, we all went to Camden Park and Carter Caves. Landon loved Camden Park and rode the roller coaster at least five times. He also shocked me when he rode several other adult rides with my brother. They both loved Carter Caves and pretending they were Indiana Jones. Lofton swears he found an arrow head, and he was very interested in talking about Indians. We also toured a cave, and he thought it was too cool.

As always, it was great to go home to visit my family. Thanks, mom and dad for letting them come make some wonderful memories with you all and for giving me a break!

Here are a few more pics from Camden Park!

Lofton's Graduation from Preschool

Sporting their new "big boy" hair cuts!










Lofton graduated from preschool for the second time; he graduated last year, but I didn't start him in kindergarten this year, so this was his actual graduation from preschool! Before we left for graduation, we all split a graduation cupcake.

His program was really sweet. They sang several songs for us parents before receiving their "diplomas." During their program, Lofton sang and did exactly what he was supposed to, but he laughed loudly every time someone talked in the microphone. He is still quite the ham and enjoys being the clown. During the slide show, he was the only child that I could hear; he kept laughing and pointing everyone out when their pictures came up. He had a good time and enjoyed the night. I can't believe that he is starting kindergarten in August. The time with him at home has really flown by; I am so glad that we waited to start him. It is the best decision I've made. He is very prepared. I know he'll do great; he is very excited about kindergarten!

(Look for more pics later; my camera battery died right after graduation, so I didn't get any pics with Lofton and friends. However, I had Amy take a few, so I'll steal them from her blog later)

Landon's end of the year school program

The last week of school was super busy with a soccer game, Landon's program, and Lofton's preschool graduation. Landon's program was on a Tuesday night- the same night as a make up soccer game. Luckily, Phillip wasn't working, so he took Lofton to soccer and the two of them showed up just in time. Landon did a great job; this was his first year to actually sing and be on stage for his class's part. His class sang several songs, and he just performed his little heart out. It made me laugh at how different Lofton and Landon are. When Lofton was a Ladybug like Landon, all Lofton did was stand on stage and stomp his feet! Both are performers, but Lofton likes the laughs.

Landon was super sweet, and we so enjoyed watching him sing his sweet songs and do all the motions. The program ended with a slide show, and Landon pointed himself out in every picture. I can't believe another school year is at an end. He had a great year and learned a lot, but he and I both love not getting up and rushing around to get to school now!