Week Twenty-two

There was enough heat in the grill after Greg smoked chicken thighs for s'mores. Little man wasn't so sure about the marshmallow texture.

Austin got sand in his eye and was livid. Greg and I helped him rinse it out and in total despair, he complained I didn't care he was going to go blind. Perplexed, I needed further explanation and was told we were out of carrots. Carrots are good for your eyes. The drama around here is legendary. And often exhausting.

Situation has been addressed.

The girls each got ready for the day and laughed when they realized they dressed alike. Greg couldn't help joining them for a ridiculous photo

Greg and I slipped to the farmer's market for fresh strawberries and a bottle of specialty bourbon. A band was playing so we found a spot under a large shade tree to listen for awhile. It's been a long time since we did something so relaxing with no further agenda. And then those strawberries were put to good use with a homemade almond flour cake and whipped cream. Yum.

Monday a rain shower interrupted our dinner on the deck. Austin didn't mind at all. He ran and played in the rain until his mom bribed him with a bath using the bath bomb he painted earlier in the day while shopping for laundry detergent with me. It was a pretty special ending to good old fashioned playtime.

PS. Painted bath bombs leave food coloring residue behind on bathtubs and children. 

Kate left for her final morning of high school on Wednesday and despite her puffy allergy eyes, messy bun, oversized sweatshirt with athletic shorts and both hands full of crap snacks, I wanted a photo to mark the moment. I was suddenly experiencing some big feelings and they took me by surprise. I withheld my urge for the photo, knowing full and well she would have begrudgingly complied but absolutely didn't want the moment remembered with an unflattering image. I get that. My baby has finished high school. I know all too well how winding the path gets from here. I thought I was ready.

He rode with me to a doctor's appointment Wednesday and asked to stop at the gas station. I should have known he was up to something when he was ready to go at eight in the morning. This is the breakfast of champions.

This one has learned to appreciate my swing and his time on the porch with me while I read. He has impressed me lately with his ability to remain on the porch despite all the life that happens in front of our house with dogs on walks, delivery trucks and people. He has it in him to be such a good boy. He just often forgets.

Not dead but I did have to check. That eight am appointment caught up with him Wednesday afternoon.

Thursday marked the one year anniversary of his gotcha day. June 1 will never be the same. Neither will the house or anything in it. But we love the knucklehead. Our neighbor tattled on him recently. When he is let out and she is on her porch, he watches and waits for us to turn our backs so he can creep into her yard to say hi. She said the process takes him about five minutes because he stops and looks over his shoulder every few steps to make sure he is still in the clear. She laughed as she she described his super quick kiss and pets before he sprints back into our yard as if nothing had happened. Oh Diesel. 

Austin wasn't home so Kate took a turn. The neighbors were cracking up. We are THAT house. 

In other news, a decision was made and the neighborhood may never be the same. Austin and Diesel are having a blast but it's slightly terrifying. I'm just glad I was able to persuade Austin to wear a helmet. And now Ty is texting me links to dirt bikes. Of course he is. I told him to talk to Lauren. She is responsible for wild purchases. This also created another parking situation. So I am not only not driving my car because Lauren has it but now I have also lost my parking space in the garage because Austin needed it. 

Austin has been pushing boundaries lately and his momma reached the end of her tolerance level. A color chart was created with limited success. However, Diesel made a "red choice" and it was determined he too needed a color chart. Austin is reveling in power to control Diesel's chart. 

Week Twenty-one

Kate kicked off the week in style. She and Hagan attended Prom. While they were out, Hagan's parents joined us for dinner. We've never developed a relationship with our daughters boyfriend's families because we have seen the consequences of too much involvement. However, our brief encounters up to this week have been enjoyable and we think we are all fairly level headed about high school relationships. Kate loves their family and it isn't difficult to see why. What the future holds for Kate and Hagan is well beyond my pay grade but I sense they will always at least be friends. He has been a pretty sweet first relationship. The fact they like spending time together with family is a perk I'm not taking for granted. 

Hair and makeup were a sister effort. Erin was there for entertainment purposes.

In other news, we bought Austin a sandbox. Although Diesel is quite certain it was meant for him. 

We have a family Life 360 account. I have notifications turned off and only use it when I can't get a hold of someone. Kate, on the other hand, uses it to ask where I'm going on the off chance I leave campus during the day. Who authorized this role change? Anyway, I always answer and laugh every time. Someone needs to be in charge around here and to be completely honest, I'm kinda tired anyway. 

This sweet face greets me most mornings. This on top of the tea Greg always delivers to my bedside makes for the best start to my days.

I wrapped up the school year hosting an Indy 500 race for all the students in our building. I was challenged to a race by a co-worker and knew I couldn't decline. Greg was less than thrilled when I told him I'd likely be injured before the end of the day but couldn't pass up on the challenge. I *just* got out of the boot so I saw his point. However my friend called in "sick". I'm guessing my athleticism scared her. Officially this means I win, right? I woke Wednesday with muscle aches in New places. It was the good kind of discomfort. It means I felt well enough to play. 

But can you play two games at once? #skills

Lauren, Austin and I ran errands Wednesday and it meant Austin entertained me while his momma shopped in peace. It was a pretty sweet trade. 

Her students colored her dress. It was adorable to see her kiddos showing their grown-ups what they drew for her. 

Miss Makenna graduated her first class of students with the cutest song, poem and Snoop Dog affirmation. Eighteen little people are kindergarten ready and she is almost ready to let them. Almost.

Today Austin and I cleaned the house in anticipation of a relaxing weekend on the deck. One of us was more efficient than the other but he makes up for it with enthusiasm. His trusty sidekick is just about as helpful. 

Week Twenty

Austin loves surprises and could not wait to decorate the house for Aunt Kate's birthday while she was at school. 

Hagan's family joined us for Kate's birthday dinner. We loved exchanging stories and laughing together. The fact this is what Hagan and Kate also wanted for their prom dinner says a lot about how much they like being around all of us. PS. The moms collectively decided they needed to go to dinner with friends on their prom night.

Her graduation theme is, "she's ready to soar" and the birthday bracelet landed at the perfect time.

She's becoming a regular country concert groupie. This one was a couple of song writers explaining the back story to songs they've written and then performing them. She loved the low-key pace and atmosphere.

This week we celebrated a milestone birthday for Kate. How on earth she is eighteen is beyond me. I guess I blinked. We had a date for a photo, lunch and shopping together Saturday to connect and catch up on all the big life moments she is processing right now. She has prom this weekend and graduates in two more weeks. All her senior projects have impacted her in ways she didn't anticipate. Capturing final thoughts about her life up to this point has been a bit emotional. We are so proud of the young woman she is becoming.

Mother's Day was a loud affair. It usually is. My brood is anything but dignified and subdued. I absolutely could not contain my laughter when I opened the gorgeous package surrounded by flowers......

Makenna said, "oh! Wear it over your dress! It perfectly matches Erin's complexion!"

Our grandson met our neighbor. Within mere minutes of their acquaintance, he was on the ground demonstrating a seizure like his dog had. Lauren, with as straight a face as she could muster, explained he was processing a lot. I can't tell this story without howling with laughter. Thank God our neighbor is wonderful and adores children.

Oh you know, just watching Nat Geo with Austin. This episode about the wild cats in India clearly captured his full attention. Google lens insists Diesel is a Rhodesian Ridgeback which happens to be a breed initially used to hunt Lions. This doesn't fair well for living in peace with Oliver. 

Both boys try to steal our bed in the evening. Both remain disappointed every time. But it's a sweet little ritual none the less. 

My work week was challenging in ways unanticipated but there were redeeming moments with students. There always is. I watched my kiddos from last year graduate from elementary school and oozed with pride. I can't help but want to bubble wrap a few of the more tender hearts. I pray middle school is as kind as middle school can be to my young friends.

Sarcasm for me is like a pressure relief valve. It keeps my head from exploding.

A close friend became a grandma this week. It seems impossible I wasn't *just* at the hospital meeting his daddy. Time flies when our babies are involved.

My favorite human and I went on a little adventure after school today. He loved using his new boots to explore. I loved watching him more.