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patriotic, freedom, land of the brave.

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Lemons, Hide and Seek and Life Vests

Yesterday Hayden, Ethan and Libby played hide and seek. It was so sweet the way they were including Libby. Libby was in heaven, she loved it. She even came up with a few hiding places too, but mostly she liked looking for them. After playing for awhile she put the boys hamper on her head, and said "where is Libby?" It was so funny. She couldn't see anyone, so of course no one could see her, right?!

Libby finally held still long enough for me to do a quick little braid. It was sloppy, but I was elated. She has so much hair I've been wanting to play with it and do some cute hair dos, but she apparently doesn't share my enthusiasm for hair styling. I have also recently started using regular shampoo on her hair, I know your thinking who cares, but it feels like a huge milestone to me, because that means she does not have baby hair anymore, she has little girl hair!! And its so EXCITING!! (oh I love having a girl!)

 We haven't been able to talk hayden into trying the wakeboard yet, he will do the knee board sometimes, but mostly he likes to play in the water and throw the football around with Dad. In this picture hayden is holding onto the handle and shawn is pulling him to the swim step.

Another milestone: Since Ethan is 12 he leagally doesn't have to wear a life vest on the boat, and he can "legally" hold the flag! He is so happy, and a little smug when all the other littles are putting on their life vests....Sometimes its the little things folks!

Saturday Ethan's flag football team played in the play offs. It was so hot. They had to play five short games. They didnt win, but they made a touchdown on the best team in our Anthem league, which kicked the other team out of the play offs. Oppse! Ethan has had a BLAST playing this season. And we already have him signed up for the fall season. This is huge for Ethan becasue we usally have to talk him into playing sports. Yay Ethan!

We are anxiusly waiting for lemons to ripen and check on the tree regularly. Its so exciting. We love all things lemon. Fruit trees are illegal in Anthem, so I can niether confirm nor deny that this tree is actually in our yard. We wouldnt do something like that!

The kids have only been out of school for a week and a half but I am already certain this is going to be the best summer ever. It might have something to do with the fact that I am not working this summer, yup that definelty has something to do with it. My goal for the summer is to relax (aka be lazy), but use our time effectively. I have come up with a schedule that gives the kids downtime to do what they want, but they also have responsibilites each day, some of which they can on their own time, some they have to do a certain time. Every summer I set goals for each child that we need to work on. One goal that I have this summer for the boys is to work on their typing skills. Ethan is really good but sometimes he uses the peck method because he thinks its faster. So during their computer time they will work on improving their typing skills for 20 minutes. Another goal that I have is I want to teach my boys some life skills, such as how to cook easy meals (and maybe desserts, becasue thats way more fun) and clean. They are great at helping around the house, but I have yet to relenquish some of my deep cleaning jobs because I want it done right! But I know they are capable, I just need to give them the opportuinity to learn. So we'll see how it goes, I'll keep you posted on our summer endevors!

Happy SUmmer!

Graduation

Ethan surrounded by girls, and was so embarrassed when I asked him about them.

Ethan is attacking his cake.

Ethan had his graduation for sixth grade last night. Can you believe my baby is going to middle school now? Crazy. I think I might hold him hostage and not let him go. I am just not willing to let him grow up. Nope, not gonna happen. I know I've said this before but I just adore that kid. He is the sweetest 12 year old I know. At the end of the ceremony they had the kindergarten class, all wearing black sunglasses, sing "Hit the road Jack, and don't you come back no more!" It was so funny. So I guess Ethan is moving on to bigger and better things. Good luck in middle school Ethan! And don't change. (does that sound like a year book post?)

After the ceremony we went to Red Robin and celebrated with bottomless fries and root beer. Ethan ordered off of the adult menu, which was a first for him. He was so excited about all the choices. Grandma and Papa came too. It was so fun, other then Libby pushing her high chair into the aisle way the whole time (never a dull moment with the Hancock's) the evening was awesome.

Father's Day

 Father's Day will be here before you know it!!

Find it here, at A Lovely Party.

One Year Older

Shawnee is one year older! Oh my! We celebrated his birthday weekend with his parents on Friday night. We had lasagna, his favorite, and a gigantic chocolate cake, also a favorite. If you really are what you eat, then Shawn would be chocolate, through and through. No joke! Shawn had to work on his birthday, (Not right!) but he made it in time for Ethan's flag football game. Phew! It was a good game. Then we hit the lake for a few hours. I thought the water was freezing but it didn't stop the kids from all jumping in. Although that might have had more to do with the fact that I bet them beforehand that they wouldn't. They made sure to rub it in that I was wrong. It happens. Then we hit date night. And we might have made our friends wait an hour for us, oppse!! It was a crazy busy day. Can you believe that we are still friends? Thank goodness they are forgiving.

Happy Birthday Shawn. We love you.

Spring Flag Football

This season has been a blast so far. The best season ever up to this point, I think. Both of the boys are playing hard, and they have great teams. It is fun to watch them get into the game and do their best. Hayden gets to be one of the quarterbacks for his team and he loves it. He is taking his position very seriously and is outside throwing the ball around every chance he gets! Although I am not sure how good of practice it is throwing the ball around with silly old Mom, but hey it is fun! Ethan is fast and has pulled lots of flags. And every time he does he does a little dance and he swings the flag over his head. Yes, we are working on being modest, but admittedly it is pretty funny to watch and inwardly I am doing a little dance with him! Shhhhh don't tell!

On a different note Shawn is getting ready to do a job for clowns. No seriously two real clowns! He came home with a bag full of balloon swords, poodles, ladybugs and hats. It has entertained all three of them all day long!! Who knew a balloon sword could be so entertaining?

Easter

This was Libby's first Easter that she was really into. She loves bunnies and likes to pretend she is a bunny and hop around. She love LOVED looking for the eggs. She couldn't believe there was actually candy inside, and she got to eat it! A lot of it! The boys enjoyed the hunt too, anything for chocolate bunnies and candy; the Easter bunny brought them both hats that they have worn everyday since.

Grandma and Papa had us over for a very special dinner, and even Shawn's brother, Glen, was there. She also dyed easter eggs with the boys after church AND had an easter egg hunt for the kids. Sheesh these kids are so spolied!! So fun, we love it!