Awards Ceremony

Both boys had such a great year.  I cannot believe how fast it went.  

They had great teachers and ended up with great grades. We are so proud of them.  

Brooks had all A's for the year

 Jax had all A's and B's

Jax the archer!

 This boy is amazing with his bow.  

He is also a very patient hunter.  

Here he is with a rabbit from today.

 A squirrel from several months ago.

He has gotten several birds.  This one is a dove I think.  

 This is a rabbit from a few months ago.

Garden Progress

I am amazed at how fast everything is growing and producing.  

I am so happy!  

I got to pick a couple of things today. 

 Isn't the eight ball zucchini cute?  I hope it tastes good!

 Tons of tomatoes coming along nicely.  

 Corn getting big too!

 Cucumbers growing up the fence.

 A little bitty cucumber.  Awwww..........

 Bell Pepper

 Strawberries

 Sweet banana peppers

 And the air smells of Star Jasmine.  Awesome!

Our little Star Student

Brooks got chosen as a "star student" from his class for the 3rd nine weeks. He was so excited!

There are several character traits that they talk about all year. Based on those traits, each teacher chooses 2 kids each quarter. They make a really big deal about it and have special parties at the end of the year. They also get a special t-shirt to wear. Jax and Brooks both received this award last year after the second nine weeks, but I didn't get any good pictures and never blogged about it. I apologize to the grandparents.

Say Hello to "Clementine"

Isn't she a beauty?

She is the first new car that I have ever bought myself. I have wanted one for more than four years! I kept going back and forth.....would it be big enough, should I spend the money, the reviews say they have no power when lifted, will I like it and on and on. So I kept saving my money and waiting. The time just never felt right. Boy, am I glad I waited. I love this color that is new for 2012, and they have an all new engine with a third more horsepower than the older ones.

I special ordered exactly what I wanted in November.

It finally arrived in January. It was a long, long wait!

After MUCH research and shopping, Chris and I came to an agreement on all of the modifications. We spent hours reading about tires and bumpers. It was exhausting. Who knew there were so many choices. I am 100% happy with it though. I like everything about it! It is so fun!! It is so me!! The boys really like it too, especially the big one!

Here she is before, what a difference!!!

Garden Add-on

The boys reminded me that I bought these last year for them. They were like 1.00 at Lowe's on clearance. They wanted to have their own garden. They also wanted to pick out their own things to plant too. I was ok with that. So they built them by themselves. Then I helped fill them with good soil.Brooks chose carrots, for his guinea pig. He planted pumpkins, the kind that are supposed to be gigantic, for the fun of it. And cucumbers, I think. Jax planted okra, because his daddy likes it. Carrots for the guinea pigs, and Jalapeno and Cayenne peppers, because he likes them. They wanted to put them in a different spot in the yard and build a fence by themselves, but I talked them in to squeezing them in our fence. That worked out good!

By the way, I have tons of tiny squash. I am thrilled!!!

Happy Boys

Brooks has been begging for chickens, horses, guinea pigs, hamsters, kittens, turtles, rabbits, etc, etc for a long time. A couple of weeks ago I loaded them up and headed to the feed store to get some chickens. After the lady started with, "Honey, I don't think you have any idea what you are getting into," and ending with, "they really stink and your dogs will eat their poop," we left without chickens. I felt horrible. I did pacify him with a dummy steer head and a rope but he was so disappointed. Since then, about every 15 minutes, he has said, "I want a guinea pig!!!!"

So after getting all A's, we decided to get him one. Then Jax wanted one. I totally understand. I had lots of animals when I was growing up and loved them all.

Here is Brooks with his. He named him Jake. Doesn't he look so happy!
Jax said I could take a picture of his, that he named Buck, but he didn't want to be in it. The dogs are going crazy. Hopefully they get over it and all get along.