rites of passage

Andrew & his scout leader :)

It makes me sad to say that the boys are growing up. Alex had his preschool graduation this afternoon, and his 5th birthday is fast approaching. Andrew had his crossover ceremony where he went from a Tiger scout to a Wolf scout. He'll be in 2nd grade in the fall. Where did the time go? Just yesterday they were spitting up and screaming at 2 am, learning to crawl and walk and speak. I don't have babies or even toddlers anymore. I have big boys, who thankfully, still need their mama quite often! The tears haven't come yet, but they will the day they don't want me anymore. Andrew has already told me that he can stand at the bus stop alone, and he's reading books like Harry Potter & Captain Underpants, which make me feel old! I miss Hop on Pop and Are You My Mother! Alex will be going to a reading readiness class this summer, where he informed me that he will learn to read just like Andrew. I'm having to slowly pack up the baby books and add them to my school collection so I can read them to my 2 year olds. Toddler toys like Diego are out. Legos and Star Wars figurines are "cool" and "awesome." The Disney cartoons hardly ever get watched. Now we watch "High School Musical" and iCarly and Spongebob. Baby Einstein (which boys both obsessed over at age 2) is a thing of the past. Time flies when you're growing up...

Alex at graduation:

A Camping We Will Go....

Ross & I always said we wouldn't camp with kids who wore diapers. Alex has been out of diapers for 2 years now, so we figured we were due for a journey into the woods. Ross took Andrew camping back in the fall with the scouts, but I haven't been since we were first married (9 years ago)! There's a reason for that: I am a city girl! I like showers and brushing my teeth and air conditioning and cleanliness. :) Needless to say, I survivied our weekend outing to Lake Sommerville. The bugs in the bathroom numbered in the millions, and it was a little warm for my camping taste (88 degrees). Alex threw a tantrum that had the entire campground watching as he screamed that we were "idiots" thru the tent (while in a time out). We also woke up to rain on our last morning, so Ross & I took down a wet campsite while the boys watched a DVD in the van. But the boys had a blast fishing and playing with their friends. Ross enjoyed poking the campfire for hours on end. I enjoyed smores.....and then coming home to a/c and a hot shower! Next time, we'll reserve camping for winter months (in Texas, that's Nov-March). Live and learn! :)

Guarding the tent with the rocket blaster:

Camping boys:Resting after a long hike (and seeing MANY deer):