Field Day

These post are going to be a little out of order, but I wanted to make sure I got all the end of year events for Drew's class.  Field day was actually more than a week before awards day.  

Field day is one of Drew's favorite days of the year.  And boy has it changed since I was a kid.  Now they have bounce houses and ice pops, in addition to some of the stuff we use to have.  Luckily the weather was pretty good for it this year, and the kids had a great time.

I tried and tried to get a serious picture of these guys...as you can see, that didn't happen.

Drew trying to look tough.

Class relays

The big event that every class wants to win the the tug of war.  For the 2nd year in a row, Drew's class came in 2nd place.  But it was a great contest. 

Drew really trying to win!

Mrs. Hogue's First Grade Class.
During the tug of war, it rained just a tiny bit, but as you can see, that was enough to get a water droplet on my camera.  

First Grade Awards

On Friday, May 25th, Drew had his first grade awards day.  Mrs Hogue did a great job of calling each kid up for each award.  I know they each felt special.  Drew got several awards, but I think the one he was most proud of was the one he got for being green all year.  That means he had excellent behavior all year and never had to change his color.  

These 4 boys have become very good friends this year.  Not only are they in the same class, but they have all played on the same baseball team this season. 

Drew and Jake have been such good friends for about the last 5 years.  They have been in preschool, church, sports, and now elementary school together.  

Me and my sweet boy.  I am so proud of him.

I am so thankful that Drew had Mrs Hogue this year.  He has learned so much from her.

I can't believe how fast this year has gone.   In just a few days I will have a 2nd grader, but it feels like he just started kindergarten last week.  The time really does go quickly once they start school.

For years (all of my adult life really) I have said "I can't cook", or "I don't cook." Over the last few years (after having kids) I learned to cook a little, but mostly stuff that included mostly premade stuff. Then Pinterest came into my life... and my cooking got significantly better. Over the holidays last year, I really started baking a lot of yummy dessert treats. I then progressed to several baked chicken dishes that were still pretty simple, or things that only involved the crock pot. Last night I think I ruined my chances of ever being able to say "I don't cook." Last night I made homemade Chicken Pot Pies! And by homemade, I mean from scratch. Yep, even the crust I made from scratch. I know, crazy right! I took pictures along the way to prove it.

Filling in the crock pot.

The only thing prepackaged I used was the cream of chicken soup,

and the peas and carrots were frozen.

Pie crust cut out and in the pie tin.

Filled pie crust, just waiting for the top crust.

I made little muffin size ones for the boys. Unfortunately they are both sick so they didn't eat them.

I froze the leftover ones,they will make a good quick lunch sometime.

These two I wrapped in foil and put in the freezer for Andy and I to have another day.

I coated the crust with an egg wash to keep it from getting soggy.

Finished products! I really need to do this when the weather is cold, but oh well.

I love that my freezer is slowly getting stocked with meals I can pull out later when I don't feel like cooking. I also love that I am wasting less food, because I am learning to freeze what we don't use. Oh, another great perk about making these... I had a little crust left over so I made cinnamon crisps!

So... Thank you Pinterest!

Fun at the Ranch

Wow, I really need to get back to blogging. I know I say that every time I post something, but I mean it this time... really, I do.

Here are a few pictures from this past weekend at Daybreak Ranch. the weather was great for a quick day trip to see Granny and Granddad.

Just a little Daddy cuddle time on the playground or as Drew and Cooper call it, the Treetops

Cooper decided to climb up to the monkey bars.

He was really brave until he decided he wanted down, then Daddy had to help.

Of course Drew had to try it too... he got across a few of the bars before he decided to drop down.

Looks like we need to practice the monkey bars a little more.

Sweet Brothers! I didn't really intend to dress them alike, but it sure made this picture cute.

Drew is Six

I haven't been able to post blogs in a while, so this one has been sitting there waiting to be posted since June.

I know I am a little late in posting this but, last month Drew turned 6, and finished kindergarten!! That is a pretty big month in the life of a little boy. We just had his 6 year checkup with Dr. Fikkert today and got conformation that is his very tall and skinny. I think the term "bean pole" was actually used, which may or may not have brought back some memories for me. He is 4'1" and weighs 49.6 lbs (no wonder I can barely carry him upstairs when he falls asleep on the couch!!)

Here are a few pictures taken by my very talented friend, Melanie Timmons @ www.melaniemtimmonsphotography.com.

He had a great year at school this year, and is looking forward to 1st grade (although he thinks he should skip 1st and go straight to 2nd grade). This should be a fun filled Summer for him with VBS, Camp Thurman (this is his first year), family vacation, and another day camp I signed him up for. Hopefully that will keep me from having to hear "I'm bored" all Summer.

My New Toy

Last week I got an email from my father-in-law Mike, saying that he had bought me something. Unexpected gifts are always awesome. He is a very good photographer and is always getting new toys for his camera. He found a new accessory for this pop up flash that he really liked so he bought one for me and my-sister-in law too. It is called a Gary Fong Pop Up Flash Diffuser, and it works great. Whenever I have used my pop up flash inside, to take pictures of the boys they are always washed out, but this worked like a charm to fix that. It will be great to use when I don't want to mess with my external flash for quick shots.

Before and after shots. These have not been edited at all. Not bad for a $20.00 accessory! Thanks Mike!

Taken on full auto mode with pop up flash only.

Taken on full auto with the pop up flash defuser. Big difference!

This was taken in lower light and without something for the light to bounce off of,
but still much better than it would have been with the flash alone.

Teamwork and Child Labor

One of the jobs I don't like to do is putting the waters away in the fridge. So we decided about a year ago to let Drew have the job (for a quarter per case). Today Cooper decided to help out, but, he might have caused more work for Drew, so I think at this point Drew may still get all the quarters. So when can they start doing the dishes and laundry? Too young?