The Great Boat Race

 Lila Ray so so excited about her carved Ivory soap boat for the Kindergarden Boat Race!

 But tragedy struck right before it was her turn to blow....her precious Ivory soap boat was in her eyes...and it was stinging..... oh sweet girl....

 But she finally got it together enough to blow her boat and she even won her race!

The Ivory Soap boat race is a right of passage at Goshen and I am so happy she was able to do it...soap in her eyes...and all!

Riggs at 12

So Riggs is 12 now....

and we have the Instagram birthday shout outs to prove it.....

 So what is Riggs like at 12? Well, he is beautiful for one...I guess handsome is the better word...but I think he is stunning. He is smart...but he doesn't have to try hard at school and I wish he did...a least a little bit. He made straits A's with out studying more than 15 minutes all year. He is funny...and witty...I laugh every day at something he says...and this is so refreshing because he was so often so serious as a child. He loves his friends...so very much. They mean the world to him and he treasures his time with them. He is active...he runs, plays basketball, swims,and loves to be doing! He says he is going to do The Escape from Alcatraz triathlon when he is 18 and the IronMan at 21. He is skinny...always hungry...but skinny. I love how I can have conversations with him now...about the world and just anything...he has an opinion and that is really cool..it's a new way I get to discover him and who he is. I think he is just the coolest kid....and I am very proud of him.

I see quite a bit of his back these days...as he leaves....always going off to do something with someone.....and even if we are all together he walks ahead...sure of where he is going...no long at my side for guidance...or behind me for my lead....

He is growing up...and I just love him more every day!

Thank you, Jack-Jack

I would like to take a moment to thank my dog, Jack, for the countless hours he has put into helping Lila learn to read. He has been patient and wonderful and has listened to more books than I can even count. He will listen for as long as she is willing to read...and some days that has been a very....very long time....so thank you, Jack....you are the sweetest dog ever....and Lila loves you so much for your support this year.

Riggs' Real Birthday- Happy 12th!

You have to celebrate on your REAL no matter what! SO today we celebrated Riggs's Real birthday on his Real Birthday! He chose Hometown Pizza with his buddies that could come!

 Of course, the Family and the Timmerings were there to celebrate too!

 I can't believe he is 12...next year he will be a Teenager! I hope we wishes to be little forever on his requested Dairy Queen ice cream cake. (sniff....sniff....)

 We opened presents ......

 and I love that he got a Flash shirt...he lived in his Flash costume when he was little!

 It was a fun night....

 Even the car ride home was full of laughter!

 Back at home the boys played basketball.....

 and he got more presents....

 all in all..I'd say he had a great day on his 12 th birthday! We sure love you, Riggsy!

Lila's Kindergarten Zoo Trip

 I have now been to the zoo with all four of my littles their Kindergarten year at Goshen! It's tradition and so much fun! Of course, everything with Lou Lou, my last...the baby...is bittersweet.....

But we had a great day! She loves all her friends in the class so very much!

 I am so glad I got to go on this trip with her and share in this fun, kindergarten memory with her!