The calm before the storm

Relaxing. 

Try & Try again

We headed to the beach today as a final attempt to get the kids good and tired before our flight tomorrow. 

Sam, after putting his hat on backwards says excitedly, "Hey! I look like Phil!"

If at first you don't succeed try and try again....

So once we were at the beach Sam attempted yet again to get rid of that pesky brother once for all. 

 "Now lay down and I'll cover the rest"

"Uh oh, I'm in trouble"

We leave tomorrow for our flight to the states for our Ohio/Indiana summer!

Please say a prayer, primarily, that our planes don't crash but also 

- for safe travel overall

-that there are no delays once we have boarded our flights

- that our kids are somewhat well behaved

-and that they don't lose our luggage

And while you're praying if you want to also pray that our three seats for four people get upgraded to 4 first class tickets, in a first class cabin otherwise filled with child loving nannies....

that would be nice too

Sam's First Term of Preschool Pictures

Today was Sam's last day of school so the teacher provided me with some pics of what he's been up to this term...

Working a highly complex puzzle.....

"Why did I have to come to school to dress up weird and have my picture taken? My mom does this to me at home..."

SMILE!!!

(Looking just like Grandpa L in this picture I think.) 

Class picture....

Still working on smiling..... 

Mothers Day at School

Fathers Day at School

Sam & Milo- Best Friends....

Doing the "Birthday walk"

(They walk the earth around the sun one time for each year old they are. So cute)

Story time with Mommy for his birthday!

Faux Party

This is the new normal in our house.....

 Lots of clothes laying around, and a naked toddler streaking in the halls. 

Recently, a lot of Sam's friends have been having birthdays. 

And he has been asking for a birthday party since around February...so we decided to have an early very small little birthday party on the beach for him on Saturday.

(His real birthday isn't until July 22nd)

And every faux birthday party on the beach needs beach themed cupcakes.....

Balloons.......

Good friends.....

The obligatory family....

Pizza & Cake!!!!

When Sam blew out his candle he told me he wished for cake. 

While his wish did come true....I'll have to teach him to aspire towards loftier goals.

The faux birthday boy with his real presents.....

A tool belt.....

A gun.....

And a helmet. 

What else could you need?

Happy faux birthday Sam....

And happy real birthday Grandma L!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday Daddy...

I hope you love this new basketball hoop Luke & I picked out just for YOU!!

And, we hope you enjoyed your relaxing breakfast......

I had so much fun getting ready ALL BY MYSELF and going to visit you at your office....

I found our walk quite relaxing.....

And I loved watching the Noon Day Cannon go off with you.....

 Of course, I had to protect your ears. 

Now, where's that birthday cake???

Happy Fathers Day!

Happy Fathers Day!

We celebrated by going to church....

(I swear, when we got to church they had shoes - but at this point, I'm just happy they were still clothed)

About 5 minutes into the mass Sam pointed to a man on the alter reading a message and said, "Mommy go ask that man if he has any toys."

(And in my opinion, the boys had the best seat in the house)

Then we opened a few gifts.....

And relaxed while watching the US Open. 

And here are a few facts you may not know about Phil:

All About My Daddy

By Sam Thompson

Age 2

My Daddy’s name is DADDY.

My Daddy is FOUR feet and ONE inches tall.

My Daddy weights BIG

My Daddy’s hair color is: SOMEDAY DADDY HAS GRAY HAIR BUT NOW HE HAS PINK HAIR

My Daddy’s eyes are YELLOW AND BLUE WITH EYE BALLS

My Daddy likes to go TO SCHOOL WITH ME AND A TAXI

My Daddy’s Favorite food is NOTHING

My Daddy’s favorite drink is BEER

For fun Daddy like to GO TO PLAYGROUNDS

I love it when Daddy RIDES ME ON HIS SHOULDERS

My favorite thing about Daddy is HE BUYS ME RACE CARS

Besties

This afternoon Sam's best buddies Milo & Felix (brothers) invited us over for tea and a walk. 

We ended up at the beach and the boys had a BLAST!

And of course not a single article of clothing lived to tell about it....

We ended the weekend with dinner & music in Stanley. 

The band got a standing ovation from Luke.