Memorial Day Weekend!

I checked the boys out of school early on Friday and we hit the road for the beach! We were all super excited to get down there for some fun in the sun-- and oh my, the weather was perfect the whole weekend!

Mega fail in the picture taking department.  Normally I take bunches and bunches of pictures, and I just didn't think to this time-- actually, I did think to, but we were in the water a bunch and I didn't reach for my phone.

We got down on Friday and had some fun and went to see the sunset- Andy got a magic set so he had to test his magic wand as he rode.

Cal "fixed" some bikes.  He's thinking of charging for his services soon.  Watch out.

Saturday, after some early morning snuggles, we went out on the boat and headed to sand dollar island.  LOVE it there.  There are literally 100s of sand dollars everywhere you look.  We met up with some friends and Eddie kite surfed and we all had a blast out there.

On the boat with Nug

 And this was the last picture I took that day. Such a bummer because it was a banner day!

 The next morning, Eddie and the boys went fishing-- thought these two looked pretty darn cute in their fishing shirts. 

 After fishing we had a great beach day! The boys got these suits for Easter and sadly Cal's is already too small....! Seriously.  Good thing I know a little brother we can pass it down to.... then, Ange, I've got some barely worn suits coming your way!

 Every memorial day weekend for the past three years, I have gotten one of Andy and Tommy together-- had to do it again this year!

2017

2016

2015

 I digress.... just thought it was funny they take one together every Memorial Day-- so random.  Wonder if they do for 4th of July too? I dunno.  I will have to look. 

So we had some great Kayak time too, which was so much fun. 

I hate my face in this next one, but I love how Bruce is like "what???" just chilling.  Hank used to love to ride in the kayak with me so I really wanted to give Bruce a turn just to see what he thought.  At first I think he was nervous, but then he relaxed and got comfy.  

We got to celebrate my sweet momma while we were down there too!!! She had a big birthday and is celebrating her birthday in FRANCE and going to the French Open! Lucky lucky!

We spent some time on Sunday out in the marina and in the sound.  These two played so hard.  

 More time on the kayak-- Bruce was loving it the second go 'round.  He sat still and enjoyed the ride!

 Cal also enjoyed the ride.  Cheesy moment here, but kayaking in with Andy on the front of my boat, and Bruce in between us, with Eddie and Cal next to us, it was awesome... my whole crew all together on the water.  Good stuff. 

My mom has these giant donut floats that we really haven't gotten to use very much.  They got some use this weekend!!! We all enjoyed them out in the sound! So nice floating around and relaxing.  

Trish and Tommy have this ultra sturdy paddle board and the boys spent hours on it, paddling and playing.  

One last surf session before packing up the car and heading for home!

Looking forward to many many more trips to the coast this summer!!!
 

Andy graduates kindergarten!

Not everyone believes there should be graduations from every level of school-- and I agree that every grade doesn't need a graduation-- but I do think it's great to celebrate kindergarten graduation! many of these kiddos have never been to school before, and they just survived a year of waking up early and going for a FULL day of school!

The Thursday before Memorial Day weekend, we had Andy's graduation.  Eddie's parents were in town (they actually went to the beach, came back for graduation, and then went back to the beach again after!).


That morning before school, I snagged a few pictures of my love bugs.  Andy wore a collared shirt, but wasn't going any fancier than that. 

 Cal wanted to get out of class to come-- and the only way that was happening was if he wore a collared shirt as well (#momhack). 

These two cuties are my whole world-- those smiles mean the world to me.  

 One last one before school-- love they are each holding their (current) favorite sports-- totally unprompted too.  Cal was throwing a ball up and catching it and Andy was shooting hoops when I walked out. 

 On to graduation! The class marched in--

 And Andy's face lit up when he saw my mom and his Mimi sitting there.

 that grin......

 They had a ceremony, the kids sang two songs and each kid came up and received a "diploma." When they were called up, the teacher announced their name, favorite color, favorite food and what they wanted to be when they grew up.  Andy's was blue, pizza and a race car driver-- Lord help us all!

The night before this ceremony, we were talking about it an Andy goes "well, I have a talking part, so be ready." I was like you whaaaa???? I aske dhim what he was saying and he goes "I have no idea, but I have to yell it so everyone can hear me." So I was holding my breath in the end when he stood up...but he calmly said "thank you all for coming." And quickly sat back down hahah

 Andy had the same teachers Cal had last year.  And they are amazing.  I mean truly amazing.  We were bless by them last year and were so so lucky to be blessed by them again this year.  He had a wonderful kindergarten year and I know it was in part to these two. 

Pictures galore followed.....

 My mom was there, but I guess we took a pic of him with her on her phone instead of mine! (mom, send that to me when you read this! I will add to the blog!)

It was a great little ceremony with cake and all! I am proud of my buddy for working so hard this year.  Even though he "graduated" he still isn't out of school- haha


 

Swim Team!

Yes, I have been wayyyy MIA! It is mainly because of SWIM TEAM! I can't blame it solely on that, but it is a big part of it-- we have practices every afternoon and meets have started too.  Thankfully, we love swim team and have a great time doing it.  It is such great exercise for the boys and it does wonders for their energy! haha


Our afternoons are filled with practices and fun with friends. 

 We had a mock meet this past Wednesday night-- I am one of the parent reps this year... quite an undertaking of a job...! It has been fun though. 

This season will not be a "ribbon" season for the Williamson crew... Cal moved up an age group to the 7-8s, and Andy is doing great, but in an age group with a lot of super fast swimmers! I love watching them swim, and I am excited to see them improve throughout the season.  

 The best part is they both truly love it.  They have a blast at practices and at meets. 

 It helps they have so many buddies on the team-- it's like one big party each day!

 These four swam in a relay together and did great! First place!

 Bless Andy's heart-- the poop struggle is still with us (shocking, I know), and he had to go so bad at the mock meet.  When he smiles like this (below), it's a tell tale sign he's struggling.  Ugh.  This was right before the relay, but thankfully didn't slow him down too much. 

 As you can see:

 I love these two little sharks! I swear, I about pop with pride watching them swim.  They aren't the fastest. They don't have the best stroke.  But they are loving it-- and they are happy-- and they are having a blast.  And really, that's what this junk is all about, right??

Saturday morning we had a meet and we had to be there at 7:30-- it was early, but these boys were ready! 

 I glanced down at Andy's leg and saw he wrote "Andy loves mommy" on his thigh.  My heart skipped a little bit.  Totally unprompted.  I pray he keeps loving his momma. 

 These two cuties are sweet buddies.  Cal had a birthday party sleep over so we asked Charlie if he might want to spend the night at our house-- it was their first sleep over and it was awesome! More on that later-- this picture was taken right after we asked them if they wanted to. 

 A friend of mine took these next ones with his good camera (which totally makes me want to get out my good camera to get shots like these).  Check out that form!

 Love his look of determination!

We have had one mock meet and we won our first meet! Our second meet is this week, against a really great team- hoping for nice weather and smooth strokes!!!

happy summer! (no, school isn't out yet....)