Preschool Graduation

We attended a very serious, remarkable occasion--Garrett's graduation from preschool. He was very stoned faced and solemn, and we couldn't have been prouder. Another proud moment, is that he has started t-ball. He is an excellent prancer, and also an excellent base coach. When he played first baseman he was so busy telling the runners on the other team what to do, that they wouldn't run when they were supposed to because they were listening to him instead. Smart tactic?

Farewell Willa

You were a calico

But you did not wear a calico skirt

You were kind

The children chased you

Farewell, and we are sorry we cannot keep our best pets alive

Only the fat, useless cat Tricky remains

To mourn you

Goodbye

Tear.

Pollinating by Hand

Garrett decided Sunday, right before church, that he wanted a bee to pollinate the flower he got me for mother's day. So there being a 100 of them buzzing around our flowering crab apple tree, he selected one by hand to do the job. But then he decided to kill it so it wouldn't sting him. Then he decided he should try one more time, so he selected a second bee. But I'll be darned if it didn't sting him right on the finger, and right before church. I was touched that out of love, he wanted my mother's day flower to be pollinated. But I have to marvel that such a smart kid lacks so much common sense. I'm sure all of you w/ older children have already received many beautiful dandelion bouquets this year, as have I. Just a reminder to pay attention to the loving things our little ones do. I'm really good at noticing the bad things they do, so it's good when I can notice the good things they do. Have a great day!

Alyza's Blessing day

Alyza was blessed on May 2. It turned out to be one day out of many that the wind didn't blow us away, and the kids could play outside. She received a nice blessing from her dad. He is sure nice to her, despite her uncertainty about him--she much prefers mom's voice to dad's. Her Grandma Sherry made her a beautiful dress and slip, with her name embroidered on the slip. It is beautiful workmanship, and a treasure for her to keep. Garrett also got to share some early b-day cake w/ with his cousins since they were there to celebrate, see how happy he is w/ the dinosaurs Gma and Gpa Martineau gave him (top picture)? A neat thing happened for Alyza recently. Great Aunt June (my dad's sister) sent a treasure for Alyza to keep--a broach/pin (she is wearing it in the bottom pix) that Alyza's Great Grandma Mabel June Martineau (who Alyza is named after)gave to her mother, so this pin belonged to Alyza's great-great Grandma, Tilly Tyler. Then the pin went to Mabel June after Gma Tilly died, then was passed to her daughter June when Mabel died, and since Alyza bears the namesake of June, she was chosen to possess the pin for the coming decades until she finds the right person to pass it on to. How cool is that? Alyza is starting to be more of a charmer, and less of a crier. She sure is a cute girl. Her brother's love her, just not her slobbery baby kisses. And when they are done holding her, they say, get this stinky woman away from me! Where did they learn to treat women?

Garrett's BIG 5

Garrett turned 5 on May 11. He has been waiting for this big day ever since his last birthday was about a week over. Now he can't wait to turn 6! It was a fun day--poured rain all day! His big gift was a playmobil castle set, it's pretty awesome. He got to eat lunch at Gossner's w/ Gma Julie, Aunt Kellie, and Brock and Paige (cousins) so that was pretty good too. He also got his favorite movie, 7 brides for 7 brothers. He is changing his name to Frank when he grows up and he can dance and jump just like him. We love Garrett, he is a good big brother, and lately he randomly tells me, "I love you mom," with a sweet hug, ...so I guess I will keep him around.