Let's Hear it for the Boys!

Flashback to the 1990s...

Marie, Becky, and Ashley hanging out at the Spalding house in the summer heat as they have done every year since elementary school.

Present day....

Marie, Becky, and Ashley still hanging out at the Spalding house in the summer heat, yet SURROUNDED by a wild crew of seven boys! We even added a few more since our last reunion when Becky was home from California. Other than all the kids not too much has changed. And as Ashley declared, "We look exactly like we did in high school!" Wishful thinking.

Walker, Ashley, Harrison, Graham, Becky, Jacob, Marie, Max

and I had to include this one with Josh and Darin mostly for Walker's enthusiasm in the corner!

Baby Love

One happy week brought 2 new babies to love!

Welcome

Grace Louise

June 23rd

Greenville, South Carolina

and

John Bernard III

"Jack" or (as we will refer to him) "Bernie"

June 25th

Baltimore, Maryland

Who's Your Daddy?

Happy Father's Day!

"I'm a Caterpillar!"

In the light of the moon a little boy read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" for the 836th time. He likes to have his Mommy read it. He likes to hear his Daddy read it. He likes to read it to his Mommy and Daddy. He likes to watch the pictures on the computer as someone else reads it and he follows along in his book.

He likes to get on his stomach on the floor and wiggle around saying "I'm a caterpillar, I'm a caterpillar!" He likes to paint his version of the caterpillar.

He likes to play on a caterpillar.

And most of all, he likes having his very own caterpillars to watch become beautiful butterflies!

Touch-A-Truck

A spiritual apparition occurred recently at the Saturday Downtown Market. Some special visitors appeared in the form of every imaginable truck! There was a bus, a trolley, a garbage truck, a fire truck, a police car, and many more. Little people could see and touch them, and were even invited to climb on and try them out. But Max only had eyes for one...(the one with the longest line, naturally)

Behold, The Digger

Prayers are answered.

After School Special

Another school year has come to a close! Max's second year at "school" was a rousing success, although very different from his first. This year Max was guided by Ms. Cindy and Ms. Annie (the daughter of the general contractor for our house renovation). They expected the children to be more independent and self-sufficient. Ms. Cindy speaks fluent Spanish and worked diligently to teach it to the children. Something must have clicked because Max always refers to water as "agua". The classroom was also dominated by boys, many of whom are much more hyper than my little one. Ms. Cindy and Ms. Annie informed us that Max is doing very well developmentally in all areas. They always comment on his sweet disposition and contagious laugh. The teachers planned a lot of fun events including a "Special Day" that celebrated each child and his or her interests and family, Pajama Day, field trips to the farm, and an end of the year fiesta!

Max's Special Day

FIESTA!

Complete with a pinata

full of candy!

We missed Max's end of the year fiesta due to our trip to China. However, I was back in time to attend the awards ceremony at Josh's and Darin's school, which was lucky since they were the recipients of MANY awards!! Congratulations, boys - those awards are well deserved!

We are proud of you!

Back on the Homefront

While Mommy and Daddy were gone, Max drowned in sorrows....with water!

With "quirt bottles"

And hoses

And the pool!

Fortunately, The Max was able to surface to dry land long enough to raid our suitcases for presents when we got home. It's not a bathing suit, but we think Max's new Chinese lounging pajamas are suitable for any locale!