summer's in full swing

a lot has happened in the last few weeks since the end of may.  we were able to spend a day with our cousins aidan and benjamin on may 20th to go to the mcwane science center here in birmingham.  they were in town for the weekend for mark's interview with st. vincent's hospital, which by the way, he accepted the position!  evan just adores his big cousin (by 24 days) aidan.  he was sooooo excited to spend time with him.  benjamin is such a sweet boy, and a big boy.  he weighs as much as joel!  i love his smooshy legs.  i'm sure when he's older he'll hate those smooshy baby legs.  anyways, we had a good morning, and yummy but fast lunch at a favorite taziki's.  matt brought aidan to play in the afternoon, and evan was ecstatic!  mark, wendy and ben later joined us for a jim and nick's bbq dinner here at our home.

 
the following monday we ended the school year, as most do, sad that we wouldn't see our friends or our fabulous teacher every week.  this year has been a year of huge growth for evan.  evan came home with a brown paper bag filled with all his art projects, and a father's day present to give to his papi that he had made at school.  we've been blessed that we've been able to see and play with some of our school friends since the summer break started.

here's evan with his teacher ms. rosalyn.  evan really enjoyed her sweet spirit, and learned so much this year.  the night before he was sad when i was talking to him about his last day of school, and that he was moving on to a four's class next year.

hugging ms. rosalyn goodbye.

wilson became one of evan's close friends this year.

                                                   the boys of ms. rosalyn's class...sweeties.

so with school ending, i was wondering how we'd keep busy during the day, but we've actually had so much to do that time seems to be the issue...there's not enough!  in the last couple of weeks we've gone to the splash pad, the zoo, the mcwane sciences center, our bible studies, triangle park, and the ljcc where we play and swim in the outdoor pool.  i still want to make it to the library here during the summer for their summer program for kids.  evan will also be attending a vacation bible school in july for a week.  i've had a lot of fun doing these fun summer activities with them too...it's refreshing!  i had to make sure i leave time every week to get my mommy chores done, so usually i get those done two mornings a week.  thursday is always my linen day, and the other day can be cleaning the house.  the rest of the time we're booked having fun.  both evan and joel still take 2+ hour naps, but when they wake up we either play in backyard, or we do crafts and practice 4k skills for next year.  even though things may not be picture perfect in residency life, i feel very happy and blessed to share all these things with them.
yesterday was father's day.  i served matt a yummy bacon and eggs breakfast.  then he and evan went to see kung fu panda 2 in 3d.  it was evan's first tme going to the movie theater!  he did really well, loved the movie.  later matt got a much needed nap after being oncall.  we went to evening church, and enjoyed a yummy dinner at logan's steakhouse near our home.  we are enjoying paul staying with us while he finishes up here in birmingham.  we are going to miss our neighbors, the wonderful diaz family.  they made us feel right at home here in birmingham. 
here's some photos from our summer fun these past few weeks.

                                            

afternoon fun at home. evan says, it's abstract art!

armed and ready for the zoo.

 cooling off at home in the afternoon in an old school pool.

we headed back to the mcwane science center to see exhibits that we missed a couple of weeks ago when we went with our cousins.

our afternoon/predinner craft time routine in full swing.  here's evan practicing writing his numbers.  he looks like such a big boy!

joel doesn't look thrilled that i'm taking his picture, and he's only two!  his speaking continues to improve too.  he loves to say, "aw,man", "oh, no", "no, eat", do you see a pattern here?  yep, he's such a two year old.

 evan was really proud of himself during this lesson.  i felt like a teacher again!

                                    right after i took these photos they got summer hair cuts...short.

we've got a busy week of getting a dryer vent to the outside of our home, granite installation, staying with friends, a birthday party, driving, and more driving, and matt will be getting ready for the incoming class.  i'll look forward to sharing our summer adventures part deux when we return in july!