Counting the Days

There are all kinds of countdowns going on at our house these days.  Personally, I've been watching the days and contemplating the fact that we've been US residents for an entire year (where has the time gone?) and really feeling happy to be settled.  No more considering our next move or any marathon trips around the world.  Very contentedly living in the now.  Alex is completely birthday obsessed, even though his is still almost two months away.  Talking about Ben's birthday next week has Alex thinking about his own about every 12 seconds and asking how close we're getting.  Ben has been counting down t-ball games (done!), gymnastics lessons (one more), and school days (just 10 to go!) until the blissful freedom of summer is here.

I'm learning that the end of school is pretty chaotic.  Lots of things to attend and more stuff than I care to remember, but we're really enjoying it.  The kids really relish their free time at home and I love seeing them so busy.  Ben complains when things take up his playtime, which even includes TV because with a few exceptions like Tom & Jerry or Curious George, he'd rather play than watch a show.

 They build lots of creations

 

 And somebody (Alex, I think) spent a lot of time sorting these gears out by color.

  

Snacktime!  Any guesses why the candy is on the very top shelf?  I dread the day he starts trying to scale the shelves because I'm sure it will come.  Notice he stacked two stools to get extra height.

Summer weather is right around the corner so the sprinkler is lots of fun again.

A serious guy working on a sticker puzzle.

Crazy kids playing with our hampers.  Sometimes I wonder why we bother buying toys!

 

 An airplane game in Alex's room.  Apparently the flight was long enough for Alex to need a (pretend) nap.

Outside of the house, we wrapped up the t-ball season with a team dinner and heard a few words from the coach.

This was all the kids cared about - TROPHIES!!

Ben was one happy boy!  Even better, the baseball in the middle spins.

 We've caught a few birthday parties, including this one with a super fun inflatable water slide.

And we had a class dinner with Ben's teacher.  We will sure miss her next year!  Ben is getting sad that he won't be in her class much longer but hopefully he'll get an equally wonderful teacher next year.

Ben and his class girlfriend, Rebecca.

The ladies' man working it with a table of chicks.  I love how well he plays with both boys and girls.

 

 Alex wasn't as enthralled with the other kids and instead chose to spend his time eating cake in as few bites as possible.  After such a busy weekend, he went home and walked straight into bed and fell asleep fully clothed.  That's a record in our house!