Stay dry out there my friends!!!

Summer is in full swing and we are making the most of it at the Lamar household.  The boys need constant entertainment or things can get hairy.  However, sometimes I need to do some cleaning and such and they are forced to get creative.  The other day I found them in John Brantley’s closet making a tent.  Whatever works, right?

Memorial Day was nice.  It actually didn't rain that day either!!!  We were able to go to Puddin and Pop’s pool and swim a bit.  I opted for my chair and let them get in the chilly water.  This bod needed all the sunlight it could get!  Leaving the pool for naps is always hard…. Lots of tears.

 Ford has always enjoyed art activities more the Bitty.  But the other day he grabbed some paper and colored pencils and said he wanted to color.  Of course, he didn't come out and say “I want to color” because he doesn't talk in sentences, but I got his drift.  We communicate nicely.

 Bath time is a favorite around here.  The boys write on the tub walls, drive trucks, and play with little men.  On occasion, John Brantley gets wild and soaks the floor down with all the water he can dump out of cups before I catch on!

 Last week I got Ford an appointment to get his haircut and I should have made John Brantley one too, but I didn't.  Instead we went today.  He is such a funny little guy.  If he knows what’s at stake he will act accordingly.  Suckers are at stake when it comes to a haircut and you better believe he sat still.

 So big!!!!!!

 I am sure he was thinking "suck suck" (sucker)

 Tonight was supposed to be Ford’s last tee ball game of the season, but of course there was rain.  I am feeling like I need to read up on arc building because we may need one soon.  I went by and picked up his trophy which cannot be called a tee ball trophy, but a baseball trophy.  When we got home I took his picture and then he needed to compare it to his last years’ trophy.  Upon comparison, we noticed that this year’s trophy had hair sticking out of the helmet and last year’s didn't.  Then it dawned on me that I grabbed a girl trophy.  Back to town we went to exchange it for a dude one!

 Once the massive downpours decided to stop today the boys could hardly contain themselves and had to get outside and play in the puddles and mud.

 And stopping for a snack break of some "smarties" is also key.

Stay dry out there my friends!!!!

Farm P-A-R-T-Y

Mr. Talkative, Ford, turned 5 on May 1, and about lunchtime on that day he started asking if his friends were coming to his party that afternoon.  The answer was “No”.  It was a nice thought, but I hadn't even planned a party on May 1.  We had just moved from our house into the rental and quite frankly, I was trying to get out of having a party all together.  Classy mom, huh???  Well, all the asking about the friends and looking sad made me feel bad.  Then I remembered that he’s ONLY 5 and I have to give this baby a party.  So the following Sunday I made him an invitation with the assistance of my Dad and his poetic talents and got to planning.  

Parties stress me out.  I’m no Pinterest mom, but we've been invited the parties that have been somewhat ridiculous.  I decided to try to keep my head above water and we would have a few activities, eat, and go home.  Easy enough, huh? 

We decided to do it at the family farm, have a hay ride, horse and buggy ride, bean bag toss, and all around good playing.  The night before the party we headed out to get ready and to hunt lightning bugs after dark of course.  On Saturday Ford woke up and was ready to go!

 It’s about 12 miles from town to the farm on some good old country roads so I was a tiny bit concerned some people might get lost.  So I did what any good woman would do and I picked a location to begin the directions (there are multiple routes to take) and I drove it myself.  I did not put directions such as N, S, E, or W because who knows that, right?  I documented landmarks, stop signs, and put exact mileage.  The last bit of directions stated that balloons would be on the gate!  No one got lost!

 This is Mississippi.  It’s late May.  The air is humid.  I decided a family picture before we all melted was necessary!

 The food was simple: chocolate chip cookies, Doritos, watermelon, hot dogs, M&M’s and cake.

 Taylor isn't going to miss a party for her adopted nephews!!!

Parties are right up Bitty’s alley.  There is juice and junk food.  He saw my buckets of juices and waters and it was more than he could handle.  If awards were given out for the most juice consumed, I am sure he would have won.  Can you tell we don’t have stuff like this at our house????  He did manage to spill most of it on his outfit, but at least it was red on red.

Caroline, Ford and Elizabeth Anne on the hayride.

Bit enjoyed the ride too!

Hayes, Caroline, Ford, Nick, and Jack

 Gran and Molly Cate had on similar colors which I thought was picture worthy.

Horse and buggy

Meg and Gaines

 Jennifer, my crossfit partner, and Rials.  Rials got to celebrate his first birthday party after Ford's was over.

Hay ride again

 The hot dog cooks

 Hoola hoop fun

We must have an honest moment.  I did get on Pinterest a bit to look at ideas and was quickly let down with my lack of crafty skills and time.  I did, however, see this piece of ply wood cut into a barn to be used as a bean bag toss and made sure we had one of those.  Too bad I didn't have any bean bags.  I got some of Ford’s old socks, bought beans at my favorite store, The Dollar Tree, and sewed them up tight.  Worked like a charm! 

Bitty had cookies and Ford had hot dogs.

 I have had the same lady make my cakes for every birthday party.  My parents always pick them up and bring them to the parties for me.  I was scared to death I would drop it, so Penny did the honors.

 While he was being serenaded, he wouldn't look up.  I believe he was a bit embarrassed.

 But he sure blew that candle out!!

 And not only do I not carry cakes, but I also don’t cut them either!!!!

 This boy of mine doesn't have a sweet tooth the size of Texas like his momma, it’s more like the state of Rhode Island, but he did manage to eat a few bites before gifting it to Bitty.

 Uncle Ken giving Bitty a lift!

 All the fun activities, sugar, and heat can wear a little fella out.

 The invite said, "No gifts please", but he still got a few.  No gifts is the way to go!!!

Jake and the Never Land Pirates ship from Uncle Vance and Miss Emily

And as we went inside to clean up I noticed that "The Chinaman" ventured to the party.  Ken, my brother, and I have been passing this little figurine back and forth for about 15 years now.  Who knows where he'll end up next????

 Happy Birthday to the cutest 5 year old I know!!!!!!!