The rest of May seemed to drag along as my due date grew closer and closer. The last four weeks of pregnancy feel like they last as long as the first 8 months. I kept waiting for signs that labor was getting closer, but nothing. I had been weight lifting religiously all during my pregnancy and was still going strong (I was squatting 170 lbs for my work set into my 35th week of pregnancy, then backed off to 135 lbs for 4 sets of 12 for the last 4 weeks). Still, nothing.
But we managed to stay busy! School was winding down, Lance's SOL's were finally over, and although it was still rainy at times, the weather was clearing up.
Lance has been into these micro brix creations and purchased a set of Transformers to put together. I think he managed to complete all four within a day or two:
(Adding them to his Pokemon sets from Easter.) He named the collection "Small Smiters" and insisted on taking a picture.
One weekend, George and Jude spent about 2 hours finally learning how to ride a two-wheel bike.
All the kids got in on the action:
Jude hemmed and hawed and tried to talk his way through his nervousness, but Daddy's encouragement and persistence paid off and before we knew it, Jude was riding solo!
(Can I just take a minute to gush about how cute Lily is on that tiny bike? So, so cute!)
There he goes!
I think Lance is excited to have a buddy to ride with now. He was very sweet and encouraging while Jude struggled to get the hang of it.
I think bike fever set in! Over the next several days, Jude found every opportunity to be on that bike.
And, of course, with learning how to ride comes the inevitable:
Poor kiddo. I think it took about three weeks for that elbow to heal completely.
Jude has been begging to bring his snake Kaos into school to show his friends. The Kindergarten celebrated one letter of the alphabet each day during the last 26 days of school and encouraged the students to bring in items that started with that letter to share, so on "S" day, we brought him in!
Jude was so proud to show off his ball python.
The kids all thought he was pretty neat! We even brought in one of his shed skins to show the kiddos.
His teacher Mrs. Coleman also held him, a big achievement for her since she's afraid of snakes!
Kaos did a great job and was very docile during the entire ordeal--impressive for being handled by a bunch of antsy, excited 5-year-olds!
Lance continues to excel in the scouting program! He is enjoying himself and making friends.
Way to go, Lance!
Aunt Linda and Kailey came to visit one day! Kailey had just graduated from SVU and Aunt Linda was in town to celebrate with her, so they drove over to see us for a few hours one afternoon.
We had lunch together, got the kiddos off the school bus and then ran over to Scott's house so they could see Falcon.
Love these lovely ladies!
Scott and Abbey are in the process of moving to Northern Virginia since Scott got a job with the DEA. Since they won't have as much land, Scott had to find a new home for his hawk Fawkes. The beauty of falconry is that these bird remain wild, so you can simply release them and they fare just fine. Scott was letting Fawkes go that evening, but let everyone hold her before we left.
Hawk selfie!
Lily loved Kailey!
Thank you for coming to see us! Love you both!
Lance and Jude had their piano recital to end their semester. They did a great job!
Lance and Kendall Elmer are in the same class for lessons:
Can't believe how big this guy is getting!
George was working, but got to listen to their performance by texted video. Technology is amazing!
Cole continues to expand his canvas when he draws. Occasionally he'll make it all the way to the other side!
I love living at the end of a cul-de-sac! It's nice we have privacy and a place we can run Bender. Lily loves to throw the ball for him.
The boys got haircuts and Cole decided he wanted to faux-hawk his hair like Lance because "it's snazzy". (His words!)
Love it!
It finally warmed up enough for the kids to break out their "Bunch of Balloons" and try them out.
Lily thought water balloons were awesome!
Bender wasn't too sure what to do with them. Ball?
Dentist appointments! This kid is really growing up. No fussing, just smiles!
I think the sunglasses they got for his kitty "Spot Swat" helped. :)
This tree is at the bus stop and most days at drop-off, it's heavy with kiddos.
Lily can get up pretty high all by herself! (She's kinda hidden on the left.)
More water fun! Lance rigged the hose to the top of the trampoline and the kids had a ball jumping in the water.
This kid LOVES snakes! He found this one at his dad's house during a BBQ.
I think he's really cute!
Jude gave a talk in Primary one Sunday and Daddy got to help him!
It was pretty special since with his work schedule, Daddy doesn't often get to come to Church with us. Jude did a great job!
Whew!
