The "Finnster, et al."

On Friday, Grandad dropped by the house to pick up the boys for the weekend.  It was really nice to have a quiet weekend - I don't think I turned the TV on the entire time. On Friday night Michael and I went to see "Neighbors."  Then on Saturday we went to Porter's Boat House with Brandon and Carissa where I ate my first oyster.  The place was great - they had the best catfish and grits! We sat out on the patio and pretty much closed the place down. On Sunday I want to pick the boys up in Murfreesboro. I met Dad and Gina at Old Chicago Pizza to discuss our upcoming trip to Disney World.  When we got home Gran and Pa came over for dinner.  (Pa came in on Friday for a surprise visit.) After dinner we took the boys down the creek.  Sam rode his tricycle.  He was pretty good.  He had the pedaling down, but couldn't quite master the steering. I stood in front of him and told him to look right at me when he was riding.  As long as he kept his eyes on me he coul

Well, Wednesday was the boys' last day of school.   Finn will go on to the K4 class and Sam will stay right where he in the K2 class (much to his teacher's dismay - have I mentioned that Sam is horrible).  Both boys were pretty cooperative and excited because they were having a program at school, bouncy houses and McDonald's. Check out our dead grass. Finn trying to spy on Michael working out in the garage. When we got to school I learned that Ms. Beth (the most patient woman alive) will not be at the Gallatin campus over the Summer for Crusader Camp.  She will instead be at the main campus.  Oh dread. Sam is going to be devastated. The awards ceremony started at 9:30.  I missed the whole thing because I was in Court.  Wednesdays are not good days for me to take off.  They combined all the classes for a few songs and a poem about mission work.  According to what I have been told, Finn is either a natural born leader or inordinately bossy.  During "

On Sunday we got all dressed up and met Gran for brunch at Germantown Café.  Finn and Sam were in good spirits and ready to eat.  We started out with complimentary bread - it more like an extra large donut hole but way better.  For the main course we had meat lovers omelet and lemon poppy seed French toast.    Finn drinking his water and him milk at the same time. The Germantown area is so picturesque - well at least some of it.

 Sam playing cars on the table.  The Friday before Mother's Day, while taking his morning constitution, Finn told me that he a surprise for me for Mother's Day.  He told me that he couldn't tell me what it was, but that it had mulch in it and that it grew.  That afternoon he and Sam came home with a plant for me. I asked Finn to pose for me - this is way I got.  Puzzles have become quite a hit at our house.  To my surprise, Finn is really good at them.  He can put together puzzles with the tiniest pieces.  Sam would rather play dinosaurs with his puzzle pieces. Sam as "Uncle Sam." Well, we have had a pretty hard time with Sam this week.  I have been called up the school twice to "take care of a problem."  After eating his lunch, Sam will crawl under the table and refuse to come out.  For the past few days I have picked Sam up from his nap room and taken him upstairs to the dining hall where they all eat.  I show him his

 On Saturday we drove down to Nana and Papa's house to celebrate Mother's Day weekend.  On the way down we stopped at a store in Murfreesboro to make a quick exchange.  I misspoke - nothing is quick about Murfreesboro.  Anyway, while in the store, I turn around to find Sam rubbing a mannequin's leg.  He said, "it is so beautiful mom." Once we got to Nana and Papas house me went to Ms. Shelton's to pick up my picture.  Finn and Sam played in the yard while he oohed and ahhed over her selection.  When I went outside to check on the boys I found that Finn had moved Ms. Shelton's decorative rocks (big rocks) away from her flower bed.  I hurriedly and very quietly put them back where they went - or at least I hope I did. Next we went back to the house and played on the new swingset that Papa made for all the boys.  Sam relaxing in Adirondack chair on the covered deck. Finn and I swinging.  Finn wanted to see who could go the highest.  He claims to