Free Range on Fairview

Lincoln is starting to become playful. Not only is he interested in toys he also likes to play with us. He swung on the baby swings at the park today for the first time and then wanted me to chase him around the house for a while. Dylan had his first day of Vacation Bible School today and initially was worried because he didn't know anyone in his group. Later he said that he told himself 'come on Dylan, shake off your shyness. Time to get some new friends.' Oh my gosh my little boy gives himself little pep talks to be a good friend, how precious.

After asking if I was alive in the "wild west days with cowboys and indians" Dylan made up for it. I told him our favorite tv show was on and he replies "Extreme Couponers?" The he says "I'm going to be an extreme couponer when I grow up, are you?" Oh man he cracks me up. Yes I've been trying to get some good deals lately and some of the deal sites I follow show pictures of what they got and how much they paid and I always think it's pretty cool. Here are three of the last times I went to the grocery store and what I got. Weird yes, it makes me a little bit happy to know I am saving money. 5/31/11 - This was actually two different transactions because when you buy specific items totaling over an amount you get a $10 catalina off of your next purchase. Anyway the two together retail at $78.40 and I paid $44.12! This included coffee, 2 creamers (our major vice!) 3 sunblocks and allergy medicine. 6/5/11 - Retail value $57.35, Paid $34.30

Dylan is in the second row from the top, the third one in It happened, I couldn't stop it. My little baby graduated kindergarten and there was nothing I could do to keep him from becoming a first grader. First Grade! All the kids are getting so smart and tall and toothless... Oh my gosh, first grade. I just can't get over it. Dylan is 6 now and just oh man I feel old. I accidentally set my camera funky when I was taking pictures so I didn't get great ones during the graduation but I think my mom got a few so I'll have to steal some from her. First grade ah! Danielle is now a senior in high school. How did this little 14 year old squirt grow up to be a beautiful 17 year old senior already? I just don't know. She is driving over by herself to visit her mom for the first time for a week or two since it is the summer and it's a little nerve racking to just let them go. I guess that's what I've learned a lot about myself lately. Letting go. Sharin

Of course Liko wants to be part of the picture. Lincoln got a cute outfit from his grandma and grandpa while they were in Florida. Partially put on here is what Lincoln looks like as a little gangster baby. Saggy shorts and a sideways visor. Niiice. Moobs

We order our diapers through amazon.com because there are no stores here in our town that sell large boxes of diapers anywhere near the price we are willing to pay. That being said we have a few diaper boxes laying around. I've filled most of them with stuff for our upcoming MOPS garage sale but this particular box has been through quite a lot. First it was a house/garage for Dylan's Zhuzuh pets. Then it became a hide and seek play house. Eventually it became a crazy pull along toy which you have seen in the above video. Sadly this morning the box found its way to the garbage truck because the cardboard won't hold a shape. So long box of fun! I help out in Dylan's class when I can and the other day they had fun outdoor centers since it is almost the last day of school. My station was bubbles. I love being able to help out and be involved while still taking care of Linc too. Dylan and some classmates blowing bubbles Dylan and Lincoln figuring it out  We also

King of the Raspberries

So the Sherwin Williams website is pretty great. We are in the process of deciding on a paint color for our sprawling palace and figured out the store we are going to buy from (Columbia Paint in Eburg) where I am now officially a preferred customer and will get special deals *Shhh there is a 40% off sale the weekend of my birthday* and what finish the paint is going to be in, now we just have to pick a color. Shane said I could pick the color but after showing him a few of my beginning ideas I am realizing that I can pick the color as long as it isn't x y or z. ha ha I love having to work together to figure these things out. Anyway back to the Sherwin Williams website. They have this awesome thing called a "color visualizer" and you can upload a picture of your house and then they show you what your house would look like in that color. Here are pictures of our house currently:  And here are the six (6!) colors I really like. I'm obviously going to have to still s

Danielle went to a little slumber party a few weekends ago and had a good old time staying up the entire night! Luckily she didn't end up crashing the next day.  Last night a dinner the kids were eating and I was feeding and holding a grumpy Lincoln and we had a funny conversation.  Dylan: "Mom, How come you aren't eating with us?" Me: "I'm feeding Lincoln and he's being a handfull." Dylan: "Of what?" A handfull of what... Oh man am I the only one that thinks this is hilarious? 

I know, get ahold of yourself Shannon. Too many pictures of your children. Except I don't think that could happen. We have been busy running around after the little guy (gasp less than a month until his first birthday, time to get busy planning) and other general household maintenance projects such as redoing the back deck and trying to decide what color to paint our manufactured palace. Anyhoo here a a few pictures from the last few days. Enjoy. Checking out the curls Can you see those? Yep beautiful long flowing curls. Such a difference from Dylan's stick straight hair. Shane's was the same way when he was a baby so yet another reason he is just like Daddy.  My boys play hard. Lincoln is always getting into something or trying to walk without being ready so he's got scrapes and bruises all over the place. Man this kid is crazy.  Dylan scarfing down the last bit of ice cream out of the carton. The simple pleasures in life make the best memories right? Sometimes i