Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time there was a little boy named Prince Hawk. Prince Hawk usually received whatever he asked for from King Daddy and Queen Mama. Usually. But sometimes King Daddy and Queen Mama said the dreaded no. Prince Hawk was angered by the answer. He decided he would go in search of a kingdom where no didn't exist. Prince Hawk stormed to his room, packed his bag (complete with night-night blanket and Davey the Bear) and headed out the back of the castle. He stopped along the way and attempted to take the keys to Queen Mama's chariot but King Daddy informed him that the chariot was off-limits. Unmoved by the lack of transportation, Prince Hawk ventured into the stable and saddled up his trusty Red Ryder, Scooter. With Scooter in tow, Prince Hawk ventured off in search of "Somewhere Else." King Daddy and Queen Mama called after Prince Hawk saying, "We wish you'd stay. We love you very much." Prince Hawk just scowled. "If you must go," called Queen Mama, "remember to stay off the chariot path and not to leave our castle lane."

So off went Prince Hawk, being very cautious to head Queen Mama's instructions. Prince Hawk ventured through the neighboring castle's fields, finding that his trusty Red Ryder, Scooter, was not great at traversing grass.
Finding himself at the end of the his castle's lane, Prince Hawk stood for a while in the neighboring castle's field, steaming over the injustice he'd suffered.
Suddenly Prince Hawk gathered his belongings and began trudging back to the castle. Seeing him from afar, King Daddy called out, "If you're coming home, I'll help you with Scooter. Are you coming home?"

Prince Hawk shook his head "yes". King Daddy ran to meet Prince Hawk and help with his pack and Scooter. When Prince Hawk arrived home, Queen Mama and King Daddy were overjoyed he'd returned, saying, "We missed you so! We're glad you're home! We love you so much!"

And they all lived happily ever after...until King Daddy and Queen Mama had to say no again...

What was Prince Mess doing while all this was transpiring? Eating a bowl of cereal of course...

If looks could kill

Sam would be a dead man for not handing over that Tootsie Pop.

Drama Queen

I've taken pictures of all our kids mid-fit-pitching. Grace is no exception. She was more than mad at me this day...all because I walked by her and didn't pick her up. It's safe to say Grace is definitely the most dramatic child we've had!

Party Hard

My sister and I took Mom to Canton for her birthday/Mother's Day; Grace came along to round out our Girls' Weekend. With Mom gone, my boys had the house to themselves. They played t-ball, worked outside, played a little Wii and ate more than their fair share of Mac N Cheese. By the end of the weekend Sam had had more fun than a little boy could stand...

He is dead-to-the-world asleep, despite a bowl full of Mac and Batman on the TV

Dude Looks Good

Sam has his own sense of, well of everything really. I often say that Sam doesn't march to the beat of a different drummer; in his world there is no drum and he doesn't so much march as spin around in a field. He's a free spirit and is rarely guided by social norms (well, as much as any 2 year old is I suppose). Fashion is no exception and there is frequently no telling what he'll decide is appropriate dress for any given day. He's been known to wear a wool mitten (only one), swim goggles backward (with the eye pieces on his neck and the strap more like a headband), multiple pairs of pants/underwear/shirts, two different shoes, backward pants (he likes the pockets in front), etc. Recently he woke early one morning, screaming because he couldn't get his black church shoes on by himself. Take a look at what he decided would be good pj's. This is a totally different outfit than what Luke put him to bed in...

in case you can't see well, he's wearing Mickey Mouse shorts, a football shirt, blue star socks and his church shoes

Band of Brothers

Upon investigating why Jack and Sam had gotten so quiet while in the backyard (usually a sign trouble is brewing) I found them outside having a private jam/praise session. They were singing, "Shine your light and let the whole world see, we're singing for the glory of the Risen King" over and over again, each repetition a little louder than the one before it. The most beautiful music if you ask me.

excuse the photo-quality...I took this from inside, trying to get around the patio cover. I didn't want to disturb the band!

When the Moon Hits Your Eye

...Like a big pizza pie, that's amore...

Check out the pizza-makers at my favorite pizzeria. Not only do they make a super-cheesy pepperoni pizza but they are super-handsome!

Jack was very deliberate about his sauce...had to be perfect!

Sam was not so deliberate about the cheese...a mound ought to do it!

Jack's product ready to be baked

Sam and his creation pre-oven

Jack's finished pizza -- and an awesome peace sign (we're at that point already??!!)

Sam's finished pizza