My, oh my, oh May!

A smorgasbord of snapshots...

The month started out with a bang when Gramma showed up.

Or at least a *PING*PING*.
That's the sound of Kathleen having this done to her ears!

Grammy & Grampy got in the game.

Kathleen's handmade residence for most of May.

The girls' fuel-efficient independent transportation during the month of May.

May's musical musterings

Both the violin and piano recitals in one day--

--within a couple of hours of each other.

May clowning

THEN
After Jimmer took off with Gramma and hung out for a week,
Nici, our former au pair, jetted to our country from South Africa,
and we both flew out to Gramma's to retrieve Jimmer -- releasing him from the shackles of...perfect weather, perfect fun with Gramma & Mr. Merle, perfect one-on-one time for once, and perfect freedom from school and siblings.

With the likes of these two personalities meeting for the first time, it took a grand total of one second to warm up to each other.

Card games led to toe wrestling which led to...
snowball fights.

...and scratching around for coin droppage.

Fast friends, I tell you!

Back at the ranch...

Car appreciation day in May

Enjoying May weather!

Pretzel making in May

South African sisters - Nici's sister (now an au pair in NJ) came for a Memorial Day weekend visit to the Lonestar State.

They bought boots,

Dressed up,

Danced with cowboys,

Visited our pink capitol,

Bounced through Lake Travis,

Ate grub overlooking a lake at sunset,

And engaged in pre-dinner thumb wrestling.

As you can see, the kids really had a tough time warming up again to Nici after her 10-year absence!

Much in May.
Then there was June!

Jimmer's Big Day in May

We had some very *grand* guests join us in celebrating Jimmer's First Communion.







Then, shortly after his big day, one of the *grand* ladies in the house flew away with him.

Far, far away

They did a bunch of fun stuff together.



And.
AND!

With Jimmer's fascination with all things related to money and weapons, he got to hang out with Gramma's friend who was the Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (1995-1997).

Who now teaches archery and gun safety!

A dream come true for this little guy!

Another year older

This little monkey likes to be around people,

has a well-developed sense of humor,

loves math, wrestling, target practice, all things spy, learning about weaponry and how money is made,

AND

still loves to snuggle!

Our youngest is EIGHT!

And I'd like to keep him right there.

THE Sweatshirt :: since 2005

Jimmer, we need to talk.


Now, you've been wearing that sweatshirt since you were 3 years old.


It is size 4.
You're now almost 7-1/2 years old.
It's too small, and the elbows are wearing out.


And you have a number of other sweatshirts that fit you better.


What gives?


I just like this one best. Still.


Okay. Carry on!

Rainy Day :: Brothers

These brothers found some fun inside when it was soggy outside.


The table was at the ready smack dab center of the house.
The foosing began.


They made up their handles.

Introducing...Yeti Spaghetti


His opponent, Sasquatch On Watch

(I honestly don't know where they came up with these names. Please don't hold it against them...or me!)

A vertical disadvantage for Sasquatch, but no less fun.


They played with so much vigor, Yeti Spaghetti went missing his right upper extremity phalanges.


What is a yeti to do without use of his dominant paw?


How will he scale the Himalayas when he's finished foosing?


Sasquatch on Watch showed no mercy.


He just showed his true American monster grit...and actually won this match.


As the girls were avoiding finishing their mathematical adventures, they came up with future foosing handles:

Spud in the Mud
Herky Jerky
I Dub Thee Mud

Personally, I think Yeti Spaghetti and Sasquatch on Watch will be difficult to top.

[In case you're wondering what that convoluted metal monstrosity is behind Mikey, it's a folded up one of THESE].