School is in session

for all of us, this year. I'm enjoying working at the school and having fun with two particular students, who still think it's fun to see their mom at school.
Below, Porter (pre eye exam) and Riley on their first day of second and first grades:
Po, post eye-exam, marveling at how different the world looks: And the youngest Youngin' on her first day of preschool with her proud sibs:

We're excited and blessed at the start of a busy year.

Cousins '10

We were blessed with a visit from our Connecticut Cousins. And Porter decided that the best way to assert his rightful claim as the only boy cousin on the Pensak side was to get a buzz cut.

Beekeeping

Although it seems the summer just started, it's really almost over. We've enjoyed swimming with friends, a visit from cousins, and are about to leave for a week in Memphis. But what have I really been doing with this time before school and the inevitable routine starts again? Reading. And I have Laura Lee to thank for my preoccupation. If you enjoy Sherlock Holmes, or even if you don't and you just want something new to read, start with The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King. It's the first in an amazing series that re-imagines Sherlock's retirement, and his unlikely partnering with a young woman named Mary Russell. But, like I told Sarah when I told her she simply had to read them.... clear your schedule. Holmes-mania may take over your life.

Riley Stuff

Sometimes it seems like one of the kids has more stuff going on than the other two. Riley has definitely had a lot going on lately. She and Lizzie danced in their ballet recital,

and she enjoyed bubble day,

and graduated from Kindergarden.

I'm proud of her. And we continue to be amazed at God's provision as we look back on another school year at PCS. He has truly shown Himself to be the kind of Father who loves to shower His children with good gifts. To say that I am grateful sounds a bit trite. But I am grateful.

Po had a birthday

and he got Star Wars sheets. We've worried that he wouldn't get any sleep because he loves to do just about what is pictured above. He even asked Poppy if he wouldn't mind sleeping on top of the sheets. He had fun throwing the ball with said Poppy when he and KK came to celebrate the Po turning 8.

He enjoyed relishing in the sugar high that came after I brought doughnuts to his class. We are overwhelmed with thankfulness for the young guy he's becoming.

Specially Handmade by Louise

My grandmother, Louise (Meme, to us), handmade these dresses for my cousin Lisa and I. What a wonderful thing to see my own two little ones in them this past Sunday. My mom did a wonderful job of preserving them through the years. They even have a little tag in the back that says "Specially Handmade by Louise." I'm glad that they have grandmothers and great grandmothers that can sew, so as hopefully to spur them on towards learning the craft one day. Their mom can sew a button and a boy scout patch, but there certainly won't be any "Specially Handmade by Laura" tags anytime soon. Thank you Meme, for making these with love!

Hi Ho the Merry O'

My husband took our three kids camping. By himself.

Spring Breakdown

Over Spring Break we took the kids down to the Lynn Meadows Discovery Museum on the coast. I had to pay Porter a dollar to pose for this picture, but I find that it is well worth it.

For Easter, we enjoyed a great visit with Brice's mom and step dad Mike.We managed to get a family picture while enjoying lunch with some friends after church. Lizzie must have been suffering a mild heat stroke from the 85 degree South Mississippi spring weather.

We took the obligatory picture with a bunny on Easter, and we are now fending off the "but I would take really good care of a bunny if I had one like Ramsay has one and I would clean its cage every day" routine.

Happy Easter from the Youngs. May the sickness in our tummies over all that candy never dull our longing for the sweetness of our Savior who is risen indeed!

3 and 6

Liz had a great third birthday. She spent most of Saturday answering all those hectic birthday calls....

painting with friends at her art party,

and showing off her splatter-paint cake.

Riley woke up to some new tunes for her 6th birthday so now she can listen to Taylor Swift to her heart's content.

She even fixed her own side ponytail before heading off to school.

Happy Birthday week to both of my sweet girls!

Pinewood Derby

As we've been watching the Olympics this week we've been laughing as the commentators have said things like, "ever since she was a seven year old girl she's been dreaming of winning a gold medal in the women's half pipe." Really? Who dreams of being a professional snowboarder when they're seven? But, when Porter woke up this morning, his first words were, "I've been waiting for this day." So... we may have a professional mechanic on our hands.... or at the very least, a really great boy scout den leader like his dad. Derby Day has come and gone, and all the boys hard work paid off. Po's car ended up placing 4th out of 12, which was just shy of getting a trophy. But... we were proud. Ben, Porter, Seth

Po and his wedge car... he got caught up in the Olympic Spirit and named it "USA."

Kite Flyin

with the kids on a windy January day. Fun.

We are Living in a Material World....

and I am a (30 year old) material girl. My cousin Erin and I got to celebrate our 30th in style... we were born just a few weeks apart in January of 1980.... so it seemed only natural for our respective spouses to throw us a rockin' 80's bash. We sang karaoke....we drank Bartles and James. Thanks Brice and Blair for the awesome party!

Two Children and a Wedding

Porter and Riley were honored to be the ring bearer and flower girl in our dear friend's wedding. Haley and Will are such a beautiful couple and they had quite the lovely wedding. I may be a bit biased, but her wedding party was exceptionally good looking. Porter's dance moves earned him the name "Soul Man"... Lizzie relished her role as the "princess of the wedding" and Riley can tell you exactly how many petals she dropped. Success.

Fa la la

Our Christmas was filled with miracles... snow in Mississippi in December, and Santa somehow located Zhu Zhu Pets despite the drastic shortage nationwide. Sure hope he didn't pay those e-bay prices! Merry Christmas!