Gilberts on the Green

As most of you already know, my husband has quite the obsession with golf. He recently decided that it was time to share this passion with the boys. Early one evening, he loaded up his golf bag along with a set of plastic clubs and they headed out the door. After a brief practice session in the front yard, they were ready to hit the greens! What an amazing father my husband is. God has truly blessed him with a gift of patience and love. It brings me so much excitement to see him setting examples for the boys and raising them to be Godly men. Being a father is such an important role and James seems to do it effortlessly. Once the boys made it home, dinner was on the table. They were so excited to tell me how they did. James quizzed them on how many shots you have to make par and they were proud to know the difference between a birdie and a bogey. So cute. I thank God daily for blessing me with these three wonderful men.

Scrub a dub dub...a guinea pig in the tub!

Tonight was Tommy Rodger's first bubble bath! We dried him off with the blow dryer and put him in a nice clean cage with fresh bedding. I didn't think that I was going to like the little critter but he has quickly became part of the family.

Kindergarten..Here I Come!

Well the day finally arrived. My big boy started full day kindergarten yesterday. Our agreement was that Mommy and Daddy would take him to school the first day and then he could ride the bus home each day after. About 5 minutes before we were to leave, Jalen informed me that he wasn't a baby and that it was boring for Mommy to take him to school, he wanted to ride the bus. Poor guy. I felt bad so I told him what any good mom would say. "Jalen, you are going to be riding the school bus every day for the next 10 years, I'm taking you to school on your first morning of kindergarten. I'm going to completely embarrass you and cover you in kisses and cry as I leave the building." We finally compromised. Daddy and I took him to school and he rode the big boy bus home. Here are some pics of his big moment.

Mountain Madness

Feeling brave, we loaded up the car a few weeks ago and took a 8 hour car ride to the Smoky Mountains. The boys were so excited, they only slept for an hour the whole entire drive down.The first couple of days we just relaxed and made a splash at Dollywood's Splash Country. The boys had never been on a waterslide before and after they did it once....the rest of the afternoon was history. "Again, Dad, I wanna go again!".

Mid week we packed a picnic and headed to a site along the river where the boys were able to jump in and skip rocks.

Since we were in the mountains, the trip wouldn't have been complete without a hike. Friday we hiked up to Laurel Falls which was roughly 2 miles up and 2 miles down. Along the way we saw several black bear which was the best part of the trip according the James and the boys. The week went fast but we all had such a good time. Lots of wonderful memories made on this trip.

This and that

Here are a few more pics of our summer so far. They include a homemade teepee that James made with the boys and a bike ride at celery bog nature center.

Circus Night

Last week we had planned to hit the water park but mother nature didn't have the same idea in mind. It rained all day and we were stuck inside with only our imaginations so....we had decided to create an indoor circus. We created our very own popcorn boxes, made snow cones, had elephant rides (compliments of daddy), face painting, played animal charades, and had a balloon bust. The boys had so much and they can't wait until the next rainy day so we can do it all again.

A Day In The Windy City

A recent road trip to the windy city blew in lots of good times with the Lincoln Park Zoo, The Museum of Science and Industry and a grand finale at The Rainforest Cafe.

Just for Kicks

The boys had their first kick at soccer this year with Challenger Soccer Camp. We met each day at the local park, rain or shine and when I say rain....I mean pouring down, get drenched and have to run to the car without an umbrella rain. They both had such a great time and did exceptionally well at the clinic. Now that the fundamentals are set, they are scheduled to join the fall league in August. As you can see, Jameson had his little mind on more than just soccer. Her name is Emiline and she went to preschool with him last fall. It was so precious, the last day of camp her mom came running up to the car and asked if Emiline could say goodbye. She was upset crying and laid her head on his shoulder as she hugged him goodbye for the summer. He pat her on the back with his little hand and told her that they would meet in the park to play sometime. So cute!