Just Another Day in Paradise: May

I walked downstairs to find all the kids doing exactly what they should. Sarah is practicing piano, Rachel is doing math, and Adam...can you find him?

Yes, he is goofing around, just what he should be doing too.

We have been a little busy, so this is Adam's 3rd try on the bike and he is zooming!

He's got it down and he is so happy!

It took Sarah years and Rachel months to figure out the pedals before they could really ride, but in a matter of days Adam is a pro! I'm so impressed! We went to a playdate at the park down the street and he wouldn't get off the bike and play with the kids. His older, wiser friend Paxton was understanding and told him, "...I know, I'm addicted to my bike too."

Sarah's friend had a birthday and we went shopping for fun. The girls had fun making fun of different things. We had a blast and were more than a little silly.

We had a state night, not to be confused with date night, with some homeschool friends. Every kid chose a state to report on and dressed up as a famous person from that state...if they wanted.

Adam didn't dress up, but he did make a report. You can see his stage presence is still coming along. His report was titled "Minnesota, not Baking Soda," he always gets the two confused so we thought this would be a good state for him to study.

Rachel chose New York and made apple muffins because it is their state muffin. Does every state have a muffin? She dressed up as her favorite author Ellen Miles who writes the Puppy Place books.

Sarah chose Virginia and dressed up as Pocahontas. She enjoyed learning about the rich history and role of Virginia in the early makings of our country.

All the kids did a great job and we had lots of fun.

Adam riding on that bike again, yes in his jammies with his green blanket.

It's always a good time for a bike ride. We trade off going out with him so he can practice.

Rachel is a very patient and sweet sister.

(she is in a swimming suit but Adam though the straps made great reins)

Dad and Adam went on their first Father & Sons campout. Adam was thrilled to have Daddy all to himself and to be camping. What more could he ask for?!

They had a great time getting dirty in the wild like real men do.

Tyler taught Adam how to push dead trees over.

I think it was a Palmer thing.

Adam told me that was the best part of his trip and was so proud of his strength,

and his little battle wound.

This tree was huge, obviously they didn't push this one over, but Adam liked it anyway.

While the boys were gone on the campout, we girls shopped at Ikea, swam, and did a little landscaping in the front yard with rocks from the river bed, to make our own little dry rock riverbed.

We celebrated Mother's Day and my sweet family got me beautiful cards, jeans,

and organizing boxes, YAY! After church we had our friends the Wilsons over for dinner and to play Sink or Swim. I have wonderful children and I am so lucky to be their Mother.