The Richards Family went camping

We went Camping and SURVIVED!!! We ventured out Friday afternoon with all our Gear. We aren't avid campers, so in some respects we Roughed It! We set up camp right next to this little stream. Obviously the boys saw water and off came there shoes. Can you tell that the water was a little cold..... Then we took a little hike. We set out on a trail that looked manageable. We thought we were going on a leisure little hike, and it turned out to be all up hill. Me being almost 8 months pregnant did help!
We did the traditional "Roast Marshmallows" The boys like playing in the fire more than anything. The gooey marshmallow was just an added benefit.
We stayed up really late telling stories!!! No scary stories for us, we can't take it!
The next day we found Hot Springs. Again, off came the boys' shoes and in went there feet.
All in all, it was a great trip and we survived.

Lunch Money Mystery

So... a few weeks before school got out, I received a call from the school cafeteria. Caleb needed more money in his lunch account. I wrote a check out to the school and sent it with him the next day. A few days went by and I received ANOTHER phone call from the cafeteria. Caleb's lunch account was now overdrawn and please send some money for him. I was SOOOO confused. I went back through my check register, found the check, faxed it to the lunch lady and explained that I had sent the check with Caleb. She said she would take care of it! Well, she did some diggin' and discovered that Caleb did take the check to school. But instead of Applying it to his lunch account, he decided to have a "FREE FOR ALL" at the book fair! I couldn't believe it. I didn't think Caleb could or would do something like that. The devilish side of me was a little impressed to think that my 9 year old figured out that the check was just as good at the "BOOK FAIR" as it was in the "CAFETERIA". So, how do I teach him a lesson??? I decided that I was going to have him earn the money and pay me back. This is his jar, so he can see the money he has earned and that he has to give it back to me. Sawyer decided he wanted a jar as well- Probably to antagonize Caleb. I'm not sure who this lesson was harder on, Me or Caleb.....

"MOM! Caleb said the Tooth Fairy is NOT REAL???"

Sawyer lost one of his front teeth. The other front tooth is litterally hanging from a thread! We put his tooth in an envelope and tucked it under his pillow. I explained that he needed to be asleep before the tooth fairy would magically fly into his room and exchange the tooth for money. Talk about excited.... The next morning, what did Sawyer find? Money under his pillow. He was a little upset, so I asked him what was the matter? "MOM! Caleb said the tooth fairy is NOT REAL???" I looked at Caleb with my evil eye and explained, "OH, she's real! How else did you get that money under your pillow? " "Caleb said you put it there!"
Oh the things kids say these days! I guess my babies are growing up.....

Best Fishin' Hole around

This is a stocked pond close to our house. I've been told by the boys, "That this is a great place to fish! It is FULL of fish. You are pretty much "guaranteed" to catch something. On this particular afternoon I decided I would join them and just read a magazine while they canoed around and fished. Not a lot of action. Wouldn't you know it, a few days later Terry and Caleb decide to go out again. They came home claiming to have caught the "Biggest Bass Fish EVER" Apparently, this fish was so big, Terry could fit BOTH fists in it's mouth! (Of course, no evidence) So the next outing, Terry and Caleb decide to just go for a quick morning fix. They both came home claiming to have seen a "Sturgeon" at least 4 Ft Long!!!! Again, No Evidence! I don't know, Sounds "Fishy" to me......
On the other hand, here are two of the best little athlete's I know! They have had such a great season. Sawyer wrapped up his season with his last game being in a HUGE rain poor! He thought that was great! Covered from head to toe in mud and grass stains. Caleb's team is still playing! They are in the Play-offs. They are doing awesome! I keep telling the boys, one of them better get a scholarship or go Pro, for all the running around we have had to do this year. Hopefully we will get a little break before FOOTBALL starts (in August)

Take me out to the Ball Game....

Batter up! We have had a great season. Both the boys have really learned a lot! Even though Sawyer is in T-ball and should hit the ball from the T, his coach insists that he will pitch it to him when it's his turn. He is a great little athlete. The best part of his games is when he runs his little heart out to get to 1st base, stops and yells, "Love ya, mom! Talk about proud mamma.

Caleb has done extremely well too, getting to try several different position from Pitcher, 1st base, 3rd base, and out fielder. He says his favorite position is pitcher. He's not about the yell, "Love ya, mom" but when catches a fly ball or strikes someone out, I get a cute little smile from him, whispering, "did ya see that". It's all good. When you're 9, you gotta be cool!

........And the Orioles Game. When we lived in Baltimore, we got the chance to see an Orioles game. That was a few years back, and let's just say it was more exciting to have peanuts and cracker jacks than to watch the actual game.

Ode to MasterCraft

Aaaaaahhhhhh........."Our Boat" This is how we spend most of our summer. We love our boat. We wakeboard, surf, knee board and tube. We took the boat out for the first time this season. Unfortunately, the only thing I was really good for was the added weight in the boat to make a bigger wake (being pregnant)

I can't explain the rush I get from being out there. I can safely say I have a love affair with the sport (and the boat). So bear with me as I take a look back at last season. What a great season!

Happy Mother's Day

This is homemade Banana Nut Bread made specially by Caleb at School. Let me remind you, he's in 3rd grade. We can only hope his teacher enforced washing hands prior to baking. (Yikes) To be honest, it looks better that my Banana Nut bread ever does.

This a card from Sawyer, folded so neat and tied with beautiful white yarn, and the most precious fridge magnet with LOTS of glitter.

I couldn't have had a better day. Funny how I was the one that got spoiled. All day long, I just kept thinking of how lucky I was. I thought about the High Fives from Caleb after an awesome football play or the "Love Ya, Mom" yelled from Saywer while on 1st base. I guess thats why "we" go through the 9 months of h*ll.