always smiles when the pals get to ride together to playtime!

Just a typical friday morning after Music -- Tree Climbing

Baby in a tree, lookin' at me!

Just enough swings for these boys!

It is a little bit of gladness and a bunch  of fun to watch these kids grow up together. Here are photos taken at the end of the preschool season together and last year

Generations

When I see an event like intergenerational gardening or our school's garden club; 

I think, "ooh! how fun!" 

And then the Lord leads my heart and thoughts to my parents and grandmother.

 They enjoy gardening. 

Time just passes all too quickly. Life is Short. The Lord has been speaking to my heart for a couple years about not stepping back into my "overscheduled" routine that I am so comfortable in. My grandmother will be 94 this year, and I think I've taken for granted the opportunity for one-on-one time with her. My boys, my sister and I were able to play bingo with her last night. And then, while the boys bonded with my sister, I enjoyed hearing about Oma's life as a teen and in her early twenties. Oma's feet had a bubbling warm water foot massage and I manicured and painted her nails, while I got to hear the tales of life long ago. She recalls working as a shoemaker, manicurist, hair stylist, and launderer from age 15 throughout her adult life.

touching up my mess-ups already

 I have sweet memories with my sisters and cousins hanging out at her place in the summers -- she'd cut our hair, she'd sew the girls matching dresses, her rock garden, our uncles and aunties laughing up a storm with her and Opa.

Back to campus in 2012

Rather than Christian Youth Theater, our boys joined school choir this semester. It is sweet to see them in the same group with each other and with their long time pals. I know, I know, it is just cuz I am their mama that this is cute!

cool flying while swingin' on the bars

What I like about our on-campus days, is that it is a place we know we'll see our pals consistently, and from that point, we take the natural next step and have a chance to fellowship and reconnect.

Ninja pose!

Both our boys seem content and happy with this year of schooling; and that encourages that "mama's heart" in me.

Super happy face. This young man had a week of bland food, and asked for all his favorites for breakfast, and we FEASTED as a family!

Cycling along the water

with Lola and Mom, the boys and Dad -- while Oma and Lolo strolled

quick moves to HOG up the photo!

Animal Tracks

Only thing to say, was this was a totally fun time filled with movement and laughter!

See Saw

These kids have played together since my older son was a newborn. Somehow the routine of life and different schools allows the passage of time to become exponential. We enjoyed an afternoon of wheels, balloons rockets, and playground time together.

Bringing in the New Year

The new year was welcomed in with fishing at the lake

and duck feeding too

amidst fellowship with friends