Turtle Tuesday

First off... I want to know how my laptop just survived a 4 foot fall onto tile???
In less than a month, our first born will be starting Kindergarten. He CAN. NOT. WAIT. He is ready in more ways than one and we can't wait to see him with his backpack and little lunch box ready for big boy school. I get teary eyed just thinking about it. :-)

I feel like he has accomplished so much this summer. He is biking without training wheels like a pro. He is getting better and better with his swimming. He's still not 100% comfortable, but he is capable. He can get from point A to point B without problems. He is showing an incredible interest in reading lately.  He tries to read everything he sees when we are running the streets (hehe!). Tonight, he read an entire level 1 book. The words are simple (most are sight words) but he completed the book. So proud.
Cole is such an old soul. He has the energy of a group of children balled up into his little body, but he is old in many ways. He prefers to converse with older children and adults. He is facinated with countries and their language. If we left it up to him, he would ONLY watch ESPN. He doesn't just love sports. At times I wonder if he is a little obssessed... :)
So, Joe and I have this thing where we call each other names. Not in a bad way. Just names. I am Donna. Joe is Donnie. Reid's Spanish name is Juanacleto (I don't think it's a real name). His English name is Phil Nelson (as in the wrestling hold, "full nelson". We arent' wrestling fans but just think it's funny). Cole's Spanish name is Miguel. His English name is Rick O'Shay (Joe's friend that lives in the woods. Some of you golfing fans may get that one). We've been doing this for almost a year. The other day, I walked into class and Cole's teacher asked me "Does Cole go by another name at home?". All of a sudden- I knew what she was talking about and started laughing. Turns out, they spent 20 minutes trying to figure out who in the class had signed an assignment as "Rick". I tried so hard to explain, but all I could do was laugh. We finally had a talk with the boys and explained that at school, they can only be: Cole Joseph and Reid Clarke. This is the age where we have to *really* be careful with what we say and do. :)

The assignment, signed as "rick".

Cole, Reid and Cole Hastings. Playing on the golf course in our neighborhood.

In the soon to be bunker....

Finally. The front flip. Mommy made me wear my floaties for the flips.

Cole's new Tony Hawk bike. He loves it!!

Our Reid has become a pro with puzzles and memory games. We love to sit and watch him do puzzles. He focuses so hard. As soon as he finishes- and he does so, quickly, he wants to do another one. We love to play memory games with him in the evenings. He gets so excited and nervous when he realizes that he remembers where the pair is. He can barely contain himself. So much that he shakes a little. :)  It makes us crack up. Although Reid is constanly running and jumping, he can often times be seen coloring or doing a sit-down activity. The boys are signed up and ready for the Fall soccer season. It will be Reid's first season. When we told him, he asked 3 or 4 times: "I get to play soccer? With my cleats and my long socks? Will Cole go to my games?" The little look on his face was beautiful. It was the perfect example of the HUGE rewards our babies give us as parents.

I love to hear and watch Cole and Reid be the little people that they are. Their personalities are polar opposites and I love each and every difference.


Reid has been eating  a ton lately.................... :-)



I just think that this is the cutest thing. I love it.

Ps/. For those of you wondering about Reid and Shelby's love affair: it's still going strong. I still remember my little boyfriend in pre-k when I lived in Peru, so I think its funny that Reid could potentially remember Shelby when he is in his 30's. :)

Have a wonderful week! One week closer to the cool football season days. Spring and Summer are my favorites seasons but I'm really looking forward to Fall this year for some reason!

Father's Day

I know Father’s Day was 3 weeks ago, but these days it seems that’s how far behind I am when it comes to blogging. Father’s Day was great! Like always, we split our time between Joe’s parents and mine. My parents came over to have lunch on Sunday. We spent the day drinking mimosas and building and playing with the air hockey table that my sister bought Cole for his birthday. That thing is pretty entertaining, even for adults! :) Later, we went over to Mike and Tara’s for a Rentfro BBQ. We all played outside and surprisingly, we didn’t melt! :) It’s so hot here lately!
We are so blessed to have such amazing Dad’s in our family!
I can’t say enough good things about my Large Turtle (Joe, aka Donnie). I am seriously thankful each and every day for the man that I married. I am so proud that Cole and Reid have him as a Dad. <3

While Joe was opening presents, the boys were sitting next to him under each arm in order to help unwrap them. All of a sudden, we heard Cole say “You are the best Daddy in the world. And your armpits smell good!”. LOL!! Really? Cole says he loves the way the deodorant smells. That’s so funny to me!

Melissa, Lionel and Cole. Playing air hockey.

My 2 little Turtles.

My dad. Greatest Papi in the world. Being funny (as always) and pretending to drink out of a mini keg. He doesn't even drink beer...

Cole beat Mama... :)

After lunch. Full and happy!




Bruce, Matt, Joe, Reid, Mike, Will, Papa John and Cole. Four generations in one cute picture!





Have a great week. I promise to try to post more often!