Florida Room, post 1

My house is under construction. We are a zone of banging, hammering, sawing, tapping, and other various loud noises. I'm not a fan of the noise, but I am very excited about the eventual outcome. We are in the process of turning our back patio into a (drum roll please) Florida Room! I didn't actually realize Florida Room was the official name for an enclosed sunroom until we started talking to contractors, but the first thing that I thought when I learned this nugget of truth was, "Oooh, a good F word!" Yes, yes I AM that big of a nerd.

So, we're under construction. After two days of work, the guys have the frame up and treated and today they are beginning to install windows and maybe siding. Here's what we have so far.

It'll be fun to show progress on this as we go along. The new room will be airconditioned, carpeted, painted, and completely finished (hopefully) in about two weeks!

This is how Rosie passes her time while the guys are banging out in the back yard. She's at the FRONT door where she can keep an eye on everything while also staying away from the loud noises. (Pay no attention to the dirty baseboards or floor.)

And this is where Molly is spending her time. She's trying to camouflage herself behind a loaf of bread on the stove. I think she's trying to look like another teapot. She is really NOT a fan of these construction workers. :-)

Until the next installment of the Florida Room where we will showcase windows and siding.

Father's Day...belated

Mike's parents were here with us on Father's Day, so I was able to get a precious picture of three generations of Bishop boys.

Mike is such a great father. I am so blessed to be his wife and the mother of his children!

Finally: Shoe Lace Success

Alec can tie his shoes!

Family... and Action Figures

The boys and I went to Oklahoma a couple of weeks ago to check on Dad and spend time there. I worry about my Dad constantly. His health just is not what I want it to be. But that's an entirely different post. He loved having the boys with him, and was as silly as ever with them.

We also drove over to Pauls Valley to the Toy and Action Figure Museum. This is a fun way to pass an hour on a hot, hot summer day when we're home. The Museum has toys of all shapes and sizes.

Army guys...

Harry Potter...

Spiderman...
(Alec thought the Spiderman undies were HILARIOUS.)

Star Wars scary bug thingy...

And walls and walls and walls of superheroes.

Family and action figures. Really, what more does a boy need?

Fourth Grade Is OVER!

This post makes me a little bit sad. Zach will be in fifth grade in the fall. It will be his last year in elementary school. That makes me more than a little anxious and more than a lot bewildered. How the heck did my little Zachy become a 10 year old with a pack of buddies, an ipod, a love for Harry Potter and a spankin' ability to play piano?! I feel like I could close my eyes, turn around, and find a 2 year old blondie with a whole slew of Thomas the Tank Engine trains lined up beside him.

My big guy was the only boy in his fourth grade class who got all A's on his report card all year long. Smarty pants. Mr. Marks only had one girl and one boy with all As. This is Z getting that academic award:

And this is Zach receiving the Citizen Award.

And this is my guy with his pack of school friends. Zach has been blessed with a lot of buddies.

First Grader-to-be

Alec was promoted out of kindergarten in May. (I'm behind on my blogging.) He had a very good year with Mrs. Todd. I was honestly worried about Alec attending an all-day kindergarten waaaayyyy back in August when he began. Thankfully, he adjusted beautifully and enjoyed school. Of course, I missed him and continued to wish that school days were shorter. I like that my boys go to school, but I do wish that their school day ended at 2 instead of at 3. I've always wished that. Of course, now that we're in the middle of 100 degree weather in June with no school to go to... Hmmm, maybe that school thing wasn't so bad after all.

Anyway, I digress. This is my little man as he arrived on the gym floor with his classmates.

This is Alec getting his hug from the principal. I thought it was sweet that she hugged them. :) I know the 4th graders didn't get hugs from the principal!

This is Alec with his sweet teacher and with his certificate.

Why oh why must they grow up so fast?!

Final day of 4th grade/kindergarten

I'm about two weeks late with this particular post: Last Day of School. I'm sad that Alec won't be a kindergartener next year, and I'm sad that Zach will be in his last year of elementary school next year. It will be a milestone year for both of them come fall: 5th and 1st grades.

This was the smiling, oh-so-happy duo on their final day of school, May 25, 2011.

Below is a picture of the boys with our pretty new car (Mazda 5) parked on our pretty new driveway. And because I always like to see the changes that have taken place between August and May, the first picture is from the last day of school, and the second picture is from the first day. Alec has grown quite a bit!