Independence Day - God Bless the USA!

Today I am posting my first blog...yay! It is Independence Day 2011 and the Hayes boys couldn't be more excited. We started the festivities with the Cambridge neighborhood parade followed by games and shenanigans at the Cambridge park...then onto swimming at our house! 

We are headed for the line-up.  With Hunter on his scooter and Parker on his bicycle, we are ready to roll.  We tried to get the boys to sing Lee Greenwood's "God Bless America" in their loudest outside voices but they wouldn't go for it...not that they even know the song let alone the words!

You can see the look of determination on this lil guy's face. He is sooooo BIG if you know what I mean.  Precious...is what I say!

Nothing like scooter SWAG!  Hunter is warming up the wheels for the big parade. 

Two-thirds of the love of the my life! 

LET THE water GAMES BEGIN!

There's something about boys and water guns.  A perfect combination on a hot July day!

King of the Mountain!  Look closely and notice the lack of teeth in Hunter's smile.  The four front teeth now reside with the tooth fairy!  His smile may be worth eight dollars to him but it's worth a million bucks to me!

Hangin' with Parker Hayes.  Peace out!

Onto the pool...it was so inviting on a 100 degree day!

A tongue that matches the swim suit that matches the water!

The sun was blazing!  This has been one of the HOTTEST summers I can remember but also one of the BEST!  We have had a blessed summer.  I have really enjoyed the boys being home from school. 

Parker pouring pool water on Papa Tom (wow, that's a lot of P's)!  Papa Tom was such a good sport!

Beautiful petunia's.  We thank Him for the many blessings in our lives!

Boomer and Murphy...they turn 11 this July.  That's like 77 to you and me!

Mary brought her famous rum cake.  Jon's day has been made!

Summer Fun

These are a few pics from this summer that make me smile...

Parker and Sophie Doke playing in Fort Hayes.  Sophie is one of three precious girls.  The Doke's have the house of pink and we have the house of blues!

Here they are, like royalty, waiving to the common folk from their balcony!  Precious!

Now, Parker is taking her for a drive.  He is large and in charge!

Life is good...enough said!

Cousin Party

These are a few pics from the annual cousin party.  This year it was at the Barrett's house.  The boys always have a blast and come home exhausted!

Parker is getting ready to swim...a summertime favorite!

Cousin Jake is letting Parker honk the horn in his dump truck.  Parker was amazed at this truck!

Here they are again checking out Jake's Harley.  There were lots of toys for Parker to explore!

Somebody's getting sleepy and somebody's spying. 

Pirate Parker's Birthday Party

What's a pirate's favorite letter? 
Arrrrhh!
Ahhhh... you would think...but it's the sea!

Today we celebrated Parker's third birthday.  He was soooooooo excited for his party!  He referred to Hunter, Jon and I as "matey" all morning as we were preparing for the big event!

Invitation for the big event!

Ahoy me Hearties!

The table has been set.  We have the proper treasure, grub, drink and doubloons that any buccaneer worth his sea salt could desire!

My Mom carved this pirate ship for the party complete with plank and all!  Toooooo cute!  (Way-to-go Mom!)  It even had a proper jolly roger!

Cupcakes worth two galleons...a three year old boy's dessert of choice!

 

 Parker Reed Hayes...the guest of honor...or known to some on this particular day as Scurvy Dog!

Parker is ready for the scallywags to arrive.  I caught him looking out the window to see if any guests had turned up.  How cute is that?

Opening presents or "capturing the loot" to a pirate.   He was engrossed with the trucks he was given as Will Treat and I look on. 

Today marks the beginning of a new adventure for the Hayes household...the start of our life with "Captain Hook", the beta fish Parker was given by his Uncle Tony and Ashley.  His aquarium is so cute.  I hope he likes it here!

Parker with Gran Mary, Papa Tom and the one thing he had to have...a cement mixer...go figure! 

Onto the pool for outdoor shenanigans!  The buckos even walked the plank a few times!

Hunter, Parker, Will and I jumping up and down in the pool.  They couldn't get enough of this.  I love the simple things in life!

Hunter in action as Grammie and Mema look on.

Little man relaxing in his floaty enjoying the day!  Shiver-me-timbers the party was a SUCCESS!

Parker's School Play

Today was Parker's school play, Show Tunes - Past and Present. I have to say it was one of the cutest things I've ever seen.  Miss Kim, Miss Melanie and staff are amazing with these kids. How they get these 2 and 3 year olds to perform like they do is remarkable.  Parker was cast to be Ricky Ricardo from the I Love Lucy Show. 

Parker is getting suited up to play Ricky Ricardo. He has a solo and a duet and has been practicing for a month. I'm a little nervous for him at this point.

 

Bobeluuuuuuuuuuu!!!  Every time I watch this my heart melts...pretty good for a two year old!  I especially love the dancing at the end and the kiss!

Here is the class up on stage with Miss Kim.  You can see the Strawberry Shortcakes, the Genies from I Dream of Genie, the Mickey and Minnie Mouses, etc.

Here are Ricky and Lucy after the play, the crowd favorites!  I was sooooooo proud of him.  It doesn't get any cuter than that!

Bugz - Hunter's 1st Grade Play

Today was Hunter's first grade play, Bugz, led by Mrs. Gee, the music teacher!  It was darling.  Hunter was a horse fly and had a speaking role.  His class dressed as fire flies and shone flash lights during the play.  Jon and I helped with decorations the week leading up to the play.  It was a fun and memorable experience.

Here is Mrs. Gee leading all of the first graders in song.  I don't know how she does it!

Here is Hunter in his "horse fly" costume.  His line was..."I'm a horsefly, and I hurt anyone who with me tangles!"  He rehearsed it for hours. 

Hunter joined his class after his speaking roll and morphed into a fire fly. 

Ms. Eselin, the school Principal, was thanking everyone at the close of the evening. 

Here is Hunter after the play.  He did a great job...we were very proud of him!

Hunter T.'s 7th Birthday

Hunter is turning 7!  YIKES - how time flies!  Instead of having a party this year, we had a small celebration with his grandparents and then went to Great Wolf Lodge to celebrate with the Treat family.  The lodge was a hit.  The kids had a wonderful time as you can see...

On the day of Hunter's birthday, I made these cupcakes and surprised him with them in Ms. O'Brien's class.  He was pretty excited about the unexpected visit!

Gran Mary and Papa Tom made Hunter wear this blindfold and guess what his gift was. 

Here he is trying to guess what it was as Uncle Tony, Parker and Gran Mary look on. 

The secret has been revealed.  He couldn't wait to get the cabin built!

We are in the process of reading the fourth Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  Hunter is engrossed with Harry Potter right now as well as legos so the Hogwarts Express lego set was the perfect gift from Grammie and Poppie!

Parker, Will Treat and Hunter after a full day at Great Wolf Lodge.  They swam and played Magiquest aaaallllllllllllll dddaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy! 

Preston had a good time too!