Attack of the Wasp!

Okay, so somehow recently wasp(s?) have figured out how to get into our home through one of our school room windows!  Yikes!  It is a total disruption.  The room empties with screaming young ones... and one mama. But, every time Josh and James come to the rescue!  They have an interesting technique with which they kill the wasps, but it works so I don't way too much about it...

James sprays them with water until they can't fly, then Joshua flattens them.

Teamwork.

Shelling...

This summer Pop decided to grow a garden.  His older 8 grandchildren helped him plant it, and now we are all learning how to pick, shell, shuck, clean, blanch, and freeze various garden vegetables.  Lots of quality family time spent around buckets of veggies! :-)  My boys aren't smiling with me on that last sentence. However, they work well to the tune of Dude Perfect videos! ;-)   

I digress...  Even Em has gotten in on the action.  Here she is shelling butter beans after her nap this past Sunday...

Watching her shell butter beans brought back memories of Erik's mom.  Retia had red hair and brown eyes like Emery, and from time to time, Em's mannerisms remind me of her.  Erik's mother knew all about shelling peas and beans and freezing them properly.  Oh, how I wish she were here to walk me through all of this!  But, a sweet friend from church and google have been my two main guides.  Well, those and my husband.  After 15 years of marriage, I am convinced he knows a little bit about everything!!  He looks a little bit grumpy here, but, really, he was super excited about not taking his Sunday afternoon nap and shelling beans instead!

And, just for a little funny, Josh said he was going to shell Smarties!!!  :-)  I love that kid!!

Eriky turns six!

As if we didn't already know this, our friends proved to us once again that they are the best ever!  Literally I began texting at 8:00 a.m. inviting friends to celebrate Eriky's birthday at 10:00 a.m.  Seriously,  it gave new meaning to "throwing it together at the last minute!!"  Thankfully, I had previously made his cake and frozen it, so it was just a matter of having friends there!  Everyone I text at 8 was at my door by 10:15!!  Thankful for friends who love my little man and are so good to us!

The thawing dinosaur cake....

Presents!  No doubt, Eriky's love language is gift giving and receiving.  I do not have another child who enjoys gifts like he does!

Sweet friends...

Best Buddies...

Pinata time!!

After the party Eriky came up to Erik and I and said, "This is the best day EVER!"  I looked at Erik and said, "What more could we ask for?"  Our boy had a happy 6th birthday.  :-)  Later, one of Erik's patients, who loves to spoil our boys, showed up at our doorstep with a two layer chocolate cake decorated with cherries, hershey's kisses, and six candles.  How sweet!

He ended his special day with a dinner out and sleep over with his Pop!  When you are a six year old boy, it doesn't get much better than this!  Love you, sweet Eriky!  You make us smile, and we are so thankful that you are ours!!!!