five friday favs

realizing i have such a hard time keeping a fire going

these really came in handy for some fun dinner time desserts

the boys even got spoiled by having them for a few afternoon snacks

* * * * * 

this is now one of the boys' favorite dinners

we've already had it twice!

the easiest shredded chicken nachos ever

* * * * * 

his new single

"do everything"

* * * * * 

watching the boys enjoy sparklers
out back

* * * * *

brunch with my family for
father's day & daddy's birthday
followed by
pedis & manis w/ my mama
ben came along too
so cute

skam-fam motto

lately the phrase "just make the best of it" 

has been said A LOT in our home.  

as there are always things we may not want to do 

or be a part of

or really have a choice in 

as we have experienced in the last year and a half

but

it's up to us to how we respond 

and choose to act in those situations . . . . 

and life

imagine my delight when i found this phrase on pinterest

the big picture

a fun comparison

june 2008

j ~ last day of kindergarten

june 2011

j ~ last day of 3rd

b ~ last day of 1st

WOW

these precious treasures are growing way too fast

Love must be sincere.

Hate what is evil;

cling to what is good.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.

Honor one another above yourselves.

Never be lacking in zeal,

but keep your spiritual fervor,

serving the Lord.

Be joyful in hope,

patient in affliction,

faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:9-12

I Won't Let Go

ready for a picture dump of our

end of year festivities

* * * * * 

the "movin up" celebration

eles really does this one up fun!

each grade is sectioned off

and wear a certain color

 first graders wore yellow

 3rd graders wore their individually designed

white tees w/ red decorating

(eh . . . not my fav)

 each grade level performs a song for the rest of the school

and all the parents

the teachers were really into it as well this year

 then it's the announcement of the theme

for the upcoming year

this year was

Echo Lake All Stars

next year its

Out of this World

(my wheels are already spinning for teacher treats)

i tend to be pretty rigid about bed time

but i'm proud to say that this final week

i've relaxed a little

jacob has acquired my need for having a plan

and having a hard time with

spontaneity

so he was less than thrilled when i said

let's go for a ride, i have an idea!

i just gave them clues so 

when he figured out where we were going

he was all over it!

 because we kept the shop open a little longer

the owner threw in some extra donuts

 we had never gone

but will definitely return

it was a fun treat

 look how sleepy my little b is

he made it though . . . . barely

he sat in my lap for a little bit

on the way

i called my 

"very spur of the moment can always handle a detour" 

friend

to see if they wanted to join in on the fun

the claytor clan can always handle variations in their scheduling

the mama's and our kiddos that came

they took the picture 

"to make me happy"

in hopes of making it to the bus on the last day

it looks like jacob is mumbling 

"just do it ben"

through his teeth

and poor ben,

his mama kept him up way too late

he is *homin*

 but we did make it to the bus

 it's been our tradition 

that the boys come home to

some simple, inexpensive summer fun things

and this year a few necessities as well

goggles, summer work books, glo wands, 

beach towels, poppers,

sparklers, pool noodles, etc.

 as soon as the boys got on the bus this morning

i went to the garage and pulled out this old sheet

to have some fun with spray paint

i hung it up on my way to the bus

and by the time we walked back it had fallen

so this is what i got of it

 that's our little ben

with the bag

he may be tired of the camera

i remind him one day

he's going to appreciate it

 we now have a 

2nd grader & a 4th grader

i think about the boys every time i hear this song.

as you may know, 

it's played LOTS!

five friday favs

Jacob being recognized for Honor Roll all year

  

boy time after school

the *moving up* celebration at ELES today

i now have a 2nd grader

and a 4th grader

this is at j's ice cream party

the children decorated their shirts earlier in the week

a REALLY spur of the moment trip to 

Daylight Donuts

never been before

glad we did

i called at 8:55 during ben's shower 

to ask about their closing

ahem

9:00

the owner convinced me to come

jammered and all!

perfect way to spend the last night 

before the last day of school!

we may have a  new tradition!

Dear School,

Can you just be over already?!  I don't want to make the boys come inside, not even for dinner.  Playing kickball with friends, catching fireflies, having water shooter battles, & roasting marshmallows are simply way more enticing than getting a good nights sleep for school the next day.  Can't baths & bed times just wait!?  And while we're on the subject of sleep, Sleeping in would be nice for me as well!  

Sincerely,

Mama Skammer aka Skamamama

j.o.y

:: celebrating with friends
that are truly like family to us
she was just nine when we met
(that's how old jacob is now)
and now she's graduating
love her sweet older brothers too

:: relaxing, floating
on the rivah

:: tucking my babies in at night
and the conversations that take place

:: sleeping in

:: lunch on the back porch
delivered by a friend
enjoying the breezes

five friday favs

funniest movie

in a long time

(my daddy will be ashamed

but it was hilarious!)
i'm not usually a rated R movie goer
i'm glad i bended the rules this once twice

* * * * * 

my sweet boys

taking turns

"resting"

with me on the raft on the river

* * * * *

* * * * *



never thought i would need/want/like
a *furminator*
our neighbor (who is a vet)
suggested it
and wowsers
it's amazing!
i have pulled of BAGS of Roxy's fur with this thing
in minutes
which means less vacuuming!

* * * * *

SAMS's Club
yes i know sounds silly
but the past 2 times i've really gotten some deals
on stuff for the kids
not to mention a cheap lunch w/ a friend

they all S.T.I.N.K

itchy sunburned skin

ticks

cancer

alarm clocks

homework

broken promises

SOLs

obviously some way more than others

summer lovin

iced tea

tan lines

s'mores

spur of the minute trips to gelati

drive in movies

freckle face boys

lightening bugs

fire pit nights

cook outs

home made fresh fruit smoothies

salads salads salads

days by the pool

day trips to the beach

fireworks

sleeping in

time to read

picnics

naps

ice cream truck

Five Friday Favs

gifts from my class

they each drew me a picture 

and wrote why they loved me

then parents secured them all into a book

for me to enjoy 

lots!

i've read & re-read it

* * * * * 

my new wall hanging

an old window w/ pics of us inside

now to find the perfect spot to hang it

* * * * * 

dill pickles
used to be a sweet pickle girl
granny isn't around to make them for me anymore
ben & i snack on dills together

* * * * * 

sara evans

* * * * *

a free
pedi
mani
&
yoga shoes