I'm So Proud!!

This time I am not a proud momma, I am a proud cousin!! Last Saturday night we had some friends and family over to celebrate Seth's birthday and Mother's Day! Dylan was laying down in our bed (which he rarely does!!) when three girls decided to jump in bed with him!! He was supposed to be calming down, and this didn't help, but we didn't mind! Anyways, in the picture, Courtney, Whitney, and Allison. Courtney and Whitney are my cousins, and Allison is a friend of theirs! On with the story, and why I am proud...Courtney (in the jean capris) is a freshman at

K-State and just found out that she will be a Business Ambassador next year at KSU-so she will get to teach a freshman orientation class and give tours... And Whitney (the blonde) who is a junior (almost Senior) at Washburn Rural High School was just offered a scholarship to play soccer at Washburn University (in Topeka) when she graduates!! And not to leave their brother Brady out, I am proud of him too (he is in 7th grade!!).

I don't take any credit for how well these girls turned out, but I do have to say, I was their 1st teacher!! I used to babysit them all the time and we would play in their basement and I would be their teacher (and mom, principal, school nurse, school bus driver...)! They have also helped a lot in my classroom over the past 5 years!! They are great helps and the students always love them!! Previous students ask about them and get excited when they see them in the room!! I think a few 3rd grade boys have even had a little crush on them!!

Warning--this is a LONG one!!

What a fun filled weekend we had at the Packard Household! Saturday my parents came into town and we had a lot on our list of things to do! Most importantly the guys had to set up Dylan's swing set! The girls (and Dylan) stayed at Ashley's house and planted flowers. Dylan was a big help, but I wasn't! I didn't feel like getting dirty, so I supervised!! I did help plant flowers at my house though!!

When we got to our house Dylan was a very big help with the swing set! He had his own tool belt and tools, but he liked using the real ones!!

Here he is giving daddy a kiss-I guess it is his way of saying Thank You!!

Uncle Brad needed some help from Dylan here, he was always willing to lend a hand, and take the tools!!
Grandpa and Dylan were doing something, I am just not sure what they were doing!
Dylan wanted to make sure the rocks on his rock climbing wall were tightened properly!
I guess Bob The Builder tools just don't compare to the real thing!
After about 15 total hours it is...almost done! Seth and Brad are putting down 5 more bags of rubber mulch and the wood border tonight! Dylan has already enjoyed it though!

Checking out the ladder and rock climbing wall.
Swinging away on his new swing set!
Going down the slide the right way...
And going down the wrong way!!

We went to the neighborhood school last night to play. The night before when we went we forgot a ball, so we remembered one this time!! Here Dylan and daddy are shooting some hoops. Dylan tries so hard to get the ball in there, but it just doesn't work too well!!

Dylan was enjoying climbing on the jungle gym but he wasn't sure what to do when he go to the top!
You are probably thinking we are nuts letting him do this slide, but he wanted to and he loved it! As you can see Seth is hiding behind him-but Dylan did go down on his own and then went right back up. The second time he went on his belly, feet first!!

Thursday night Dylan helped cheer on his cousin Whitney's soccer team!! He really enjoyed the game and sat there the whole 2 hours! Of course we had to get up a few times to burn off some energy and go see Uncle Mike! He was yelling ball and pointing but would get a little nervous when everyone cheered real loud--these moms really get into it!

After the game Dylan and his cousin Brady ran around the field for a while! I am so excited to get Dylan into sports--I know he is going to love them all!!

Playing Outside

Like I have said before, Dylan LOVES being outdoors!! Over the beautiful weekend we were able to spend some time outside and Dylan enjoyed his new bubble toy!

Dylan had to help daddy measure the yard to make sure the swing set would fit and he would still have room to play other games. We decided to take down one of the fences that was separating the yard and Seth isn't quite done taking out all the pieces!

Here is the swing set Dylan is getting for his birthday from Grandma and Grandpa Shaver and Aunt Ashley and Uncle Brad!! We are ordering it tonight and planning on getting it up Mother's Day Weekend (and Seth's birthday-Happy Birthday Daddy)! It will be an early present but this way he can start enjoying it earlier! It has 2 swings, the glider and under the clubhouse there is a picnic table and sandbox.

I know, I look like a dork, but I had to do it!! We have a new tradition in our family and I was the first one to get to do it-we have a plate that says, Packard's Blue Plate Special, and whenever someone does something special they get to use it for dinner and I got to use it last week!! I am very proud to say that... I got a new job!!! I have been teaching 3rd grade at Quincy for the past 5 years and I have loved every minute of it, but it was time for a change so I am going to be teaching 4th grade next year at Randolph! It is in the same district just a different school! It is about 5 minutes from home and a great school (I've heard)!! I am so excited to start something new next year, it will be a challenge but I am up for it!! Dylan bowled for the first time Sunday and loved it! His cousin had a birthday party at the bowling alley so we let Dylan join in the fun!! He comes from a long line of bowlers on the Packard side so it was pretty neat to see him out there! At first he tried kicking the ball then he pushed it down the lane with daddy's help! He scored 68 I believe, not too bad for a first timer!!

We have a very confused son!! This was taken early in the tournament when K-State and KU were both in it! I understand that Dylan will more than likely grow up and be a KU fan but that in no way means mommy will cheer for the Jayhawks!! I am working on Go Cats but all he wants to say is Jayhawk!

I know it is late but I tried to post this picture from Easter a few other times and this is the first time it worked?? Isn't he the cutest in his plaid blazer!! He had a great time on Easter and was a hit in Lancaster with Great Grandma Shaver!
The next George Brett!! Dylan got a T-Ball set from Grandma and Grandpa Packard and he loves it! We had it inside for a few days and that is all he played with. He had even more fun outside. Our 80 year old neighbor came over to watch and he wanted her to take a swing too!! He is very good at sharing!!

We love ice cream!! When Grandma Shaver came to visit Saturday the ice cream truck came down the street so they had to go out and buy something! Dylan got a Spongebob Popsicle and we enjoyed it in the porch!