ears pierced

Miss Harlow Mae got her ears pierced a couple weeks ago!! This is big news as she had been asking for awhile now so I finally took her serious and believed her that she really did want them. I had many conversations with her, telling her that it does in fact hurt, but knowing that she doesn't even cry for shots anymore, I figured she could probably handle the pain pretty well. We walked hand in hand through the mall and she looked up at me and said, "I'm so excited!!". Her nerves came out a little bit the closer we got, but she bravely answered all of the lady's questions, first one being, "What is your name?", and like always she answered with, "Harlow Mae Johnson" and it is seriously the cutest thing ever! She told them she was three years old and that yes indeed, she wanted her ears pierced. They asked me to have her sit on my lap, so I wasn't able to see her reaction the whole time, but my mom took pictures. This brave girl never cried, NOT ONCE! No tears fell, she didn't whine, jump, or even wince. There was a close call once they were all done, but they brought the mirror out to show her and she was all smiles! (Please ignore my horrifying expressions in the pictures below!) So my girl has earrings, what she's wanted for months now. If its possible, she's more beautiful than ever. And we're cleaning those beautiful ears 2-3 times a day for 8 weeks! After that, she has an adorable set of cupcake earrings just waiting for her, kindly picked out by her big brother Hudson.

getting ready for school

I will be sure to post much more about all the kids' first days of school, but still wanted to share these pictures. The boys had conferences last week before actually started. They met their teachers and had their school pictures taken.....and look at how handsome they were!!!

This might be one of my favorite pictures of all three kids together. I could eat them.

fishing and a movie

We had a busy night on Thursday with the Annual Kids Fishing Contest being rescheduled due to rain, and going to Movies in the Park at German Park. The boys headed down early with Jamie to start fishing, and boy were they successful! Both of them caught fish big enough to place and win a $5 prize. This was quite impressive as there were 250 kids in the contest and only 7 places given.

Hudson with his 7th place winning fish.

Paxton with his 3rd place winning fish.

I had to laugh when Jamie sent me a picture of the board listing possible winners. I know that's my Paxton Johnson in second, but I've never seen his name spelled that way before (Packston).

They were so excited when their names were called for a prize! Especially Hudson who wasn't quite sure if his fish still made the cut. And they had huge smiles when they ripped open their envelopes to find money, their OWN money, that they WON! When we went to the movie later on, Paxton kept offering to pay for things saying, "I can pay for the ice cream, I have enough money." What a sweet, generous boy. 

After the contest, close to dusk, we headed to another park, laid down our blankets and enjoyed a movie, Box Trolls. 

They had a stand with Culver's ice cream, yum! A scoop of vanilla ice cream and then toppings to add on your own; chocolate, caramel, oreos, m&ms, sprinkles, and whip cream! It was a big hit, even for me! All of the kids enjoyed that, and got popcorn with Grandma later. It was a fun night spent outdoors together before the summer ends and school slaps us in the face next week! 

goodbye to daycare

Little Miss Harlow Mae had her very last day at daycare EVER, and thus closes a chapter for this family. Bittersweet as the kids are growing up too fast, but looking forward to an exciting future. Harlow said good bye to Katie and her friends and she's off to full day preschool next week. Harlow is going to MLC Tuesday through Thursday, and still spending Monday and Friday with her aunts and grandmas. She is more than ready for this transition. She's excited for school and has been envious of her brothers. She's quick to tell you she's a big girl as she holds up her three little fingers saying, "I'm this much."And though I know she'll do fine, since she is quite a big mama's girl, I fear her little arms will cling to my legs as I drop her off, tears might well up in her eyes, her lip might quiver, and she might ask me to stay leading us both to break down and cry, but.....I have no doubt that she'll get over it quickly, that she'll jump into playing and learning and making fast friends.

We visited the school last week and she ran that building like she owned it, happily exploring all that it has to offer.

Cass Lake/Bemidji

We took a Johnson family vacation trip to Cass Lake and Bemidji a couple weekends ago. Maddi got us a BEAUTIFUL hotel on Lake Bemidji with a balcony overlooking the lake. It was a great view at night and in the morning. 

Before heading to the cabin to meet the rest of the family, the kids swam in the hotel pool.

He looks SOOOOOO old to me here. 

Harlow was on a timeout for having a bad attitude. Her brothers were picking on her (which led to more timeouts) and she was not handling it well. She told me she was mad at me, but I think her mad face is still pretty cute.

On the hotel dock overlooking Lake Bemidji. 

We met up with the rest of the Johnson/Giefer/Flitter clan at the cabin. The kids loved getting rides in the four wheeler cart with their cousins. I got pictures sent to me of the boys muddy from head to toe, and loving it of course! 

                          

I had to share the view I had, of the lake and Miss Harlow's behind.

                         
Hudson really started to enjoy fishing, especially when either Bryce or Declyn were with.

 And REALLY when he caught the two biggest fish of the weekend! Oh my goodness it was fun watching him reel them in. He was so excited, and so was Dad. Look at those happy smiles!

It's not often I get a true, genuine smile out of him, or any of the kids for that matter. 

                                 

The boy is a fisherman now. Blood and guts on his shoes to prove it. 

                                 

good bye t-ball

Last week, Paxton finished out his last EVER season of T-ball. I would say it was bittersweet, but I kind of feel like it was just sweet, no bitter. He is more than ready to move up to baseball, and I'm more than ready to watch him! He's a natural, and when some teammates still run the wrong way around the bases (granted they're 4 years old), Paxton's just not able to play to his full potential and kind of gets held back. So bring on the big boys and the pitching machine!

Running into home plate.....season done!

Jamie has coached T-ball all of the years the boys have played. After Paxton's last game I congratulated him on ending his T-ball coaching career, but he was quick to remind me, "What about Harlow?" Oh yea.....there just might be more T-ball games in our future.