School's out for summer!

Nothing thrills me more about summer vacation than the break it affords me from packing lunches.  I was at about my wits end of PB & J's and bologna sandwiches at seven in the morning.

If there is anything more exciting then a first day of school picture, it is a last day of school picture, so here they are! Only about a week late!

Little Miss Sassafras!

The Belt-a-saurus Rex!

And Gooey Paul!

They are ready for summer!

For a little comparison I created a first and last day side by side.  I almost wish a hadn't because Hailey's just floored me.

Has my baby girl grown up in a year or what!

Evan looks about the same.  No major changes. I like that. 

Spencer looks much older to me as well.  It is not just the glasses (which I love!).  His face has lost a bit more of its babyness.  Insert sad face here.

Here is to a fabulous summer full of fun and adventure!  Bring it on!

5th grade farewell

The morning after Hailey's kindergarten graduation we were at the school for Spencer's fifth grade completion ceremony.  I wasn't sure how I was going to be able to handle all these momentous occasions in one week, but I got through them all surprisingly well.  (I had a couple of moments where my eyes welled up, but never tears a flowing.)

To use the words from their farewell sign, Spencer has sailed through elementary school.  He is extremely smart (though sometimes would rather goof off then apply himself) but still, he knows so much that sometimes he just astounds me.   He has never had any discipline issues - the only complaint I have ever heard from any of his teachers is that it is sometimes hard to get him to stop reading.  (And they don't even really want to complain about it).  He has established many friendships and relationships with his fellow classmates and other students.  I am still in awe of how we can be somewhere and he can see kids he kind of knows or complete strangers and he can integrate himself into the group seamlessly.   That is an ability that will serve him well as he ventures into a new school with many new faces next year.

He has been blessed with fabulous teachers that have known him for all his years at Lincoln Park.  Teachers that know his strengths and weaknesses and know how to get him motivated and excited about a subject.  We are so lucky to have two more children that get to experience their dedication and commitment.  Teaching isn't an easy job, but these people sure know how to make it seem like it is.

I know he will miss this place, but they have prepared him well for the next steps.

The next morning we were back again for the fifth grade talent show.   These two events are usually held on the same day, but for some reason this year was goofed up and we wound up with two half days at the end of the year. 



He finally got his glasses back.  There was a broken spring they had to fix.  I am so used to seeing him in glasses, he is starting to not look like himself without them.

For the talent show, Spence and a few of his buddies put on a little skit they had first performed at the Scout banquet.  They did a good job.  It was short and sweet - just the way you want those performances to be.   I applaud all the acts for getting up there, but there are just some that need to be cut for time a little.

Right when he sat back down he looked over to us for our reaction.  I love these shots.  I love how much our opinion still means to him. 

Most of all I just love this kid.  I am so proud of him and can't wait to see how this next chapter of his life plays out. 

The Graduate

On Monday night Hailey graduated from Kindergarten.  From the amount of pictures I took, you would think it was a high school graduation, but no.  In my defense, little Kindergartners in mortar boards and tassels are way cuter anyway. 

I found these iron on graduation decals on a site online and knew I had to have one for Hailey.  I ordered one for two of her best girlfriends as well.  You couldn't pick a color for the letter - you were set with whatever color they made that letter in.  In a weird coincidence, Olivia's Grandma had made all three girls tutus for Christmas and the tutus wound up matching each girl's shirt perfectly.  

When I was ironing the decal on to the shirt I totally messed up and set the iron back down right on the shirt.  It adhered to and pulled off part of the top of the graduation hat.  I was furious at myself.  Oh well.  I guess she will only wear the shirt a few times anyway.

Then we got the hot rollers out of the back of the closet and tried to fancy up that mop of hers for the evenings festivities!

Look at my beautiful little graduate!

Are those hats not the cutest things ever?  When I saw them in the classroom I told her teacher that I just might cry after all.

They sang three or four songs about what they had learned in Kindergarten.

 And then the teacher's called out their names to come up and get their diploma.

This shot makes me laugh.  It looks like she can't believe something that is going on.

Hailey and her fabulous teacher.  All three of my kids were lucky enough to have her for Kindergarten.  Spencer even got to have her twice because he had her for DK as well.

The graduate and her proud brothers.

I am sure Grama will kill me for posting this because she was sick this night, but I am doing it anyway because I think she looks fine!

It was such a cute ceremony and Hailey did great in it.  It was a super way to end a fantastic year.  I can't believe that my baby girl will be a first grader next year.  Oh my!  I know it will only be a few short years and she will be wearing a cap and gown for real.  I am so tired of my kids growing up so fast!

First fish of the "summer"

Today is my last day home alone for a long time.  This school year has flown by.  We have Hailey's Kindergarten graduation tonight and tomorrow morning have to go to school for Spencer's fifth grade farewell ceremony.  In a mere two days I will have a child in middle school - these babies of mine are growing up before my eyes and I can't do anything to stop it!

On Saturday it was a pretty nice day and we didn't have any commitments for a change, so we headed down to Grampa Paul's with fishing poles loaded in the mini because the kids have been asking to fish for weeks now.   Luckily the fish were biting -  because even though I know they call the sport "fishing" and not "catching" for a reason, the kids get very frustrated when they can't pull a wiggling little fish out of the water. 

Hailey was the first to catch one with her brand new "big girl" fishing pole and a little help from her daddy.

Evan wasn't far behind with two more.  He was even hooking them on a bare hook.   I think he has learned some tricks of the trade from all the River Monsters he watches.

Then it was Spencer's turn to hook one on.  He was tired - he still hadn't recovered from his class overnight trip to camp.

The weather was a little goofy.  When the sun was out, we were burning hot, but then when it clouded up, you needed your fleece back on.

The kids had a great time and were begging to go back the next day.  Trent even found a boat for himself.

We have lots of events this week so get ready for lots of pictures - that is if I can work the shutter through my tears!  Now I have to hit the thrift stores to see if I can find my husband a suit.  He has made it through forty three years on this Earth without having to own a suit.  He is judging the Miss Teen pageant this week and was informed on the dress code and now thinks he needs one.