First Day Of Summer...Not Exactly What I Was Hoping

Today was our first official day of summer.  I have been looking forward to summer for weeks now.  I was ready to "get my kids back," if that even makes any sense.  I was ready to be on less of a schedule and have more fun as a family.  I was ready to be done with homework, projects, AR, and end of the school year garbage.  I have to say that our first day of summer was not what I was hoping for. Ledger threw a huge "Ledger fit" at swim team while Brody laughed and mocked him in the pool.  Speaking of Brody, he was literally a pain in the neck all day.  He teased, tormented, and drove everyone crazy all day. I'm not kidding when I say that these boys were out of control and mean all day today.  As I sat at Miss Carolyn's today and chatted with Heather, we both commented on how we remember this from last year.  We remember that it takes time and adjusting for the family to learn how to be with each other all day, everyday.  It is a big adjustment to go from the evening time together to all day together.  My hope is that we will adjust quickly and have the fun summer I was hoping for.

Hooray For Summer!

I honestly thought this past week would never end.  It was non stop craziness and I am happy to say we all survived.  I can't believe that the school year is already over.  It went by waaaaay to fast.  These boys of mine have grown and learned so much.  For the most part it was a good year.  Brody loved attending Mrs. Bells reading class each day and Mrs. Kazmi's math class.  He learned lots about being a friend and making good choices.  His favorite time of day was the bus ride to and from school along with reading and AR.  

This kid is just funny these days.  He is way to cool for school but loves his friends, P.E. and riding the bus.  He became an amazing reader this year and a mathematician.  This kid is so smart and thoughtful.  I am so proud of him and relieved this year is over!

Ledger actually finished school this year on the same day as his brothers.  He had a fun water day at school along with popsicles.  What a fun way to end the school year. This boy is smart. He is reading so well and has great penmanship.  He loves doing math facts with his big brothers.    

I don't really think his brain ever stops.

To see what the kiddos looked like on the first day of school, click here.

Case's teacher called about a week before school got out and asked if I would throw an end of the year pirate party.  I quickly called Libby and Thelissa and we had the party of the year.  The kids rotated stations for about an hour and 15 minutes and then we had doughnuts and juice before heading home.  Here is Case doing, "Walk The Plank."

"Man Overboard" was a huge hit!

So was "Cannonball Blast."

After the CRAZY first grade party, I quickly headed home and set up for a surprise attack on the kids as they got off the bus.  I set out 25 cans of silly string along with 25 super shooter water guns.  I attacked the kids as they got off the bus which turned into a super awesome water fight. By time it was over, we were all drenched.

Brody was soaked.  Thank goodness it was a hot hot May afternoon.  

My hope is that this summer I will be able to enjoy some time with my kids having fun and relaxing. I hope we can get back on track with behavior, chores and attitude.  Sometimes it seems like they become different kids when I send them off to school.  I hope after some time at home they will feel safe, happy and loved.  I am happy to get them away from their friends and have them to myself. Here's to summer!

Our Graduate

Last Tuesday, Ledger graduated from Preschool.  It's really hard to believe that his time with Miss Jody is already over.  He has learned so many great things this year and is totally ready for Kindergarten.  However, Jeremy and I have decided that because he has a late June birthday, we are going to keep him back another year.  This decision has been EXTREMELY difficult for me.  This kid is beyond smart and oh so ready for the next step.  We worry though that as he gets older, he will be the last to do everything, driving, dating, graduating, sports, etc. All of Ledger's friends are going on to kindergarten next year which will be hard.  I hope we have made the right decision.

Here is the 2012 preschool graduating class.  

Ben, Merrill, Ledger, Kaitlyn and Jaiden

Love his cute graduate.

Sugar and Jim were able to come to the ceremony.

  Miss Jody had such nice things to say about Ledger during the graduation ceremony.  She commented on how he likes to build things like his Dad and that he loves to play motorcycles.  She said he has great form in his handwriting and really puts the effort into making his work great.  Miss Lauren and Miss Jody are the best!  So happy Miss B. will be going to Miss Jody's awesome school this summer and next year.

Love this self portrait of Ledger.  

I love you my little Graduate.  You are going to be one amazing dude one day.

Keep working hard and having fun.

Happy Mother's Day To Me!

 I don't know why, but Mother's Day is not one of my favorite holiday's.  My friend Ashley thinks Valentine's Day is the dumbest holiday ever and honestly, I think I might have the same feelings about Mother's Day.  Hear me out.  So we set aside one day of the year where we TRY to be nice to Mom.  We TRY to be helpful and not complain.  We TRY to all get along for the day.  DUMB!  Shouldn't we ALWAYS be nice to each other and Mom?  Shouldn't we ALWAYS help Mom around the house?  Shouldn't we ALWAYS try to all get along?  I'm not trying to be Negative Nelly here, I just wish that the same happy, nice attitude that the family has on Mother's Day, happened every day of the week.  Don't be extra helpful one day out of the year family, be helpful and kind ALWAYS...without complaining!  Phew...got that off my mind.
For Mother's day, we attended church and then went to my Mom's house for steaks and swimming.  Jeremy and Jim did a great job with the food and it was a very nice afternoon.  Jeremy bought me some darling dresses and the kids made me some awesome candles, cards, silhouettes, and notebooks.  I love each of my gifts!  The kids also surprised me with an overnighter to the Arizona Grand Hotel, also known as The Point South Mountain back in the day! Since we were unable to go to the Arizona Grand for Mother's Day weekend, we left the following Friday after school. When we got there we checked into the hotel, took a quick tour of the swimming facilities and then headed over to Benihana's for dinner.  Jeremy made the reservation hoping that our kids would enjoy the dinner "show" that is put on as the chef cooks your dinner right in front of you.  The kids did love the "show," however Jeremy and I were sweating bullets when they sat a married couple at our table who were celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary.  Poor couple who had to celebrate with Jeremy and I and our 4 rowdy kids! The food was good and it really was a fun way to have dinner as a family.  After dinner we headed back to our hotel room and changed into our swim suits for an evening in the jacuzzi and swimming pool.  After the pool we went back to our room to rent a movie and eat the largest ice cream sundaes you have ever seen.  The kids were in heaven!

Benihanas was really good.  I would highly recommend it for a date night.

 The next morning we woke up bright and early and headed to breakfast.  Who knew a breakfast buffet could be so exciting?  After breakfast we headed over to the pool and water slides for a day of fun in the sun!

 These kids of mine could really hang out in the water allllllll daaaaaay looooong!

 This little lady loved the lazy river!

 Brody and Case were the only kids tall enough to go down the water slides.

The highlight of the day was strawberry smoothies and chicken fingers by the pool.

 And of course, more swimming in the wave pool and lazy river.
 Thanks family for making my day so fun.  Any chance we can show this much love and kindness every day of the week?  Pleeeeease?!?!

The American Crocodile and a Debate

 Holy Cow!!! Is anyone else out there ready for the school year to be over?  It has been one thing after another around here.  Last week I was able to attend Brody's group presentation on the American Crocodile.  He gave a great speech with his team and made a really nice poster to show facts about the American Crocodile.  Then 2 days later I attended his Debate on whether or not dogs should be euthanized.  It was a very interesting debate to say the least. Brody was on the negative side sighting that stray dogs should be put to sleep because the can carry rabies and also harm people.  He was very straight forward with his ideas and oddly enough, his team ended up winning the debate.  The ELP teacher stated that the affirmative team repeatedly ignored the issue brought up about rabies and disease.  Apparently he wanted them to argue that rabies and disease were not really an issue and that dogs should not be put down for any reason. It was really fun to watch and I'm glad I was able to attend.
Way to go Brody on a fun and informative week.

Brody was in a group with Ryan Campos, Mason Kotlof and Troy Bryant.
They did a great job presenting.

Super Mario Bros

 Last week Jeremy and I attended Brody's piano recital.  He performed the theme to Super Mario Brothers. I have to say, his teacher and I were both a little worried on Thursday when he was still struggling with the song.  He hasn't been practicing like he should and it really shows.  We have been so busy lately that piano has gone to the waist side.  I hope to change that because Brody is really good at piano.  His performance ended up going great and we were all proud of Brody and his hard work.

 I don't know what it is about this boy's fingers, but they are perfect for piano.

Ms. Brooke is the best teacher ever.  We hope she decides not to move to Colorado:)!

 So proud of our little pianist!

Sugar and Jim were there to hear Brody perform.

And so were Nanny and Papa.
After the recital we took Brody to Charleston's for dinner.  We enjoyed our time with just him.

Poseidon, God Of The Sea

Today, Brody's third grade class had a Living Museum at the school.  Each child was asked to pick someone from Greek Mythology to study and then present a report on. Brody picked Poseidon who happens to be the "God Of The Sea."  Brody wrote a report on him, memorized it, and then presented it for all the classes to learn from. Although he refused to go shirtless and have us paint muscles on his stomach, he did a great job and looked adorable.  We were so proud of him today.  He worked hard and it paid off.  

Voices

 Tonight Jeremy, Brody, Case and I attended the Voices Awards Ceremony at Stapley Jr. High.  The ceremony is put on by the school district to honor students who submitted a piece of writing and were chosen as a winner.  Case entered a poem titled, "Play" and received an honorable mention for all of first grade. He received a ribbon and a copy of the Voices book which features all of the winning pieces.  We were so happy for him and his desire to enter this contest.  It was beyond fun watching him walk on stage and receive his awards.  Way to go Case, we are so proud of you!

 Case had very strict instructions that he was to look right at me when he got up on that stage.

Case and his first grade teacher Mrs. Hunt.  Here is the poem Case wrote:

Play
I like to play everyday,
Because I get to jump and shout, "HOORAY!"
I really like to play with friends,
But I am sad when it has to end.