Hard at Work--Last Days of School

Summer might not have officially started, but I think it started deep in the hearts of students weeks ago! Luckily for them there have been many, many fun days at school.  Here's a glance at what some have been up to.

X-man and his friend, M.  

Their class went to the local aquarium.  It was an exceptional exhibit (I thought).  They had fun with the sloths, monkeys, birds, fish, crocodiles, exotic lizards and frogs, a leopard, turtles, and X-man's favorite, SHARKS!

Swimming with sharks.  I'm certainly glad there was thick glass. 

 Field day.  

Here's the tummy bounce.  Bounce your opponent out of the circle.

 I think X-man caught his opponent off-guard and bounced him right out of the circle. 

 Big-Foot Race.

 Bouncin' boys!

 We all need balance. 

 And of course, the tug-o-war.  X-man gave it all he had. His class got third.

The parents and the fifth graders took on the student council helpers from the middle school. The parents and elementary students trounced the middle schoolers. Sweet Victory!

Meanwhile L. had his long-awaited water day on the other side of the school.

 He talked and dreamed and looked forward to this day, the day he could spray his teacher with water.  He LOVED being able to do that. He LOVES his teacher, but he also thought it great fun to get her all wet!

 Super Sponge Man!

 And a little trickle of water on a gal while her back is turned. 

All wet!

And what does one do after all this hard work??

Why go to the SPA, of course!  

I finally gave A. her 12th b-day party. She decided on a Spa and movie theme.  The girls had "money" to spend on pizza, soda, manicures, pedicures, facials, fashion flip-flops, a movie and snacks. It was a lovely evening.

And truthfully after all this play, we're a little tuckered!  Is school out yet?  It's time to get to work.

Falling Tree, Tornados, and Walking

So what do falling trees, tornados, and walking all have in common?? Not much, except we've experienced them in the last 24 hours!  Yesterday, conditions in our area were ripe for tornados.  I glanced at the sky and the weather station on and off throughout the day.  Then during our family scripture reading last night, the sirens went off.  Having learned that sirens mean "go into the bathroom" rather than "go outside and take a look," we got the kids in the bathroom and watched the news.  There were lovely rotating clouds, touch downs, power-outages, and hail all around us. We just had strong winds. Later when things calmed down, we looked out our window.  My!  what bush is that??!  It wasn't a bush, but our tree had split and fallen.  It fell  in such a good way that it didn't land on our house or on T's car!  Blessing.  So this is the excitement of living where tornados brew.   

Today the boys had their annual school walk-a-thon.  I went to cheer them on. 

L. running. 

He ran off and on the whole time and turned beet-red.

L. getting a drink. 

Run, X-man, run!

 Getting a drink. 

Spring Catch-up

So AGAIN I am playing catch-up.  I feel like I'm running after Life, coated in the dust of Happenings, watching as Life's rear-view mirror shows me getting smaller and smaller as it drives off!  Wait up for me, Life!  Oh well, I'm not worried; Life has a way of turning around and letting me catch up. Anyway, here are some pictures.

BE FOREWARNED:  

BRAGGING OF A PROUD  MOM AHEAD!

L. finished another season of soccer. He really caught on to it and did VERY well. He learned to dribble the ball (is that a soccer term? or just basketball?) around opponents, kick it in the goal, and pass to other players. He made lots of goals and passed often to his other teammates. He was awesome!  He doesn't know if he'll try another season or go on to baseball. 

L and B. enjoying cupcakes at the end-of-soccer party. 

X-man bouncing in the bounce house. 

A.  was awarded a plaque for HIGH A's all year.  WOW!  

We were so impressed. She loves to learn and is so motivated to learn!  I'd find out about projects and ask if she needed help on them. She'd already done them!  She's beautiful inside and out, AND she's smart AND kind AND...I told you I'd brag.

A. also performed in her Spring Choir concert.  

She practiced the songs at home, so we had them running in our minds too. She did fabulous!

X-man was awarded a medal for Academic Excellence today.  The school had a special assembly and called up the students who were honored. Afterwards, I hugged him and told him how great he was. I commented on his cool medal. He just casually shrugged, "It just like the one I got last year."  Well, now you have two!  

I had to put in a picture of my gardening effort.  I have tried and tried every year to garden. I have met with very limited success. But just maybe, just perhaps, THIS could be the year of success!  I did pluck off a grape tomato yesterday and sampled it. T. helped me put up the stakes. We drilled holes in the wood to string rope through it. I even drilled a hole or two!  So cross your fingers for me!  If I'm successful I might share a tomato or a zucchini or a cantaloupe or a pepper or beans...with you!  

Girls' Weekend Away

This past weekend the girls and I had a girls' weekend.  I have looked forward to doing this for 12 years! It was such fun to be with my girls. We went to a conference for women and girls with uplifting, fun and funny speakers and talented musicians. The girls got to talk about "girl stuff" like boys and dating. They also were reminded of their purpose here and where they are headed.  I was reminded that it's not just in the doing of things, but in becoming who I'm meant to be that I can find joy.  We all loved the conference and came away rejuvenated.
 

We also got to pal around and see some sights.  The girls wanted to try "The Rainforest Cafe" again, remembering that five years ago when they tried it the grunting gorillas, trumpeting elephants, and crashing lightning and thunder scared them into tears.  They fared better this time.

We like this famous man, especially his name!

I loved getting away with my gals.  They are such fun to be around.  I'm such a lucky mom!

And what did the boys do while we were away??  They were as excited as we were for us to GO AWAY!  They went to a toy store, bought a toy, played with it, feasted on McDonald's happy meals and fast food and loved the non-drama calm.  But they did miss us--and we missed them too!