The end of the school year was a busy, party filled, joyous time for our family this year. When it wasn't raining, you could find us doing yard work or playing at the park. There was so much rain the path we usually take to the school flooded and we had to bike the long way around when we picked K up. Well, if you're already at the park, you might as well hang around for a while!
How do you keep a two-year-old happy as you mulch? Just put her in the wheelbarrow too. How do you make a gardener sigh in exasperation? Lay down on the flowers directly after she finishes caring for them. Poor Meigo. She just wanted to be near us but those rock are so uncomfortable for her 11-year-old doggie bones.
D was super excited for the annual kindergarten egg drop after hearing all about K's last year. His was completely different from hers and both eggs survived. Look at that proud and happy smile.
Weekends were also spent working on the basement. When you don't have a general contractor you have to clean up after everyone. One of the perks of that is finding lots of rings left over from the electrician. Our neighbor suggested using them as a ring toss with our paper towel holder. Many a child on our block spent a lot of time playing that game as my husband sorted through all the trash and took trips to the recycling center. (Did you know you can recycle styrofoam in our town?!?)
K is still rocking the swimming world. She is practicing all her skills and learning new ones, like the dolphin kick, in her intermediate class. This summer she begins her advanced class with a different instructor. The owner wanted her to have a teacher who had swam competitively and put her in a class with another girl her age and level. Judy thinks they will become fast friends and Nicole will help K be the best swimmer she can be. Are we really talking about competitive swimming with a seven-year-old? No. She doesn't want people to watch her. But if she changes her mind, she'll be prepared and that in and of itself is pretty exciting just because I know she loves swimming and it brings her such confidence.
Field day was rained out, postponed, and then changed to work on the black top. It was still super chilly so N and I couldn't stay long, but we got to watch K and D participate in a few activities each. D's class had their own picnic we went to that day as well. Those soda bottle fountains were a big hit! Yes, that's my son wearing his winter coat to his end of year picnic.
I was highly motivated to finish the dinning room wall project before K and D were out of school. With the help of my parents and in-laws giving me pictures, either digital or print, and my husband helping me hang them all on the wall, we got it done! It was soooo hard to try to be random, but now we have quite the mix of relatives up there. All of Dan's siblings and their families, his parents, his W. grandparents, most of his aunts and uncles, and everyone's favorite -- a silly picture of his family when they were little -- represent his side of the family. Since I don't have siblings, my side of the family is more random and historic. The big oval picture you see is my grandfather when he was N's age. I was so happy my mother let me have it since that is where N got her blue gray eyes from (via my mom). That picture turns 100 years old this year! The picture in the little oval frame is one of my dad's relatives and was taken in the 1860s in Williamsport, PA. There are still lots of pictures my parents would let me have and more relatives like my mother's cousins it would be nice to have on the wall, but they won't get a place in the dinning room. Perhaps when the basement is finished I would put another family mural going down the stairway, but that won't be for a while, I promise.
Memorial Day weekend was one giant party! We went to 4 high school graduate parties and the neighborhood bbq. We also through our best friends a good-bye party because they moved to Boston. It was my way of coping with the loss and it made me feel good to provide a place for her to say good-bye to the friends she has made over the last several years. I do often miss her and wish she was still here and of course they feel the same way! She has told me that moving out East is like moving to an English speaking foreign country to her. Hubby and I may try to swing a weekend vacation to go visit this fall. We've never been to Boston in the fall. (Sing the Veggie Tales song now.)
Part of our Memorial Day weekend fun was the break our rules about friends and slumber parties and have our friends who were moving away for a sleepover. That way their parents could get last minute things done while the kids could just play. They all had a great time together and I'm so glad we all had that time together before we had to say good-bye.
A couple days after the S. family moved away the carpet was installed in the basement. It was a neighborhood kid magnet. We are excited to see that basement finished this summer and begin having family movie night with friends down there. Speaking of neighbors, K and M got to go shopping for hand me downs at the H family's house and they couldn't have been happier! Thanks, Dana!
K and D were already out of school for the year when the sheep at M's school got sheared for the first time. What a thing to see! It was amazing how quickly the vet worked and how he got almost the entire coat off in one piece.
When the sun finally came out the roses started to bloom and the ice cream trucks began coming around.
We got to attend the wedding reception for one of our favorite former babysitters, Courtney. So fun!
And these 3 began preparing for the new school year by beginning summer homework. Some were more excited about the idea than other. Sorry, kids. You're mother knows what summer slide is and what to do about it. This summer activity is going to happen for many years so better get used to it now!
M's closing ceremony was so sweet. Her teacher accepted a position at a local Waldorf school, which means this was the end of not only the year but the home based school. The children still talk about how they were allowed to eat lots of ice cream. There was much sadness and gratitude for what a wonderful job Miss Stacie has done. I know M has really blossomed being there and I am truly happy that she had the opportunity to attend, even if for only one year.
On one of Grandpa's days off work he helped me take M and N and the dog to the lake to swim around. We had a magnificent time and hope to have many repeats during the warm weather.
A picture of my three school children with their marvelous teachers. Thank you so much, Mrs. B, Mrs. C and Mrs. S! We couldn't have asked for a better school year.
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