Walking Warriors

A couple of weeks ago when it was Dr. Seuss' birthday, which is like the biggest "school" holiday of the year, my children's school held a book parade. I was trying to ignore it, but of course my kids think they need to participate in every single school activity/event that comes around. I hmmed and hawed when they would bring it up and you know Gracie, the blatant hint dropper, would say things like, "Gee, I sure wish we had a wagon..." Because that was one of the suggestions for what to make your float on. The only help I gave them was recommending they use the stroller as the base for their float (it was all we had to work with) and they just ran with it. I think they chose the Warriors (a book about cats living in the wild) because they knew they could pretty easily throw something together.  They gathered up all their stuffed cats, tied them to the stroller, cut out and taped some grass, made some posters and some cat ears and viola! they had themselves a float. They were all so excited to get to participate and I was so proud of them for working together and having such a great time with each other. And all I had to do was buy the posterboard and the headbands! 

A little side note- There was this great float for the book "Matched". See the girl in the green dress under the umbrella in the background of this photo? I didn't even notice it until they were almost done with the parade and when I saw it I thought it was awesome, she had her arms up and in the pose the whole time (search the book online if you have no idea what I'm talking about). Then we got to the end and they started taking apart their float before I could get a picture and I was a little bummed, but when I went through the pictures later there it was in the background.

New Beginnings (again)

This year the first day of school was perhaps even harder than last year. New schools (again) for everyone.  More nervousness, trepidation, and excitement. All from me.

Ha! Not all from me, but most of it.

Matthew started Jr. high at a school where he hardly knows a soul. I can't believe I have a 7th grader! He seems even more grown up now than during the summer.

Gracie's a 5th grader. It was a rough first few weeks, being the only new girl in her grade. Tears were shed, discussions were held about going back to the old school but she stuck it out. She's settling in nicely now. Just got elected class representative for student council. Settling in quite nicely it would seem.

Owen's a big ol' second grader now. Owen's a cool cat, makes lots of friends wherever he goes and charms the pants off his teachers. No worries here.

My little Rexy started kindergarten this year, my first full day-er to date. It was hard on me but he was so excited and he loves school. It helps that he has two siblings at the school with him.  It's so fun to see the excitement of learning through his eyes.

Poor little Colby, once he saw all the big kids go off to school he suddenly decided he wanted to go too. He didn't want to leave after we took them all to their classes. Poor kid, nobody tell him he's got three years to go...

As I said, he was pretty sad he doesn't get to go...

This was the only picture I took of Leelee on the first day of school. At this point in her life she was still sleeping most of the time. :)

Number 5 is Alive!

Rex turned 5 in June and he was pretty excited.  I love my little Rexy and I'm really sad he's old enough to be in kindergarten now, I hate how fast time flies.  He's lovable, fun, friendly, laid back, sweet, and smart.  He especially loves anything to do with numbers.

Enjoying his birthday donut. (They get their love of maple donuts from their dad, yuck!)

We celebrated with a little family party at Chuck E Cheese's, as you can see he was pretty excited.

We were glad Granny and Pops could make it.

He seemed more excited to get this water gun from Gracie than to get any of his other presents.

The boys.

The kids raked in the tickets, apparently they found a game with a glitch and scored a billion tickets. More than they've ever had before, they had lots of fun picking out their prizes and the guy at the counter was super nice and patient :).

The big present. Maybe once summer is over he'll get a chance to actually ride it.  (Kris and I have this thing about bikes, in Arizona you get bikes for Christmas because it's perfect weather for riding. In Rexburg it doesn't make any sense to get a bike for Christmas because you won't be able to ride it for another 4 months. And it looks like Rex shouldn't get a bike for his birthday in AZ because it's just getting hot enough that you don't want to be outside anymore unless you're at the pool, lesson learned.)

The birthday cake. It was a store bought ice cream cake and I thought it was pretty gross, another lesson learned.  At least the kids enjoyed it.

Happy 5th birthday Rex!

Last Day of School

The kids had their last day of school on May 26th. Which I was so grateful for because by this point I was just flat out exhausted from all the end of the school year festivities (it didn't help being 7 1/2 months pregnant). 

Here's a pic of them on the first day of school.

And here they are on the last day (just to see how much they've changed). Funny, Matthew's wearing the same shirt. I think Colby's changed the most!

Matthew graduated from elementary school.  Which to him was kind of weird since he took a step backward when we moved here, he'd already been to middle school last year and had to go back to elementary school.  Poor Matthew.  But, onward and upward to junior high.  Eeek! Do I really have a 7th grader?!?

Way to go Matthew! It was a difficult year as far as moving and adjustment and change but he survived and his grades were awesome! 

He had an excellent teacher, Mr. Monette.  He did a lot to help him survive the year.  He is a teacher who goes the extra mile and really cares about his students.  I'm so glad Matthew had him for a teacher this year.

Rex and Colby had a blast at the end of the year splash party for preschool.  They played, played and played some more in the water with all their school buddies and cousins.

What a crazy year!  It was just a relief knowing that we had all survived.  I'm so proud of the kids for being so strong and doing so well in school in spite of all the changes and upheaval in their lives.

Preschool Graduate

On May 24th, Rex graduated from preschool.  He's been going to my sis-in-law's Montessori preschool and it was such a great experience for him.  I know he's ready for kindergarten.  The graduation ceremony was so cute program and the children all looked super adorable in their caps and gowns. 

As you can see, Rex was pretty excited to graduate!

 Rex and Miss Kindra

More End of the Year Stuff

For moms the end of the school year is crazy and the more kids you have the worse it gets.  Projects, concerts, reports, field trips, school activites, awards ceremonies, graduations and a larger influx of crap coming home from school. Seriously, I just wish the teachers would throw half of that stuff away rather than leaving it for me to deal with.  Do I really want the last 10 pages of whatever workbook? No, I do not, but they send it home and I suffer guilt about throwing it away rather than having my child finish it up or play school with it or whatever.  I just wish I didn't even have to see it.  Anyway, on we go...

Matthew's castle project

 Gracie's peregrine falcon report.  They had to do written and oral parts.  I think she knows everything a person could ever want to know about that bird.

 Owen received the Falcon Citizenship Award.  They selected two people from each class who exhibited excellent qualities.  We were so proud of him for earning this.  He was surprised to see me and the boys in the gym at the assembly because he had no idea so it was pretty fun to see his face.

 I think these two felt a little neglected the last few weeks of school and they wanted me to take their pic in the Walmart arcade.

Sun Kissed

A new crop of cute little freckles sprouted on Rex' nose today.

Summer is coming!

Birthday Boy!

Rex' birthday was two weeks ago and I'm just now getting around to posting some pics. We've had an extremely busy summer (honestly) and I am thoroughly exhausted with no end in sight! I can't believe Rex is four, he still seems like my little boy and I'm not too anxious for him to grow up. I can hardly think about him starting school in a year. For now I will just enjoy his silliness, his zest for life and his ability to make me laugh! I love this little guy! Happy Birthday Rex!

So excited to be 4!

Party with the fam at Leo's

Gracie and Owen are in the background
Dad and Birthday Boy

Mom and Colby

Aunt Michelle, Mia and Matthew (I guess this was the "M" picture)

Make a wish!

Couldn't resist posting this one! Makes me laugh!
(He didn't know what he was doing.)

Sleepy Head

Rex doesn't really take naps anymore because if he does then he's up until 10 or 11 and I'd just rather he go to bed earlier than take a nap. But sometimes if he's had a full day he gets tired and sometimes he falls asleep where ever he happens to be at the time-

Sitting at the computer desk

(it kinda looks like he is faking in this picture he really is asleep)

On the arm of the couch
Sitting at the kitchen table