School’s Out for Summer!

I officially survived the first true day of the kiddos being out from school yesterday.  I didn’t count the Memorial Day holiday since the hubby was off too and we had plans so yesterday was IT.  We started the day grocery shopping (yeah, I know I shouldn’t have put it off but it WAS a lot quieter!).  After lunch I started the painting of Kid Zone then took the kids to the pool.  I have different events planned to keep them entertained throughout the months and will be going to buy them their new summer workbooks shortly.  Taylor will be attending a soccer camp next week as well as SCOPE in July.  I’m still debating the church camp for him later this month.  It’s from him I’ve already heard the words “I’m boooooored!”

Today Taylor’s going to the orthodontist, then off to my school to turn in the final paperwork and make copies, then I’m hoping to work in the garden today and put my manure/top soil mixture in my veggie garden.  I’m hoping it’s not too late to get my zucchini seeds planted although it’s been so wet that they probably would have washed away anyway!  Maybe if it clears up I’ll take the kids back to the pool.  It’s so handy having it just down the street!

The Last Day of School ‘08

Everyone was excited this past Thursday since it was the last day of school. Taylor was his even giddier than he usually was, probably due to it being his last day of elementary school. Jocelyn wasn’t so sure. She loves her teacher and also woke up with pink eye. She was worried that she would be sent home. When we got to school, the secretary said she’d be all right, since she already had the prescription drops in. So, here’s a few pics of the last day of school! The first one is a silly one in front of the house. The second one is in front of the school by the cement Eagle mascot!

Happy Anniversary!

Yesterday Ken and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary.  In honor of the special occasion, the kiddos went to their grandparents for a sleepover and Ken and I went out.  We did things that we don’t usually get to do with the kids around.  Like what, you might ask?  For starters we went out to eat and actually had an uninterrupted conversation that had nothing to do with our children.  Now THAT’S  a treat!  Then we went shopping, again without any complaints or nagging about things the children wanted or that they were bored because we weren’t shopping for them.  While we were at the mall, I went to get my ring cleaned.  I got an upgrade last year in honor of our 15th anniversary and hadn’t had it cleaned at all over the past year.  It looked beautiful and shiny when I put it back on and then I noticed that it was missing a diamond.  Oops.  It took 2 employees fishing around in the cleaner basket looking for it.  Now it’s been sent off for repair and I’m left with a naked finger for a couple of weeks.  Overall we had a lovely anniversary.  Hard to imagine life without my spouse, and I couldn’t ask for a better one!  Definitely “until death do us part”!

Down to 4!

There’s only 4 days left until the last day of school for the kiddos.  I am soooooooo ready for the end of the school year and the thought of catching up with the house work and doing my regular summer house-cleaning is actually refreshing.  That is, AFTER my relaxation of a couple of days anyway!

The past couple of days have been extremely busy.  For those regular blog readers of mine, you might remember that the 4th grade classes went on a Nocturnal Adventure at our local zoo last year.  This is now a yearly thing and our classes went Thursday night, spent the night in the gorilla house, then spent the whole next day touring the zoo.  It was a blast but boy, was I tired when I got home Friday!

Then we were getting ready for the community-wide garage sale.  Turns out we were the only ones participating this year but we had some good traffic today and now it’s over with.  Whew, now we have to pack up the rest of the stuff for consignment shops and donations for different organizations.  Sales are A LOT of work for very little profit, but at least we got rid of some bigger items like our old swing, J’s old twin bed (she now has a double), 2 rocker swivel chairs, and quite a bit of miscellaneous.

So, now I just have to survive the next 4 days.  Monday will be a long day with interviews after a regular school day since our school is adding a new 4th grade teacher.  I still have papers to grade, grade cards, to write, DCAs to finish up with, a ton of data to sort through, not to mention organizing and somewhere in there I’ll do a bit of teaching.  And yearbook signing.  And talent show and Golden Eagle assembly.  And then being gone for the morning of the last day of school, which means sub plans, and Taylor’s graduation.  Then the 5th annual ice cream social.  And then, on the 23rd, clean-up and check-out.  Wow, I’m tired again already!

Back in Time

Today I took off work to go to the 5th grade musical that Taylor was in. There were two times and I opted for the early one so I could take the rest of the day to get ready for the upcoming garage sale. Ken and Grandma also made it. Although Taylor claimed he hated the idea of performing, he looks like he had a lot of fun. Here are a few pics!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Okay, so I’m a bit late! This weekend was another busy one. Friday night we went to the Wichita Wingnuts baseball game as a part of the River Fest which was a very late night. On Saturday it was chores and visit with my parents while Taylor helped Dad mow the yard before heading out to the store for a last-minute bday gift, church, then dropping Taylor off at said birthday party. Sunday I was made oatmeal with raisins, cinnamon, and splenda before I made pancakes for the kids (huh?!). Then off to the grocery store (yeah, on MOTHER’S DAY!!!) After lunch we headed to Botanica, which had free admission in honor of M’s day. Botanica has a special meaning to Ken and I since we were married there nearly 16 years ago! We showed the kids where the ceremony was, where we had out pictures taken, etc. Jocelyn was thrilled; the boys were bored. It was very, very busy. We then headed downtown to the River Fest for the book fair. Back home for a BBQ with Mum and Dad at our home and then off to bed. Wow, I need to go back to work just to have a rest!

Brownie Bash

On Thursday, Jocelyn’s Brownie Troop celebrated their year-end with a little ceremony. Jocelyn was recognized as a 3-year Scout having started in Daisy Scouts when she was a kindergartener and has now had 2 years of Brownies. We signed her up again for next year which will be her last as a Brownie before moving on the next level.

(top) Jocelyn gets a hug from her Troop Leader. (just above) The whole troop sings some songs before being dismissed to gorge on cookies.

The Final Game

After a mix-up earlier in the week with our team showing up for a game and the other team scheduled for Friday (uh, scheduling glitch, YMCA?!), Taylor’s last soccer game was this weekend. Although a bit windy and a bit chillier than earlier in the week, it was a good day to enjoy a game. Here’s a few pics to highlight the evening. After the game we all headed to Cici’s Pizza for a celebratory undefeated dinner.

Taylor on the field.

Wesley took this one of Ken and I watching the game.

Taylor and pal Austin after the game.

Wesley took over the goal after the game.

Coach Tim giving Taylor his medal at Cici’s Pizza. Not sure

why he’s sticking his tongue out!

All I want for Christmas

Wesley had a loose tooth and he decided that he had had enough of it waggling.  He pulled it out on his own!

Count Down

I am exhausted and more than ready to finish this school year. The last day of school is May 22nd with a non-teaching duty day for me on the 23rd. Of the 14 days left, I am planning on taking 1 day off for Taylor’s musical at school, a 1/2 day the last day for Taylor’s graduation, and then we have an overnight field trip for my 4th graders as well. So I really only have 11 1/2 days left!!!!