Monkey boy...

Khaki, and Navy, and Collars...OH MY!

Well, we've done it...made the switch to uniforms that is. Last fall the measure was approved by the school board, and ever since then, we have been feverishly searching for good deals on uniform-approved clothing that might be slightly unique just because...you understand! Anyway, the kids look great and getting dressed in the morning is sooooooooooooo easy! There aren't many options to argue over! They do get to wear what they want on picture day, and on Fridays, our elementary has a Spirit T-shirt they are allowed to wear with uniform bottoms. So far, so good! And I'm even ironing! (Next year we won't buy as many pleats!)

Kindergarten Already...All Ready!

Joshua was sooooo ready for Kindergarten! He could hardly wait to be at the same school as Madelyn, to ride the bus with Madelyn, etc. I don't consider myself a picky person, but I did talk with the Principal to request a teacher for Joshua, and thankfully she listened! Unfortunately, Mrs. Forehand had a baby just before school started so he has a substitute for 6-8 weeks. I am confident that it will be worth it in the end! On the second day of school, I met the bus so I could get a picture, but was met with tears from Josh as he wanted to surprise me at home! He was really upset...but it didn't last long!

So far he is really enjoying himself. He can't wait to go to the library and check out "hard" books. He is able to read Madelyn's chapter books so I am anxious to see what they will do with him in kindergarten...where most of his class is still identifying site words...we'll see! He came home the third day and announced proudly that he had finished his worksheet quickly. I asked what he did while the other kids finished..."I just waited, Mom." *pause* "A long time." He is pretty patient, I just hope and pray that they get him going on the reading program so they don't lose him because he is bored. We're keeping a close eye on this one! Isn't he cute?!

Summer Vacation...

We finally had the opportunity to take a few days vacation at the very end of the summer. We started out on Thursday in Destin, Florida at the outlet mall in an attempt to acquire all the last minute things needed to clothe the kids in uniforms for this year. Skirts long enough to meet the requirements were difficult to find for my long-legged Madelyn, but once again, Children's Place came through and we got it all in one stop! Tennis shoes took a full hour, but we finally got what the kids needed and even took some time to play on the little playground at the mall!

As soon as we arrived, Dallin walked in front of Josh on the swing and was promptly knocked to the ground and covered in sand...he didn't cry for long once Parrish turned him onto the nearby fountain! He was clean and happy in no time at all! He was using the water spouts as drums! It was hilarious! Mostly we loved watching the reactions of those who walked past. Some of the snooty shoppers were mortified as we looked on, but the more practically minded just laughed and commented on Dallin enjoying himself. Needless to say, he didn't go in any stores until the very end- once he was mostly dry!

We left the mall and headed eastward to our true destination at Tyndall Air Force Base (also in Florida) where we had reserved a condo for the weekend. Turns out that there ARE some perks to being a government employee...$50/night was a steal for the accomodations and the proximity to the beach! We spent Friday at Tyndall beach where we walked over a mile to get to the water, but it was beautiful and we were one of only four groups on the beach! We flew kites, ate chips (it was too far to go back for the cooler like we had planned), snorkeled, and built sand castles. Saturday morning we left early and took Daddy to Tallahassee to the airport. He flew to Salt Lake to help his mom with her move cross-country. Instead of coming directly home, and since we still had the condo reserved through Sunday, the kids and I braved the rain from Tallahassee back to the condo, and spent the evening eating frozen pizza and watching dance troups perform on MTV. Can't believe I let my kids watch MTV, but the dancers were amazing and Josh was loving watching! During the program, Dallin got in the groove and did his first somersault! We made the best of the rain and had a great night! Sunday morning brought plenty of sunshine and checkout. We debated our options, and went to the beach instead of heading home. This time we hit Mexico Beach which, while it was slightly more crowded, was also tons of fun! I was a little nervous about taking all three kids to the beach by myself, but it worked out really well! There were tidepools when we arrived and we found all kinds of shells without ever touching the waves! As the day wore on, we braved the water, and found even more shells! We could walk out sooooooo far! It was awesome! We spent about five hours there before grabbing lunch and heading for home. We were exhausted, sunburned, and happy as ever! Come join us sometime! We love the beach!

Dallin Dances

Ironically, as I was getting ready to post this, I realized that he is dancing to the music from Singles 2nd Ward...main character's name is Dallin! LOL!!

Awards day

Here are a few pics from Madelyn's awards ceremony at school today. Tomorrow is the last day!! Good Bye Second Grade, Hello Summer Vacation! Thanks to a good friend who took Dallin so I could take pictures!

La cucaracha...

Ahhhh....Summer....

With the final days of school comes the final Thank You gift for the teachers. Not that I mind, I really appreciate all that these people do to instruct and edify the young minds in my home. Not to mention the love that they show to my children. However, as a teacher (to toddlers, but a teacher nonetheless), I struggle to decide on what to give the teachers in our lives. I want the kids to choose a gift that is meaningful, but useful; appreciated, yet disposable. Let's face it...many gifts that teachers get are lovingly displayed on their desk or shelf until school's out, at which time, they are guiltily bumped into the circular file. If this didn't happen, every teacher who has taught for any length of time, would be living the story of Sarah Sylvia Cynthia Stout. (You know, the Shel Silverstein character who would not take the garbage out...)

But I digress. When it comes to gifts, cost is also an issue, especially when you start to figure in multiple teachers for multiple children (Joshua had two teachers this year...everyday...) You get the idea. Anyhow, this year, Joshua decided that he wanted to give flowers. GREAT!! I have really appreciated the flowers given to me by my kids because there is no guilt in tossing them after I have enjoyed every beautiful moment and fragrance they had to offer! But, again, the cost must be weighed. Not to mention that when we went to the local (not so local) SuperCenter, the floral department had been scavenged of all but the most expensive, least pretty, simple cellophane arrangements. So to plan B. After a three-year-long learning curve, I finally left my hydrangeas alone this year, and as a result, I actually have some beautiful flowers this summer! So I decided to chop 'em off and give 'em to the teachers who mean so much to me and my kids! At the SuperCenter, I picked up some $2 vases, and some floral foam, and home we went to create what you see pictured below! I was very excited...obviously or I wouldn't be posting about them would I? Anyway, for your viewing pleasure, my hydrangea bushes (pre-cutting) and the gifts that they produced.

Ahhhh...Summer vacation is upon us at last. Now what to give next year?

Aren't you so sad you missed it?

This video was made for Parrish's benefit. Didn't want him to get too homesick while he's gone for two weeks. He has assured me that this was most helpful!

Random Happenings...

Josh entertained us last week with his preschool end of the year program..."Rockin' with Mother Goose." It's been a great year, and I can't believe he's headed to Kindergarten in the Fall. (It's really only 10 weeks away, but saying "the Fall" makes it seem like longer.) He can't wait to ride the bus, be at Madelyn's school, etc. I, on the other hand, am experiencing all of the emotions (good and sad) that go with letting go. I am excited for Josh to embark on the next phase of his learning, and he is more than ready...he started reading The Mouse and the Motorcycle outloud to me a few weeks ago like it was Hop on Pop...

That's my Josh!

Madelyn once again had a successful gymnastics exhibition showcasing all she has learned this year! She can almost do the Chinese splits, is frequently (meaning any time she finds an empty space) found doing cartwheels and practicing round-offs, and is improving her skills on the balance beam. Ms. Ning told her recently that she had better pay attention better in class or she would never go to second level! This caught her attention, and she has been trying harder ever since. Ms. Ning is a wonderful gymnastics instructor who is a former Chinese Olympic gymnast, and former Chinese Olympic gymnastics coach! And we only pay $30/month for 2 lessons/week! What a blessing for her to share her talents in our little town!

We got new bunkbeds for the boys this week...our old ones have served us well, but we were starting to wonder when Josh would land on Dallin in the night. Yup, they were the ones from the dumpster in good ole' Northwood Family Housing!

We recently moved Madelyn into the former playroom which meant moving many things around...redistributing toys between the bedrooms, recycling toys at the planned yard sale, and relishing in newfound space created by redistribution and recycling!