End of the year Awards

The kids all finished off the year with some great awards. Mom and Dad got to attend several award ceremonies to honor these fantastic kids.

Trevor earned his Block R Award for the 2nd year in a row. To earn this award he had to be involved with a bunch of extra-curricular activities while maintaining good grades. He soared in his academics this year! He earned High Honor Roll all 4 quarters! That is a HUGE accomplishment for our boy!

Logan had a great year in athletics. His coaches were so impressed with him after each season for being consistent as one of the top performing athletes on his team. He was awarded with the Outstanding Runner trophy at the sports awards ceremony. Way to go Logan!

Lizzie had a great year in first grade. In fact, she liked it so much that she never missed a day! We were all so surprised to learn that she had earned Perfect Attendance for ALL 4 QUARTERS. Wow! Good Job Lizzie!

Jackson (and Mommy's) last day of Joy School

Jackson has successfully finished his preschool years. He had a fun year learning his ABC's, 123's, and making lots of cute crafts. Here he is on his last and final day as a preschooler. Goodness! That boys is full of spit and vinegar! Of course, with a little sprinkling of sweetness and sugar on the side... :)

Jackson and all of his siblings participated in 2 years of Joy School. The moms of all the kids would take turns hosting Joy School at their house once or twice a week throughout the school year. That means that I (ME, the Mama) have also successfully completed 8 YEARS of Joy School! (Yay me!) It is a bittersweet moment to say goodbye to those years - the years when kids were still babies. These kids are all growing up on me. Too fast, I say. 'Stop growing up' has been our motto around here for the last several months. But since there is nothing I can do to slow time or force them to stay young we will instead look to the looming future...

Jackson looks forward to starting kindergarten this fall and is in for quite a surprise... ALL DAY kindergarten! None of our other kids experienced a full day of school during their first year in public school. Another school in our area has had huge success with their trial of an all day kindergarten program and now our school has decided to follow their example. I'm sure there will be a Jackson update at the start of the school year. We cross our fingers and toes to get a loving, patient teacher for our squirrely boy!

For now, Jackson is happy to run wild in the backyard and soak up the long days of summer with all his backyard pals.

kids say the darndest things

We're having dinner as a family. Jackson's cup is empty and he is thirsty. He thrusts his empty cup towards Jeremy and says, "Daddy. More juice!"

Jeremy says, "Excuse me? Jackson, you are supposed to say, 'more juice, please'."

Jackson responds, "No daddy, YOU say, 'coming right up'!"

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Here's another deep conversation between Lizzie and Mommy...

Lizzie: Mommy, are there any old movies I haven't seen?

Mommy: Yes, there are lots of old movies you haven't seen.

Lizzie: Like what?

Mommy: Well... let's see... have you seen Meet me in St. Louis?

Lizzie: No

Mommy: Have you seen The Wizard of Oz? That's one of my favorite old movies.

Lizzie: You're just like Oprah!

Mommy: What?!

Lizzie: You love The Wizard of Oz just like Oprah, but I hate that movie!

Mommy: Well then, it sounds like you need to watch it again because it's the best.

[How does this girl know that Oprah likes that movie? We've watched Oprah ONCE in the last 5 years!]

kids say the darndest things

While driving in the car yesterday we were having a family conversation that went a little something like this...

Jackson: All the girls nike me.

Daddy: Why do all the girls like you, Jackson?

Jackson: Dey say I so cute.

Summer Activities

Summer is just about here... only one more day of school for the kiddos and then it's over. Or it's beginning? Either way you look at it, the kids will be home all summer! My friend, Leslie, made a list of all the fun things they'd be doing this summer. I thought I'd do the same - even if only to get ideas from others so we don't end up playing video games all the days long!

Swim lessons

Swim in the pool

Water polo camp

Read books

Music camp

Go to Wild Water Adventures

Cub Scout Day Camp

$1 & $3 movie theaters

Scout Camp

Teach the kids how to cook - cookie squares, mac n cheese, pancakes, quesadillas (any other babysitting foods???)

Camping at the Beach

Once a week library visits (to check out more FREE video games! and books, of course)

Sleepovers

Camping in the mountains

Movies on the wall in the backyard

Smores with a backyard bonfire

Nerf battles

Airsoft wars

Pedicures

Chuck E Cheese when reading charts are filled!

Go to the farm

Check out the city parks with water features

Family bike rides

Walks to the gas station

Playdates


Of course, all of this fun will happen after the morning chore charts have been completed:
brush teeth
make bed
pick up dirty clothes
read
Jackson Job (read with Jackson, ABC Flashcards with Jackson, or white board writing letters with Jackson)
around the house job x2

That's the plan anyway... we'll see how long the mama's will power lasts :/


What are you doing for family fun this summer to keep the summer doldrums away?