Ready, Set, Go!

I had one day left of Teacher Workshops, and the kids had already jumped into their summer activities.  Thank goodness for their Grandmas- they each had to take the kids to Bible School one day last week.  I was happy they could still be involved when I had other things on my schedule.

Track and Field takes place on Tuesday nights in June.  This is such a fun outing for us.  The kids love the events, and they get ribbons each time they participate.  We are so lucky to live in a small town where these activities. happen because of the kind people who donate their time to coordinate and run the events.

Adi was lining up at the starting line.  They run the events according to age and gender- all ages are included.

Here she comes!

Proud of her blue ribbon, but told the lady handing them out that she likes pink the best!

Then it was Eli's turn.

He was having so much fun.  He had a smile on his face the entire time.

And a yellow ribbon!

These are the 4 yr. old boys lined up and waiting for the long jump.

I love this action shot!

And he sat right down where he landed.

For the shot-put event they use a tennis ball.  The lady helping him right now is also his favorite nurse at the Dentist's office that he goes to!

At the end they had the kids run a little longer race.  I was wondering if Adi would make it all the way to the end.  I was proud of her that she didn't give up!

And Eli ran his best and earned a blue ribbon!

Big hugs for Sister.  They were so proud of themselves when they were done.

All those ribbons!

The kids can start t-ball when they are 4, so we signed Eli up and we all went to his first practice on Wednesday.  Daddy was out there helping with his group.  I tried to snap a couple of pictures, but the 2 rotations he had the first night were across the fields.  I waited until we got home, and snapped a couple cute ones of him!

I can't believe how big he's getting.  Doesn't seem like he should be old enough to start these activities already!

The kids loved their week of Bible School, and we were a little sad that it was finished and we couldn't get up and go this week!  They had lots of high school leaders, and I was completely impressed with the way they worked with the kids.  They were kind, and patient, and such great role-models.  Eli made a new friend while he was there, he already knows Nate really well, but he made a new high school friend, Ben.  He was looking at the pictures this morning, and commented that he really wants to hang out with Ben again sometime.  He made quite an impression on him!  What a great bunch of leaders for these little kids!

Adi wasn't really old enough to be at Bible School, but they asked for her to stay anyways.  She knows Nate really well, so she clung on to him for the most part.

The last day of VBS they had a mass that involved all of the little kids.  The pre-school group sang a song at the beginning of the mass.  Adi wasn't quite brave enough to stand in front with the rest of the kids, so she hung close to Nate.

Isn't this sweet?!- I love how these big tough athletes are so kind and gentle with these little ones.

Having so much fun singing and dancing!

Fr. Jerry is going to be retiring from our parish this month.  I was happy to snap a couple of pictures with him and Eli.  He is the priest that married Chad and I, and who baptized both of our kids.

How sweet is this?!

Eli and his buddy, Nate.

Eli and his new friend, Ben.

 We've jumped into our summer activities with both feet!  We are keeping our calendar full.  This week the kids will be adding a couple of new activities at the fitness center in town.  They are all dressed and ready for their first Fit and Fun class today!

What kinds of activities are offered in your areas for your little ones?

Memorial Day weekend 2012.

Memorial Day weekend was a wonderful one, one to remember.  It was one of those weekends where everything was just perfect.  Friends were everywhere, the weather was perfect, and the kids were thoroughly entertained with more playmates than they could ask for.

I'm throwing in a lot of pictures, and for the most part, I'm going to use pictures instead of words:

Eli looks up to his friend, Jaylen so much.  He says Jaylen is his 'best friend'.  And, yes, he is wearing a Spiderman suit.

Late night movie with friends.  It's the cabin- there are no bedtimes:)

I love how these big boys take such great care of Adi.  They actually fight over her a bit, and try to lure her to them.  And, for the record, she totally dressed herself this day- the one leg warmer and all.

I love it when the yard is scattered with kids!

The water fights that go on are pretty incredible.  Watch your back at all times!

The adults just line the shore and watch all the action.

Adi sure loves her friend, Kasey.

Pontoon cruises are the best!  And this one was no exception.  We brought the summer in right- I think we can all agree!

Proud Captain, Chad!

I love Jerrid in the background!  We were having a blast!

Some nice fish were being caught this weekend.  There were even some walleye reeled in which made all the fisherman happy!

As we were packing up, getting ready to head home, we found this snapping turtle walking across the road.  We followed him behind the little rental cabins and into the lake.  We are wondering if it was going to lay eggs?

This was one Memorial Day weekend that we will forever remember.  Filled with all our favorite things!

This is Summer.

I'm writing this morning from my deck.  With a steaming cup of coffee.  While the Littles are still sleeping.  The sun is shining.  The birds are singing.  And the breeze is blowing, just a little bit.

It's going to be a great day!
Starting with Bible School this morning.  And ending with Track and Field tonight.  Awww, I love it.  My days will now be filled with taking the kids to their activities, spending time in our gardens and having lots of fun with friends. 

I'm going to try and play a little catch-up from the past couple of weeks when I've been non-existent  in the technology world.   Our Memorial Day weekend was a blast, and I noticed while looking through my pictures that it will require it's own post!

Here's what we were up to this past weekend.  It was a busy one, but oh, it was a good one!

We started out with my end-of-the-year Teacher party.  This is a great group of people, and we have lots of fun when we are together.  We said our good-byes, but all agreed that we will be seeing each other before workshops begin in August.

I love having this group of friends to spend my work days with:

We got up and enjoyed a quiet morning together while the kids were still with Grandpa and Grandma.  It was the first weekend in almost 2 months that we have been at home.  We were finally able to enjoy waking at home and taking care of a few things that needed doing.  A few more vegetables were put into the gardens and we were finally able to get our window boxes ready for some fresh flowers.

Then it was off to pick up the kids and head to a graduation party for my beautiful cousin, Katie.
The kids had all kinds of fun hanging out with cousins, and we enjoyed some nice adult conversation time:

Sunday we got up and went to Church.  The kids did great, and it was first time we haven't had to take potty breaks during mass in a long time!

We finally had time to walk through a newly-opened green house in the country near our home.  I loved it!  They had beautiful flowers,  beautiful vegetables, the prices were great, and the owner was so kind and helpful.  I'm glad we found out about it- we will definitely be repeat customers!

We picked up our annuals to fill our window boxes and outside pots.  We spent the rest of the day in the gardens until it was time to head over to our neighbors to grill up some yummy steaks!

 And, last night we celebrated with some refreshing drinks on the deck to celebrate the official beginning of my summer vacation!!!!

Bring on SUMMER!

School's out for summer!!

The kids are gone.  I said good-bye to my class of 27 kindergarteners.  It's always a bit of mixed emotions on that last day.  I'm going to miss them.  A lot.  They were fun, they made some great growth, and we laughed until our stomachs hurt at them.  I'm a little more at ease knowing that next year, they will all just be next door.  I will see them again when school starts again in the fall. 

For right now, though, I need to finish up 2 workshop days, and we are ready for FUN!  I can't wait to spend my summer with these 2.  We've been planning all the fun we are going to have together!  Bring on the playdates, picnics, the library, swimming, the splash pad, blogging,  oh, and of course- I need to start by getting this house in order.  But after that- we will be ready to PLAY!!!