End of the School Year

There have been a lot of fun activities this end of the school year.  We had track and field day.  I really do like how we do it at SMS.  I know the older kids would enjoy the track meets like the public schools have, and be able to do the All City Track meet, but I feel they get so much out of our Track and Field Day.  They learn to work as a team, show their spirit, work with other kids of all ages, and the older kids get to be great leaders and role models for those younger children.

 

Jacob’s team was had  a sports name, so he was excited about that.

 

 

Connor’s team was the Billionaires.  He enjoyed passing out his money!

  

 

Nolan’s team also had a sports name, right up his alley.

  

 

One of our favorite babysitters graduated this year.  We absolutely LOVE Megan and wish her the best.  She helps out at Mary’s as well and is just AMAZING.  She is going on to great things, that’s for sure.  Congratulations Megan!

 

Jacob got a surprise award at the Award’s banquet.  He got first place in a contest.  It was great because Matt was there for Connor, so he also got to see Jacob’s award. 

 

 

Connor received the Citizen of Year award for his class.  We were/are so proud of him for that.  We know the school stuff comes easy for him, but makes us so proud and happy that his classmates have that opinion of him and voted for him for that award.  Way to go Connor!

  

     

 

In 3rd grade they learn about machines in science and they get to be inventors and have an Invention Fair.

 

The last 3 days of school the 1st and 2nd grades get to do some activities and this year’s theme was Rodeo/Cowboy.

              

 

I am so fortunate and blessed that I get to experience most of these events.  When it’s all school its easy, but teaching partner and the rest of the staff really go above and beyond to help me (and each other in general) so that parents can see and participate in their children’s programs and activities.  It’s wonderful.  I am so thankful to be at SMS.

Busy Busy.  It’s hard to believe this year is coming to an end already.                          

Family homework and being thankful

Nolan  has family homework once a month and this month’s was to draw and write what our family is thankful for.  Wow did we have a colorful and full page.  Here is Jacob trying to think of what he wants to add.  We are very thankful for all that we have and can’t say enough how blessed we are.

 

Mrs. L, Nolan’s teacher, came to talk to me one day after school.  Again, my first reaction was “oh no”…isn’t that awful?  I need to stop that.  She came to tell me again that she really enjoys Nolan and that he is so much fun, funny, and full of life.  He loves learning and is so excited about it.  Ahh….I just love hearing that.  Again, thank you Mrs. L. for recognizing that.  He is a pretty special kid and I need to focus on those good qualities as well.   Anywho, so I was talking to Nolan about it in bed and telling him how proud I am of him.  He goes on to say, “Mommy, I love Kindergarten, but man…it’s so tiring and a lot of hard work.  The only time that isn’t tiring is rest time”.  Ha.  I had to chuckle.  I decided not to break it to him that he doesn’t get rest time after Kindergarten, and the work….only builds up as he gets older!

Jacob earned some bucks in his class and was able to buy something from the store.  He chose to buy a little stuffed giraffe for Nolan. It was so sweet to see.

I truly have a lot to be thankful for.  Life is good.

Last weekend of summer

We had to go out with a bang.

Friday night we went up to Sky Zone in Plymouth.  There are a few of them in the cities and this was our first time at it.  The boys had a blast and it was hard to get them out after our hour was up.

  

 

  

After Sky Zone we went out to eat at Old Chicago and sat out in the patio.  It was a beautiful evening.

 

Saturday morning mom and the boys and I headed up to Chutes and Ladder park in Bloomington. If you haven’t been there before and you live in this area, you have to check it out.  It is awesome….and the best part….it’s free.  It is a huge area with about 6 different play areas.  It’s part of the Three Rivers Parks in the Hyland Lake Park Reserve.  You also have options for swimming at the beach and renting canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats.  There are a ton of picnic tables and little areas.

 

     

 

Noley was such a great helper with Lucas.  He always tries to help him, but often gets over shadowed by the older two and today it was awesome to see just the two of them have some time.  Nolan totally played the big brother, and played it well.

     

 

Just chillin’ with my grandma, she’s so cool!

 

Saturday night we had our friends the Hodgeman’s over.  They have 3 kids that all match up grade levels with our three older boys and they get a long great.  Noah and Connor are inseparable (though this year they are in different classes so that will be interesting).  It was also Noah’s birthday.

 

Sunday after church the men had their fantasy outing where they go golfing, have a nice steak dinner, and then head to an alternating place to have their fantasy football draft.  Mom, Kristin and the girls, and the boys and I went to the park and had a pizza picnic.  The boys had been begging to go back to Mineral Springs Park so that they can catch crayfish and tadpoles and lucky for them it was also where Kelsey wanted to go.  They played at the park, played hide and seek, and yes…went in the river.  The boys caught 21 tadpoles but I would only let them bring four home – one for each of them.  I figured it’s a good science lesson to watch them go through their cycle.  We have quite the zoo at our house now with our tadpoles and hermit crabs!  Aye Aye.  What’s next?

 

   

 

 

This evening we had our fancy Back to School dinner.  We had salad and Matt grilled steak and chicken kabobs, potatoes, asparagus, and then spoiled us by making malts for dessert. 

Cheers to a great school year!  I can’t believe it’s here and not sure if I am ready yet, but am so excited to see what it brings for these little men of mine!