News from the schools…

We received a letter from Jefferson Elementary School today. We learned the name of Sydney’s kindergarten teacher. We have heard so many great things about this teacher too so I am really hopeful that she will have a wonderful kindergarten experience this next year in school. We also learned that the little girl across the street from us will be attending Jefferson School this fall as well so we know that Charlie, Sydney and Blayne will be riding the bus together and hopefully one other boy, Dillon. They have been reassigning the boundaries a lot this year so its hard to say for sure which elementary school some of the neighborhood kids will be attending. We like Jefferson Elementary School and the fact that the bus picks them up across the street from us and drops them off at the front door doesn’t hurt much either.

What a busy week…

This week seemed to go by fast. Tuesday was our 8th anniversary but we celebrated it by taking Sydney to her last dance class of the season, taking Eric to drivers education class at noon and then ended it with a baseball game (Charlie’s) and a T-Ball game (Sydney’s), both at 6 PM. The kids were all in bed by 10 PM but my hubby decided it was time to go to the store at 10 PM, before the store closes at 11 PM. Unfortunately, he didn’t buy anything more than milk and bread and some necessities. So, I was feeling a little let down that we didn’t celebrate in any way.

Wednesday began with dance pictures at 9 AM, which was a nightmare for me. It took over an hour and two changes of clothes and a very crowded studio, leaving me with hot flashes. By the time I got home I nearly had a migraine and was almost feeling nauseous. Eric had drivers education class at noon again and then Sydney had a T-Ball game at 6 PM. While I was there for Sydney’s game, I got a baseball right in my left ankle bone, only a bad bruise according to the doctor but it sure has been swelling and sore for a couple of days now. I did enjoy the game though. When Sydney was on 2nd base, the assistant coach, Patrick waved her to come to 3rd base and she waved back at him with the cutest little wave. What a precious moment that was! One to remember for sure.

Thursday, we had dance rehearsal at 10:30 AM at the high school. That lasted until noon. Chuck took the kids there so I had more time to get ready but he neglected to leave the keys for the van and took the car (which is what I normally drive anyway). Nila met him there and he decided to leave her with the kids and come home, which was good for me since I had no keys and he never carries a cell phone either however it wasn’t nice of him to just dump the kids on her either. She stayed with them until I got there. Charlie was very bored but he had to be there since Eric had drivers education at noon again. Chuck did go home to get some sleep since he had to work at 5 PM and work all night. In today’s paper, the Ranger Review, there was a picture of the girls from Roses are Red, from rehearsal.

Friday morning I went to the doctor to get an x-ray of my ankle, only to find out that it is only bruised which is a good thing since I had so much going on this week. In fact, I had hoped to be a part of the community garage sales, holding one of our own and making some money on Saturday however I gave up on that idea with all that was happening. It was just too much and since the garage was left in a mess, no thanks to my hubby, and no way to pick up the rented tables and get it all done on time, I decided to put it off until I am a bit more ready for it. Drivers education class was at noon again on Friday for Eric. And for me (since it was payday), I had bills to pay and I also finally got some flowers to put in my planters out front. I will take pictures of them and post tomorrow, hopefully. We finished the day with Sydney’s dance recital in the evening. I woke up after a short nap, with Sydney asleep on top of me, at 5:50 PM. She was supposed to be dressed and ready and at the high school in the choir room by 6:30 PM. We arrived at 6:45 PM and still needed her shoes and makeup put on. Thank goodness for the room moms that were there to help. I gave Eric my camera and Charlie and told them to save me a seat and to get seats that were good for taking pictures. I ended up being one of the room moms instead and Charlie ended up running around while Eric took pictures. Chuck never did show up and I don’t know if he absolutely couldn’t come or if he just didn’t even try to work out the time to be there for even part of it. Nila had said she would be there too and arrived for the last portion of it. Sydney seemed extremely happy to see her when she got there. Sydney and the girls all did wonderful. The only complaint I have is that the recital was way too long for girls that are so young. Some of the youngest ones fell asleep before the last part of it and some of them just left early. There was only 3 left for Sydney’s group by the last part. Here are the pictures Eric took from the performance (I am lucky to have at least these few pictures)…

Penguins

Penguins

Penguins

Roses are Red

Roses are Red

Roses are Red

the last dance of the evening… So Long

Pictures to share…

I have a few pictures that Nila took on her camera recently and thought it would be fun to share. Her camera takes better pictures than mine does too but no matter. These pictures were worth sharing… Enjoy!

Sydney at T-Ball Practice

Charlie’s Baseball Game

Nila and Sydney

A kiss from my buddy, Charlie…

Sydney Elayna

School’s Out for the Summer

Today was the last day of school for the boys. We decided to pick up Charlie up when he was done. School was out around 1:00 PM so we arrived a little early. The kids were all outside playing. The teacher (Mrs. Ree) invited Sydney to play with the kids on the playground until it was time to go. She had so much fun!

Jefferson Elementary School

Mrs. (Amy) Ree was a wonderful 1st Grade Teacher for Charlie

Mrs. Skillestad will be Charlie’s 2nd Grade Teacher

Dawson County High School – picture was taken from above

Dawson County High School (DCHS)

Daddy was pushing Sydney on the swings.

Sydney loved the swings!

Sydney can’t wait for school this fall!

Eric was done early today as well. He had one last final test this morning and then was done for the year. He does still have drivers education classes that will continue through the month of June.

Summer vacation begins with t-ball, baseball, drivers education, dance recitals, and swimming. It also includes trips to the park and the ice cream truck. Don’t you just love the sound of the ice cream truck as it drives by?

For me, summer also means that my work schedule changes some too so that I have more time to spend with my children and a little less time in the office working. I love summer though and spending time outside with the kids.

Preschool Graduation/Spring Program

It seems so strange that my baby has now graduated from preschool and will be entering Kindergarten this fall. Sydney just turned 5 the end of April and was able to sign up for her first year of t-ball as well. Sydney wore her best dress and the biggest smile too. Miss Ginny and Miss Becky had the kids stand on a chair for receiving their diplomas and pictures. They were wonderful teachers. She made me so proud to be her Mommy on Wednesday afternoon. Here are a few pictures from the program…

Sydney Elayna

Miss Ginny, Sydney, Zoe, Tylie, Sophie, and Jace

JD, Cortney, Parker, Macy and Franchi

Jace, Madison, JD, Cortney, and Parker

Sydney and Zoe

Sydney and Zoe

Miss Ginny, Sydney and Miss Becky

Sydney Receiving her Diploma from Miss Ginny and Miss Becky

Sydney – Preschool Graduation Lineup

Sydney – Singing at Preschool Graduation

Sydney, Zoe, Tylie, and Sophie

Sydney, Zoe, Tylie and Sophie singing a song with the actions

Sydney’s Preschool Class (Busy Bear Preschool)

I love being a Mom… :)

My Mother’s Day started out with a phone call from my husband (from work) at 7:10 AM. He was calling to make sure I was up for the kids, or at least that’s what he said. Normally he does not work on Saturday nights but he took an extra day and I think it threw him off a day. When he isn’t home before 7 AM, he usually calls to let me know. I thanked him for the call and told him it was Sunday and Mother’s Day too and that I am going to go back to sleep since the kids were still asleep too.

Sydney was the first one up so she came and crawled into bed with me, bringing Ritz crackers with her into Chuck’s side of the bed. After she told me “Good Morning Mommy”, I asked her if she knew what day it was. She got quiet for a minute and after she let it rip a good one, she calmly stated, “its farting day” and giggled to no end. I couldn’t stop laughing. You gotta love kids. Then we talked about what day it really was.

Sydney made a Butterfly for me in preschool, which is proudly displayed on my refrigerator and Charlie gave me a card about the:

TOP 10 REASONS WHY I LOVE MY MOM

10. I love my Mom because she reads me dino books.

9. I love my Mom because she helps me set up stuff.

8. I love my Mom when she makes me laugh by tickling me and tickling my bunny.

7. I love my Mom because she taught me how to play games.

6. I love to hear my Mom sing silly songs.

5. I love my Mom because she finds time to play with me.

4. I know my Mom cares because she love me and hugs and kisses me.

3. I know my Mom is smart because she has eyes in the back of her head.

2. I love my mom because she works so hard at doing work on the computer.

1. I love my Mom because she’s the BEST MOM EVER!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, MOM!

Love, Charlie

Both gifts were awesome. Eric just simply hugged me and did little things for me throughout the day, helping me with Charlie and Sydney when necessary and making dinner and helping get them to bed, etc.

I found Ashley on messenger so we had a little chat late morning. She promised she would call me later in the day as well. She told me she has a book (she works at Barnes & Noble) for me but that it will be a late Mother’s Day gift.

I spoke to my mother on the phone in the afternoon. I wish I could have spent some time with her on Mother’s Day as well but it wasn’t meant to be this year. I will be visiting her as soon as I get a chance however.

I had a very relaxing day and enjoyed spending time with my children. I received lots of hugs and kisses. They all just wanted to spend time with me and be nice to me, which was really an awesome gift in itself.

My husband slept most of the day and then left for work at 5 PM. I think Mother’s Day for him would have been tough this year if he hadn’t worked, as his mother passed away less than a month ago.

My friend Nila stopped by late afternoon since she was nearby, just to say Hi and Happy Mother’s Day. I feel really blessed to have such a wonderful friend too.

I ended the day with a late night phone call from Ashley. She told me she promised to call so she remembered it just before she called it a night.

All in all I had a really nice relaxing day with lots of hugs, kisses and time spent with my children, family and friends. I feel so blessed and so loved!!

Sydney’s 5th Birthday Party

I am sorry I didn’t post this sooner but Saturday was such a busy crazy day for me. We started the day with Opening Ceremonies for baseball season at 11 AM. Then we had t-ball pictures at 1:15 PM and then the party from 3 to 5 PM. The party turned out great. There were 6 guests plus my own children. We started out by coloring Strawberry Shortcake pictures and having them write their names on them so I can make a scrapbook for Sydney from this party. Then the games began, Pass the Orange (like Hot Potato) and Strawberry, Strawberry, Shortcake (like Duck, Duck, Goose), Toss the Strawberries in the Berry Patch, and Dance/Freeze, followed by cake and then presents. Then we still had some time left so they took out the sidewalk chalk and colored my driveway and played hopscotch until the parents arrived. I had more than enough help with Eric, Ashley, Chuck and Nila too. The kids all had a great time.

After the party, Charlie had baseball pictures at 5:15 PM and a game following.

Pass the Orange

Pass the Orange

Pass the Orange

Parker and Zoe

Strawberry, Strawberry, Shortcake

Strawberry, Strawberry, Shortcake

Strawberry, Strawberry, Shortcake

Strawberry, Strawberry, Shortcake

Strawberry, Strawberry, Shortcake

Strawberry, Strawberry, Shortcake

Strawberry, Strawberry, Shortcake

Dance/Freeze

Dance/Freeze

Dance/Freeze

Franchi, Sophie, Sydney, Nila, and Zoe with the Strawberry Shortcake cake

Charlie and Cortney

Franchi, Sophie, Sydney and Zoe with Strawberry Shortcake cake

Charlie and Cortney

Opening Presents

Sydney and Sophie

(left to right, back row)Jace, Cortney, Parker, Charlie, (left to right, front row)Sophie, Sydney, Franchi and Zoe

Parker and Sydney

Zoe and Sydney

Franchi and Sydney

Sophie and Sydney

Jace and Sydney

Cortney and Sydney

Nila and Sydney

Me, Sydney and Nila

May Day

Sydney was reminding me this morning that I needed to change all the calendars in the house since it was May 1st today. It sure was not a sunny bright May Day though.

It was raining today, all day. By the end of the day, the rain was turning to snow but it was 35 degrees out so it was melting as it was falling. I was out in this weather all afternoon, running errands. Sydney hung out with Nila today so she was not out in this icky weather. They had a great afternoon too, doing a photo project (a picture of Sydney).

I have been busy getting ready for a birthday party for Sydney, Eric’s choir trip to Billings, MT, and the beginning of t-ball/baseball season. Opening Ceremonies are on Saturday at 11 AM, followed by t-ball pictures at 1:15 PM. After Sydney’s birthday party (3 to 5 PM), Charlie has his first baseball game, at 5:45 PM.

Eric left on the bus with the Dawson County High School (DCHS) symphonic choir to go to state, in Billings, MT. The bus left at 4 PM today and returns at 10 PM tomorrow. He will be home in time to help out with all the events on Saturday.

Ashley called today and during our conversation, the subject came up that she has the time off to come visit us for Sydney’s birthday. I told her that would be really great if she could come visit for a couple days.

While I was on the phone with Ashley earlier, 7 deer went walking down the middle of the street right in front of our house. Charlie and Sydney were entertained for quite some time, just watching them.