Let's Make this Official

 After completing my Wood Badge ticket, I had to decide when and where to have my "beading ceremony," where I'm presented with the "regalia" of Wood Badgers (neckerchief, Turk's head woggle, and two wooden beads on a cord).  I decided to have it in conjunction with my ward's Cub Scout Pack Meeting, which maybe wasn't the ideal situation, as they ended up doing a service project at a family's home instead of at the church, but I really didn't mind when or where it happened, and it would be good for my family to help with some yardwork.  So, on a Saturday evening at the end of May, in someone's front yard, after a short speech by my course director, he had Ben present me with my new Scout accessories.

(I included this one because of Ben's smile.)

(I included this one because of Caytie's photo bomb.)

My troupe of supporters

We then joined the Cub families and weeded, mowed, trimmed, pruned, planted, wood-chipped and watered the yard of a sister whose husband had recently passed away.  Almost all my family worked really hard, but this little Tessa deserves extra recognition for working really, REALLY hard the whole time.

Eagles Elevate!

She's Terrifically Ten!

Want to know a fun way to celebrate the first day of summer vacation?  Follow Caytie's lead and have a birthday!  We did allow ourselves to sleep in, but then on to the presents!  (Her favorite was the shirt she has on: "Always be yourself.  Or a mermaid.  Or a unicorn.")

After breakfast we went to the mall to get her ears pierced.

The weather was beautiful.  Maybe that's how these kids convinced me to get them some summer clothes and lunch before we left!

The following day was Saturday, and for Caytie's party, we took two of her friends with us to the zoo.  We sang to her and ate the orange flavored homemade cupcakes (interesting request, but really delicious) out at the car before we went into the zoo.

We had lots of tickets saved up for the Monorail Safari ride, so we did that first.  They had added air conditioning, which was really nice on that hot day.

We were really excited to see the new hippo exhibit!  So were lots and lots and lots of other people--we forgot that it was Memorial Day weekend, and how crowded it gets on holidays.

After the ride, we went back to the hippos for a while, but Caytie's friend started to have some anxiety issues due to the heat and the crowds (as we knew she might, but Caytie really wanted her to come and her friend really wanted to try), so we decided it was best if I took her friend home while the others stayed to finish visiting the zoo.  (We had driven two cars for this possibility.)

Happy tenth birthday, my sweet Caytie Lady!  You have such a tender heart, and I hope that you will continue to be the giver and recipient of compassion and kindness.

Strong Finish

Gracie had a really good year this year!  On the last day of school, they had their awards assembly.

She pulled off a surprise perfect attendance, and the President's award is for getting all A's for the two years she attended the school.  And now...on to junior high!

Caytie's Movin' on Up

Caytie's school held a graduation assembly for the 4th graders.  They all marched in to "Pomp and Circumstance," we listened to a few short speeches, and then they had each child come up and be recognized for their awards for the year.  (That's her Kindergarten picture with her current one.  Cutie!)

Then we got to have cake and take pictures!

With Mrs. V, 

her good friend Brianna,

and Mr. G.

She had a great year.  On to Intermediate School!

Last Day of Preschool

We made it through another year of preschool!  My sweet class of 2016-2017: Jaxon, Caroline, Jane, Haddie, Emily, and Quinn on the couch with me, with Wyatt, Kat, Benson, Ember, and Hadley on the floor.

I don't do caps and gowns with a graduation ceremony, but my graduates do get a certificate...

...and we celebrate with a water party!

It was actually a cold, sprinkly day, so after some fun outside, we huddled inside and dried off while watching Moana.

Since it was his last day, Ben and I offered to take Benson out to lunch wherever he chose to go, and he chose Chuck E. Cheese's.  Hooray!  It's a little drive away, and he fell asleep on the way.  Usually I'm the one taking a nap after preschool!

He woke up with plenty of energy for games and pizza.

Congratulations to Benson for making it through three years of preschool with me.  I have no doubt he'll soar through Kindergarten.

Field Day!

I volunteered to help at the elementary school's field day!  It was a rainy day, so it was all indoors.  I got to help with this ball kicking game, as shown by Cayite (yellow shirt) and Tessa (green shirt, kicking the ball).  I just realized they are in almost in the same spot!

It was pretty fun, though no one could hear me and I realized how stinky hundreds of feet can get.  Benson liked only seeing his sisters--the rest of the time he let me know he was ready to return home.  Fun times.  Next year he'll be playing the games!

A Dream Come True

My girls (and Benson!) took advantage of a Saturday morning with a neighborhood garage sale and set up a lemonade and cookie stand on our corner.  They have been asking and asking to make this happen, and the conditions were right (meaning I had actually purchased supplies) and they had a fun couple hours selling (and eating and drinking) their wares.  They divided up the money after paying back their supplier (who gave them a deep discount...) and declared that they will be in business again.

Tessa finished up the day lounging...in our tree.

May Moments (Just FYI.)

Gracie discovered the joy (and ease) of catching fireflies!  (They are mighty hard to photograph when they're alight, though.  Just FYI.)

 My lovely girls made some breakfast in bed for me for Mother's Day!

And then after church while I was taking a nap, Ben made me a delicious dinner of chicken, veggies in cheese sauce, a spinach bacon rice dish and a smoothie!  (He never uses recipes when he makes meals--just adds some of this and that, and it [almost] always turns out amazing.  Like him.  Just FYI.)

After school Tessa saw something moving out by our fence.  It was a turtle!  It must have found a hole under the fence that we still haven't found, because it was soon gone (which I was pleased about, FYI.  No salmonella for us today, please.) 

Emma took voice lessons at school this year, and sang a solo at her concert.  She has never elected to sing a solo, so the fact that she did this scary thing made me proud.  Just FYI.

 Benson slammed his finger in the door.  The fingernail did not like that and turned black a few days later.

OUCH!  The nail did eventually fall off, and Benson did eventually get a haircut...just FYI.

Sweet Sounds of Summer

Emma's choir gave their end of the year concert in their gym, and it was pretty cute--they sang 50's songs about summertime.  She's the singer on the far right on the bottom row.

She got recognized for getting a 1 (Superior) in the Solo and Ensemble Contest earlier in the year.

They sounded great, and I'm glad she found something she loves to do!

Coming Up for Air

(Swims up as hard as possible)

(Breaks through the surface)

Hello?? 

Pant, pant.  (Furiously treading water)

Is there anyone there??

Pant, pant, pant, pant.

Is August over yet?

Pant, pant.  (Tread, tread)

WHAT--we're almost through September???

Pant, pant, pant.  (Treading slows down)

September?

Pant.  (Relax a bit)

Maybe....

(Breathing slows)

Maybe we can do this.