Summer Vacation - Day #7

Today's adventure - Patrick's last baseball game of the season. And the first time he played with outs! Pat was a little mad at me because I brought out the video camera to get some highlights, but he still had some great hits. He was tagged out twice - that darn Louer Lead Foot! The first time he was tagged out he didn't realize he was out, so the coach had to tell him, and he did this pathetic Eeyore walk off the field. It was really cute.
Aunt Heather, Uncle John, Leah and Davis came to Pat's game tonight. Leah made a sign for Pat - how cute is that! Aunt Peggy and Megan were also around for a while, so Patrick had quite a cheering section for his last game.
Ready for the ball.
Still waiting.
I had to threaten Elizabeth that if she didn't smile nice she wasn't going to get ice cream after the game!

Summer Vacation - Day #6

Again, no pictures. We didn't do much of anything today. Well not much of anything of note. I let the kids veg out all day........they were in their jammies all day! I have a laundry list of things I wanted done by July 1st so I can also have nothing to do, so I was working all day. The kids helped me with some of the work, rode their scooters, played outside. You know - summer stuff :)

Summer Vacation - Day #5

No pictures for today either. The kids had a great time at Aunt Heather's and loved telling us all the details about their "vacation" at dinner tonight.
On a sad note, D. Vadder, the fish bought on vacation day #3, was called home to his maker. He is survived by Carl.
Pat was crying. He was very angry that he has lost four fish in one month! He and Dad have already planned their next trip to Pet Smart.

Summer Vacation - Day #4

So I had to work today and Tuesday. It was not expected and I wasn't happy about it. Only teachers had to go in, so Aunt Heather was officially on summer vacation. She was a life saver and offered to watch Pat and Liz for the two days AND (this is HUGE) have them overnight on Monday to help us out and, more importantly, celebrate Leah's birthday. The kids had a blast, and Brian and I had a nice dinner and a movie date night. Aunt Heather did a great job showing us what fun the kids were having by messaging us pictures all day and night. You are awesome Aunt Heather, and so is Uncle John. We owe you big time.
Happy Birthday Leah!! We can't believe you are five! Oh the fun things that lay ahead!!
BFFs! Leah shared her dress with Liz and let her take it home to borrow for the week! Too cute!
Aunt Heather is a smart lady - she tired the kids right out. They were at the park, swimming, jumping on the trampoline, and lots more.
Lizzie Lou :)
Playing at the park. Pat and Liz always love a new park, so I am sure they were excited to check out "Leah and Davis's" park.
Time for S'mores!!
So Aunt Heather is a brave woman - and a talented one!! She got all four kids to sleep in the backyard in a tent! Brian and I were placing bets on which one of our kids wouldn't have it (my money was on Liz- she was first asleep). But.............................
Aunt Heather got them all to sleep. Wonder what she put in the marshmallows to knock them out??

Summer Vacation - Day #3

There are no pictures for today. We didn't do much - it was rainy. Pat got a new fish, because one died last night and he didn't want Carl to be lonely. We went to the bookstore as a family. Then mom and Liz were onto Marshall's and Dad and Pat to Golf Galaxy. When we got home we had a quick visit with Grandpa and a great dinner from the grill.

Summer Vacation - Day #2

Brian and Uncle John were playing in a golf tournament all day (which they won - congrats!) so Aunt Heather, Leah and Davis came over to play and wait for Uncle John - of course he would need a ride home.
It was rainy and cold all day, but that didn't stop the kiddos from insisting on going swimming at about 7:00 pm! Leah and Pat were the troopers, lasting way longer than I ever would have.

It's cold!
Patrick figured out he could jump in with no tube and not hanging on the edge. Progress, progress, progress!
And then he was being a great big brother, carrying his sister around and helping her "swim" to the edge. I hope the loving attitude lasts all summer :)

Sumer Vacation - Day #1

Summer vacation has begun.................atleast for the kids. I still have two days, but I am not going to whine about that.
We built individual tents, under the foot rests of the couch, for the kids to watch tv in. Pat loved it so much he fell asleep in there!

Sniff, sniff, sniff...........................

So this was the first day of kindergarten...........................and a whole year passed us by.................................
so this is the last day of kindergarten. Patrick is really sad to see it end. He keeps talking about Mrs. Patrick and Mrs. Ianno. He was super excited when I told him that he could come to work with me on Friday. He found a friend to play with and was a great helper in his old class, helping to clean up as the teachers packed up.
Mrs. Ianno and Mrs. Patrick were the BEST kindergarten teachers that we could have ever hoped for. They encouraged Patrick, helped him to realize even more that he loves school and loves learning, and they taught him to read so much! (Maybe too much...............spelling words out between Mommy and Daddy doesn't work so well anymore!) All the thank you's in the world couldn't express how much we appreciate their hard work and we are so thankful that this is how Patrick has started his school career.

Patrick's Moving Up Ceremony

Today was the kindergarten moving up ceremony at Frazer. Brian, Elizabeth, Grandpa and I were front and center for the show. It was such a nice event and all the kids were so cute. I cried, of course. It is hard to imagine that I have a big first grader now!
Patrick got to walk in with his best buddy! They really weren't into holding hands like the other kids. Here comes our graduate with his flag, ready for their first number........my favorite.........You're A Grand Old Flag!


I am mad this came out fuzzy (I practiced and those were fine). There was a tear jerking film of all the kindergarteners.
The whole kindergarten did a great job with all their songs..........You're A Grand Old Flag, Get Fit, ABC's, nursery rhymes. This Is How We Rock, The Kindergarten Wall, Mahalo. We were so proud and can't believe how fast the year went.
When the ceremony was over, the parents were invited back to the classroom for cake. There the kids found their own class picture, matted, so their friends could sign! It was so cute. Patrick and his buddy Jameron made sure to sign each others.

A great picture of two great friends. Patrick and Jameron ;)

Elizabeth's Gymanstics Meet

Today was Elizabeth's first gymnastics meet. It was so adorable and she did a great job. We got to see her do a few routines at four stations - the floor, the beam, the trampoline, and the vault.
Doing her floor routine with Debbie's help.
Impressive!
Waiting for her turn on the beam.


Her three times on the beam were awesome!
All the girls practicing how to finish when they are done with their vault routine.
It was hard to get good pictures of Liz in action. She is quite quick and efficient.
Waiting patiently for her turn.

At the end of the meet, all the kids had their name announced, and they got a certificate and a trophy.
Liz was soooooo excited for her trophy. And we were so proud of her!

Silly June Pictures

We are very into nature this spring.
This June Patrick practiced and practiced and practiced tying his shoes. And he got it!
The kids are able to take on more responsibility. A package for Tom was delivered to our house, so we sent the kids to deliver it. They were so cute, walking together......
.............until they discovered us spying. Then they bolted. The didn't leave the package on the porch, like we told them to do if Tom didn't answer. They left it under a random tree and Brian had to go move it. It's a start.
Pop Pop broke his leg, so we got him a get well card. Patrick INSISTED on writing himself, without the note I usually write first as guide. Don't you love it?!?