School's Out!

I think that the children getting out of school as late as June 17 might seem like we are halfway into summer if it weren't for the June-uary weather we've had. Abbie and Justin both wore their sweaters to school that day!

Tuesday was the 5th Grade Send-off. I am in denial about Abbie starting Middle School. Not that she isn't ready. I'm just not ready for her to go. It probably doesn't help that she's about 1/2 the size of some of the other 5th Grade Grads!
Here she is with friends Ellie and Ashley. Abbie and Ashley both started 5th Grade the same day, as new students. They became fast friends.

Bein' silly for the Photog.

Our theme was "Oh! The Places You'll Go!" -Dr. Seuss

We were hashing out the details of the decorations at our house. We'd been racking our brains to come up with a great 'transportation' type prop for the decor. Particularly for the pictures area. We put it on the back burner and decided to mull it over for a day or two. Spencer was in the backyard playing with a couple of other children and when they headed to the other side of the yard, I looked out the door to check on them. To assure the Mom of the other kids, I said, "Oh, they're playing on the helicopter." The HELICOPTER! Duh! I had the prop in our backyard all along. Yet another BIG thanks to Grandpa Steve who made sure it made it all the way to Oregon. I didn't take a picture of it, but it was such a hit. I wasn't sure it would survive the entire day at the hands of 80 ten and eleven year olds, but it did. Our awesome neighbors loaned us their truck on two different days so we could transport it. They're pretty great.

Abbie, Carissa, and Ashley.

My 5th Grader no more.

Justin stepped off the bus so sullen. When I asked him if he was okay, he barely made it two steps before he burst into tears. He curled up on my lap, so sad that Kindergarten was over. I asked if he gave a hug to Mrs. Smith and he said no, because he didn't want the other kids to see. I told him I'd take him back that afternoon once school was out so he could give her a hug. He is such a sweet, tender-hearted kid. He just melts my heart.

Spencer was tuckered-out by 7:30. RARE. I was afraid of him being up way too early this morning, or at least to have a mess of wet bed to clean up - but I was pleasantly surprised :)

As mentioned previously, our personal photog (a.k.a. Dad) was in town a couple of weeks ago and we headed to the nearest forest park and had him shoot some photos. I don't think I've ever been more displeased with the way I look right now, but Dad takes great pictures, so I'll post even the ones of me.

In addition to these, I wanted one of the kids together again. I have an awesome hand-stitched frame that was a gift from a dear friend a few years ago (thanks again Jana!) that I've always kept a pic of the kids together in. Spencer was about 2 months old in the picture and I thought it was probably time for an update. That picture is the one I made into black and white at the top of the blog. I love the expressions on Spencer and Justin's faces.

The compromise to get Ty to wear a non-printed on 't' is to let him wear one under a button down. I'm much less concerned with having everyone match beautifully than I am with having genuine smiles. (Look! Grandpa got him to smile showing his beautifully straight teeth-so glad this one won't need braces!)

Oh-and Aunt Erin, if you ever come across another 'Takin' out the Trash' shirt, he wants it. I think he wore this every single Friday this year.

I love that Abbie could still smile like this after she fell in the mud. If you look closely, the bottom right side of her shirt is muddy.

I love that Justin was game for however Gpa wanted him to stand. This was a genuine contented smile just for Gpa. Warms my heart.

I can't believe how tall and thin Spencer is becoming. Although two and a half years younger than Justin, he is nearly as tall. When JMan grows out of clothing, we can pretty much transfer it straight into Spencer's drawers.

Check out the mud on Spenner's inner left calf. That's the second wettest May on record for ya.

I'm so glad I had Dad take a picture of Abbie and I. I love having her for a daughter and feel so lucky.

Dave really has a problem with how much less hair he has than the last time we took pics. I don't think he really noticed until he shaved it all off. Since then, we've kept it shorter than he used to all together. It's the biggest change to his hair in 14 years of marriage. I like it shorter and, for the record, I had not even noticed the fullness disappearing.