school's out!!

Ahhh.....the sights and sounds of summer break! For the past several years, my parents have hosted a little last-day-of-school party. We fill a pool for the little kids, turn on sprinklers, grill some hot dogs, and grandma always puts out a few balloons to mark the entrance of summer. This year my parents spent the last day of school in Anchorage, Alaska (they are 2 weeks into their 4 week trip). And yes, if you are wondering, this would be the longest amount of time any of us girls have gone without seeing our parents. No worries, one of us talks to mom every day, and we are keeping her up to date...but we are reserving some summer plans for their return. Anyway, I hosted the party this year (not as good as papa and grandma...but close enough). We added in a water balloon fight, which was hilarious!

On your mark, set, throw!!

Run Ry! She's gonna get you!

Jace was looking slightly special ed. with his newly purchased $1 goggles. He has worn them non stop for 2 days. The goggles were fogging up when he was trying to ride his bike and keep them on. Notice how his ears bend in half from the strap...oh dear!

Hunter doin' some fancy movin'!

I don't think any of Lady's balloons went fast enough to actually break on a person.

One last picture before the pizza (yeah....we weren't about to go to the trouble of grilling hot dogs...we'll save that for papa's return).

That face says it all!

By 3:00 in the afternoon, friends started arriving for dinner and movie night. Yep, pizza again...the kids didn't mind. It didn't get dark until nearly 9:00, so there was lots of time to kill and trouble to make. Maddy and her friends did eachother's hair, put on makeup, and made up some new songs.

Carter and his friends spent the night plotting against the girls and teasing...typical. Carter also took a nice spill on his bike. Poor kids came in with a bloody nose, bloody hand, and dirt over the whole right side of his body. His glasses survived, but not the right lense. When I washed off the dirt, there were 3 deep scratches...glad we got the "free lense replacement thing". Carter learned a valuable lesson, never take on the pile of rocks if you aren't sure you can make it through.

"Pixie sticks are sour!"

Almost dark enough.

The movie went until nearly 11:00. I think we ended up with about 35 neighbors...needless to say, we popped a lot of popcorn, ate several bags of chips, polished off every bit of licorice and candy I set out...and probably could have eaten twice that. Such a fun way to start the summer!

cars, tracks, and lots of graphite

Tonight was our first attempt at the Pinewood Derby. Tim and Carter literally spent hours sanding, painting, blah..blah..blah... to get his car just right. Our cubmaster layed out some very specific rules this year to make sure the racing was fair. The track was set with electronic timers, and each car had four runs (one on each lane). The times were then averaged to find a winner. Carter couldn't have been happier than watching his car win all four heats....at least that's what you would think....

Lane 1: 3.817 seconds

Lane 2: 3.839 seconds

Lane 3: 3.808 seconds

Lane 4: 3.818 seconds

Carter's overall average time was 3.8205 seconds...which meant....he took first place! And yes, looked even happier than before! Serious grinning coming from that boy...and the smile from his dad was just as big. Carter insists on taking his trophy to school tomorrow to show his class "how totally awesome I was!" Tim has set the bar pretty high now...how are we going to top that?

saying see ya!!

Today was the big day at our house...6th grade graduation! Kenzie was ready for this the first day of school this year...me, not so much. In preparation for the day, Lindsey came over last night and straightened Kenzie's hair. It looked like new hair and Kenzie is sure she looked many years older. The graduation program included a keynote speaker (yeah, I was surprised about that too!), presentation of NOVA awards (an 8 week program sponsored by the local police force about setting a course for your life), diplomas, and a slideshow. The NOVA officer presented a special award to two students for outstanding work in this program. Kenzie was chosen, and she was beyond thrilled! Of course, we were more than happy to play the role of proud parents. The slideshow at the end of the program was so fun to watch. It had pictures of the students during all the major events of the school year...I admit, I got teary eyed. I don't know how it happened that I became the mom of such a grown up little girl....we are so proud of her and all her hard work in elementary school.

This is the famous balloon arch that each child posed under before receiving their diploma. We laughed when the principal reminded the students that the main reason their parents had come to graduation was to get a picture of them under the balloons. He asked them to take a second and let their loving parents get a picture, and he said, "a second is longer than you think!"

After all the graduates had been announced, Mr. Gibb presented them as the future graduating class of 2015....seriously! That freaked me out!

Kenz and her girls....don't you remember thinking you were all that?

The balloon arch was released outside...such a fun tradition at the school. Then it was on to sack lunches and 2 hours of water games...I ran the rainpipe goldfish race, and yes, we used real goldfish...poor, poor fish. There were all kinds of games, all involving water, including a dunking tank. Lady and Jace were more than done when the day finally came to a close. Kenzie thought it was the best day ever...and I think she was right!!

Countdown!

So...not a lot happening this week. Maddy and Jace have been sick since Monday, which is just plain wrong. After 3 days of fevers and the discovery of white spots on their tonsils, I was sure they had strep, so I broke down and called the doctor. Wouldn't you know...just another virus!! I hate wasting money on copays so the doctor can tell me he can't do anything...grrrrr.

On the flipside, summer is knocking at our door. The weather has been beautiful all week, my flowers are blooming, and there are only 4 days of school left (I'm not counting the last day, they only go for an hour and a half)! The kids have been bringing home their portfolios and sharing all their best work of the year..so fun! I was looking through last summers pics, and I found this fun one of the kids hunting for frogs. I took a picture of their reflections on the water and it turned out awesome.


This is summer--kids, the outdoors, Sunday night dodgeball, swimming, camping, and not having to do anything at all! Can't wait!!

of all the things I thought he would say....

Yesterday, Maddy came home sick from school. We ended up making a trip to the doctor for some antibiotics...not my most favorite way to spend the afternoon. While waiting in the room for Dr. Wynn, my kids starting doing the little "exercise program" that was posted on the wall

• jump up and down 10 times


• do 20 jumping jacks


• clap 15 times

You get the idea. Anyway, by the time the doctor finally came in, Jace and Lady were completely wound up. Dr. Wynn was talking to Maddy and telling her how much she had grown (yep, an inch in the last year, if she's lucky!). When Jace realized that being big was the topic of conversation, he had to put in his two cents.

"Hey, hey!! (jumping right in the doctor's face). You know, I'm big too!"

"You're right! You are getting so big."

"Do you know how you know I'm getting so big?"

"ummm.... is it because you know your a,b,c's?"

"Nope, nope. You don't know. It's because I am growin' long hairs on my arm!! SEE!" (and yes, he pulled up his sleeve to show a very surprised Dr. Wynn both hairs on his arm).

We all had a good laugh, which Lady finished off with "If you're even bigger, you get long hairs on your legs too!" Nice, very nice.

Singing in the Spring

Tonight was Kenzie's Spring Chorus Concert....so fun! I am more than happy to not have to drive her to school at 7:20, but tonight made all the extra trips worth it. Kenzie had a solo in "Do, Re, Mi". She was "not as nervous as last year", and I thought she was awesome! They sang a medley of songs from "Les Miserables"...again, pretty amazing for elementary school kids. Grandma and Papa came to be part of her special night...what would our kids do without grandparents? Everything is more important/cool/special if grandma and papa are there.

This lovely (yikes!) design was posted on the wall, and was also the design for the t-shirts. Seriously? Is that the best idea they had? Even Kenzie agreed the shirts were "uglier than last year."

If Kenzie had a facebook, this would be her profile pic!

And this.....the prettiest tulip in my yard!

P.F. Chang Lettuce Wraps...finally!

So...I promised a few people I would post this last month.... been a little busy. Anyway, if you are a fan of these, they are just like the real deal. Enjoy! Oh... I added this recipe to our dinner mindblock blog too.

PF Chang's Lettuce Wraps

Chicken Mixture

2 Chicken Breast Filets
1 Cup Minced water chestnuts
2/3 Cup Fresh Mushrooms – Chopped
3 T. Green Onion – Chopped
1 tsp. Minced garlic (1 clove)

Bring 2 T. of vegetable oil to high heat in wok or large frying pan. Saute the chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes per side or until done. Remove from pan. Add minced water chestnuts, chopped green onion, garlic and chopped mushrooms to pan and saute.

Chop chicken into small pieces. Add to vegetable mixture and Saute. Add Stir Fry Sauce:

Stir Fry Sauce

8 T. Soy Sauce
8 T. Brown Sugar
2 tsp. Rice Vinegar

Cook until heated through.

Special Sauce

¼ cup sugar
½ cup water
2 T. soy sauce
2 T. Rice vinegar
2 T. Ketchup
1 T. Lemon Juice
1/8 tsp. Sesame oil

Combine all ingredients.

1 T. Chinese Hot Mustard
1-3 Tsp. Red Chili Paste

Dilute 1 T. Chinese Hot mustard with a little water. Just before serving add desired amount of red chili paste and mustard to the Special Sauce. 3 tsp. Of each for Medium/Hot

Assemble lettuce wraps by spooning filling into a iceburg lettuce cup, white rice and desired amount of sauce. Fold up like a taco..

"Two" Lip Festival

Thanksgiving Point has been hosting it's annual Tulip Festival for the last couple of weeks. Jace has always been confused with the word "tulip". He thinks I am saying "two lips"...and then he will explain to me how he "has two lips too!"...funny boy! Today, the tulips were 90% in bloom and it was beautiful! Jen and I took the little kids and spent 2 hours wandering through the gardens. The kids were absolutely entertained...it was a great way to spend the afternoon.

Lady, Jace, Melissa, and Joshie peeking through one of the many bridges...so sweet!

By the end of the walk, the kids were done looking at flowers. Instead, they decided to hide from their moms. Lady was positive she was invisible behind this tree...I played along and she thought she was pretty darn tricky!

This would be when she realized I could see her!

The only thing that would have improved the gardens was some sunshine, but I guess we can't have everything. When I arrived at home, my big kids informed me that I do EVERYTHING with the little kids (cause, ya know, they're not in school all day)! I guess I'll have to make another trip to the gardens for a little after-school adventure...lucky me!