A Year Smarter

Another great school year come and gone. It was the first year that all my kids attended a school of some sorts, leaving me all by my lonesome for a few mornings each week (something I never did get used to all year long). Jaxton had Ms. Kirby for first grade. He learned tons, but the end of school couldn't come any quicker for him.

The highlight of his year was being given the very first Terrific Kid award for his class and also having his artwork showcased and awarded.

Just like the other boys, Beckam had Ms. Andrews for PreK. The woman is a saint. She's done this job for over 30 years and she's darn good at what she does. He also saw Ms. Bundrick for a half hour each week for speech and she was awesome as well.

My favorite teacher of the year was Mac's teacher, Ms. Parker. I could sit in her classroom all day long listening to her teach and learn so much. No wonder Mac sobbed for an hour straight after I picked him up on his last day of school.

Mac loved all things basketball. He wrote about basketball, he read about basketball, he talked about basketball and he played LOTS of basketball. His highlight of the year was on field day when he scored the winning run in kickball and his class chanted, "M-AC! M-AC! M-AC!"

Jilli had Ms. Patti for preschool and loved everything about her. She did great in school, despite her being the youngest and can hardly wait to go back again.

And what is the last day of school without a little surprise to make it an even better day!

Happy Summer! Looking forward to next year!
 

Surprise Trip to UT

MISSION: Last minute trip to UT to surprise mom for her retirement.
MISSION COMPLETED AND SUCCESSFUL! 

Public education just lost one of it's finest, my mom. She's worked harder than any other teacher I know, taught her student's more than could be expected and touched 100's of children's lives -- truly a tremendous teacher, mentor and friend.

And while Jilli and I were there celebrating this grand occasion, we couldn't help but take in the views and hang with our favorite people!

Jilli was a trooper.  Despite a quick trip, the time change, late bedtimes, getting up early and long travel days, she was an awesome buddy to have.  Never a dull moment with this girl around.

Happy retirement mom!  May the next phase of your life bring you joy, fulfillment, some much earned relaxation and longer visits to see us in NC!  (And thanks dad for making the trip possible and Nate for holding the fort down at home!)

Summer Adventure Schedule

In years past, I haven't posted about our Summer Adventures until the summer was over, but I've had several people ask me this year how I keep my kiddos busy, so I thought I'd go ahead and post our schedule.

The "how to's" of some of the adventures can be found by simply searching for the name on Pinterest.  Some of the days at the end are blank because inevitably unknown things comes up and we don't get to an adventure, so I just move it to an empty day.  The schedule begins tomorrow and goes through most of August.
Have questions?  Just let me know!
Happy adventuring!

Summer Adventure Schedule 2013

Make Something Monday	Take a Trip Tuesday	What will Wednesday be?	Thinking Thursday	Fun in the Sun Friday
10 Q-tip painting	11 Park	12 Scavenger hunt	13 Library	14 Swim
17 Ice cream in a bag	18 Swim	19 Water balloons	20 Microwave ivory soap	21 Swim
24 Write on plates with sharpies	25 Hike	26 Bubble wrap and shaving cream	27 Vinegar and baking soda	28 Swim
1 Paint 4th of July shirts	2 Swim	3 treat Doorbell ditch	4 Foam playdoh	5 Swim
8 Fresh juice	9 Museum	10 Slip-n-slide	11 Library	12 Swim
15 Build with marshmallows and toothpicks	16 Swim	17 Make a movie	18 Cornstarch and water	19 Swim
22 Cookies	23 Picnic	24 Beach	25 Beach	26 Beach
29 Glue, salt and water picture	30 Swim	31 Shaving cream slip-n-slide	1 Soap mud	2 Ohio
5 Smoothies	6 Dollar store	7 Deliver treats	8 Library	9 Swim
12 Candy necklaces	13 Swim	14	15	16 Swim
19 Microwave popcorn kernels	20	21	22	23 Swim

Extra Activities: Thank you cards, missionary packages

 Summer Schedule

Brush Teeth

Get Dressed

Pick Up Room/Make bed

30 minutes of Learning

Summer Adventure

Quiet Time

Sports Practice