The Start of Summer!

The kids' favorite thing to do in the summer is swim. Our friends' down the street went out of town for a week and gave us a key to their house. It was the perfect way to start our summer vacation. We spent five straight days in the pool, took a one day break, and then we were back in the pool. On a  couple of those days, we were there for about five hours which included a poolside dinner. 

 

I grew up in our backyard pool and spent my summers swimming in it. I loved watching the girls play together and doing similar things that my sister and I did. 

Kyle got used to being in the pool without a floatie. Hopefully next summer, he'll learn how to swim.  

Makena took her beloved life vest off and started swimming instantly. A week in a pool by ourselves has been the perfect time for her to strengthen her skills. Makena doesn't like it when I take pictures of her, so she'll stick out her tongue or make a silly face. It doesn't bother me. I still take pictures of her!  

Karis, on the other hand, loves when I take pictures of her. 

This guy is hit or miss with pictures. Today was a good day!

 

When Daddy joins us, he jumps off the diving board with the kids. Or in this case, gets pushed off.

 

The girls love when Daddy throws them across the pool. Kyle likes when Daddy catches him at the bottom of the slide. 

Daddy may have let him go under to get him used to it. He's still working on that. 

  

Our Kindergarten Graduate

What a great year! I can't believe the year is already over, yet the first day of school seemed so long ago. 

Makena loved Kindergarten. She loved her teacher!

She made some great friends. 

She loves to read and has become a great reader. She did well in all academic areas.

 

 

Her teacher awarded her the Kindest Heart Award. She deserves it!

Most days, she spent her free time in the classroom drawing us pictures, telling us how much she loves us. She hugged me every morning before leaving for school and told me, "I'm going to miss you." 

 

She is such a big girl, who is smart, beautiful and has the sweetest heart.  We love you Makena!

 

 

She left school very sad that day because Kindergarten is over. 

Character Award

Karis received the American Citizenship Award for outstanding character. We are so proud of her!

 

A hug from her principal, Mrs. Mitchell. This was her last year at MKB. 

 

Some of the other 1st graders who also received various awards. 

Cheerleaders

As a fundraiser, the girls' school had a basketball game against the teachers. You could buy a spot as a player or a cheerleader. Both girls wanted to be a cheerleader. They had fun practicing after school with their friends and at home on their own. Soon, even Kyle knew all the cheers!

The students did great and it was a lot of fun watching the game. 

The girls with their Kindergarten teacher

Miss Lindsay came to watch as a friend and former MKB student

The 1st grade cheerleaders with Karis' teacher

The girls were nervous with such a large audience, but they had a great time cheerleading!

Kyle Turns 4!

Kyle was so excited to turn 4! He started the day with some chocolate chip pancakes.

This was the first year Kyle wanted a party. After seeing all the gifts Makena received for her party, he wanted one too! We planned a party at the park. The forecast called for a chance of thunderstorms but thankfully the rain held off. But it was just unusually cold and windy.   

The cold didn't bother the kids and they all had a great time running around and playing. 

 

I made a cake for Kyle with all his favorite things -- an airplane, a helicopter, a train and a car. He loved it!

It was a challenge to keep the candles lit with the wind blowing, but we did it!

After cake, the kids played some more and blew bubbles. 

After the party, we went home to open presents and eat lunch. I thought for sure the kids would want to stay home the rest of the day to play with all the new toys, but they wanted to go to another park. We headed to the duck pond to feed the ducks and then play on the playground. The ducks weren't there but there were plenty of geese and turtles!

Later in the day, Kyle and I went to his friend's birthday party. He shares the same birthday with one of his best friends. It was a busy and fun-filled day!

Mother's Day Tea

I love Mother's Day tea at the school. Makena was so excited to dress up and have me come to her class. She picked me up in the cafeteria and we spent time in her classroom enjoying yummy treats. The teacher read us a story and all the students read a poem about why they love their Mommy. She made me a book and painted a pot for me. I loved it all!

I had to guess which drawing was me. I didn't guess right the first time. I should have known by the drawing of my new necklace.