Summer Vacation Begins!

Tuesday will be the last official day of school.  The boys have been counting down - as have I for the last little while and we're finally here.  Then, we had a twist of fate.  After all of the hard work and end of the school year events - we're sick.  Apparently, the swine flu has been going around the school and no one has shown symptoms until this past week-end.  There are a couple of other things going around too.  We have something - Layne and Rachel seem to be alright so far.  Although, Rachel did mention a tummy ache when she first woke up this morning.  Hmm...

What a great way to start our summer break - early.  We didn't get anyone to school today and will be staying home tomorrow.  We're sad about that because there are some traditions in place at the school that will happen without us.  (We're not sure about attendance for tomorrow - but, today...only about half the students were there.)  We just might have to plan a get together with the classes - so we (and other families that missed out) will still get a chance to have some closure for the year and say good-bye to friends who are moving on in the fall.

One thing I like about the school is the close knit community.  So, to miss the last day and the association that will be taking place is hard for all of us.  OK - so, the boys and I - the girls think it's fun too.  But, it'll be a couple of years before they realize what they're missing.  I'm glad we'll be back in the fall.  Both of the boys have already asked if they could attend through 8th grade.  We'll see how it goes.  They are excited Megan will be joining them in Kindergarten and sad that Rachel won't be doing preschool there.  It was fun to see them interact with Megan during her PreK year.  Jacob's classmates were 'reading buddies' with her and all of her classmates.  That was fun for both of them.  It's also been fun for me to go in and say 'hi' during recess.

The boys are sad about missing the last days of school - but, they are equally (if not more) sad about having to cancel a BBQ we were going to have with former neighbors.  It's a fun end of the year thing to do in student housing - celebrate getting through another year of school - every household has at least one student...so it works well.  (How's that for a long sentence?)

Happy summer to all!  We're hoping everyone has a happy and healthy one.

That Tasted Like Heaven!

Layne BBQ'd tonight.  Good stuff.  Jacob was part way through the meal and said, "This tastes like heaven.".  So glad to have a husband that cooks occasionally and is good at it.

No pictures!?!?

It's Thursday - and, I just had a thought to write about last Thursday.  (Don't ask - my brain just works that way.)

We had a good, fun filled day.  We started the day with some extra young friends over, went to the school for their 'culture fair', headed for the playground where we used to live to play/meet up with friends, came home, had dinner, got the boys to Scouts (while Layne was talking with the 'sprinkler guy'), and I went to an Enrichment meeting where Sister Beck (General Relief Society President the LDS church) spoke.  It was a great day!  I will need to give more details later.  The odd thing - I TOOK NO PICTURES!!  That's just not how I usually work.  Maybe it was too much effort to just enjoy the day AND take pictures.  Typically, I'm the one clicking away with the camera strap around my wrist.  I even remember taking the effort to go back to the van and get the camera while we were at the playground!

I remember the kids clothes even matched - they didn't match each other...that's rare even when we get a picture taken.  I'm just saying - all four of them had on outfits that were public worthy and the top/bottom part of the outfits matched each other.  That's a big day at our house.  (We usually have kids that seem to be still learning or just plain don't care.)

Outside Oasis

Ok, so our backyard isn't exactly a tourist trap yet - but, we like having one.  This is one of the days last week when the girls and I read outside.  We've also had some 'picnics' outside before taking Megan to preschool.

Jonny Will Be OK

Last week, while in Jonny's class - they had a substitute.  They had done some art before recess and were expected to clean up as they were leaving.  (Their usual teacher gives them a few minutes beforehand to clean up.  This time the sub told them it was time to go and clean up all at the same time - needless to say, some of the kids had some issues.  Life just isn't fair!  They actually missed a whole five...maybe ten minutes of their double recess (30 minutes) because they were expected to clean up their own mess.  So sad.:})  Some of the paint brushes and other items had just been left in the sink. Jonny and some of his classmates voluntarily stayed in to help clean up.

Here's Jonny hanging out with the gals.  (I hope he continues to choose good friends - all of these gals are cute, fun and just plain good.  I'm also hoping that as he gets older, I still have a chance to know the kids he associates with as well as I do now - huge benefit from being in the classroom so much.)

I had to put this one in here - because it's just plain Jonny.  Smiling and telling me all about a story he's writing.  There's always more telling than writing.  He has a great imagination!

So, to sum up - Jonny is great at helping wherever he's needed, is comfortable hanging out with the gals (as well as the guys), is creative and cheerful.  All of this coming from the guy that thinks he doesn't have any friends and doesn't feel like he has much going for him.  Truth be known - he's going to be OK.