Last Day of School!

Jeff took one last pic of our Kindergartner and our 3rd Grader this morning.  Same as last year, I thought I would post a side-by-side comparison of how much they've grown this year.

Last Day - May 2012

First Day - August 2011

Memorial Day 2012

We spent Sunday evening with our friends - enjoying their pool and their Popsicles.  (Thanks again, Chad and Tina!)

On Monday, we went to Petit Jean.  After lunch, the kids filled 2 packages of water balloons and targeted most of their attacks at Jeff and Wayne.

Pop always has the coolest tools:  a dual-ended water hose for double the filling speed!

The arsenal

Pop's secret weapon

And a sweet ending with homemade snow cones!

Noodle Season

There’s a little-known harvest that takes place in Arkansas from around Memorial Day through Labor Day. My dad, who spends many hours driving Arkansas’ highways, has dubbed it “Noodle Season”. He’s always been one to stop and pick-up the random life jacket or ice chest that has blown out of a passing boat or pick-up. And for the last few years, he’s also been spotting – and occasionally picking up – stray pool noodles. As far as I know, he has no particular use for them, but I guess it gives him something to do in the truck besides looking for animal sign and listening to “Willie’s Roadhouse”.


He declared this past Saturday to be opening day of the season, so we spent our trip back from western Arkansas hunting noodles. I’m happy to say that I spotted the first one of the summer! Sadly, it was not in the best shape.

Wishing you a fun summer and happy noodle hunting! ; )

Back to the Little Missouri

Nearly 2 years after the terrible flash flood that killed 20 people in 2010, the Albert Pike Recreation Center reopened just before Memorial Day weekend. We decided to drive over on Saturday and see how the area had recovered. The Day Use area was packed, but former camping area felt like an eerie ghost town with all the “No Camping” signs and boarded up facilities.

We went further down the dusty, dirt road to the Little Missouri Falls. Since we haven’t had much rain, the “falls” were not as impressive as they were on our last trip. But the water was cool on a hot day, and the kids had fun catching crawdads and dragging poor Daisy around.



Another Great Year!

We have been so fortunate that Ashley's had WONDERFUL teachers for both Pre-K and Kindergarten!  We could not be more grateful.  Today was the Kindergarten promotion ceremony.  Look out 1st Grade!  Her she comes!

One Last Soccer Post

On Sunday, we had a swimming party with the soccer team to celebrate the season and pass out some awards. 



I like to give the kids the waterproof camera in the pool and see what they come up with.  Most of the pictures are just random body parts like in this one.



But sometimes they come up with some gems.



Jeff started a tradition last year by passing out medals and dubbing each player with a nickname like "Flash" or "The Bulldozer".





Jeff didn't get a medal or a cool nickname, but I think he liked his reward.

 





Undefeated!



Nathan’s team played their last soccer game on Saturday and ended up with another undefeated season.  One game ended in a tie.  That’s still technically undefeated, right? They had a great year and some great coaches.  Thanks Jeff, Chad, and Dave!

 

Super cute cheering section!



Thomas, Carter, and Nate





Making a Splash!

Let summer begin!  We broke in a new Slip-N-Slide in the backyard today.  The kids had a blast, and I got soaked trying to capture the action! 

So far this summer, my tiny tomato garden is thriving...we have nearly 70 little, green tomatoes on the vines!  After not harvesting a single one last year, we're due for a bumper crop.  I can't say so much for the radishes though.  We just have one little radish plant that is hanging on from the science fair project.  Nathan and Morgan also planted some watermelons about a month ago.  I don't know if they will produce anything in our glorified flower bed, but for now, they're growing.  



Third Grade Science Fair

Since it was definitely a family affair, I'm pleased to announce that WE got 2nd Place in Nathan's class for our Science Fair project. He missed 1st place by only 1/2 a point, but he was still pleased with the outcome. Great job, Nate!

Apples for the Teachers

We ended Teacher Appreciation Week by making these sweet treats for some of our teachers and staff at the kids' school.  I borrowed this idea for "Candy Apples" from www.bakerella.com.  They are actually chocolate cake pops, and I think they turned out really cute.   

Mother's Day Tea

Last year I got in trouble for wearing scrubs to the Mother's Day Tea. There is no dress code, but Ashley was quick to point out that some of the other moms were wearing dresses. I tried not to embarrass her this time. ; )

Lemonade anybody??

Our first lemonade stand....
The kids have been asking to have a lemonade stand. I found this stand at a yard sale Friday for $5. So we're at the bus stop selling lemonade like crazy!!! $20so far......




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Location:North Ave,Washington,United States