School's Out!

Last Monday was a dreary, rainy day. Ellie’s class was scheduled to have their field day and I planned on taking the twins to watch for a bit but with the rain I figured it was canceled. But I guess they did it anyways since there wasn’t any lightning. She got second place in the soccer punt and her teacher sent a picture to me.

Then she was supposed to have a game that night but it got rained out. Jackson had a fun Tuesday planned with his class that included watching National Treasure 2 and then walking to McDonalds after lunch to get a treat. They were allowed to bring snacks and drinks for the movie so I told him he could use some of his own money and we went to Dollar General for him to pick out whatever he wanted. I don’t think he was dreading going to school that day. I got everyone dropped off, ran by the bank and then home to get a few things done before I went to get that massage that I had to cancel the week before. It was just a ½ hour massage but it was nice and relaxing. I’ve only had a few massages but I never realize how tense I am until I have one. But there wasn’t much time to relax because it I had to pick up the twins right when I was done. That evening I worked on finishing up the end of the year teacher gifts. I was able to use the same idea I had used before and potted some flowers that included a paper flower that said, “Thanks for helping me learn and grow” and a Sonic gift card. Since Ellie’s teacher is a male, I didn’t think he would appreciate the flowers as much. He is into superheroes, Star Wars, etc., so we did the sonic gift card along with some gum balls and a candy bar all decorated in a superhero theme. And I decided that Lincoln’s teacher deserved something more as she is taking a break from teaching to spend time with family and focus on her health as she has been battling breast cancer for several years now. So that night Jackson, Ellie and I (we had to run by my parents so Jackson could get a physical for football registration, so they tagged along) picked up gift cards to the movies and Maxwell’s so she and her family could enjoy a night out together.

Wednesday I got my swim in and then went straight to Jackson’s field day. I’m glad I didn’t mess with going home to get ready because I was able to talk to him for a bit and then watch a couple of the relays he was doing. They form teams from the kids in their actual class and his team did really well. They made it to the finals in both the 4x25 and the 4x50. They won the 4x50 and I think they could have won the 4x25 but one of the kids dropped the baton. They were an excited group though. 

Jackson's team celebrating as the run back to the stands

But that was all I got to see as I got a call while I was there from the lumber yard that they wanted to come work on our back door that we have been having trouble with. I asked them to give me just a little bit and they were waiting for me when I got home. They were able to get it working but we still have to wait for some new parts to come in and they will work on it again. Andrew brought the twins home from school and after lunch we got to meet Lincoln’s class at Brashear Park. We got there a little before his class did (several of the kindergarten classes walked from the Primary School) so the twins got to play before they took over the playground equipment. But then we got to play with Lincoln and his friends for about 1 ½ hours. We spent a lot of time playing with a four-square ball and a few boys joined in on the games with us.

While the kids walked back to school, the twins and I drove over to sign Lincoln out and get his stuff so we could just take him with us when he got back. We met Annie and Josh in the hallway and he was handing out ice cream sandwiches for his birthday snack and they offered some to the twins. Once we got outside I had them try to eat them quickly before Lincoln’s class got there. They were a bit messy and a bus driver that was parked behind us even brought me some paper towels J. They didn’t quite get them all done but we had to throw them away as the kids were walking up to us. So we got Lincoln and then we went to pick up Jackson and Ellie. That night Jackson and Ellie both had their first games. Jackson’s started a half hour before Ellie’s but thankfully their fields are right next to each other and we were able to catch both games. Lincoln played at the playground most of the time and the twins occupied themselves for a while playing in the dirt with their tractors.

The most fun moment during the games was when Jackson and Ellie were both up to bat at the same time. First Ellie got a double and then Jackson did, within several seconds of each other. They both had great games and their teams won so it was a great way to start the ball season. And we stopped by Sonic to celebrate.

Thursday was the twins last day of school and they were excited. Mainly because they got to ride on a bus to the park, play at the park and have McDonalds for lunch. I was going to join them but first I went to the awards assembly at Ray Miller. We got a note that Jackson would be receiving an award but to keep it a secret. And in the end Ellie and Jackson both received awards. I think they just let the 5^th grade parents know about it because they are very limited in seating. Ellie got an award for being one of the top students in her computer class. Jackson got a Presidential Academic Excellence award and one for perfect attendance for the year. Then they both were recognized for their high reading levels.

That lasted a bit longer than I thought it would so I did my grocery shopping very quickly and got it put away at home before heading to the park to meet up with the twins. They were having fun chasing bubbles but were wondering where their McDonalds was. I tried to get pictures of them with their teachers but Bennett wouldn’t cooperate, so I just did Miles (with Bennett in the background of one J).

The happy meals eventually showed up and all the kids ate in the empty wading pool and then we were off to try to catch some of Lincoln’s Kindergarten Olympics. They didn’t really have a set schedule but his teacher said they may be outside doing some of it after lunch. Since the twins’ lunch was late, we were running late yet again. The kids weren’t outside when we got there so we waited for a bit. They had everything set up but Lincoln’s class didn’t show up. The twins needed a nap so we went ahead and went home to get a nap in before picking the kids up from school.

Friday was finally the last day of school but the weather didn’t lend to celebration. It felt like it rained all day. But the kids didn’t have any outside activities planned so that didn’t matter too much to them. Jackson and Ellie got to go see Angry Birds at the movie theater while Lincoln got to watch Charlotte’s Web since they had read the book in class. Ellie also decided to erase the chore chart. I let it stay for the weekend and then put the chores back up :-). I made some cookies and set out some bottled soda I for them when they got home from school. The cookies were a hit but they weren’t too sure about the root beer and orange soda.

Lincoln brought home a red nose and I thought it fit Miles well :-)

That night we met my parents and Molly at La Fuente to celebrate and afterwards they wanted to go over to their house. We didn’t have anything going on so we went over while Andrew went to the office. The next morning Andrew went for a bike ride. Lincoln was up bright and early. He was dressed with his teeth brushed wanting his oatmeal at about 6:15.

The twins followed soon after. Right when Andrew got home I took Ellie over to my parents so she could go with them up to Pella to watch Lola’s dance recital. Lola’s cousin, Natalie, on Zane’s side was there too so Ellie had a lot of fun with her along with Owen and Lola. Andrew took the other kids out to the ranch and I took the opportunity to run outside. I just did 3 miles and didn’t push my pace too much although it sometimes felt like I was. I just know I need to get outside more so I’m not so sore come NEMO time. Then later, the guy making our cabinets came by to finalize everything. He has an opening right now so he is going to go ahead and start building our cabinets. After he left I went to Andrew’s office to pot some flowers out front and then I washed and cleaned out my car. Andrew and the kids got home as I was finishing all of that up and then he went to the office. The kids played inside and outside throughout the day and we finished up the evening with some sidewalk chalk out in the driveway.

Ellie got home around nine and the kids were excited to see my parents for a bit. The next morning we went to church and then I went for a bike ride while Andrew took the kids to the batting cages. It was a longer one for me-24 miles. I was able to do live tracking and then met up with me part way and cheered me on J. It ended up being one of my fastest rides which I was happy about since I was a little sore from running outside the day before. Then Andrew went out for a ride after I got home. He kept going when he got home and he and Jackson mowed the yard. It was a beautiful day to be outside and have the windows open inside.That night we grilled hamburgers and ate outside. Then the older kids were off to jump on the LaBeth's trampoline. They put the hose on it so they had a lot of fun with that. Soon the boys took over so the girls ate popsicles and laid in the sun. The twins had fun playing with bubbles and watching Buddy chase them and eat them. Then I did some grocery shopping and we called it a day.