End of School!

I say "End of School" because while today is the last day, I haven't blogged in a while.  So I have pictures from all the end of school activities.  The 4th graders here all do a "Rendezvous" where they go on a field trip and experience all the things they have been learning in their Idaho history.  Here is Kathleen panning for gold.

 The trader store:

 Square dancing:

 The boys went on a father and son campout.  Kathleen didn't like being left out, so we did our our little campout.  But it was too windy so we had to hide in a corner of the yard.  But it was sooo fun (even if you can't tell by her face, she really was enjoying it).

 For my last time doing "cooking mom" in Cody's class, I decided the kid would have fun making edible graduation caps.  I was really surprised that they could actually do it.  They turned out really cute.

 Field day at the school:

 Kathleen and Brandon had their piano recital for the last time with Shayla (she graduated and is leaving us).

 Brandon started cub scouts.  Isn't he super cute?  Oh man he is excited!  Mom?  Not so much.

 Brandon also got to be "grass" in the 2nd grade play.  Yes, that's right.  He was grass.  But he was cute.

 The kids started baseball again.

 Cody is on the Red Sox team again (because he wouldn't settle for anything else).

 Brandon is a little slugger:

 Kathleen is AWESOME!  She is a really good first baseman and one of the few kids on her team that can actually catch a ball.  She even caught a pop fly.

 Brandon got to try his hand at pitching.  He was so cute (even if it wasn't his best position).

 Kathleen played catcher while Brandon was pitching.  They were a pretty good team.

 Off to school on the last day!

 Cody had a performance and graduation from Kindergarten.  I may have cried just a little bit.  Okay, I am still crying.  But I'm a mom.  It's my job.

 Cody with his teacher:

 Brandon with his teacher and his student teacher:

 Kathleen with her teacher:

 Usually on the last day of school we have a picnic but it was raining today.  So instead we came home and had an "indoor picnic".  The kids thought it was great.

Now what are we going to do all summer?

Brandon Turns 8!!!

Brandon turned 8 yesterday.  I can't believe my boy is so big  We took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese for the morning.

 The kids love to give mom presents in bed on Mother's Day.  So even though it was 2 in the afternoon by the time we got around to gifts, we still all hopped in bed for it (it's okay.  Ryan made the bed today.  It totally wouldn't fly if I had).

 This picture needs not explanation:

 For the life of me I couldn't get this picture to rotate.  But for teacher appreciation week I had the fun idea that the moms would take over recess duty for the week.  Believe it or not, it was so much fun.  The kids were a blast and I think the teachers loved it.

 I got to go with Kathleen on a field trip to the Capital building.

 She thinks she is a senator.

 More Chuck E. Cheese (apparently these pictures are in no kind of order.  Sorry).

 Brandon had a "Camping" themed birthday party.  It was a riot.

 Oh, and I had a birthday last week too.  May is crazy busy for us.

 Brandon really wanted breakfast in bed for his birthday.  Unfortunately he was so excited that he woke up at 6:00 a.m.  And yes, it was a Saturday.  If he wasn't so cute, he would be dead.  He asked for berries.  Weird, but totally Brandon.

 Opening presents from Mom and Dad:

 He went out to get the mail and there were 3 letters for him!  Imagine that!  Perfect timing from the post man (that and mom confiscated them all week and held off until his birthday.  He had no idea).

 Playing dead man something.  They boys were so funny.

 Capture the flag:

 Ryan told a story in the tent.  I waited patiently outside of the tent to scare the kids.  Luckily none of them cried.

 Presents in the tent:

 Making S'mores:

 Brandon got a suit for his big day.  He has wanted one for a while.  If you know Brandon well, then you know he lives to be just like his daddy.  With any luck, that is how he will end up.  He sure does look good (just like his daddy).

 And of course, what is a picture without Cody?