Rhys Hits Double Digits!

Our son is 10 today! Yes, we let him live because the has a lot going for him and we need someone to care for us when we are old.

He's been requesting pancakes for several weeks and we haven't made them because we are pretty low carb right now and life is busy so today I made him birthday pancakes-chocolate chip and rainbow sprinkles in the batter and topped with whipped cream and more sprinkles.

We kept the morning easy with letting him have a bit more screen time than usual and playing games.

After lunch we were off to the roller rink with a friend where we spent a few hours. The kids even won a game of "freeze" in which you freeze and strike a pose when the music goes off and if it's cool enough, you get tapped and you go get a free prize. They all got tapped in this game and got free, coveted soda.

Back at home, we were joined by Oma for a build your own pizza dinner, a slideshow of his past year, present opening, and dessert--turtle pie.

Inks Lake and Enchanted Rock

Well we picked up the kids from their last day of school and hit the road!

Gorgeous flowers and s few back roads and we were down in Hill Country. We arrived at Inks Lake State Park to a perfect campsite and made a venture over to Enchanted Rock the next morning to hike 4 miles and see the most amazing display of wildflowers among gorgeous rock. The rest of the time we spent we spent in our hammocks, watching the kids swim on the waterfront of our campsite, and hiked. Perfect weather and a perfect time to relax and start our summer.

Next day at Enchanted Rock

He cracks me up

So many flowers and a great variety but overwhelmingly blanketed by yellow.  We did good and even got a few sprinkles to cool us.

The next morning we woke to a family with goslings feet from our tent.

"Exciting" math game. They are staring at numbers and trying to make them equal another number thus math.

Rhys passing off some scout requirements

Rhys was our Chubby Bunny winner!
We hit the trails for another short hike before leaving. So gorgeous here, lots to do, and glad we had a longer stay.

Sophie is Moving onto Middle School

Congratulations to Sophie for graduating from elementary school! She rocked her 6th grade year, gaining some maturity, working more independently, keeping her grades up, and trying new things. I helped out at her 6th grade party and lunch while she and the others ate, signed yearbooks, and goofed off.

We set up her room with some fun new decor to commemorate her special event. We went with the theme of pineapples, as she likes them, and we like the quote, "Be a pineapple, stand tall, wear a crown, and be sweet on the inside." We told her that she is the pineapple and we are so proud of her.

The next day was ceremonies and awards and then our elementary school's tradition of ringing out the 6th graders. All the teachers and classes line the hall walls and cheer and ring bells as the graduates walk through twice passing the parents at the entrance/exit before leaving with them. My sweet Sophie got a bit emotional during the ring out. She dried her eyes and got a few last photos with friends before we collected Rhys and started our summer vacation.

Austin Field Trip and Feed Our Starving Children

Rhys has been looking forward to this field trip with his dad as a chaperone for months. The fourth grade year is all about Texas history and at the end of the year they start their day early (5:45am) and end late (about 8pm) with a full day trip down to Austin, stopping at the capitol and two other museums. Go team purple!

Mrs. Raecher

Instead of sitting at home, Sophie and I went and joined team Philippines in packaging meals for malnourished children in Haiti. Don't you know that hairnets are the new cool?! Feed My Starving Children is a international charity that has a nearby facility, and that Sophie really enjoyed doing service at with our church youth group. I was happy to join her. It was fun! Looking forward to our family session next week.