That's a Wrap!

Our elementary school will be undergoing a major renovation during the summer and they school has been getting ready little by little because everyone and everything has to be out by the evening of the last day of school.  The kids didn't have smart boards the last week, no desks, chairs, or computers, or benches in the cafeteria for the last two days.

They have joyfully reported that they have had time to play games, have recess and second recess (traditionally only one), viewings of Disney movies, and picnic lunches. As parents we have sent them to school this week to enjoy kite day outside (wind optional), camp day, dance party day...They have certainly gotten creative along with their relaxed standards of education.  We had class parties and award ceremonies on the second to last day of school so I have no idea what they are doing to babysit my kids today but God bless them, because I am loving my last day of freedom.

Kindergarten Award Ceremony (and yes, everyone gets an award).

Rhys go the Super Hero Award from his teacher.  She stated, "I gave you this award because you are a super hero. You care about others. You make good choices. The world is a better place because you are in it! I am so happy I got to be your kindergarten teacher!"  That was so nice to hear from her.  Now let's hope he doesn't think he can jump off roofs and fly.

While I finished up the Kindergarten celebration with cookies and pictures, Neal headed outdoors with the 2nd graders to celebrate with Sophie.

Love this picture!

Silly string attack by Sadie's mom, Kate.

Last Day of School Traditions

Ended the day with a snap shot by the "old school" marquee that will be replaced with an electric one next year.

What a helpful, goofy kid!

 Now we'll see what kind of mischief we can get into for the summer break!

And the Rains Came Tumbling Down

Last month we could not help but get our weather geek on.  We received so much rain that almost all lakes in Texas were flooding.  It was the wettest May on record (117 years) and almost the wettest month  in Dallas by just .68 inches.

Neal and I went down to the old stone dam in town to see how it was going. 

This one was taken by a friend during a surge 8 days after our pics.

What it usually looks like.

And some unfamiliar sights and some familiar parks!

Bethany Lakes Park.  Pond on right, playground out of frame, to the left. Gazebo up the hill.

Celebration Park. I run this path frequently.

Remember every gray cloud has a silver lining (pun intended). Our good news is that area has ended it's 6 year drought and we went from severe to moderate drought conditions in the driest areas of Texas!

Rhys Turns 6!

Rhys was able to return to school on his birthday. That's a big deal when you are a kindergartner! Didn't want to miss the paper crown and birthday pencil!

Later we went to the yucky restaurant of his choice, Cici's Pizza. He opened presents from family upon arriving home and Opa and Oma joined us for donut cake (again, his special request).  Thanks to those who made him feel so special!

Nice assist, Sophie!

Again!

Whoops! (Maybe)

So after a couple very busy weeks, we got home from church Sunday afternoon, ate dinner, and promptly drove Rhys to the ER.  Yep! A broken arm.  Less than 24 hours away from the family swim party at Oma and Opa's to celebrate his birthday!

After dinner Neal and I went to lie down and let the kids empty the dishwasher before we came back to do rinse and load it again.  Maybe 5 minutes in, bang and screaming.

Keri scooped up Rhys and sat him on the island, in tears and wailing. Then a visual of his arm made it all quite clear. "Oh, that's not right."  And Neal swooped him up and got him in the car and we were off!

Sophie's Story: It was an accident! He fell off the counter.
Rhys' Story: Sophie wouldn't listen when I told her 'no'! But she pulled the thing she wanted from me and I fell off the counter (and onto the open dishwasher door below).

Long story short: First ER took crappy x rays, possible shattered elbow, amazing EMTs and an ambulance ride to Children's Hospital, better x rays, common break--not shattered elbow, splint, crappy night of sleep in hospital, surgery in the morning, recovery, severe weather passes over delaying our discharge by 2-3 hours. Why? I don't know. Home, prescriptions, pizza, bed. thank goodness.

Okay, really the EMTs deserve more mention.  They caught on quick that this little guy loves superheros and referred to him as Superman and asked him all sorts of questions about his superhero friends, and other important facts--favorite color, school subject. So besides the medical info, they had a lot to report to the receiving Children's hospital. Before they put him in they turned the lights on to show him and when he was in, they turned on the siren for a brief stint, although there was clearly no need. They totally rocked!

Thanks for prayers and well wishes from so many, visits from home teachers, and cards and goodies from friends, and a BIG thank you to Oma and Opa for caring for Sophie-- an active girl who was without a brother to entertain her. You made what was a stressful time quite a bit less, well, stressful.

10K

Keri signed up in April for a Ragnar Trail Relay taking place in October. She, along with 7 other ladies, will run 3 legs--3, 5, 7 plus miles (a bit over 15 total per woman, all together). The whole thing has to be completed with 24 or 30 hours or something like that.  Anyway, to establish a 10K pace, she ran a 10K this weekend with most of her teammates.

It was her second 10K, 2 1/2 years after her first. She was hoping for 11:15 minute miles but was still very happy with the 11:20 minute miles she did run. Keri placed in the middle of her gender/age bracket with a time of 1:10:18. It was a little disheartening when the barefoot juggler pasted her but she still beat the amazing man with two prosthetic legs and canes!

They even enjoyed light sprinkles amongst the humidity. She's glad to be part of a great group of ladies!

Before: Wendy, Keri, Anjuli, Melonie, Crystal, Amanda

Sweaty, stinky, and relieved to be done!

Mother's Day

A great weekend for this mom! The storms had us cancelling our overnight camping plans for Friday evening but we still took of early Saturday morning to take in some day camping.  Upon arriving at Lake Tawakoni with the Hancock family, Anjuli and I took off for a hilly 6 mile run. We saw turtles, donkeys (that "smiled" their teeth at us), and a vulture which we convinced we were not dead yet.  Did 11:30 minute miles which made me very happy...and sore.

At our return, we found sandy, wet kids having fun in nature and Neal cooking up breakfast. We waded up to our wastes in the muddy water while our kids soaked themselves from head to toe.  We enjoyed the sun and some conversation before our lunch was brought to a close by light showers. 

Back to our home, we continued our fun with s'mores made over a wood burning camp stove in the Hancock's backyard during intermittent light showers. 

On Mother's Day, I got to sleep in while Neal was kind to make my favorite lemon poppy seed pancakes topped with fresh berries. It was a lazy morning. Church was great.  Bishop really holds womanhood sacred and supports the women in our congregation.  Enjoyed a call to my mom to share my love for her.  A very nice weekend.  And although it is trying, I love being a mom to two great kids and with the support of an amazing husband.

Field Day 2015

Thankfully, the clouds parted just enough to let up on the rain and let the sun shine on this year's field day. The mud just added to the fun.

Big Moment in Kindergarten

His big moment finally arrived! Last Thursday, Rhys participated in the flag ceremony and pledge during his elementary school's announcements.  He got to hold the bald eagle puppet, our nation's symbol because of it's majestic beauty, great strength, long life, and because it's native to North America. Hooray, Rhys!  Hooray, America!

May the 4th Be With You

Neal felt adamant we celebrate Star Wars Day so we did! He got the chance to use his Star Wars pancake molds he got a few years back. Who doesn't like breakfast for dinner?! So Yoda, a Stormtrooper, and Darth Vader swam in a pool of syrup.

Afterward, for Family Home Evening, we compared the fictional "Force" and the real "Power of God" or Priesthood. No surprise, that regardless of how cool the "Force" is, the Priesthood wins hands-down.

Afterwards we moved to a more rambunctious activity, an epic light saber battle in our front yard.  I've been saving those empty wrapping paper rolls since Christmas!

Father/Son Camping

So this past weekend Neal picked up Rhys and they took off to their Father and Son Campout. They hiked, ate a whole lot of food, and were up the next morning to head to a free comic book giveaway.

Sophie and mom enjoyed bike riding, eating out, a movie in the park and, the next morning, running a lemonade stand at our neighborhood wide garage sale.  She paid back mom and dad for the lemonade and made 21 dollars profit. She immediately bought two stuffed toys and a very unique squid hat at the neighbor's sale.  The rest has been burning a whole in her pocket ever since.