School
This picture right here, pretty much
demonstrates how our big push to the end of the school year felt. Matthew literally fell asleep moments after
walking in the door post-bus drop-off, backpack still on. He worked his tail off to get through his
first year of middle school and did awesome – straight A’s! We’re all happy the school year is done.
Kayliana graduated from
pre-Kindergarten. She’s very excited to
be joining the boys in full-day,
bus-taking school livin’.
Business
Venture
Kayliana started a rock-painting
business. We’ve named it “Rockin’ Art.” She made this “creepy clown” and announced
that Uncle Timothy should buy it for either “$50 or $10,000.” He has yet to complete the transaction. She started taking her rocks door-to-door and
made over $3 in her first day. The boys
quickly realized she was on to something with this plan and immediately joined
the family business. Matthew announced
that Kayli should be the main salesperson though seeing as “she’s cute and can
sell more.” He thought a 60-40 split
seemed fair. (Sales-lady would earn a
40% commission). So far, their primary
focus has been on production and they’ve spent several afternoons
painting.
The Creepy Clown rock
Some of Kayli's creations
The Rockin' Artists at work
Brief
Pet
I discovered this little guy hanging out on
our hose wheel. Matthew immediately ran
inside grabbed a vase (of all things!) and built “Winston” a little
habitat. For 24 hours this poor little
creature lived in confusion in a vase (with a poked-holy syran-wrap roof) on
our kitchen table. On the 2nd
day, he was looking awfully sad. Winston
had lost his bright green glow and was looking a bit blah-green. We discussed how he needed food. For some reason, the boys went in search of
bugs and managed not to find a-one.
Really?! Even with the woods
behind us and the bug-eaten leaves in my pathetic attempt at a garden? After doing some Google-research, the next
thing I know, the boys are sprinkling bacon bits into the vase.
“Um, what are you doing?” I ask.
“Well, it said that frogs like meat. We thought we’d give him some bacon,” Zach
logically explained.
“Riiiight, so guys, I think we need to set
Winston free….” I start.
The confused and terrified frog, was now
crouched in the vase wondering what the heck kind of strange land he’d found
himself in. A place where it rains
bacon.
The kids agreed and we put the vase on its
side in the yard. Winston VERY quickly
hopped out and scurried away from the bacon-captivity madness.
Yesterday, when I went to water my straggly
vegetables, I was startled to discover Winston, happily bright-green again and
clinging to his favorite spot on our hose.
Excitement
June brought some exciting events. Zach was in another Youth Theater play – this
time James and the Giant Peach. He was one of the narrators.
I was blessed with the chance to experience a
miracle - the birth of my best friend Rebecca’s 3rd daughter (and 5th
child) Maria Grace on June 13th.
She’s perfect.
On June 16th, I was in charge of
the Kindergarten graduation at my big school.
They boomwhacked Ode to Joy (beginner and advanced version), Star Wars
and Pomp and Circumstance. They did
AMAZING! They also sang An Irish Blessing
which – I’m sad to say, after tons of practicing and fabulous run-throughs –
somehow turned out to be a major train wreck.
Oh well. It’s done! First crazy school year teaching at 4
different preschools – DONE! Their practice can be watched here:
We spent a weekend at Lake Cavanagh with our
Engaged Encounter family/friends. We
rented a big house and had a BLAST. Mike
gave the kids rock-skipping lessons.
Matthew (aka Mini-Mike) has gotten quite good!
Zachary and I got sassy short summer haircuts.
We’re spending the 4th of July
celebrating Zach’s 10th birthday (back on April 28th)
with a trip to Great Wolf Lodge water park.
Since we’ll be inside and will miss the fireworks, we took the boys to
the Mariner’s game on Friday night, July 1st. They won – woohoo! It was a GREAT game. And afterwards they had a patriotic fireworks
show. Zach and I were FREAKING out with
how amazing it was! (Mike and Matthew
were also there but – as usual – quite more subdued in their reaction).
Happy 4th of July! God Bless America!
