Bring on the Summer!

What a whirlwind year it's been! Addison and Bryn have both excelled in school this year. Bryn is a real live reader now, and Addison learned to devour books this year. He averages one chapter book a day or so these days. They loved their teachers, made lots of friends, colored hundreds of pictures, and made their mom and dad proud this year.

Waiting for the bus.

Bryn got to have a special show and tell when she was student of the week. She chose to have us bring in our pet birds for her to show to her class. She tried so very hard not to smile when we walked into her classroom, but it was just too much for her. It was fun to watch her tell her class about the birds and to listen to her answer her classmates' questions.

Addison invited me to come to his field trip to the Nature Center. I was so flattered, and Nate made it happen. We had a good time and it was fun to see him interacting with his friends. Here he is by an eagle's nest.

Bryn's 100 day rodeo

They made Cinco de Mayo hats in music.

Bryn all decked out for Pirate Day

Waiting for the bus one of so many mornings.

Kindergarten graduation! Bryn is front and center in the light blue sweater. It was fun to help her get ready for school that morning. Her teacher told the class to dress "fancy schmancy underpantsy." So we went all out and painted her nails, curled her hair, and she wore a dress. She even got a little bit of lip gloss! It was fun to spend that time with Bryn. Things like this always make me embarrassingly misty-eyed. I just can't help myself.

Bryn and her beloved Mrs. Greenhalgh.

Leah was so excited to visit Bryn at school.

Addison got a medal and sunglasses for being a "superstar reader" and for finishing his twenty-four first grade word lists, which he did within about the first month of school. His teacher said that's the earliest she's ever had a student finish!

The last day of school! The kids had mixed feelings: happy for a break, sad to leave teachers and friends. I suppose that's as it should be.

As soon as Addison got home, I scooped everybody up for a slurpee/doughnut run.

And we Saturday night we had a build-your-own sundae bar and rented Paddington from the Redbox. Go big or go home, right?

It's been a challenging but rewarding year for these two little yahoos at home with Mama. We've all learned so much. I'll miss the one-on-one/one-on-two time for the next few months.

Preschool

Brownies!

Sniffing lots of flowers

Leah was my faithful animal-feeding buddy every morning.

Tuckered out after shots.

But I am SO looking forward to lots and lots of this:

Bring it on, summer! We're ready!