welcome summer

It's here and we couldn't be any more excited! On the last day of school we had a water party for all the kids in the neighborhood to kick off summer the right way. A bucket of water, squirt guns, popcycles, a gum ball machine, suckers, tootsie rolls, and some watermelon is all you need for at least a couple hours of fun. Oh how I adore all these kids. (Big bonus: my sister and her kids came to enjoy the fun for a little. Talk about people I adore)

The party continued into the night with a neighborhood Luau. Rudger had no pants on and he jumped his heart out. There was a pretty heated hula-hoop contest. There was some super tasty food. There was an impromptu dance party. There were no mosquito bites. And there was a very late bedtime. Just how summer should be.

And even two days later this is how we all felt.

kindergarten, 2nd and 4th grade....done

They each did it. They each had a great year with some awesome growth. They each had some pretty incredible teachers. They each had a wonderful last day of school. Levi graduated from Kindergarten. Taylor played fun summer games outside with his class friends and teacher. And Corbin was dodging the camera while he ran to lunch with his friends. 

I am seriously so grateful for these awesome teachers. And I love that they both have cute curly hair! (Taylor had Levi's teacher when he was in Kindergarten. Levi was lucky enough to get her because she is ending her time teaching so that she can be home with her children. So happy and grateful for her) And Corbin's teachers were awesome too!

Now I can't believe that after these few short months we will have a 1st, 3rd, and 5th grader. What in the world...

this guy

He is one year older. He took the day off from work. And we headed to Lagoon. It was a fun day to celebrate this guy we all love.

How grateful I am for what he does each day for us.

He requested a Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake. He loves it and will get to enjoy a slice each day this week.

field day

This school year I have not been able to volunteer as much as I would have like to. So to make up for it, without thinking to much into it, I signed up to help with field day for the whole school day. Rudger was a trooper. 

I loved watching the boys interact with their friends in such a fun setting. 

I'm not sure what it is, but something about 4th grade made Corbin grow up at ton. I forever hope our four boys will be the best of friends. But I have to say, watching Corbin with his friends makes me so happy he has them too. These four have been quite the group at school. They just seem like cool, laid-back kind of kids. (And often times would be chased by the same three girls)

Levi lucked out. Since he has afternoon kindergarten, he got to hang out with me during the morning shift. At first he just stayed by me and watched the other kids, and then it didn't take long for Corbin's classmates to include him. He became the cool kid. Those 4th graders treated him like royalty and he was eating it up.

^^ This kid was especially adorable to Levi. He would race him in the obstacle course and purposely lose each time.

I helped with Taylor's class in the afternoon. It was hot and I was getting tired, but those kids were just getting started. Taylor was so focused and loving every activity. 

They had dancing going on and were dancing to a lot of the songs that were "the" songs for the year.

^^Can you guess which one this is?

And you can bet this is how I felt at the end of the day. 

Thanks Rudger for being such a patient good boy, I couldn't ask for a better caboose to tag along with me.

how we weekend - memorial weekend

 I haven't officially decided, but I think that the Memorial Weekend has got to be one of my most favorite weekends of the year. Soccers over, school tests are over, the garden is in, flowers mostly all planted, schools SO close to being out. And most of all, May is practically over which is one of the busiest, craziest months of the year.

Friday night: We got to go out to eat with Grams and Gramps G. at one of the best restaurants around :) - where the three older boys got to sit at a table all by themselves, we had our fair share of scones dripping with honey butter, had plenty of soda, slushies, and chocolate milk, went on a walk outside of the restaurant to see what we could see, and where Rudger got to play with a cute doggy.

Saturday: Pretty much just hung out and relaxed. Rudger enjoyed a cookie milk before breakfast. Justin took the three older boys to some fun boy stores while I got to stay home and clean to my hearts content. Which I realized even after several hours was still not enough. But I was so happy to have them home. Hamburger dinner.

Sunday: Made some treats for a special birthday boy. Taught primary to some energetic four year olds. Visited my family in Brigham and to bring my dad a birthday cake. (I could spend hours just soaking up my parents backyard). Headed to Shady Acres for a little overnighter camping trip.

Monday: Woke up to some really loud and happy birds outside. Explored the creek and surrounding area. Headed home to do some yard work. Ended up having a sick Taylor and the boys laid around and watched too much t.v. (recovery mode). Had a slip n slide party that Levi was the most excited about. Relaxed and read Harry Potter together.

It's quite sad that the only pics I have from camping are these first two... (they really didn't play the tablet that much)

We are so very excited for these next three months.  Now to get going on our plan for the summer so that we don't just let these three months slip away from us.