Character Counts

My daughter won an award for her trustworthiness at school this year.  They only pick one from each class and she was the one chosen.  She is SUCH a good kid and we couldn't be prouder of her.  I guess if I have to choose, I would rather she be trustworthy than remember to clean her room every day.  It is important to choose your battles.

Story about a Duck

Here's a little story about a duck named "feathers"

Imagine a man who works with his hands is outside working and sees a mama duck.  Now imagine that mama duck has a trail of 10 or so baby ducklings behind her (I'm talking BABY baby ducks...itty bitty ones).  Mama duck is walking along a tall wall and sees some stairs so she goes down them.  The baby ducks, still waddling in a line behind each other, stay on the wall, unaware of mom's diversion.  Mom waddles along a bit more, realizes that the babies have not followed her, and calls up to them.  The babies, in angst over their mother's separation, attempt to jump to her.  One after one, the baby ducklings don't survive.  Perhaps only 3 of the ten make the jump safely.  One of them has a hurt foot and cannot keep up as momma duck waddles away with the remaining 3 of the original 10 baby ducks.  All of this is viewed by the man working with his hands outside.  He sees the injured duck and makes his way to it, scoops it up into his hat and nurtures it as he brings it home.  Now image that man has a daughter.  That daughter LOVES animals and quickly comes to the aid of the duck and names it "feathers".  The girl helps her father make a crate for "feathers" and raise it from barely a handful of down to a full grown adult duck.  She feeds it, plays with it, cares for it and eventually realizes that ducks are better off in the wild.  She comes to a hard realization of the love it takes to set something free.  It takes a special kind of heart to make a sacrifice like that.  Imagine this proud mom and dad sniffing and blinking as their daughter releases "feathers" into a lake. 

First Day of School

Here they are on their way to a new year of school.  

FREEEEDDDDOOOOOMMMM!!!!

I Have No Spine

I admit it.  I couldn't handle it.  This was my princess's first year going away to camp for a week with the youth group and I had to go down and visit her.  She was fine.  I knew she would be.  But some part of my mommy brain wouldn't let me be until I could check on her...twice.  She had a great time though and is already begging to go again next year.  Little by little I have to let her go but nothing says I have to like it.

 

Calling All Ninjas

When they hit 6 years old, the kids get to have a party with just a few friends, doing whatever they want.  In previous posts you will see my daughter chose a tea party, riding horses and a cupcake sleepover.  Last year, my son chose to take buddies to a movie and In n Out.  This year he decided that he wanted a ninja party.  They all dressed up in their best ninja attire, ran the obstacle course, squirted sticky string everywhere, played in the back yard and had a LOT of candy.  My son specifically requested a cake filled with candy (seen here).  Those poor moms probably came home with their little ninjas who were both exhausted and had sugar-sick bellies, but they sure seemed to have a great time at the party.  Happy #7 my sweet boy~

From A to Z

Every year, the kindergarten classes have a recital at the end of the school year to celebrate learning their ABCs.  Each kiddo dresses up as something from the alphabet and they each have a little ditty they sing about the characters.  In previous posts you will recall my daughter was "Gertie Goose" Below is a picture of this year's "Willy worm", "Benny bear" (my darling), "Zelda zebra", "Mr x-ray" and "Vinny volcano".  Oh yes, boys, I AM saving these as blackmail.  You are just TOO cute!

Farewell Awanas

Here's a pic of our most recent year-end awards ceremony.  The kids have participated in a neighboring church's Awanas program for several years now but recently decided that they would like to try the youth group at our church instead.  This would be my daughter's last year as a "spark" (grades K-2) anyway so it seems like a good year to change.  I am looking forward to their new adventure but will miss the good leaders and friends they have made at Awanas. 

First Field Trip

As kindergarteners these boys have been looking forward to their first field trip all year.  They got to take a trip recently to the local fire department and although it was cool, two of their daddies are firemen and my little man took friends to their own tour of a firehouse earlier this year (see previous posts).  So for these three little guys, the highlight of the day was getting to ride the school bus.  Isn't that funny?

A New Day

We had our first day of school this week. My little darlings were up bright and early, waiting for me to take them to the school almost half an hour early.  I am guessing that this is not going to be a trend. If their summer schedule was any indication of how things will go, I figure I will be dragging them half dressed and half asleep into the car by next week. It was nice for the day though to have them so energetic about new beginnings.

My little princess started her day in second grade, ready to conquer rocket science (or simple machines...whatever). To the left  is a picture of her with her new teacher.  My youngest baby is finally starting kindergarten. We were lucky to get the same kinder teacher that his sister enjoyed (also pictured).  I will be helping out in his class once a week and it will be nice to see how he interacts with the other kids (and keep me ease into my empty nest syndrome). I am looking forward to those other few days though where I can have a couple hours to hit the gym or get some work done. My guess is that the errands will often overrule the gym.  Stay posted...

Grandma Tanyon's Pool

About a week ago we went down and visited Grandma and Grandpa Tanyon for the night.
The kids were excited to see them and after working in the hot sun all day, Daddy was excited for a little time in their pool. Here he is playing with both kids in the water. Is it that obvious which of the kids is the daredevil? Well then it should be no surprise to you that she swam all on her own for the first time that day. What a big, brave girl.

A Lost Art

There must have been a time when it was one of the rights of passage for a young man to learn from his father how to clean a fish. Our little man certainly was pleased to get to experience it with his daddy. I'm pretty sure that a large percentage of grown men these days haven't ever even seen it done. Cheers to tradition~

Before

Why do I get the feeling that this will someday be used as a "before" picture...