We've enjoyed some great weather and more time outside doing yard work and playing. We planted a small veggie garden with zucchini, squash, strawberries (which we planted last year), tomatoes, peas, and carrots. We celebrated the end of school (which the kids have named Happy Day) and International Children's Day (which is June 1st). The girls had some parties to attend, so Derek and I took the boys to see The Avengers, which was awesome, and then we took everyone out to dinner that night with some free kids meal coupons. Derek took most of the kids to Seven Peaks water park on Saturday for the day. We also gave the kids some small presents, so I hope they feel special, appreciated, and proud of all their hard work this year. They all got excellent grades.
Derek:
1. Took a short notice trip to Boston for the Heart Rhythm Society conference where he made some good contacts and caught up with some former UAB colleagues.
2. Accompanied the boys to the father/son campout, which they all actually enjoyed. Now that the boys have advanced to Varsity Scouts and don't go on nearly as many campouts, they actually wanted to go on this one.
3. Has dealt with some drama and politics at work. Derek's not a big fan of all that garbage and is just interested in doing his job, so it's uncomfortable for him to deal with it as a boss.
4. He has done a ton of yard work since the weather's turned warm, and has been haggling with the insurance company to get as much as we can for our home repairs from last winter's crazy windstorm.
Me:
1. Managed to survive all the end-of-the-year concerts, recitals, school activities, and sports games over the past month without forgetting anything major.
2. Rode bikes with the girls to and from school some days with Faith in the trailor.
3. Has been very busy with lots of scrapbooking assignments, which is good for our budget but makes it tricky to balance everything.
4. Enjoyed breakfast in bed, lovely gifts (including a Cricut Expression 2 electronic die cutting machine), 3 meals cooked for me, and a fun mother's day date with Derek. Awesome!
James:
1. Was the driving force behind my cooked meals for mother's day. He made and brought me breakfast in bed and helped with lunch and dinner.
2. He and Jeffrey built a mouse trap car for an activity in their science class. They rigged a toy missile on the end of it which made it look pretty cool.
3. Performed in lots of band and orchestra concerts at the end of the school year (along with Jeffrey).
4. Is halfway done writing his new book.
Jeffrey:
1. After a free consult with Ashley's orthodontist, it was determined that the boys do not need braces. Best. Ortho. Appointment. Ever!
2. Loved the trip to Boondocks (local fun center) and Tucano's restaurant with James and Derek to celebrate their advancement to Eagle Scouts.
3. Got some crazy awesome grades, and sported a Sharpie mustache on his face for the last day of school.
4. Has grown quite a bit taller, his voice has become quite a bit lower, and he is growing his hair out a bit.
Ashley:
1. Got an anonymous love note from someone at school. I am SO not ready for this!
2. Had a really fun graduation/final week of school including a swimming party, roller blading, a 6th grade graduation ceremony, a school dance, and a night party at the park. Thankfully she made it through all that before coming down with a stomach bug which kept her home from the water park on Saturday.
3. Played violin in the South Davis School District monster string concert along with more than 380 other 6th grade students. I was amazed at how they were able to keep that many young string players in tune and together.
4. Will attend young women camp this summer with the 12-18 year old girls from our church, and is enjoying preparing with them twice a month.
Lexie:
1. Ended up with a great soccer team and coach this season, and has really improved her skills. She is the youngest and least experienced team member, but her coach has been really working with her. Their team has a winning record and her last game is Tuesday night.
2. Did a great job performing as Astrid the Viking, and a princess in her musical production of Tangled.
3. Was one of four acts from her class that made it into the 3rd grade talent show. She and her friend sang and acted to the Taylor Swift song, "Love Story". It was very cute!
4. She and Ashley both earned and saved their money to buy mp3 players. They downloaded some church music, songs from various musicals, some songs from the newest Muppet Movie, and a few appropriate pop songs. They also downloaded some books to listen to while we drove to LA so they wouldn't get car sick reading.
Faith:
1. Has been sleeping in her own bed most nights, but still comes in our bed early in the morning. She'll usually goes back to sleep for a couple of hours which is good.
2. Has discovered the girls' old Polly Pockets and loves them. They keep her entertained for quite a while, so the little bits and pieces we sometimes step on in the carpet are worth it, I guess.
3. LOVES to do puzzles since Aunt Jeannie gave the girls a 28 piece Disney princess puzzle. I need to pick up some more from the dollar store because she can do that one entirely on her own now, and is ready for a new challenge.
4. Her latest excuse for disobeying instructions is, "But Mom, it's in my story!" Those of you familiar with Super Why on PBS Kids will get that one...
5. Always asks for a "big and strong _____" for lunch or dinner lately. Fill in the blank with sandwich, hot dog, apple, roll, etc. "Big and strong" means whole and not cut into pieces. It's all part of the "I'm a big girl and I can do it" phase she's in right now.
Well, that's all folks. Enjoy some photos from our last month's adventures! (Click photo to enlarge.)
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