Graduation

Yes, I'm finally catching up on all the events of May and the beginning of June.  So just pretend it's not as hot as it really is yet (especially if you're here in N Texas) and sit back and enjoy!

Gracie had a great kindergarten year.  The graduation celebration was an hour long program featuring songs, slides from the year, recognition for different reading accomplishments, attendance awards, and then the most important part, the awarding of the diploma!  Gracie was super excited about switching over her tassel - she knew that once she did that she would officially "graduate" from kindergarten.

It was a lovely program (like all of the other one's they have done this year) and the kids performed an amazing amount of songs with movements accompanying the words.  And after the program, there was an amazing reception out on the lawn, under a huge oak tree decorated with lights.  As part of the school's tradition, the first grade parents put together this reception for the kindergarten.  I really like this tradition and am looking forward to being part of it next year! 

   Do you see that excited smile on her face?  I thought she (and all the other kindergartners) might just explode with happiness and excitement!

Gracie was full of silliness that night as well!

And finally, check out the tassel in the picture below. 

Receiving her diploma from Mrs. Werner and Mrs. Matejka.  Thank you ladies, for a wonderful year!

First and Last

How to get things done around the house ( or yard)

And don't forget to think outside the box.  You can invite school friends over for a "play" date.

Our Garden

This year, everything started a little later than usual.  We had a very, very muddy yard.  When Mike was finally able to till the garden area, he looked like he might even go under with the tiller.  He didn't, and now we have a nice lovely garden patch. 

It's not the 1 acre garden we had growing up, but we've got lots of stuff in our little area - tomatoes, beans (a whole row of those, the girls insisted!), eggplant (no luck last year, but I wanted to try again this year), cucumbers, zuchini, basil, marigolds, sunflowers, a vinca (which Clara saw at Home Depot and had to have!).  I think that's all, but in reality, Mike is the master gardener.  I just like to admire and eat the "fruits" of his and the kids' labor.  I did think about doing some weeding the other day, but it was awfully hot and I'm sure one of the kids wanted me to play with them (always a handy excuse, right?).

 Gracie, working hard, as always.  Digging like her Daddy does, foot on the shovel.  

Clara was busy planting, too.  She was on bean detail and also helped with cucumbers (her favorite!) and squash. 

Daddy distributing seeds to plant.  He got smart this year and put popsicle sticks to mark where the plants were.  Well, it seemed smart until I looked up and saw John Michael pulling up all the popsicle sticks and then digging around for seeds!  I guess JM doesn't quite have the whole garden thing down yet.

So that's our little garden.  We haven't harvested anything yet, but the bean plants are big, I've seen flowers on the cucumbers and there are at least 4 green tomatoes on one plant.  Yipee!  

  

And I'm just realizing that we have harvested something - one of my favorite things - basil!  I love to add it to our tomato sauce, on top of pizza, or in salads.  It's so yummy.   I really missed it over the winter when we didn't get our plant inside before the first freeze.  

I'll post soon about our harvest from our "orchard!"

Clara, Clara, Clara

I don't know if it was the slight fever she had today or the cold she has inherited from Gracie (who is almost recovered now), but Clara was non-stop entertainment in the car today.  Our journey consisted of driving to Gracie's piano camp and then to various stores and then back to pick Gracie up.

On the way to the piano camp, Clara was sure we had gone too far and missed our turn (she really likes to help you out with your driving - I can't wait until she's working on that learner's permit).  "Mommy, we missed the H-turn - where's the H-turn???" 



Let me preface this next part by saying that last night, Clara wanted Gracie "OUT" of "her" room (they share a room) during her storytime.  So today about 5 minutes after dropping off Gracie, Clara started talking about what would happen after she and Gracie were grown-ups. 
Clara: I won't see her anymore.
Me: Yes, you will. Remember how I get to visit my sisters?
Clara: But it won't be everyday...It will be different.  It will never be the same again!  And I won't get to see you ... and you will be really old.
Me: (I had to pause and think about the really old part!) . . . Well, you can always come visit us and you can call us.  Everyday, if you want.  We can talk everyday.
Clara: No ... that would be too much.  Not everyday!!!

Then, in the parking lot where it was raining: "Look at all the windwipers - they're wiping off the wind....Is that right, Mommy?  Do they wipe off the wind?"
So I didn't give her a straight answer - I just couldn't inform her that they weren't windwipers.  It's much more interesting sounding.  So I told her I supposed they might.   I guess eventually I should tell her what they are really called.  But I'm sure Gracie will set her straight (one of her most recent favorite activities) if I don't.

I know she had a few other funnies, but it's late and I'm definitely having Mommy memory (=no memory). 

But here's my all time favorite so far & I still don't correct her because it always makes me laugh!
Clara's a big fan of a show called Zoboomafoo (which is all about wild animals).  So here's one of the things she's learned on the show:  "Animals have to protect themselves from their creditors."

Sundresses!

Just in time, as the humidity has risen and so has the temperature, a package arrived from Aunt Sue. Can you sense the excitement?

Not only did the girls get a beautiful sundress each to wear, but I got the pattern complete with additional instructions and examples (which you know I need - sewing a circular poodle skirt for the girls is about the extent of my skills!).

The girls love their dresses and Clara packed hers to wear in Amarillo that weekend!

Look at those smiles!  Thank you, Aunt Sue!

Round #3 - JM's Birthday

So after watching Gracie's encore performance of Hallelujah Hop, Mimi & Pap came over to celebrate JM's birthday.  He was thrilled & had definitely gotten the hang of opening the presents.  Clara was sure he still needed some help, but I'm sure he would have done fine on his own.  Then after presents, he got to have a birthday treat - a cupcake.  And boy, did he love those! 

As soon as he woke up from his nap that afternoon he started talking about "cake, cake."  I think that look on his face must be wariness, just in case anyone is trying to steal that delicious cupcake!

And of course, no visit would be complete without another matchup between the checker champ and Pap:

The next day, the girls were playing with the toys JM got (yes, that's how it goes when you have older siblings and you are not that old, yet!) and JM was playing with his gift from Aunt Mary Jo and Uncle Dick (which he loves!)  And just so you younger siblings don't worry too much, JM did get a chance with his new bubble blower . . . eventually!