Just Hangin' Out With A Mouse and a Duck!

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Summer Pictures...

Just some fun pictures from the first weeks of summer...

I am wondering if we are the only family with pictures in this circle?

"Look I'm Daddy!"

Sam before his semi-short hair cut.

Elisabeth Gets Glasses...

So about three weeks before school got out, Elisabeth mentioned she has a hard time seeing the board. Ummm... a little late, fifth grade was almost over. But we did take her to EYE CARE FOR KIDS, where they totally hooked her up! She indeed does need glasses for distances like the board, movies and football games. Coming home she kept telling me the signs she could now read and taking them on and off her eyes, saying what a difference it was. And besides, she says they make her look sophisticated!

It's Hard to Say Good-Bye...

Elisabeth has been fortunate to have Cindy Durante for a teacher this year, she has been doubly fortunate because it was her last year of teaching. This lady had style, she if the funniest, most creative, energetic teacher ever to walk the earth, and yet she is TOUGH! They learned so much, about the curriculum and about the world, and how to be better people. We had a tough year being an 11 year old girl is not easy, and that is an understatement. But with the help of Mrs. Durante we made it through. It was bitter sweet to spend her last half hour of teaching with her, she and the kids literally dancing on the tables, for two reasons. One, her husband has been battling cancer and it is time for them to spend their time together, but we lose an amazing teacher at Parkside. And two, as much as we adore her I have never as a mom been so ready for a school year to end, Elisabeth just needs a break from the drama. She plans to spend a lot of time with cousins and the kids in the neighborhood, mostly boys, and of course their is vacations and earning money. For the last day Elisabeth made her teacher a cd of songs the kids were always singing, I am attaching it to the pictures hopefully. This is what they were dancing to as they said goodbye!

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Our second good-bye was very unexpected, Tuesday I found out we would be losing Mrs. Kranz as our principal at Parkside. And although I am excited for the changes the new, YOUNG Ms. Smith will bring, I am very sad to see this exceptional educator go. But this year has been so hard on her, physically and emotionally she is exhausted, and beside she has never been at one school this long. I look up to Jennifer so much, I have an amazing amount of respect for her and I am so proud to call her a friend. The pictures are from what I call "her assembly, " the awards assembly at the end of each year. She cares so much for each child and is so happy to see them achieving. I loved that when she told the lower grades the all said "ohh" together. Parkside will miss this great lady.

Oh yea, and check out all the Gold Medallion Readers!

Building Your Testimony...

Sam's Sunday School teacher has found the way to his heart... treats and LEGOs! On Sunday she challenged them to build their testimony in LEGOs, I was really impressed with what Sam came up with:



The bottom three yellow 2x4 bricks (check the LEGO lingo) represent the Godhead, which he has a testimony of. The next to layers are 1x2, that represent the Prophets, which he also has a testimony of. And the guy at the top has tools and represents that Sam is still building his testimony!

Seriously, that kid is so awesome!

I'm So Sexy...

Sam thinks his long hair is "lucious" and he is totally sexy! And as much as Jeremiah and I don't care on one hand, on the other hand the kid doesn't like to spend the time combing it so we are ready for it to be cut. So Sam struck a deal, if he could dye it first he would cut it when we go on vacation in a few weeks. He called on his Aunt Randi, and she did something fun for him, only problem is he thinks he is even hotter now and doesn't want to cut it! Thank Randi :)
These two also think their sexy, so it was funny to see them cuddling up on the couch together! Jeremiah is completely addicted to "Words With Friends" so he taught Joey to play... great now they have to compete at another thing!

If you can't laugh at yourself...

Sam found this cartoon in the Church magazines Sunday... we all got a good chuckle. But note if it was our ward it would have to say 11:07!

Going Out With A Bang!

Elisabeth wanted to do something big for the last Rainbow Friday of the year... so she borrowed Ashlyn's awesome tutu and but on all her accessories and wow! (Her hair was a little short of expectations that day *sigh*) I was cracking up when I dropped her off at school because she strutted right up the hill, skirt bouncing, glad my girl has confidence! After all would you have worn that to school?