End of School

 Ladies and gentlemen, I am now a full time mother of five.  At least for a couple months.  I love it.

Well, most of the time I love it.  ;)  I DO love having my kids at home and even all the chaos it brings (as long as I get some time to myself, that is).  I love making our own schedules and only doing those things we WANT to do.  The same doesn't go for my kids, ironically.  I make them do a lot of things they DON'T want to do, but such is life, right?  They haven't complained too much so far.

The last day of school (a week ago, now):

 Missy Maren has had a great year!  She has been happy and has made lots of new friends and has been so much more confidant this year.  Third grade has been good to her!

Ellie has had a great year too!  She adored her sweet teacher, who told me that Ellie is a friend to all (love to hear that!) and is so helpful and happy.  5th grade has been one of her favorite years in school.  She had perfect attendance this year!  That's where she wants to be!

And my boy.  I can't believe how big he is getting.  Like his sisters, he is obedient and on task at school.  His teacher adored him!  Funny, he went by his first name all school year (we call him by his middle name around here).  I had his friend's moms calling me to arrange playdates, and I honestly didn't know who they were talking about when they asked about my son by his first name.  That may just be proof of how lame I am, but it was funny.  I've talked to the school and changed his name on the records, so hopefully next year we can be on the same page.  He has made really great friends this year and he's been such a happy kid!  Goodbye, 1st grade!

PS See the origami in his hand?  He LOVES origami right now, and will now even make up his own creations, really cool ones!  I need to take some photos because I'm impressed by his creativity.

And, just for comparison sake,

Beginning of the 2016-2017 school year:

And the end:

Kids grow a lot in just 9 months!

We live in such an awesome neighborhood.  Several years ago, my friends started the "Shebang" on the last day of school - they would greet the kids on their way home with silly string and treats.  The tradition has continued and expanded since then!

A really fantastic group of neighborhood kids:

The last day of school was such a party.  First this, then our neighbor's traditional Otter Pop N Dance party, and then another neighbor had a picnic party with a huge blow up slide.  And then, my kids were with friends all day, ending the day with pizza and a movie at our home.  Phew!!

Our Memorial Day weekend was spent helping my parents with some home projects - installing a sprinkler system (it's about time!) and painting their family room.  I'm so glad we have so many siblings close by who are willing to pitch in and help!  A huge job was made so much more manageable with lots of helpers, not to mention more fun as well.

We got to enjoy some time with a good bud, cousin K.  My kids were highly entertained with him and we even got out and had some fun:

 Daisy has learned that she can roll her tongue, so she is doing it all the time.  Love it!

One of my summer goals is to take my kids on a hike once a week.  Our first one was to Buffalo Peak with my sister and her kids.  What a beautiful place we live in!  The mountains make me happy!  (Driving up/down the mountains is usually a different story, but I can do hard things!)

Made it! 

Looking out over the valley was cool, but my personal favorite was the gorgeous mountains to the rear:

 Happy Summer!