The End and The Beginning

Summer vacation has come to an end and a new school year has begun. Needless to say I am super behind! I had some issues with blogger and couldn't log in but I've finally resolved it. So, let's pick up with the end of Ira's Kindergarten year!

I never thought I would be one to get emotional on the last day of school. I can't really put into words what I felt as I walked onto the campus to pick up Ira. Something about the din of children, parents, teachers and staff all calling out their good-byes really struck a chord with me. Seeing the office staff waving to a bus full of students as the bus driver honked his horn did it for me. The tears started coming. All I can say is I am grateful for sunglasses!

A few days earlier my son's teacher surprised me with the cutest gift. I haven't taken a picture of it, but she painted a large terra cotta pot. The pot is decorated with ladybugs created by the red thumb prints of the children in the class. SO thoughtful!

And here is Ira with her on that last day:
Ira is so cute. Can't you tell how much he loved her just from this one picture? It cracks me up every time I look at it!

Ira also gave his teacher a gift. I had him write her a note and included some chocolate chip cookies, permanent markers, and sharpened pencils. It was hard for Ira to grasp that he was not returning to Mrs. L's class in the fall (he didn't seem to catch on until a few weeks before starting the new school year).

Here's his little note:


And I made a decorated soap dispenser. I saw an idea for something similar on a blog and decided to try making one. First, I bought some soap from the Dollar Tree and then applied some cute stickers I found at Michael's. I finished it off with a few coats of Modge Podge and some twine and a little charm at the top. Now Ira's teacher can have her kindergartners wash their hands in style!


I'm grateful that Ira's first year of school was so positive and I'm grateful for teachers, like Mrs. L, who are committed to providing a fun learning environment for her students.

Memorial Day Fun

I actually wrote a post on Memorial Day some time ago, but somehow the file didn't save. I was a bit deflated by that and haven't written a post since. I guess I have finally gotten over it and figure it is time to get back to business before there is too much to post! Mark was off for Memorial Day so we decided to drive down to visit my sister and her husband and also visit the nearby Yucaipa Regional Park.

I thought I had seen all there was to see in Yucaipa. My grandmother lived there while I was growing up and we would visit almost monthly. My midwife for my second child also lived out there and I would drive down at least once a month for my appointments. So imagine my surprise when I saw a post on a friend's blog about Yucaipa Regional Park. I had NO idea it was out there. If I did, I would have been a frequent visitor!

The kids loved the water area. Ira and Emma splashed and had fun while Sean stayed on the sandy "beach" to dig (so far, he is not a water fan, but we hope to change that!). I was glad that even my mom was able to enjoy watching the kids from her own shaded spot in the grassy area.

Plus, the playgrounds are incredible. We are definitely planning on heading back to this fun park! :)

Here's Daddy with the little Seanster:

Isn't he the cutest?

I love Emma's cute sunglasses:

But I also have to add this picture of my blue-eyed girl!

Ira being a ham:

And here, splashing in the water:

Sean with my Mom:

Sean LOVED the little rock wall:

While Emma enjoyed the BIG one!Every once in a while I'll throw in a picture of me to prove I was there. :)

Hats on Parade

Evidently it is a kindergarten tradition at Ira's school to have a hat parade near the end of the school year. I thought it was a nice send off and not nearly as corny as a "kindergarten graduation" (sorry if I offended anyone, but really, kindergarten graduation?).

Ira was thrilled with this project, but to be honest, I was done with projects. I let him have his way with the red sand he found in the craft bin and printed some pictures of ... wait for it ... BAKUGAN, of course! (Although, since my in-laws baby-sat for us last Tuesday he has been talking all about Avatar the Last Airbender ?? Could this spell the end of his Bakugan obsession? And having never seen the show, should I hope that this will be his Bakugan replacement?)

While I muse over these questions, I'll let you enjoy Ira in all his Bakugan hat glory:


Here's a nice back view:

And one last shout out to my baby boy, having survived his first year of public school!

Really, my heart is so full of thanks for his amazing kindergarten teacher. She worked miracles with her class and with this particular boy. No person should be locked up with 32 five year olds, but she is no ordinary person! And Ira--he has come such a long way. We couldn't be happier or more proud of his accomplishments this year!

When I Woke Up This Morning...

Ira had already gone outside for a little adventuring before breakfast and school. He came rushing in to exclaim, "There are a hundred million bees in our apple tree!" Well, if you know Ira you know he can be a bit theatrical (understatement of the year, I know), so I let Mark check out the apple tree. I couldn't believe the pictures he returned with. This was our apple tree this morning:
Here's a nice close-up shot:
Mark called the pest control company we use and talked with their "bee man". He said that the bees were probably migrating and decided to use our apple tree to rest from their travels (lovely! of course they wanted OUR apple tree). If the bees hadn't left by a day or two we were to call the "bee man" back. Fortunately only a small handful of bees were on the tree tonight so, hopefully, we don't have to quarantine the kids from the backyard any longer.