Finishing up the school year

Caden and Cole had fantastic school years!  Kindergarten and third grade flew by!  I cannot say enough good things about their teachers.  The boys were challenged and learned so much.  We are so proud of the boys!  

After having lunch with Cole one afternoon in May, Kieran and I joined him for rest-and-read time.  So proud of Cole's reading skills!  He read well-above grade level and was at the top of his class all year.  

The boys on their last day of school, May 24th

I ate lunch with Caden and friends on the last day of school.  The cafeteria staff played music, and the administrators and some teachers even came in to join the dance party.  So much fun!  

Caden with his wonderful 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Hall--He was embarrassed about the photo, but Ms. Hall and I made him take it.  Getting to be too cool!  

Cole at his kindergarten luau

Cole and friends playing games at the kindergarten luau

Cole with his buddy, Mason

Cole with his buddy, Gavin

Cole with his AWESOME kindergarten teacher, Ms. Curry

Here is the note that Cole wrote Ms. Curry on the last day.  It says, "I will miss you a lot. Love, Cole"  Cole, Ms. Curry, and I all shed some tears on the last day of school.  She was an amazing fit for Cole.  He grew very attached to her, and so did I.  When we got home from school, Cole seemed happy, but he ran down to the basement and just cried.  He was so sad that the school year was over and knew he would miss Ms. Curry terribly.  He was also bummed that he wouldn't see his friends every day.  We stayed in touch with Ms. Curry and his friends over the summer.  Ms. Curry and Cole even exchanged a couple letters.  The good news is that Cole's first grade classroom is right across the hall from Ms. Curry's room, so he sees her often.  Cole also really likes his first grade teacher.  She has BIG shoes to fill.  ;)    

Cole's class butterflies were not quite ready to fly at the end of the school year, so Ms. Curry called all of the just graduated kindergarteners back to release their butterflies after the school year ended.  It was great to get the kids together again!  They really enjoyed it!

The class voted on names for the butterflies.  One was named after me!

Waiting for the butterflies to take off

Enjoying a game of Duck, Duck, Goose...Such a great group of kids!  They were so happy to be together again!

And now, we have a fourth grader, first grader, and preschooler!

Kindergarten Field Trip

In May, Cole's kindergarten class took a field trip to Scovill Zoo in Decatur.  Kieran and I joined in the fun at the zoo.

Cool dudes--Cole, Gavin, Mason, & Henry!

Cole & Henry escaping the goats

Henry looks a little terrified in this photo. 

Kieran trying to catch a goat

Kieran moved slower than the big boys, so it was easier to snap photos of him. 

Gavin, Kieran, Henry, & Cole visiting the zebras

Train ride with Gavin, Mason, Henry, & Cole

My Kieran riding the train

Kieran and I had fun hanging out with the kindergarteners.

Cole doing his best impression of a monkey

Cole, Gavin, & Henry

Kieran's turn

Kieran breaking out the cheesy smile on the merry-go-round

Caught him with his eyes open!

Before I know it, I'll be going on Kieran's kindergarten field trip. Time slow down!

The kindergarteners had a great time playing on the zoo playground, visiting the zoo, riding the train and merry-go-round, and eating a picnic lunch.  So glad the weather cooperated and Kieran & I were able to go along!

Class Musicals

In April, all of the third grade classes at Glenwood Elementary School came together to put on a musical about weather.  The day before the musical, Caden was sent home from school with strep throat.  Curt and I were on our way home from his radiology conference in New Orleans when we received the calls about Caden.  Nana took good care of him!  Caden missed the day of school leading up to the musical, but he was able to attend the musical since he was medicated and fever-free.  

Caden is in front in blue (the color worn by his classmates).  They were supposed
to wear clothes that matched their specified weather too.  

Caden's friend, Saurya is next to him in yellow.  

Caden reciting his line about the humidity in the savannah

The third graders put on an awesome show.  So glad Caden was able to participate!

In May, the kindergarten classes at GES came together to put on a musical about all of the various things learned in kindergarten.  Poor Cole has very red cheeks in these photos due to a case of fifths disease.  On the day of his musical, we went to the doctor to have his rash checked.  He was diagnosed with fifths disease and released to go back to school since his contagious period had already passed.  

Singing about weather like Caden

The kindergarten musical was held in the school gym, so it was difficult to get good photos through all of the families.

The kindergarteners did an awesome job!  So glad Cole was able to participate!  My boys had a very rough spring with illnesses.  They were very lucky not to miss their important spring events.  

Final Funshop

At the end of April, Kieran and I attended our final Funshop.  I have been going to Funshop on and off since 2006.  It is the end of an era. (sniff, sniff)  During the 1 1/2 hours at Funshop every week, Kieran bounced around all the different activities.  Some of his favorites were the kitchen area, water table, basketball hoop, barn, train, and slides.

Here are some snapshots of how he spent his last Funshop...

Water table fun

A train ride, of course

Peek-a-boo!

Sorting farm animals

Slam dunk!

Before circle time

Waiting patiently for his stamps

"Cheesing" with Miss Tammy and Miss Cindy (who also taught Caden in 2-year-old Sunday School)

Funshop was a fun way to get out of the house every week, play with different toys, and meet new friends.  Up next for Kieran, preschool... (sniff, sniff again!)

A little bit of our spring

Spring was busy with school activities, tball, and baseball.  The boys also struggled with illness--ear infections and strep throat.

We spent the last morning of Spring Break at Scheels.  The main purpose was to buy baseball gear, but the boys also enjoyed all of the extra fun that Scheels has.

Caden and Cole convinced Kieran to brave the playset, and he had so much fun.  

Kieran practicing his soccer skills

After lunch, the boys enjoyed their free ice cream treats.

Kieran's last nap in his crib

Kieran trying out his big boy bed.  Can you tell he was excited?!

Under the weather with another ear infection :(

Thankful for antibiotics!  Kieran was good as new the next day and happy to be on the Funshop bus ride.

Chase and Kieran waiting for the bus back to Funshop on a very chilly April morning

Taking it easy together

Kieran back at one of his favorite places, Scheels