Photo dump

Because what else can be done to catch up 2 months of craziness??

We have done lots of gardening, biking, kayaking (not as much of this as I'd like!), camping, swimming...there is just no way I can catch up! So instead, I will start with the last day of school:

Fun Day at school

And the first day/last day comparison:

We celebrated Archer's birthday early with his friends (because he wanted to be able to hand out invitations at school to make sure he wouldn't leave anyone out!)

He had a Dino dig party that was so much fun! The kids got to break open Dino eggs and dig for dinosaur bones.

Mountain biking

Our first camping trip of the summer:

Our little explorer

1, 2, 4

1st grade:

2nd grade:

4th grade:

All 3 of my handsome boys:

They are all loving school so far, and I am personally so happy with the teachers they have! Bryton and Archer's teachers are ones that we have had before (and LOVE) and Preston had his teacher for reading switch last year so he knows her. 

The boys are also riding the bus home this year which is huge! They love it, and I'm learning to give them a little bit of independence. As much as I love summer and having the boys at home, it is so nice to see them loving school and getting back into a routine. 

Walking home from the bus stop

And this is what John & I got to do today...we were kid-free for 7 hours!

1, 2, & 4

Their grades next year. I can't believe it. I'm not sure that I'm ready for 3 kids in school full time, but it's going to be here before I know it.

So excited to have an amazing summer with these crazy boys!! The pool is currently being filled, and I hear the basketball bouncing outside. I love it!

Last day of school!

And a before and after of my only cooperative photo subject this morning, wearing the same shirt even! Love this kid.

Fun Day at school. The kids LOVE this day...and who wouldn't? (Except those of us who don't particularly enjoy being around mobs of children running rampant, amped up on Popsicles.) But the fire truck is pretty cool!

Graduation

My baby graduated from kindergarten! So crazy that he is this old already. How did this happen??? 

His class put on an adorable program with lots of songs that he has been practicing A LOT. I could tell he was so excited that the day was finally here!

Dancing in the "Penguin Polka" song

Shaking hands with the principal

Getting his diploma :)

Throwing their caps

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...but I LOVE their school. All of the teachers are amazing, and despite being a public school, it has a "small school" atmosphere. I really wasn't sure how Archer would do at the beginning of the school year. He's a young kindergartener (birthday in July), and definitely a Mama's boy, but he has done awesome, and he's excited for first grade (except that he'll have to be gone full days...he's not sure about that yet!).

Bryton's Hero

How could I not LOVE this homework assignment? Such a sweet boy. 

"My mom is my hero because she takes care of me. She almost takes me on bike rides every day. She puts bandays (band-aids) where scabs are when they peel off. She stays home when I am sick. She buys me cool ties. She gave me a desk that she had when she was a kid. She sews clows (clothes) for me." 

More Than Gold

We had parent-teacher conferences last week (all 3 boys had awesome conferences!), and B's teacher gave me this:

It says: "My God is worth more than gold because He made all of us. He is the one person who made the world."

Dr. Seuss Day

This week is Spirit Week at the boys' school, and today was Dr. Seuss day. I actually probably would have forgotten about it, but thankfully a friend reminded me (and gave me the idea for star belly sneetch!), so I scrambled around and came up with some last minute Dr. Seuss costumes. Thank goodness for hot glue and a stash of craft felt!

Green eggs & ham, star belly sneetch, and the Lorax

Christmas Festivities

Wow. Busy. I'm so relieved that it's Christmas break, but I kinda doubt it will slow things down too much unfortunately. I'm hopeful for a few days of relaxation, and just enjoying some family time. 

We've been going to Christmas parties, busy with Cub Scouts, school stuff, sing-along at school, church Christmas program...last week was just crazy. The weather has also been unusually warm (50's today!!!) and you know I'm loving that! It looks like there may not be a white Christmas in N. Idaho for the 2nd year in a row! I am a little afraid that the REAL winter weather is going to hit us hard at some point, but for now, I'll enjoy the warmth. I'm not sad that we haven't been skiing yet, but I know the other 4 in my family are kinda disappointed about it. 

We built a gingerbread village this morning, including a train and even some gluten free houses! I had intentions of making a grain free gingerbread house from scratch, but I ran out of time so we used gluten free graham crackers instead. They worked really well - I was surprised that we didn't have any major gingerbread catastrophes until the end when Archer accidentally knocked his down. 

And then this afternoon the boys got to go to Dad's office for cleanings and x-rays. No cavities! And we even got to have a quick lunch with Dad afterwards which is super exciting for all of us. I'm looking forward to having some relaxing days since he will be taking some vacation time for the first time since buying the practice. Yay!

Tonight was Christmas caroling with friends. A lot of people showed up, and the kids had so much fun running from door to door and knocking. Apparently I am a slacker mom, and my kids didn't even know what Christmas caroling was until I told them we were going. Oops. But they sang the songs they knew, and had fun with their friends. Plus had some hot chocolate to go along with the fun!

Cutest Rudolph ever!

Not many good pics of this, but we had our first Ideal Family Dentistry Christmas party! It was a success! (At least I think it was!)

We spent a (loooooong) evening at Triple Play. Bowling, rock climbing, laser tag, mini golf, arcade, and water park. My boys could stay there forever!

Preston and his friend (Preston!)

This is as close as we will get to visiting Santa :)

On the way to church this morning with these handsome guys!

The Angel (who got to recite part of the Christmas Story)

Joseph

Cute little Shepherd

The kids did such a good job! They all sang their hearts out, and most of them stayed and sang for both services.

Archer hanging out with a moose at the bookstore

I'm sold on the idea of individual gingerbread houses. I'll have to remember that for next year! So much easier than trying to have them all work on one house!

Christmas caroling! We went to a subdivision that isn't too far away since the houses in our neighborhood are on 1+ acre lots, and there aren't any sidewalks/street lights. Good for kids to play in the yards...not so good for caroling (or trick-or-treating for that matter!).