Kindergarten Graduation

When I first heard that there was going to be a kindergarten graduation, it was all I could do to keep from rolling my eyes. I've always belonged to the group of people who wonder why there has to be a graduation for everything. High school and college graduations are the only ones that really mean anything. That's what I thought until I saw my own 6 year old kid in traditional cap and gown. Wayne looked so handsom I thought my heart would explode.

I assume that when we see this group again, 11 years from now, graduating from high school, they'll be a lot less wiggly and able to form a straighter line. Look at all the girls wearing flip flops. I'm never going to let Heather wear flip flops to school - someday, when she goes.







Mrs. Dudley recognized each student individually. She sweetly and humorously described each student's personality and achievement at length. To such length that Cole became restless and complained, "This is taking too long. There's too many words." After she described the student she would say something like, "And so my classroom helper award goes to..." She described Wayne as starting out shy but becoming strong and confident. She talked about his manners and politeness. She mentioned his classroom antics with his best friend, Ben. She discussed how he played with dinosaurs and how he was meticulous and careful about his penmanship. She said, "My Dinomite Worker award goes to Wayne R------- A---------." Here she is pinning the award on his gown.

Wayne with the legendary Mrs. Dudley. She's been teaching Kindergarten here for 25 years. This past one has probably been her hardest, but after breaking her leg, enduring physical therapy, and losing her husband, she stepped back into her role as teacher without missing a beat.

Wayne and his best friend, Ben. Ben won the "Let Me Tell You About This" award.

You Can't Be Beautiful All The Time

WARNING ! These pictures are not for the faint of heart. Grammie, you might want to turn away.

The trouble with an 18 month old feeding herself is that more ends up on her than in her. Notice the bib laying on the tray. She takes it off herself - all the time.



She started off the day looking cute in a little pink dress, but as the day became cold and drizzly, a few layers were added. She added the hairnet herself. It's something Wayne brought home from a "Teddy Bear Clinic" field trip to the hospital.


Today was kindergarten graduation. I have lots of pictures to upload and show you. Hopefully I can do that tomorrow sometime. Until then, Princess Beauty will have to tide you over.

Visiting Elaine and Bernard

This morning, while Wayne was at school, Cole, Heather, and I headed over to Elaine's (Wes's aunt, his father's sister) house for a little visit. She was tickled pink to see Cole in his Spiderman costume.




Cole was fascinated with her electric organ. He spent most of the visit playing "music" for us. He would say, "This is what is sounds like when Spiderman shoots his web," and he would press the appropriate key. Then he would say, "And this is what it sounds like when he catches the bad guy," and he would press a low tone key. "And this is what it sounds like when..." and so on.




It was a rather noisy, musical visit.


Heather explores a bucket of toys.

Bernard seemed to be in pretty good spirits. He was puttering around outside in the backyard.
Elaine sent us home with homemade raspberry pie and a fresh package of Koffee Kup crullers.

Back in April, Cole got a lot of cards in the mail for his birthday. Now, whenever we go out to get the mail, he wonders if there will be anything for him. Usually there is not. Today, however, was his lucky day. Something did come for him. It came from his cousin Anna, over in England. It was a postcard with a picture of the sinking Titanic on the front. On the back she had drawn a very accurate, miniature map of the Titanic's course from Ireland to England and part way across the Atlantic, ending with an X at the site of the sinking. Cole was beside himself with happiness, first at getting something in the mail, and second that it had anything to do with the Titanic. Thank you Anna.

Speaking of Titanic (I'm sorry, someday this will pass), The other night I was trying to get dinner ready while Cole was drawing and coloring at the table. I kept telling him that he had to finish up so we could set the table. He kept saying, "In a minute. I have to finish."

I was getting frustrated and finally asked, "What are you drawing that's so important?"

He said, "I'm drawing a cross-section diagram of two bilge keels."

huh?

He had just finished wathcing his DVD documantary made by the History channel about these scientist and historians who go down in a submarine to study the wreckage. I knew that he knew what bilge keels were because he had made me look it up a few days ago. (They're long fin-like strips of metal along the bottom of each side of the ship to help prevent it from rolling too much side to side in rough waters) but I had to ask, "What's a cross section diagram?"

"I think it's when you make a picture that looks like something is cut in half so you can see what things look like inside."

So while other 4 year olds are drawing rainbows and flowers, my little Titanic expert is holding up dinner with his cross section diagrams and bilge keels.



This is a cake Cole and I made, and When Wayne got home , he frosted and decorated it. We took some over to Elaine and Bernard.

Ho-Hum

There's not much going on around here lately. We're all just waiting for the end of school and watching things sprout up in the garden. The weather has been fickle. Sunny one minute, then damp and drizzly the next. Wayne and Cole are always prepared for anything.

It's also black fly season. Heather doesn't like black flies. She'd rather stay inside and work on her art.



These lilacs are some Joanie and I transplanted from her house 10 years ago - the first spring that we were in our house. This is the first time they've blossomed. I was very excited to finally have lilac blossoms. I also have a lilac bush that I transplanted from Mom and Dad's house in Maine, and that has never blossomed yet, either. If and when it does, the blossoms on that bush will be white lilacs.

Summer has finally arrived!

A Package

The kids got a package from Auntie Di in the mail the other day. It's the event of a lifetime. Paper and packing material go flying every which way. Adults just have to stand back and stay out of their way.


Cole is always happy to see the snacks.

Wayne wanted to watch this movie right away.

There were several nice books.


And of course the snacks. Potato Stix are an Auntie Di trademark.






















Heather thought these short made a nice hat.

And this book, called "My Quiet Book" did indeed keep her quiet and busy for a long time while got lunch ready. It has lots of little things to do like tie laces, zip zippers, open flaps. All those kinds of things to keep little fingers busy.

Thanks, Sis, for all the fun stuff !

Memorial Day

Wayne and Cole love a holiday. Even Memorial Day. This morning they came bounding downstairs, excited about going to the cemeteries and having a barbecue with Aunt Martha, Uncle Chris, and Alex. Everyone worked fast and furious to get the flowers planted at Westlook before the rain.

Meanwhile, Heather became friends with Grampie's neighbor.

Here's the group, minus Chris who was taking the photo.

When the rain and thunder started, the work crew came back to our house, Where Martha and Chris treated us all to hamburgers and hotdogs. Joanie made a delicious cream of broccoli soup, and there were rice crispy treats for dessert. And of course, Memorial Day would not be complete if we did not remember the poor souls lost in the sinking of the Titanic. Cole did his traditional performance and then forced Alex to play Titanic, as seen below. They look pretty happy for people who are supposed to be fighting for their lives in the icy waters of the North Atlantic.

Now everyone has gone to the cemeteries in Barton to plant flowers.

Hope you all have fond memories of your loved ones today.

Heather Eats a Cupcake

I made cupcakes yesterday afternoon. Heather was not quite sure how to take a bite out of this one.

I did finally put a bib on her.



She tried it. She likes it!


And more work on Grammie's raspberries. Wayne didn't have school yesterday (Fri) so he was able to help. He's a good worker. Cole - not so much.

Now we're off to T-ball. Have a great weekend everyone!

Child Labor

One nice thing about having kids is getting them to do the work I'm supposed to be doing. They even think it's fun.

Wayne and Cole get the garden ready for planting.

Cole examines the fertilizer.



Wayne puts seeds in the soil.

Heather helps me clean out the raspberry bushes at Grammie's.



And here she is, not doing any work, but looking really cute, sitting in the hay field.

Rachel's Graduation Party

All the weather forecasters predicted rain, but Rachel must have some influential connections somewhere in the universe, because a beautiful day prevailed for her graduation party.

Here's the graduate with Lisa and Chelsea. As usual, there was plenty of great food - hamburgers and hot dogs from the grill, pasta salads, fruit salads, chips, dips...you name it.

Martha (Mom, Grammie) with Wes.

Cole enjoys his hotdog and some baked beans, but can't stop asking about the cake.

Joanie helps keep Heather busy so I can eat.

Elijah, at almost 6 months, is turning into a little body builder.

All the kids had a great time on the trampoline.

Here's Wes on the trampoline. I thought it would be the end of both him and the trampoline. And possibly Cole.

Danny rounded everyone up for a game of softball. I never knew Jesse was such a good ball player. Here he is pitching. It was good to see him. It's been a while.

And finally, luckily for Cole, it's time for CAKE.

Proud Mama and her daughter.

Congratulations to Rachel and her family. What an important milestone in her life. And so much lies ahead.