Graduation Time

Noah completed his first year of School and participated in Kindergarten graduation. The last few days of school were full of fun activities as well as trying to get all the last minute projects done. I had the opportunity to go and be a part of his last day. It managed to fall on my regularly scheduled day to help out in his classroom. I was able to help all the kids practice for the graduation program and enjoy their singing and slide show uninterrupted. We then hung out in his classroom for a few minutes to have a few final words with Mrs. Hoover. Him and Erik had a little gift to give her, plus I was helping get a few papers in envelopes for her.

Here he is with Mrs. Hoover. I'm not sure why he looks so terrified. I guess he was a little embarrassed. He was humoring me. He didn't understand why I would want another picture.

Noah and Erik in front of the school...

Noah in front of the School. I have picture similar to this taken on the first day of school. It's crazy to see how much he has grown up over these last 9 months.

After school we headed home to have lunch with Grandma Sandi and wait out the few hours until it was time to be back at the school to get good seats for Graduation. We sat way in the back during the Christmas Concert and could barley see. I was determined to get better seats this time around. Noah had to be there at 4:40 to start getting dressed in his cap and gown. However, Mrs. Hoover said that people started showing up soon after school let out and the parking lot cleared, which was around 4pm. We ended up being the first family there and got front row seats. The perfect viewing spot, except for a few annoying parents and siblings who kept walking in front to get pictures of their graduates.

Some highlights from the night:

Erik getting ready for the ceremony. He was the first to get ready. Mrs. Hoover was demonstrating how to do it. Then the parents were free to get their own kid dressed.

Noah ready for the program to begin...
A close up...
Filing in to the gym...
Taking their place on the risers...
Mrs. Hoover announcing all the kids' in his Kindergarten class and letting the audience know what they want to be when they grow up. Some of the answers were very comical. The popular career choices of the girls' were Veterinarian, or teacher. The popular choice for the boys' was Cops. My favorites from the evening were that one girl wanted to wash cars when she grew up and one of the boys wanted to be the king of outer space. We also had a few pizza delivery men and astronauts.
Here is Noah's friend Felicity, she wants to be a Vet when she grows up...
This is Noah's friend Erik. He wants to Drive Trains when he grows up.
Here is my little boy walking across the stage.
When Noah grows up he wants to be a Garbage Man. I kind of laughed, but he has been stuck on this idea for awhile. If it's not a Garbage Man then he wants to be a Tow Truck Driver. We all decided this wouldn't be a bad choice and he could make a lot of money if he owns the business. I have a great respect for those who go in to waste management and don't mind dealing with other people's garbage. Only time will tell if this wish holds up.
I can't believe he has completed his first year of school. He'll be in school all day next year.
Here is Noah's friend Olivia. I think she said she wants to be a teacher when she grows up.
Here are a few pictures of the AM Kindergarten class singing a few songs. Noah is in the top corner. He had been practicing the songs at home for weeks, and even did a good job earlier that day during practice. But, when it came to preforming in front of a full gym he seemed to get a little stage fright. He wasn't as animated with all the motions. It was a cute program and it looked like he had fun. The school's Music Teacher, Mrs. Causie, works wonders with these kids.

Exiting the Gym...

After the program they served everyone cake on the front lawn. However, we were all starving so we quickly headed off to Round Table Pizza to celebrate the end of the School Year and Noah's completion of Kindergarten. I think a lot of people had the same idea, since there are so few choices here in Fernley. His best friend Erik also choose Round Table. So the boys had fun eating together. Unfortunately, Round Table wasn't ready for everyone so there was a lot of waiting for pizza and they even kept running out of plates. However, we made it before the rush, so we didn't have to wait as long.

We were so lucky to have Grandma Sandi and Papa Tim in attendance with us, as well as Chelsea. Sister Egbert and Cameron were even able to join us. Noah had a fun little cheering section on the front row. Thanks to everyone who helped make his day so special. I really appreciate all the love and support.

Can you believe his graduating class will be 2023? It seems like a lifetime away. But, I know it will be here before we realize it.

Fun in the Sun Day

The PTA at Noah's School, put on a day full of games to celebrate the last week of school. Noah along with the rest of the Kindergartners were so excited that they would be able to eat lunch at school, play games, buy snacks, and participate along side the older kids. They were instructed to come to school dressed and ready to spend the day outside. They were also instructed to wear sunscreen and bring money for Cotton Candy, Popcorn, Otter Pops, Nachos, and a few other carnival type foods that I can't remember at this time. They even sold shirts for the event. I got him a shirt and sent enough money to buy cotton candy for himself and Zoe as well as Popcorn for all of us. He was so excited when we picked him up. He even got to stay a little late as they were still eating lunch when the bell rang. He talked non stop all the way home to his friends' house. I think my biggest laugh or memory from the day will be seeing his Principal's, Mr. Huckaby, face painted as Spider Man.

Noah took this picture of his shirt, before he put it on in the morning....

Here he is with Noah enjoying the remainder of their snacks.
Kambrie really enjoyed the cotton candy...

Zoe and Kysha enjoyed the popcorn...
Jack also enjoyed some cotton candy and I loved the popcorn. I hope they do more popcorn Fridays next year, I'm a sucker for popcorn popped in the big machines.

The boys were so worn out from their day of fun. I know Noah slept extra well that night. He is already talking about next years event.

Troublemaker

Jack is becoming so determined and is in to everything. Nothing is safe.

He managed to get into the pantry. I guess he was hungry...

He wanted to play with Noah's wooden train track...

Here he is emptying the basket full of diapers...

From the other angle...

He is also trying to climb on anything that gets in his way. Starting to pull himself to a standing position...

Causing more trouble. Here he is kneeling without support...

I'm having trouble staying one step ahead of him and making sure all the little choking hazards stay off the floor in the family room. Or should I say, I am constantly reminding Noah and Zoe that they can no longer play with their small toys in the family room when he is awake. Or for that matter leave them out when they are done playing with them. He is also a human vacuum, finding any bit of food that has fallen under the table.

But look at those big blue eyes, it is so hard to get mad at him.

Bird Update

So, the birds aren't getting the hint. They are determined to nest in our entry way. One of Dan's coworkers suggested putting aluminum foil in their nest. She said they wouldn't like the shininess or roughness of it and would move on. Well I guess these aren't your typical birds. They didn't seem to mind it and made themselves at home on top of it.

In fact by the next morning they had simply taken it out of their nest and left it on our door step. This didn't make Dan too happy.

So the next evening, after getting home from his weekly church meetings he decided to throw a pitcher of water at them. This was about 10:30 at night. The next morning before heading off to work he knocked their nest down. This may have done the trick. So far, they haven't been back.

Memorial Day 2011

We had some last minute visitors join us this year for Memorial Day. Grandma Lynie and Papa Mike decided to pay as a visit. The even brought their dog Buddy with them. Since it was so last minute and Grandma had to work on the Friday, they arrived Saturday afternoon just in time to have lunch at Taco Bell. Then they spoiled us with Ice Cream at Steve's Ice Cream. By then most of the day was gone. So, we headed home for some visiting.

Here's Jack sitting in a high chair at Taco Bell. Doesn't he look thrilled? He really enjoyed their rice and refried beans.

Sunday, was Church. So we enjoyed our morning meetings and then had lunch at home. Mommy and Jack took a much needed nap while the others watched movies.

Monday, we all woke up and had brunch at the Black Bear Diner. Then somehow Noah talked them into going back to Steve's for more Ice Cream. Twice in one weekend? What spoiled kids we have. Then it was time to say goodbye. Both of them had to be at work early the next morning and they had about a 10 hour drive ahead of them.

Here is the results of the photo shoot we had prior to going to brunch. I found matching flag shirts for all the kids.
After Grandma and Papa left town we decided to take the kids to the local Veterans Cemetery. We had never been there, but have heard how cool it is on the holidays that honor or service men and women. I couldn't believe how many flags were displayed and how many artifacts and monuments they have to explore. I think next year we will try to make it to the ceremony. It was nice to explain to Noah and Zoe the importance of Memorial Day. That it is more than just an extra day off of school or work.

The front gate...

Overlooking the field of flags, marking all of the graves.

The kids had fun spotting all the lizards along our walk...
A missile launcher used by the Marines...
A Torpedo...
It was a fun filled weekend.

Feeling Crafty

Here is a sample of my latest projects:

Family Sentiments...

Flower Clips for Zoe, made from Dollar Tree Flowers...

Ouch

So, remember that nice park outing I wrote about a day or two ago? The one where Jack fell asleep in the swings? This is how the rest of the afternoon went. He managed to stay asleep during the stroller ride home. I was even able to lay him down on my bed. I placed pillows around him and didn't go too far. He usually cries when he first wakes up and doesn't move an inch, so I figured he'd be fine at least while I went to the bathroom. Then I realized the other two kids had become suspiciously quiet in the family room, so I went to check on them. Well, Jack decided to wake up and in the process fell off my bed. He didn't cry too long or two bad. He stopped as soon as I picked him up. His nose was a little red, but for the most part he looked fine and there was no blood. Well when he woke up the next morning his nose looked like this:

I know it is only the first of many ouchies he will sustain as he becomes more and more mobile. However, I'm not entirely convinced that this ouchie is from the fall of the bed. Noah and Zoe love to drag him across the room by his legs, rubbing his face on the carpet. I like to think it is the later of the two, or at least a combination of the events. That way I don't feel as guilty, or stupid for leaving him for a moment.