End of the year 6th grade choir concert

This is Jack's last year with his choir teacher. Because our elementary and middle and high school are so close together the 6th grade choir is still taught by the same teacher as the elementary. She has done a fabulous job. I feel so thankful that she has given our kids such a wonderful music education.
She has passed on her love of music to them as well.

The last song that the kids sang was the Hallelujah chorus. I love hearing it sung. I love it even more hearing a group of 6th graders sing it. I love that every time Jack sings it from now on he will sing his part instead of just the melody. I love when this song is sung that everyone rises to their feet. I love the chills it brings me. I love how I can hear those around me singing, and that I just can't help but join in too.

morning with mom/donuts with dad

The yearly mornings with Mom- Its tradition- I tried to talk the kids into just eating something with me at home. But they were not going to have it. How can you break with tradition?

Jay had his time with the boys the week before. It was so funny- he called me on the way to work afterward and said that the boys were such a mess. By the time they had gotten their donuts and sat down he had goo from his elbow down to his wrist. He walked Tucker to class and basically gave him a bath in the sink before he left. 

But really we love it. If they stopped having them I would be so sad. We joke and tease about not going and about how messy it is but we love it. (mostly we just love being with the kids)

the pit

(Two weeks ago) Friday we had our first of 2012 firepit night. Last year we hardly used it. It was way too hot, and when it wasn't there was too much wind or we were under a burn ban! It felt like it had been a long time.

We had the kids invite friends over in shifts- which worked out well. The younger and the middle group got along great and we even were able to have a few cousins in the mix.

Jay was in charge of getting the fire started- and I wondered why he was taking a while to get outside and get it going- he reminded me that the starting of the fire was more fun for these kids than actually sitting around it.

He was right- they were all diligent in searching around the yard for stuff to burn and getting it all ready to go.

 

The older boys decided to make a zip line using rope and some handlebars. I had to just turn my head and not watch after seeing them do it.

I drew the line with Tucker and his friend.

 The boys actually got it to work, and I only heard one person fall.  Luke got the wind knocked out of him. It was only momentarily, so I guess it wasn't so bad of an activity.

I loved sitting out back and ignoring everything that "needed' to be done inside.

 

 And the s'mores were yummy (and messy) as usual.

 

As the boys friends left Savanna's friends arrived.

We had a fun 2nd round after dark- and all those photos were with my phone.

We did another firepit two nights ago- and I tried out something I saw on Pinterest.
Oreo cookie s'mores. It was yum. So yum. Way better than a plain S'more. A s'moreo is the way to go!

I love having the pit that Jay put in the backyard. I love how for now it brings the kids together- and for the most part they get along. I love that we have used it a few times again this year, and am hopeful for more before it gets too hot.

Silver

Savanna is a part of her schools kayaking team. I think she even surprised herself that she joined!
She and her friends met at Lake Overholser at the boat house for practices.
She loved the practices but didn't always want to go. She quickly discovered that if she would just push herself to go she always came back energized/hyper and happy. (I just asked her about that paragraph and she said that was a pretty accurate description.)

Yesterday was the final race down on the Oklahoma River. Devon and Chesapeake both have awesome boathouses down on the river and it is fun to go watch any of the river races. There were kayaking, stand up boat races and rowing. Savanna competed against 9 other girls in the kayaking ocean sprint for 9th and 10th graders.

She came in 2nd place!

I loved yelling for her- and seeing her realize that she was doing well and how she gave it that extra push at the end.

I am happy that she tried something new- and that it ended up being something she really enjoyed doing.

This was her "fine Dad, I got my medal, see?!" after he yelled her name with a whoop and a holler!

Dying eggs Pinterest style

This is by far my most favorite way to dye Easter eggs.

Kool-Aid packets= delicious scent.

Muffin tins= perfect size for hands to reach in and rotate.

No smelly vinegar= everyone wants to participate.

Friends suggestion to get together=fun family night and relief that one Easter tradition turned out.

Bright Kool-aid colors= perfect egg dye.


Pinterest Inspiration= worked this time!

Cowboy Christmas

Tucker asked Santa for a pair of boots that didn't come off when he walked. In other words he wanted his own pair of boots, not ones from the dress up box.

Tucker was thrilled to find not only a pair of boots, but a gun & holster and his own pass to the cowboy museum.

In his mind he is a real cowboy.