Father's Day

Father's Day was something I had thought about for awhile!  I really did...and then it snuck up on me.  I wanted to get Andy the perfect gift...like always, but what was it?  And like always, I was never sure.  I did think of something pretty cool, but when I went shopping the Saturday before, I found out it must be a seasonal item.  Darn the luck.  It will be out in the fall and I will get them then....think football...think stands...think comfort...can you guess it?  With Tobin going to be playing JV football I thought that the highest compliment would be to get something to make those outings more memorable and comfortable!  Cushion chairs for the bleachers!  I thought it was great, only they weren't for sale anywhere.  So, I bummed out.  I also wanted to make these awesome treats from bakearella.com, but they were so time consuming, I really didn't have the time with our Saturday swim meet and activities.  They were "hamburgers" made out of brownines and cupcakes and "french fries" made out of sugar cookies.

We were in church on Father's Day talking with some of our friends.  I gues the gifts that children give must have come up into the conversation (Andy was wearing darling lapel pins with Noah and Brenna's face in them).  Our friends happened to mention that their son had given them a dog sometime recently and assured them that the dog had been fixed.  Apparently not so, and now they had 10 little puppies in a wood shed!  Andy looked at me and said, "Could we go look?"  Seriously, something fun to do for Father's Day?  Of course we could go!  But wait..., "No Dogs are coming home with us!  Is that understood?"
Andy sheepishly said, "OK."

I should have known.  One look and Andy, Tobin, Noah and Brenna were in love!  I was totally outnumbered. I knew the kids would fall in love with these little lab/Australian Heeler mix puppies, but I was unprepared for Andy's reaction.  Of course, they were only 3 weeks old and wobbly on their feet.  What wasn't to love?  He immediately was giving me looks over the children's heads, eyes pleading, smiling from ear to ear to which the kids quickly caught on.  What's a girl to do!  I said no as long as I could, but I am tired of always being bad cop with the kids.  They knew if we didn't get this dog, it was on me.  I gave in.  I'm such a sucker.  I know what's ahead, even if Andy refuses to admit it.  :)

So, welcome to the family, little Calle.  And Happy Father's Day, Andy.  You always wanted a 4th and now you have it; it just has 4 legs and a tail.  Calle is the black one with a little white on her chest.  We bring her home on August 1st when she will be 8 weeks old.

One other activity which we did to celebrate Andy was really kind of an experiment.  We used a literary technique I learned about a few years ago, but really like.  We all had to write 6 words (not just synonyms, but a sentence) about Andy.  So that Andy wasn't just sitting there, he decided to do the same thing.  I think it was hardest on Brenna, who wasn't quite old enough, but it was really fun.  I thought it was a great exercise to celebrate Andy.

Tobin did several:

1.  You can say jokes around me.

2.  We always got subs from WaWa.

3.  I get to hear coaches talk.

4.  I like hanging out with you.

5.  You're not embarassing at any time.

6.  You can get down at Bar Mitzvahs.

Noah's were a little more pragmatice:

1.  We're both a wide  receiver in football.

2.  I'm good tecnologically.  He's good technologically.

Brenna's:

1.  I love Daddy because he's spazy.

2.  My daddy makes memories with me.

Paige's:

1.  You bring laughter into our home.

2.  Makes decisions based on kids' interest.

3.  Loves effortlessly, lives deeply, laughs always.

4.  Thanks for teaching me to love.

5.  I love you to the moon....

Andy wrote one to each of us individually.

To Paige
    
1.  Ninety-eight percent of anything is good.

2.  Yellowish, radioactive spider, utility belt.

To Tobin:

1.  Make me laugh til I stop.

2.  Yeah, I know, you get me!

To Noah:

1.  There when I need you most.

2.  Remember junior, that was once me.

To Brenna:

1.  Older but smaller, Daddy's little girl.

2.  Come home, find me, hug me!!

Noah's Hannah Montana moment

Noah got to live the best of both worlds this weekend!  On Friday night he had a birthday party to go to of one of his very good friends.  He was really excited to go and was esctatic when he found out it was a ice skating party.  (Noah thinks he wants to play ice hockey--Al, I know this makes you jump in the air).  Anyway, the drop-off for the party was a pizza joint in our neighborhood.  I had a quick glancing thought about how Daniel's dad was going to get everyone to the hockey arena, but like I said, it only skimmed through my mind.  So, at the end of the night, the pick up was back at the pizza place.  I was sooo happy not to have to be going out of the neighbhorhood!  I was on the phone talking to someone, I think it was Steve, when I saw a huge stretch limo pull up and I thought "no way, that can't be Noah."  And then the door opened, and my second thought was, "Holy shiz.....that is Noah's ride," as the kids started pouring out of the limo!  Noah stepped out and made a huge exit, shouting, "LIMO!".  He gave the limo driver a hi-five and showed so much excitement for his ride, that I couldn't help but laugh.  Noah came up to me and said, "Mom, have you ever ridden in a limo?" 
"No, That is not something I have done yet.  I will though....:)"
It was all Noah talked about on the way home.

On Saturday, Noah had a 5th grade graduation party to go to.  It last 5 hours!  It had a moonbounce, waterslide, funnel cakes, dancing, and Carmen's Italian ice!  He declared it was the best party ever!  I couldn't believe how much these parents had done to celebrate the end of elementary school.  I was really happy for Noah to be a part of it. 

On Sunday, Noah told me he was bored! What's a boy to do?  It's hard coming off of the good life.

Noah's 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony

What a great moment in our day, in Noah's year and in the stepping stones of Noah's life. We had his 5th grade promotion ceremony this afternoon. Before I go any further, I must confess that Andy and I are exhausted, as we stayed up until 4:30 this morning trying to get the slideshow ready as part of the program. So, take everything I say with a grain of salt. :) Sleeping from 5-8 is just not enough for me--there's no beauty sleep there.


Noah wanted to stay home from school today as the children needed to be at the graduation at 12:20pm. So, we let him as a rite of passage. I took him to get his haircut which makes him look so handsome and really much older. This didn't help my emotional state any, to see him go from my "baby" Noah to big, middle school Noah all because of a haircut! He does look handsome doesn't he?
The ceremony was actually quite nice and I think typical for a 5th grade promotion ceremony. Ms. Shinn, the assistant principal, spoke. It is the 2oth anniversary of RCES and so she talked about what has changed in 20 years. Ipods, DVD technology, the 5th graders. It was really fun. Then our principal, Mr. C, spoke to the children. He was also on a high as his oldest daughter graduated yesterday! He told the kids to work hard and the time will be there before they know it!

Then it was time to walk across the stage and recieve their certificate. I love this part of the ceremony as each teacher gets to speak about their class and to their class. I feel like I'm being let in on a secret, that I'm finding out for the first time, some of the things that happened in school and in class. Ms. H talked about how her class was great, learned a lot and for the survivor 5th grade picnic yesterday, it was "Had-a way" all the way! She talked about some of the moments of laughter. Listening to her, I knew that I would miss Mrs. H. and her ways. She was a great teacher for Noah and I can't thank her enough for that. There is such a great contentment that comes from knowing that the person you have abdicated your space to Monday-Friday has done a good job.
The relationship became even more evident between her and Noah when she called Noah's name to come get his certificate. She called him "Po-gly" (I know I have it wrong, Noah will correct me). Now I don't know too much about this name, but the fact that Noah's teacher knows the name that he has on his cell phone as his signature and that to call him by it would elicit a laugh from him and his classmates makes me so happy. Noah's teacher loves him! There is nothing greater than this. After Noah received his certificate he also received a flower which he is supposed to give to his parents (me). Andy was so gracious and captured the moment, and it is my absolute favorite picture of the day!

Then Noah was called up to the stage once more for maintaining a 4.0 GPA for 4th grade and the first two quarters of 5th grade and having an advanced score on the MSA. He received the principal's award! My heart was sooooo full. Noah for all his disorganzation has a knack for school and has, once again, accomplished something I have never. I love that he is having success!!

Then came the slideshow that Andy and I worked on until 4:30. Noah got to introduce the slideshow. I think he was sooooooooo happy that I made this slideshow for this part of the ceremony. I had done this for Tobin's class, but this year I added video to it. I think it really added an element of fun! I sat there, tired and happy and proud as the slideshow played. If you have never heard Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up" and Taylor Hicks' "Do I Make You Proud?" you need to right now go and listen to them. They were such a good set for the slideshow. But we had our upbeat song of "I Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas as well. It was a blend of tears and laughter. At least that was what I was going for.

To end the promotion ceremony, the entire 5th grade wen on stage and sang, "We Go Together" from Grease. It was the perfect upbeat song to end the graduation on. I loved watching Noah, imagining this was exactly how he sang it during the choir concert a few weeks back! I felt 10 feet tall leaving that auditorium, so proud and happy. I know I say that a lot through this post, but that's how I feel.

Survivor--Noah's 5th Grade picnic

The t-shirts said--"We came.  We learned.  We're Outta Here."

I love these t-shirts.  They are the theme of the 5th grade picnic--Survivor.  Noah's entire 5th grade class walked to our neighborhood "playground" for a fun-filled day of games, DJs and lunch.  I volunteered for the game portion of the day, where each class traveled from station to station.  I ran the station called "walk the plank".  The studentz had to walk across the lawn inside of hula hoops, all together. It was fun to see them working as a team.  Of course, i was so happy when Noah's class came through my station.  He worked hard to make sure his team stayed inside the hula hoops!  After the stations, they had lunch from subway.  And in the afternoon, they had a dj who played songs and played games like "coke, pepsi" and line dances all afternoon!  Noah had a great time and it was a great way to end his last full day of 5th grade.

Noah throwing a water balloon to Annie Kate.

Noah's friends.

Dancing!

Walking the Plank

Tobin's Promotion Ceremony- 8th Grade

     Tobin's Promotion Ceremony was this past Tuesday. For all intents and purposes, he has finished his middle school learning experiences. No more math, no more books, and no more teachers dirty looks! :) I had to work all day and really the evening just came upon us. Andy and I took seperate cars to the event as I wanted to get there early and save seats (it was a good thing I did; it was over half full by the time I got there an hour early)! I thought I would be able to sit and reflect on this occasion, but I soon found friends to chat with. We talked about the day, how fast our children have grown up, and our own thoughts about high school next year.

     All to soon, Andy came in with Noah and Brenna and the program began. It started by having the 8th graders walk in and across the stage to get their certificate. It was fun to see Tobin and all of his friends I have come to know so well walk across the stage. I swear by the end of the progression, I felt like the "old mother who lived in a shoe, she had so many children, she didn't know what to do."
     The highlight of the graduation was when the keynote speaker, the health teacher, spoke. I didn't realize that the children vote a staff member to be their keynote every year. This particular health teacher wins 4 out of every 5 years. Now I know why.
     He began his speech with the words, "Don't ever give up." What I learned later was that he was facing serious health issues and believed in those words more now than he ever may have in the past. Mr. B has been on sick leave since spring break and came back on this graduation night to tell my son (and everyone else), "to never give up." That alone put tears in my eyes. Mr. B was funny, charming, and witty and pure delight to listen to. At one point, the highlight, he told the parents to sit back that this next part of his speech was purely for the kids. He proceeded to call out students from the audience and spoke directly to them. "Colin and Chase--stand up. Don't ever let your friendship fade, it is too awesome to see," and "So and So, stand up, you are a force to be reckoned with. Continue to have that confidence in yourself," and "so and so, stop eating my strawberries!" Believe me when I tell you that every parent in that audience was sitting in their seats, saying "pick my child, say something about my child." Somewhere along the way, when the kids liked something Mr. B had to say, they waved a flower they had been given as part of their entrance procession in the air. What a special night for those 8th graders to be talked to so directly in a keynote speakers speech. Never Give up. After his speech, the students began to throw their flower up to the stage as an offering to Mr. B. Where are my tissues?
     Then the awards began. I didnt' realize how many awards would be given and thought this could have been shortened. But I was so proud of Tobin for walking across that stage twice more. Once for being chosen by his teacher for his scholarship, and excellence in character! The second time was for Tobin's achievement of a 4.0 for all three years he was there--straight As. What a great accomplishment, especially since this is something that neither Andy nor I achieved! Well, I achieved it for my last 60 credits of undergrad, does that count? :)
     I wish I had some words of wisdom and understanding to share beyond a narrative of what transpired at the graduation. But really, I am just beaming with pride and joy at what Tobin has accomplished these last 3 years. And, I can face the years of high school knowing what I know about Tobin's character, dedication, and choice of friendships.

The stage after Mr. B gave his speech filled with flowers.

Mr. B talking about obstacles that will hit them like a brick wall.  But Never Give Up!

Tobin receiving his certificate for a perfect 4.0.

Waiting to be announced in the procession.

Walking to his seat.

     

    

Tobin with friends after the ceremony.

Brenna with her coach Miss Linda.

Brenna is getting ready to go.  The judges have just signaled to her that they are ready for her to compete. She is raising her hand to signal back.

I love this picture.  In the bottom right quadrant of the picture, you can see Brenna's coach raising her arms as if to say, "There she is-that's Brenna!  She did it!"

Whether they admit it or not, they are her biggest fans and their support means more to her than they will ever know. 

We are getting ready for Nationals!  Brenna qualified her first year on the team and I have so many emotions about it!  I can't wait!  They are the last week of June and and we are headed to Va. Beach so Brenna can compete nationally!  I am so proud of her accomplishments this year! 

Nationals--Here we come!!

May 2009 Rces School Play 5 Billy Goats Gruff

I just found this online. This is Brenna's play from last year when she was in the first grade play "5 Billy Goat's Gruff". She is in the brown goat costume.