Happy Daddy Day

I know a name, a glorious name, dearer than any other,

Listen, I'll whisper the name to you.  It is the name of Father!

Father so noble and brave and true, I love you!  I love you!

Father so noble and brave and true, I love you!

The Primary sang these words to our Dads today and they were sweet!  We sure love our Dad!  I asked Jane and Adam what Daddy does at work all day and Jane's responses included "eating lunch, making money, eating treats, sweeping the floor, and listening to the coach".  Adam said "he does Papa's work and he calls Papa at work".  I also asked them what they love about Daddy.  Jane loves that he gives her hugs, tells her stories, and makes her laugh.  Adam loves that "he hugs me everyday" and "he gave me a heart".

Daddy loves us, big and small...even when he's walking around the basement contemplating plans to finish it.

Daddy risks his life doing acrobatic like poses to place pictures on our picture wall-wow Daddy!

Daddy loves science and how things work so we gave him a subscription to Scientific American.  We also gave him a framed copy of the kids' picture I took in a previous post.  He wouldn't be a Daddy without them:)

We also love our fantastic Grandpas!  The kids painted this plate with the DC temple on it for Grandpa Smyth.

We also love that Papa Kulbeth is always close to let the kids walk up his legs and flip over or to give a blessing when someone is under the weather.  We're so thankful for the many "Daddys" in our lives and their worthiness to hold and exercise the priesthood.  They are superb examples and we love them all!

This guy didn't have such a great Father's Day-don't let that sweet grin fool ya!  But more on that later...

Last Day!!

Oh blessed day-the last day of school!  Let the children rejoice (and the moms who get them up and fight them out the door every morning:)  Had to steel my friend's jumping for joy idea (thanks Yish) and I'm so glad we got this shot in the morning because coming home in the afternoon was quite the opposite scene.  Two in tears and not one of them happy about leaving the teachers they adore.  I guess I have to be thankful for superb teachers even tho my kids have even vocalized that they wish their teachers were their moms. 

And thank goodness for water-balloons that dispelled the tears a short while later!  It had been cloudy all day but wouldn't you know the downpour waited until the exact moment that we started the fight.  And boy were those water-balloons colder than the rain falling!  Let summer begin!

Blue Skies

When the skies are this blue and there are a million things to get done at home, sometimes you just have to go outside anyway!

Racing cars down the slides with neighbors

Hanging our troubles out to dry

And I'm pretty sure we were all better for that bit of fresh air:)

End of Year Awards

Pats on the back to Andrew for his computer knowledge and helping others with computers award.  He also earned a running medal for having run the most miles in PE over the course of the year out of all the boys in his class.  He was happy!

 Andrew with his buddy Travis who's moving soon

 Jane also got the most miles in her kindergarten class for the girls.

We need to highlight this little girl's literary talents for a moment too.  One Saturday she spent at least two hours writing and illustrating this little bear and bunny book-it was darling!  Then she took it to school and gave it to her teacher, who she adores.  But that night she had some tearful second thoughts but said she was too embarrassed to ask for it back.  So Mommy emailed Mrs. Jones and she was more than happy to return it and had even questioned Jane's wanting to give it to her in the first place-it was cute and all turned out okay.

 And last but not least, Porter's award was for 3rd place in a math challenge.  It was nice to get to attend to support them all but truth be said we spent the majority of each ceremony out in the hall popping our heads in now and then so we could at least hear their names called--don't want to forget this part of our family phase:)  All 3 kids were also mentioned in the school newsletter for having one of the 10 fastest times for the mile in their grade and gender-way to go kiddos!

Goodbye Barrett

Porter was one of 31 students who has attended Barrett Elementary since kindergarten and graduated from there this year.  It's been 'home' for a long time.  But now it's time to say goodbye.  Barrett truly lives up to it's motto, "It's All About Kids".  Porter has been so blessed with each one of his teachers and there were more than a couple years when he came home with tears on the last day because he didn't want to leave his teacher.

Because of the Barrett Academy pilot program this year, they did a special separate graduation for just his 5th grade class.  I have to say, it was a bit over the top, but that is how a lot of things are in this program.  Not neccessarily bigger, but different--more energy, more passion, more magic as they like to call it.

The kids did their dancing processional into the high school auditorium to the "I'm Happy" song and I must say I will never be able to listen to that song the same way again.  It was priceless!  I couldn't get a good shot of Porter, but the rest of the Barrett Academy students came in afterward and here's Andrew jamming out!

The most inspiring parts were listening to the kids who gave speeches in front of this entire group, telling how the rigors of Barrett Academy have changed them.  They're more comfortable talking to adults, they are better at public speaking, they are better leaders.  We can't thank these teachers enough!  And we are so proud of Porter:-)

Porter and his awesome teacher, Mr. Reichard.  Such a humble 24 year old man, but such a motivating and amazing teacher!

All of us with the 'celebrity' teacher.

Muna and Papa with the graduate.

And here we are 10 days later at the 5th grade promotion for the whole school.  Porter got the scholar award for his class.

Another wonderful night for our wonderful boy!

Father's Day Pick

I thought it would be fun to give Aaron an updated picture of our kids for Father's Day this year (and since he doesn't check the blog regularly, they're safe to post early).  He was going out of town the last weekend in May so that was my chance.  I bought donuts to bribe the children's cooperation, but I really underestimated Leo-what a wiggle worm!

So, definitely not as successful as I was hoping.  In fact this is the ONLY one I even considered decent despite the obvious separation of boys and girl.  They still are some cute little monkeys and I think Dad will think so too!