Bookbag

My children resist clearing out their backpacks during the school year, but I insist that each backpack is emptied and washed at the end of the school year before we hang it on a hook to await the beginning of a new school year.  Out of the keepable items that Hannah found were these:

They all belong to Mrs. Leinweber.  Oh, except for the ones that belong to Mrs. Marrott (from 5th grade).  Jacob also found two books in his backpack belonging to his 2nd grade teacher.  Brings new meaning to the word "bookbag", right?  No one can accuse my children of not being readers.

Now for the secret to my getting through a crazy week on very little sleep and working like a mad woman to paint, caulk, clean, stain, clear coat, etc. our basement in order to be ready for carpet tomorrow:  ganache.  I made some for the first time to top Drew's birthday cupcakes and I found the leftovers delectable straight out of my little tupperware container - gives me just what I need when I think there's not an ounce of strength left in me.  And yes, I will be resuming my exercise regimen AFTER the carpet is intalled this weekend.

Rocks!

Whoever built our house was a WISE MAN, as we are built upon lots and lots of rocks.  Digging in our yard is a terrible experience!  We have literally removed hundreds of gallons of rocks from our garden and yard.

Tyler had the great idea to save $200 and remove the leftover dirt from our walkout on our own.  Except it wasn't dirt, it was rocks.  And there was a LOT of it.

Oh, the hours that the kids and I spent time outside pulling rocks off the top of the pile.  Here's some of them.  They are now landscaping someone's pond in our town and the parking strip at another house one county over.  This is before the pile got very big.  It filled up a trailer TWICE.  And that does not count the dozens of gallons that we dumped in the creek.

After we did what we could by hand, Tyler borrowed our good neighbor's tractor and had some fun.  My dad spent a LOT of time working with him, and let's just say that our creek banks are a lot more reinforced now.

After that it only took a couple more hours of all 7 of us able-bodied people working together to finish up the extra stuff.  Now there is just grading left to do.  Next time, I think we'll spend that $200.

Six Years Old!

The birthday boy with his Spiderman cake - with what resources we had on hand.  Callie did a great job.

Trying out the new rollerblades.

 

Jacob wrapped something up for Drew in a creative fashion.

One end was open but wrapped, so he got to punch it open.  Pretty clever.

I think Drew enjoyed it.

Sporting a new backpack.

Grandma Kathy had to spoil Drew, too with a Lego set.

He reached the ripe age of getting to have a friend birthday party.  We used Hannah's artwork for the invitations.

I love summer birthdays - outside parties are the BEST.

Only three of his friends were able to come, but they had a GREAT time.

I was excited to try out these filled cupcakes. 

They looked fun but weren't worth the effort.  I did like the chocolate glaze on top, though.

 

The boys seemed to like them, anyway.

Little Emmie really got into the Slip N Slide.

 

This crazy girl takes sheer delight in taking sprays of water right to the face.  I love the following sequence:

 

 

 

That cold water takes her breath away...

But she heads back for more.  You can just barely see the big grin on her profile below on the left.  What a silly, sweet girl!

 

Happy Birthday, big D!

Spring Sports

Hannah's last soccer game with Coach Alice's team - it's been a great 4 years and we have been blessed to have been with such great people!  

Jacob LOVES baseball.