Mary, Mary Quite Contrary. . . . .

 We have been talking about redoing our front flowerbeds for two or three years now.  This year we decided to finally do something about it.  I don't have a true before picture, because I don't have a picture of all the old plants, but they had taken over the front and we couldn't even see out the front window.  So we pulled them out one weekend and this is what it looked like:

The Saturday before Memorial day we began by building a wall to level out and build up the flower bed.

After 3 trips to Lowe's it looked almost like this. (I don't have the picture with the new dirt in the bed).

Then the morning of Memorial day we went and bought some plants.  We spent a few hours in the afternoon with some friends and then we came home and started planting.  

We made a few more trips to get more flowers and shrubs and continued to plant.

On Wednesday, we finally placed the last rock and and this is what it looked like:

We really like it and look forward to the plants growing and filling in.

Salute to the Spartans!

Tonight we went to an awards ceremony hosted by Jeremy's middle school.  We got a letter a few weeks ago telling us that his teachers had nominated him to receive an award, but neither he or we knew what he was going to receive.  We were happy and proud when they called his name and read off 4 different awards/honors that he received.  We are so proud of you Jeremy and all that you have accomplished this year.  We look forward to sharing other nights like this with you.

Jeremy shaking hands with Ms. Spillane the school's namesake.

Here is Jeremy as he shakes hands with some of the teachers and leaders at the school.

We were kind of far away and so this picture didn't turn out very well, but this is Jeremy shaking hands with the principal of his school.

Below are the awards Jeremy earned and the requirements for these awards, as listed in the program.

The Spartan Pride Award (Reading)

1. Student has continuously and enthusiastically participated in class activities on a daily basis.
2. Student has shown that he/she is learning the material and has maintained a solid grade or shown steady improvement in performance.
3. Student has maintained a positive attitude toward learning.
4. Student has demonstrated a sincere effort in all class work and homework.Student has maintained a desire to achieve and a desire to continue to learn.

 Distinguished Honor Roll for One Year

1. Student earned all "A" average each six-weeks period in all classes.

 Distinguished Achievement Award (Band - Beginning Clarinet)

1. Student has earned the highest average in the course for the year.
2. Student has emphasized high academic achievement in the content area.
3. Student has shown leadership ability and responsibility.
4. Student has maintained a positive attitude toward learning.
5. Student is self-motivated, determined, and constantly strives for success.

Distinguished Achievement Award (Language Arts)

1. Student has earned the highest average in the course for the year.
2. Student has emphasized high academic achievement in the content area.
3. Student has shown leadership ability and responsibility.
4. Student has maintained a positive attitude toward learning.
5. Student is self-motivated, determined, and constantly strives for success.

Jeremy's Piano Recital

Last night was Jeremy's piano recital.  He did a great job.  He played two songs, but I could only post one of them because the video file was too big on the other one and wouldn't load.  He is doing so well with his music.  It is fun to see how much he enjoys playing both the piano and his clarinet.  We are so grateful to his teacher for all she does for him and all of her students.  She is a great teacher and a great friend.

Here are all of the kids who performed last night except one who had to leave early.  Good job everyone!

Baby It's Cold Inside!

For about a year now, we have been nursing our old refrigerator.  It was leaking water from the freezer into the fridge and we had been wanting to get a new one, but kept putting it off for other things.  About a month ago, we could tell that the temperature was not as cool as it should be and we felt like now was the time.  We couldn't wait any longer.  So we went out and bought a new refrigerator.  We were really excited because we were able to get a really good deal on one that was a little bigger that we thought we would be able to get.  So now we have a big refrigerator that doesn't leak and that keeps our food as cold as it should!  We love it!

Girls On The Run

 Last Saturday Nicole and I ran our first 5K.  I have walked 5K's before, but never run one, so I count this as my first.  We both ran the entire race and finished with good times.  Nicole ran with a friend of ours and so she came in ahead of me by a few minutes.  Brian was expecting Nicole to be with me, so he wasn't ready with the camera to get Nicole crossing the finish line, but we hope the race photographer got some good pictures of her that we can purchase.  We won't know for a couple more weeks.

Nicole's time was 27:44 and mine was 30:16.  Nicole was 17th out of 179 and I was 27th.  We had fun and look forward to doing it again.  We will run the Susan G. Komen 5K in early October and Brian and I are going to try and run a 10K some time in October.  We are also planning to run a 1/2 marathon in March.  I can't believe that I am doing all of this running as I have never been much of a runner, but I am finding out that I can do better than I ever thought that I could.

Before the race.

Me finishing the race.

After we finished. Wearing our medals.

He"s 6!!

 Yesterday was Max's 6th birthday.  He was so excited for this day to come.  He had been counting down for weeks.  In the morning he got ready for school and couldn't wait  for lunch time when dad would come and bring him Chick-Fil-A.  He got to wear a birthday crown and they said his name on the announcements.
When he got home from school we brought him in to get his presents.  Here he is waiting to see his surprises.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

He got a bike!  He has been asking for a new bike for a while, so he was really happy to see this bike.  He also got a new game for the Wii and some money from his grandma and grandpa.

He wanted a cake with RIO characters on it.  So this is what he got. He also chose to go to Chuy's for dinner.  So he got to have his chips and tortillas and cheese.  Then we came home and had cake and ice cream.

Blowing out the candles.

Happy Birthday Max!  We love you and are glad that you had a great day.  We can't believe how fast you are growing up, but we are grateful for the happy fun loving boy that you are and for the happiness you bring into our family!

Maxwell's Exciting News!

Max came home from school today and told us that he had jumped 4 levels in his reading. We were so excited and happy for him.  Then I received an email from his teacher about it and it was so fun that I wanted to share it, so here it is:

I had to let you know about some VERY good news.... Maxwell made me promise to send you a message so you wouldn't think he was "fibbing".  :o)

 

He has been reading at an independent level D (which is already above the end of the year standard for kindergarten) and I had been working with him in a group on level E.  Today I was doing my end of the year assessment for his reading level and he read the level E with about 5 errors - this is within the range of ability, so I continued with the next level.  Then he read a level F with only 3 errors - and his comprehension is wonderful.  So, we continued and I had him read a level G - he did this one with only 2 errors!!!!  Well, needless to say I was soooo impressed that I thought "we'll just keep going". Next, he read a level H with only one error.... I was amazed to say the least.  I've not had this happen with a student before where they IMPROVED as the book got more difficult.  The highest I can assess in kindergarten is a level J (which is the end of the year standard for 1st grade!), so I told him we would read the level H's for one week and if he is still doing well, we'll go ahead and keep moving him up!  It was as if he was building his confidence with each new level and he blew me away with his abilities!  Just wanted to share with you his tremendous successes... He's a FABULOUS student!  :o)

 

Have a great evening!

Regards,

Mrs. Burrer

We are so proud of you Max and I can't believe you are only 5 weeks away from being in 1st grade.  Where does the time go?