Summer is officially here at our house

It's been 2 days of summer at our house

And so begins our bucket list check off.
We kind of cheated and started before the summer officially began but whatcha gonna do.
Disneyland (check)

We are lucky to have friends in California 25 minutes to Disneyland to stay with.   We do stay at hotels there and back.
We've been asked how we sleep 7 people in 1 queen room.  Well, we bring a queen blow up and always make sure we have a pull out.   It looks like this.

Which allowed us to experience 4 different swimming pools in 3 days (check)  and that was no way added to the list because we hit 4 different swimming pools in 3 days.

Seeing the water show at the Bellagio (check)

I've only dreamed of doing this a few times...for the most part they've been nice.  enough.  :-)

since then we've only done more of this....

and of course not pictured....riding bikes, watching TV, eating everything in sight and begging for "just one more popsicle mom...just ONE more !?" (not pictured)

We have also checked off re-build a lego day and get a fire pit and roast s'mores. Still to come is - draw a name sleep in someone else's bed, go to our first rodeo and go to Indiana (still on the bucket list even though it was accomplished last year....but it's SUCH an accomplishment, it needs to be written down every time)
more to come.....

The end of another Year

I will officially have a house full of elementary students next year.
Sydney moves on to the 5th grade.   The big boys move on to 2nd and the littles start kindergarten.
It's surreal to think about really.   I don't feel like it was just yesterday that they were little.   It's been a long time coming...but wow.   just wow.

Sydney's teacher still adored her.   Wished she could have a class full of her.  She actually told Sydney that Sydney couldn't help her anymore because the other kids were getting jealous, such a helper.   She also completed 33 or the 34 math assignments and averaged 98%.

Ms. Soffe

Spencer jumped 9 levels in reading this year, he got an end of the year reader award.   We went to the library today.  He picked 3 books out and read 2 of them as soon as we got home.

Ms. Orgill 

Cameron's teacher gave him the helper award.   She said that he was practically perfect in every way. He jumped 7 levels in reading and he too came home from the library and started reading.

Mrs. Price

It's been a houseful of reading this year.  Both little boys learned how to read and would come home with new books excited to pass them off.



Another school year over and I couldn't be more proud of my group.

Cameron

My Camedian.  Cameron has such an overall great personality.
He's my most laid back child...which comes in really handy when serving different colored plates and cups at a table with a choice of seating.   Yes, this happens daily.   While others start "speaking" a certain color or place to sit....Cameron quietly waits or sits wherever.   There doesn't seem to be any real decision to his placement....just a means to get it done.   (a real calgon moment for a mother of 4 other children who all care what color they are getting and where they are sitting which is usually chosen right after the child next to them chooses their color and "THAT'S THE ONE I WANTED" is repeated again and again and louder")
This is about the time Cam finishes his meal and returns to whatever activity he was enjoying before.
Usually lego's or Wii.
The only fault is this kids ability to sit for HOURS on end playing something plugged in.

So I suppose when the one liners start flying, the jokes on us.   Cameron has a way of making us all laugh.   Whether it's him being silly and making faces to his brothers and sister or whether it's some witty come back he keeps us all in stitches.  And the things that he says always keep us wondering.
Like the time his sister said that she had a dream that Cam was crawling on her face and Cameron casually responded, "I was a mere hologram"  ??  I mean, where does this kid come up with this stuff.

Cameron's teacher adores him.   Had nothing but positive things to say about him.   He's quiet and listens in class...does what he's asked to do and gets along great with everyone around him.   He will use different voices and accents when asked to talk about what he did over the weekend.
He's a great reader.  Loves math.  Has a real desire to learn.   Picks the greatest snake and spider books from the library and will follow me around asking me to read it to him.
He has always asked lots of questions and I hope he never stops.

Cameron is a sensitive and gentle giant.   He has a heart of gold.   He is polite and well mannered and never stops amazing me.

Spencer

Spencer James is 7 years old.
He is super driven...usually happy....very sensitive.....and makes friends easily.
I rarely have to ask him twice and even if I do, there's not much complaining.
He's the first one to offer to help me with housework.
I don't have to remind him to make his bed.   He comes home from school and will get his homework out and start without my assisting him, and is off and running as soon as it's done.
His school work is neat and he is one of the first finished.
He's reading at a 2nd grade level and seems to enjoy reading as well as math.
His teacher also thinks he's very motivated and goal oriented.
Spencer gives the best hugs and his smile lights up my whole heart.
I adore this kid !

)

The Magic Of Christmas

This year my mom put together a Christmas party.   It was our very first one and it will also be one to remember for a very long time.
Besides the always scrumptious food and beautiful decorations, we were surprised with a visit from none other than Santa himself.  
It was awesome.
Santa came and sat down and after the kids talked and talked, one by one they each got to sit on his lap to tell him what they wanted.   He in turn gave them a candy cane with a promise to be nice until Christmas. :)
Magical I tell you.  Pure magic.  (and it saved us a trip to the mall and $25.00 pictures...woo hoo)
Thanks Grandma and Papa.

What's that song ?....."I saw Grandma kissing Santa Claus"
No.  It's "Grandma got ran over by a reindeer" ;-)

We even sang a couple of songs with Santa

and we checked to see if his beard was real

Matthew even jingled his bells.

Matt and Nate eating jello

Miss Emma getting her hair done for pictures

When will I learn that when I tell the kids to say cheese.  I can smile and not say cheese too.

Baby it's cold outside

It was our first big storm of the season and it did not disappoint.
The kids came home nearly frozen.  The wind had blown cold snow reddening their cheeks and eyes.
I was prepared.
Hot chocolate and cookies to warm us all up before homework.

During homework Spencer announced that 2 girls in his class liked him and shared their names, not skipping a beat with his math assignment.   Cam laughed but after pondering for a second asked him, "Spencer, how do you know that they love you ?  Do they lean on you ?"

(I didn't know that "The Lean" started at such a young age.  :)  

Cameron of course went on to ask him if they were dumb or mean, to which Spencer responded a little flustered and giddy..."No ! They are just...Girls !"  

Savoring this moment of warm hot chocolate and conversation with my boys.