Let's try this again (& FPOTM-June)

The boys attempt at camping out in the backyard last night ended about 10:15pm when they both sheepishly came inside and decided to sleep in Hudson's room instead. This morning when I asked them about it they both tried to blame the other one for chickening out. I also heard something about raccoons. They were going to try it again tonight but Hudson's buddy wasn't allowed so he recruited his little sister.

She came in crying at about 10:00 saying she was afraid but I dried her tears and convinced her to give it one more try for Hudson's sake, who was already asleep. So she did and now (one hour later) they are both sound asleep. I have a feeling that they will both be very proud of themselves come morning. As long as they make it that long. This photo is also the FPOTM for June.

Friends

Cooper and Daniel.....making soldier scenes in the sand. I was given strict instructions that I needed to take pictures from all angles as to get in all the details. Reagan and Kira, joined at the hip most days, today even dressed the same.

Hudson and Kyle having a campout in the backyard (slushies need to stay outside the tent, we decided)

Taggart didn't make it in front of the camera today. I don't think he stayed in one place long enough. He just darts around from one group to the other - whoever wants him around at the time.

So thankful for good friends for the kids. All of them enjoying their buddies, sometimes all together and sometimes off in pairs, just doing their thing.

Today was one of those days when everyone had a friend (or two) and they all hung out outside all day long. A good day!

School's out for the summer...

...and we are thrilled.

No more early mornings, no more homework, no more lunches to pack (that's a big one), and we are all welcoming the change that summer brings. That's not to say that when September rolls around we (more specifically me) will be happy for school to return.

But for now, here's how we celebrated:

We hung our head out the window and yelled at anyone who was walking by.

We made our own sidewalk chalk paint

and made a huge mess on the driveway.

We shot a few hoops

and I even had time to enjoy a good book with a glass of wine in the sun.

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh.....summer.

Sports Day

One on the blue team, one on the red team, one on the yellow team, and one trying to support them all.

We were optimistic this morning as I painted their faces in support of their teams. But by the end of the morning most of the color had washed down their cheeks. Eventhough the rain fell all day and the afternoon activities for the older grades were cancelled they all still had a lot of fun.Go Hudson Go!

Such a good little spectatorLove how Tag justs fits in with Cooper and all his friends. He hangs out with them and they don't seem to mind in the least. And the girls all think he's pretty cute so I'm sure that doesn't hurt Cooper either.This is the "it's way too cold out here to eat a popsicle" face

The Beach

I know, I know, two posts in two days. I said I would get better, didn't I?

Today Taggart and I headed out to Crescent Beach in White Rock to join Reagan's class on a field trip. (Cooper went fishing and Hudson went to Minter Gardens, but when they all go on a field trip on the same day the one to bring home the notice first gets me.) The weather cooperated though the wind did get a little chilly at times. As far as field trips go this was a really easy one. We just plunked ourselves down in our chairs on the sand and just watched the kids play all around us. Watching Reagan and Tag run around with all their little buddies laughing and having such a great time I couldn't help but think if they will ever remember this day. Probably not, but days like this one shape their childhood into something good and that they will remember.The beach was so crowded - there were so many other school groups. But they all cleared out at around 1:00 and then we had almost the whole beach to ourselves. Reagan travelled on the bus in the morning but then she came home with Tag and I so we could stay a little longer.

Catching up

Always the easiest way to catch everything up is to post it all in photos. So much has happened and we are definitely in the home stretch to wrapping it all up. I can feel us all starting to breath a little easier.

Wednesday night - Taggart's preschool graduation. A little emotional for me as we have been with those preschool teachers for 6 years. Such great teachers and I will miss them.Just minutes after this photo was taken, poor Nana had a fall. She missed a step and went down on her ankle. Her and I spent the evening in the emergency room but luckily it was just a sprain and she is healing up pretty quickly. Never a dull moment. :)Thursday - Reagan's class put on a presentation for the parents in one room of the school while Cooper's Grade 5 graduation was going on in the gym. Taggart and I ran back and forth trying not to miss too much of either one.Saturday - Reagan spent all morning on the floor of her bedroom, with Hannah Montana on the CD player, with her art supplies spread out in front of her. Well over two hours I think. Which made my time spent at Ikea the other night picking out the perfect art table and accessories for her room so much more worth it. I wasn't totally sure that she would go up there by herself and work but I know now that she will. Today after school she spent quite a time up there just organizing her supplies. She's a girl after my own heart, that's for sure.Saturday afternoon - a party with all of her closest friends (16 of them to be exact). We rented a room with a bouncy castle, tumbling mats, crafts, etc. We served hotdogs, chips and cupcakes. Typical birthday party fare.She blew out her candles.Saturday evening. A bbq dinner for Mary, Rochelle, Jake, Nana, our friend Rich and his daughter Sophie (one of the guest at the party). An ice cream sandwich cake for dessert. She blows out her candles... again.Setting up her art table Saturday night. It was very late and Cooper was all ready for bed when he discovered what we were doing. He was determined to help. A robe might have been a good idea. We snuck the whole set-up into her room while she was sleeping and she woke up to it on Sunday morning.The fresh face of seven - Sunday morning.

Lots of love all around. A pink basketball from Cooper.

A paper beading book from Hudson.

A one piece bathing suit from Taggart. (not shown) She has been asking for a 1-piece for months and I kept discouraging her, saying that two-pieces are way better, more comfortable, easier to move in, etc. But she insisted so we got her one for her birthday. She tried it on today for the first time and after a few minutes proceeded to take it off and change into her two-piece. 'Not comfortable' she said. Take note - Mom's are always right. Money and some crafting supplies from Nana.

Oma and Opa came to share dessert with us on Sunday evening. They brought Reagan a card with one of Opa's now famous drawings in it and some money. But the sweetest present in my opinion? - Opa let Reagan paint his toenails. He didn't even want me to paint my own when I was her age. There is definitely something special about a grandparent-grandchild relationship.

And Reagan blows out her candles for the third and final time of her birthday weekend extravaganza. A big old-fashioned ice cream sundae.

We didn't forget it was Father's Day - we have just postponed it a week. Reagan took priority, as I know she always will. We are blessed to have this beauty in our lives. Happy Birthday Reagan!

Numbers

24 - hours in a day

48 - hours I need in a day

7 - number of teacher gifts to make - 3 down, 4 to go.

5 - days of school until summer vacation - Yipee!!!

7 - how old Reagan is turning on Sunday. SEVEN!!!!

4 - loads of laundry waiting to be folded

3 - number of Oreos I ate today, but the day's not over

Sorry for the bad blogging - I'll be back soon. July is now only 12 days away.