A garden full of flowers: End of the school year

This year has been so, so busy. Everyday we had some sort of activity(ies) going on...scouts, piano, violin, gymnastics, ski lessons, or soccer. Two times a week I watched Addie, and I feel like life was just crazy. Addie will be moving this summer, so we really wanted to make the most out of our time with her. Blake and Addie are best buds, and she had been such a huge part of our life for the past two years. Between picking up Addie from preschool, taking Blake to his speech classes, and all our many other activities, I was always picking up, dropping off, or waiting for someone. I know the years are going to get busier, and I will adjust... but boy - this year was crazy. I love watching my boys learn new talents, and have new experiences. That being said - I'm so happy summer has started. We were all getting burned out, and needed a break. The last few weeks of school were filled with lots of field days (one big one as well as ones for each grade), a talent show, fun run, soccer games, and lots of encouraging words to help us get through. Wesley was having a hard time at the end...I was having a hard time at the end... lets just say - thank goodness for summer!

Here are some of the fun activities we did the last few weeks before school ended -

I took Blake to the movie theatre, and even bought him some candy. I'm thankful I get to have these special dates before he goes off to school. I can't imagine what life will be like when ALL my kids are in school. It will either be amazingly peaceful, or horrifically sad and boring (or maybe somewhere in between).

I took Blake and Addie to Scheels where we rode the ferris wheel and spent an hour walking around and playing with all the fun toys.

Blake and I went on a bike ride along a trail we like to call "the Zebra Trail." Along the way is a little farm with horses and a zebra that we always have to stop to pet and feed.

I love having an Ikea just minutes from my house. They have the best $2 breakfast!

Chase loved playing soccer this year. His coach was very uplifting, positive, and supportive. He was a great match for Chase.

A new splash pad opened up in our city. It is located next to my boys' school, so I got to watch as it was built and tested. We decided to attend the grand opening ceremony which was NUTS. I knew it was going to be busy, but I had no idea it was going to be THAT busy. We went back a few days later and it was much more manageable. I pick my kids up from school at the splash pad parking lot, and the water was turned on during the last week of school. On multiple occasions my boys couldn't resit the temptation of the cool water on a hot day, even though they were fully dressed in uniforms.

Opening ceremony craziness

much better

Every day during the last week of school, Blake had to run out of the car (fully clothed), to play in the water. I got smart and started bringing swimsuits to play in when we picked up his brothers(or I would at least make him take off his shirt).

1st grade field day

Wesley's two teachers - Mrs. Honeycutt, and Mrs. Daugherty. His main teacher, Mrs. Honeycutt, broke her leg in January so they had to get a permanent sub the rest of the year.