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The concrete was poured for the pool today and is supposed to stay moist, so at least 2-3 times a day for the next week we are supposed to go spray it down.

Photos courtesy of Caleb.

We had such a good time celebrating the accomplishments of a great young man this past weekend.  Christian Hicken graduated from high school AND received his Eagle Scout award.  We love this great guy!  We love his good family!  Christian is so easy going and pleasant to be around.  He's respectful and kind.  He's great with my kids.  He's pleasant to talk to and comfortable around adults.  He's responsible and smart and I can't wait to see what the future holds for him.  Since our families are so close, he feels like family.  And I had to fight back tears all weekend when I looked at him achieve these great milestones and look forward to the life ahead.  And when I looked at his mom and dad and siblings and thought about how much they would miss him!  There are 10 children among the 3 "amigo" families (Smith/Hicken/Dalebout) and to see the first graduate and get ready for college is a little hard to take. 

But if they will all do as well as Christian we will have lots more celebrating to do in the years to come.  He's such a good example to the rest of the kids and we love him for that.

 

Congratulations, Hicken's!!!

 

I've mentioned it here before, but my boys have taken music lessons from "Ms.Jeanie" (Jeanie Roemer)for over 6 years now.  And I was crushed when she told me she was going to cut back her own classes to support her other teachers (she is a director for Kindermusik International).  This woman was MEANT to work with children - she adores them and she loves music.  And the combination was truly magical each week.  I loved spending an hour with her and Samuel each week (and before that Caleb and before that Jacob).  She became a friend and we love her dearly.  These pics are from Samuel's last "Mom and Me" class of the semester on May 19th.  (And poor thing REALLY needed to go potty in that last shot :).

We spent the morning at the school listening to the teacher's say wonderful things about my kids (and other kids, which is also nice).  Then we left school and met some other neighborhood moms and their kids at the pool for 4 hours – we ordered pizza and one of the dads went to pick it up.  We chatted and sun-bathed and watched the kids play. 

It was a great way to start the summer!

Jacob's 4th grade class did a "Living History Museum" project recently.  They each had to choose a famous Texan to research and dress up as.  Each student would hold up a thumb and if pressed by another student or parent, would give a memorized monologue about that person.  Jacob chose Lance Armstrong.  The costume was easy since Jacob, too, is a biker (he even got to bring his bike).  Papa C bought him a Livestrong shirt and bracelet.  He made a Tour de France trophy our of cardboard.  And he memorized his lines in about 15 minutes (the kid is an amazing memorizer…that brain of his just sucks it in!).  He was so excited the morning of, he woke up early and had some yogurt, but I couldn't get him to eat any more (big breakfasts are the norm around here).  I got a call about an hour into school from his teacher that he was in the nurse's office with what she thought was a mild "panic attack".  Poor kid!  A visit from Derek with a snack and a talk seemed to help.  Then I came up to hear him give his monologue.  He still wasn't quite himself, and I know he was thrilled to have it over, but he did it and I was proud to see him finish the task well.

It's the day before the last day of school.  But the last day of school there is this parental/teacher pressure to take your child home after the "Celebration of Learning" (around 10:30 am) - because everyone else is and because it's done…all the learning is done and it's time for them to come home. 

I have my summer plan drawn up.  My summer chore cards printing (Derek made them actually).  I have a plan for each day of the week this summer.  And camps are registered for (just a few).  I'm excited to have my kids home.  To reinforce good manners…to spend time together and not worry about homework or early bedtime.  The first month of summer is always the hardest, I think.  Working out the kinks, and cleansing the "world" from them (all the things they learn from other kids!) and helping them work together again and be friends.

Almost everyday around 2pm or 2:30 pm I take a little time for myself.  I lay down and read and usually take a brief nap (why is it so darn easy to fall asleep in my old age?!).  It's my brief respite before the "storm" of homework and dinner and activities. 

And today it's the last time for a few months (or at least the last time I'll do it by myself without little voices asking me what they can do next).  Samuel is asleep and I've got 25 minutes 'til the big boys come home.  Goodbye 2 pm – for now!

One of the most satisfactory things for me as a mother is when I put a good meal on the table for my family.  Maybe it's because they appreciate it so much.  Maybe it's because this way I know they are eating healthy.  Maybe because it's a vital part of life and it feels very nurturing.  Maybe because when someone is well fed, they seem happier, more energetic, and more ready to learn. Whatever the reason, I like it.  It's one of the ways I communicate love – I give food!  It makes me feel good to serve a home-cooked meal.  On this particular night it was fresh steamed green beans and a lasagna (with spinach sneaked in).  As Martha says…"it's a good thing".

 

  

…when your mother lets your brothers dress you for the pool.  They put you in a bathing suit that is two sizes too big.

 

It's a good thing we were the only ones there – it literally fell all the way off a few times! :) 

Well, the Smith's have gone and taken the plunge (poor pun intended).

We're building a pool.

And we thought to ourselves…"you know we have three strapping boys who could use a little work in their lives" so we decided to let them dig the hole!  See…?

 

And look how proud they are of themselves in their work…

 

I'll tell you the best part about putting in a pool (other than the countless hours of swimming enjoyment that will be had) – BUILT-IN ENTERTAINMENT!  This is better than Dora!  And he might still learn some Spanish! :)  This child spent HOURS at the window on Wed, Thurs and Fri.  No tv necessary.  Just a bag of goldfish and some time at the window waving to his new "friend" and "buddies" as he calls them. 

 

Take a look at this beauty…

 
This is what is called a 'hydraulic rock breaker' and it is NOT something you want to have to bring in.  Why?  It's called a "rock clause" – that's contract talk for more $$$!!  Luckily, our pool builder took it easy on us and was very generous.   But, once again, great entertainment!  It's like a jack-hammer on steroids.  Or a dinosaur claw!

We celebrated with a trip to the community pool…where we will spend our first few months of summer until our own pool is finished.  They had earned a little down time after a hard day's work of digging!

 

Updates will be forthcoming…stay tuned!

  

These boys worked so hard at piano this year.  Caleb improved and grew despite limited time for lessons.  Jacob excelled leaps and bounds and didn't fight it as much, which made all the difference.  He enjoyed piano this year and would often sit and play without being prompted.  I love to hear these two make music.  I'm grateful for a great piano teacher in Ms Mae.  Keep it up, boys!

 
"Graduation March" and "The Music Box"

 
"Perpetual Motion II" and "Moonlight on the Harbor" (also learned this year "Aria" "Toccata Drammatica" and "Sonatina")