The End and The Beginning

As one chapter ends a new one begins -- schools out for summer!  Before the big last day of school happened, we enjoyed an end of the year violin concert from Ethan and the rest of the third grade.  You'll thank me for sparing you the video footage.  Hahahahaha.  Just imagine the shrieking, squeaking sounds of dozens of violins eking out the strains of "Hot Cross Buns" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" over and over again.  It was quite a concert!  In all honesty, though, I do love that the school district provides violin classes for all third graders to give them a taste of the finer things in life.  Ethan has opted to continue with the violin next year in Orchestra and I think that will be a great experience for him.

No Yo Ma

Aside from Flip Day (where they meet next year's teachers) and Field Day there weren't too many other last minute activities to attend.  And sadly enough I didn't even make it over to the school for either of those this year.  The very last day of school, however, was spent in celebration.  After going to 3 different stores, I finally managed to track down the red and purple snow cone syrup that I signed up to bring for Sophie's class party.  I felt like I had to sign up for SOMETHING considering they were having this kind of party specifically for Sophie's allergies -- the other two preschool sections had ice cream parties instead.  I finally tracked some down at Target and after I made one last stop at Costco to try and find some big boxes of freezie pops for our summer festivities we wound up late for preschool on the very last day.  Quite apropos, really.  After dropping her off I headed home with the little ones for them to take a nap and for me to take a shower and get dressed in "real clothes" -- because as Sophie informed me earlier that day she didn't want me wearing those "junky clothes" to her party.  Nice.  We made it on time to her party and managed to snap some pictures with her preschool friends and teachers.  She has loved this year so much and is so excited for Kindergarten.  It's been nice that her preschool is at the same school as the big kids and I'm hoping that Kindergarten won't be too big a transition -- especially since she'll be doing summer school there as well in just a couple of weeks.

 Sophie's friend, Jack.

I love how Jane made herself right at home on the playground with Sophie's friends.

Her new favorite go-to pose.

Chilling in the stroller.

Sophie with Miss Christine and Miss Deb.

When Sophie's party was over we went to collect Ethan and Grace and got their obligatory shots with their teachers.  They have really lucked out with having such awesome teachers here at their school.  It's been a really great year for both of them.

Ethan and Ms. Sugrue

Grace and one of her best friends, Anna.

Grace and Ms. Lemonds

And that was a wrap!  After school --  in a RARE moment of flexibility -- Ethan agreed to let me take them all to Wal-Mart to try and track down those freezie pops and a plastic kiddie pool.  I was beginning to think that those hard plastic kind aren't being made anymore, but we hit the jackpot with our outing.  A slip 'n slide was purchased along with 3 boxes of freezie pops, some lunchables for dinner, the makings for s'mores, and movie candy to enjoy for a first night of summer vacation treat.  The only downfall was that even though we FOUND a kiddie pool at the Wal-Mart, there was no way to fit it in the car with all the kids and I had to go back once Scott was home to cart it home at last. 

In an effort to be a "fun" and "cool" mom I promised the kids that today and tomorrow could be "Freebie" days to celebrate the start of summer vacation.  So what exactly does this entail?  Well, basically I told them they can do whatever they want so long as it doesn't cost money and I don't have to drive them anywhere.  And it can't cause harm to anyone else.  And they don't have to do chores.  Believe me when I say they have been planning what they're going to do for their Freebie days for weeks now.  Hahahaha.  

As a last minute idea I decided it would be really fun to kick off the first day of summer with a little party.  Hence the kiddie pool, slip 'n slide, and freezie pops.  A general invite was sent to everyone from church along with a couple of friends from other wards.   The festivities were started this afternoon and lasted for a few hours with a total of about 7 other families making their way over to celebrate with us.  All in all I'd say Day 1 of Summer Vacation was a rip-roaring success!  Let's just hope the rest of the break goes this well, too.

 Playing in the pool before everyone got there.

 One of the water games Ethan organized -- there were 2 teams racing to fill up the buckets with water squeezed from sponges.  I think it went over really well with everyone!  He's quite the party planner.  Hahahaha.

 Alex discovered watermelon today.  It was a hit.  And it's good to know that every part of the watermelon is edible.  

Enjoying a freezie pop.

Fun in the sun.

To close I'll leave you with my favorite pictures of the day.  THIS is what Grace and Sophie changed into after everyone left this evening.  And this was their self-imposed pose.

Hahahahahahahaha.

Happy Summer!