Summer vacation [day 1]

The start of Summer Vacation usually (well, back when I was a kid) meant warmth and fun in the sun.

Not so much for my kids.

Today's high reached about 55•. Maybe.

But that didn't stop them from dressing in summer gear and playing with summer toys.

Today's fun was building "dirt castles" and digging a hole to the middle of the world. :)

They sure are creative kids! What fun!!

The Fortress

Just chillin' in his hole

Look Mom!  Colton shrunk!

Sitting in his hole

Fire night <s'mores>

We used an industrial restaraunt Wok to make our fire pit. Aaron actually used this as part of his display for the Home and Yard Show this year for the purpose of demonstrating that you could use this as an actual fire pit.

We limbed up some trees in the afternoon and they made perfect branches to burn and also for our roasting sticks.

Roasting to perfection

Parker wore sunglasses to keep smoke from getting in his eye

Ahhhhhh....this is nice...even Rem enjoyed the fire!

The marshmallows were bigger than the grahams!

I PROMISE Colton!  You don't have anything on your face!

They really enjoyed the fire

Easy lesson:  Hold it AWAY from the fire so it won't get burned...  :)

OH YEAH.

BAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Kindergarten graduation and after party

Words cannot describe the emotions I felt today. Happy, joyful, excited, and especially weepy :)

Wonderful, wonderful kindergarten graduation. Beyond amazing teacher. Awesome friends. Great parents. What more could you ask for?

Parker was honored with many awards today....wanna know? Ok. :) in no specific order.....

1) was given a brand new NIV kids adventure bible. (these were given to the kids who accepted Christ as their savior on Passover)
2) the Christian Character award
3) bible verse memorization award
4) Kindergarten diploma
5) faithful attendance award (missed only 2 days of school)

Fun awards were:
1) gummy worms - he was the "wiggly worm" in class
2) gummy bears - he was the big "hugger" in the class...always willing and ready to hug his favorite teacher
3) payday candy bar - he was the most improved in his class -- his work really "payed" off
4) smarties - he is a smart boy!!!!

After the awards, songs, bible versed, and class video we concluded, cried, hugged and promised to return the following fall. We went to Elijah's house for a BBQ and fun!!!

My! Has he grown!!!

I saw this idea YEEEEEEEEEAAAARS ago in a magazine and have had it imprinted in my brain since then. Take a picture on the first day of school---save the clothes---and dress them in those clothes on the last day of school. I have been waiting ALLLLL year for this last day picture...im kind of obsessive-weird that way when I am excited about something like this....Not only has the face of the child changed, but the clothes (how they now fit) have changed too! You are able to really see the growth that way!
With Parker, he is 7 less teeth smiley ;)
And he has grown a good 2"! His cute kiddy face has now become more big kid-like and thinner. What a transformation!
For me, it's a "happy-sad" moment. I'm so excited for him growing up and learning, but also a little sad that he's no longer that little boy who so needs every bit of me.
Aw, Park, I love ya so much.

The Fab Farr's

Parker wanted all of us to put our glasses on in the car before church this morning. We're cool. We know. ;)

Colton's "2nd" 5th party

Last Kindergarten field trip for Parker

Let me just start by inserting my "mom cry" here.  I cannot...CANNOT believe that the school year has come to and end.  Kindergarten, what!?  When!?  How did this time end so soon!?

What an A-MAZING, blessed year. 

Enough of that, we'll save that post for the Kingergarten Graduation next week. ;)

Park had his last field trip ( I call this a play day ) at Franklin Park today.  Just a time for families, siblings, parents, friends to come and enjoy a last ho-rah at the park playing and eating lunch.

The first day of school this year was also spent at the park, so this was kind of "re-creating" the beginning of the year.  Same thing - play, read, sing, eat, play again.

Crazy how these kids have grown to love one another and their teacher, neither of whom they really knew on the first day of school.

No longer did Parker need me to follow him everywhere on the playground...he has his "dudes" (friends) now to do that with.  What a proud moment :)

Mason, Elijah, Ryan, Parker, and Cash --- these boys are his core group of friends

Colton enjoyed his "special" lunch with the class too

Colton, Ryan, Cash, Elijah, Parker, Brook

Colton, Parker, Cash, Connor

Ryan and Parker --- super good friends

Colton, Ryan, Cash, Elijah, Parker, Brook, Connor, Caylee

Parker asked for a lunchable---we don't normally do these, but since it was a special day, we let it go :)

I love his face in this picture, he was and is such a determined boy.  He couldn't do monkey bars at the beginning of this year, he is growing so fast.

COLTON!!!!   He mastered t he monkey bars for the FIRST TIME today!  PROUD MOM!!!

Parker and Mama.  I love him!!

Just had to put this in, he'll probably never get a lunchable again :)

Colton, Parker, Connor

Connor, Fabio, Ryan, Parker