Teacher Appreciation

The motto around our house these days has been, "Better Late, Than Never".  Because of Pinterest, I had these planned out for awhile, but never was able to put them together with the kids in a timely manner.  Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week.  Our teachers received them this week.

Charger Challenge

Apparently, our school has hosted a 3rd, 4th and 5th grade track meet each year for the past 12 years?  It is a way for the elementary kids to be introduced to track and for the coaches to see the prospects who are coming from the lower grades.

Also a surprise to me, it is a city-wide track meet and many schools participate.  About 350 kids overall.

When I actually read the form this year, Mollee was very interested and when I asked Tavis he said, "Sure, whatever?"  So we signed up!

We had to be at school at 8:00 for registration, which was very early after our late night out last night, but the kids survived.

 It was funny, because all the other schools had uniforms and coaches, but we were the hosts and had no such thing.  Somehow, Mollee and Tavis both ended up in green, which was nice because they were easy to spot.

Mollee signed up for the running long jump as one of her events.  She did ok, but she had a few foot faults. I applaud her for just trying because all the other girls had their coaches reminding them how to do it, etc and she just had me saying, "Jump"!

Mollee did the jump, 100m, 200m, and 400m.  She is quick, but she has had some knee issues (we are told this is a growing pains for some girls her age) and her asthma was giving her grief.  She did end up with 4th place in the 400m, although I think she was a little disappointed with that being her only ribbon?

Tavis did awesome, and I was so proud.  He needed a boost of confidence and he got it!  He ran the 50m, 100m, 200m and 400m.  For those who don't know, and to give you an idea, the 400m is one lap around the track, which I think was a lot farther than the kids expected! (again, hilarious because my kids were clueless and have had no training, but the other kids seemed to know how to pace themselves a little better - my kids were run hard until you are about to die)

 Tavis got 2nd place in the 50m and the 400m and he got 3rd place in 100m.

Waiting on awards!!!

 Long day at the track, but so proud of both of them!!!!!

Taters and Tubesteaks - 2012 edition

aka Jason/Daddy's Birthday!

Jason got home from work after 5:00, after a very long day, but the kids couldn't wait to give him his presents before we had to leave at 5:30 to head to Taters and Tubesteaks, an annual church cookout and then baseball game!  The kids got him a 3 lb bag of Reese's Pieces, a new book and a t-shirt that said "Angry Birds" but has a flustered Woodstock on it.

I also couldn't wait to give him his gift, as I got him an embosser to stamp his books "From the Library of...." (we seem to be losing books as he can never remember who he lent them to).

We headed to the park for a cookout and a few games.  And Pastor Mullinax had a 'birthday cake' waiting for Jason!!

Then we headed to the baseball game, where Uncle Daniel and Aunt Heather met us and spoiled the kids with drinks and candy and peanuts that we never want to pay for at the game!

Mac had the cutest orange soda mustach, but I could never get a picture!

Mollee so involved in the game..... (jr. high coming soon)

 Tavis and Eric hanging out!

We actually made it to the 8th inning this year, but Jason wasn't willing to wait a little longer for the fireworks, so we made our hike to the van - which was soooo far away!!

Happy Birthday, Babe!

AR for Capps

Capps has improved drastically this year in his reading, and he finally got a 25-pt medal.

I love this of him and his buddies checking them out!

Mollee also got another reading certificate, probably her last one ever since she'll be moving to Jr. High next year!

side note: When Daegan got his 200-point medal we were all amazed.  He worked really hard to get his 250-point medal - even reading a few small books last Thursday to make sure, since he was hovering around 248.  Unfortunately, there is no 250-point medal.  Just 200-pt and then 300-pt.  Now, he has a goal for next year!

Happy Birthday, Moriah!

We spend a lot of time together, but have no pictures together. I guess when you hang out so often, you tend to not pull out the camera when together.

I made sure we got one on Easter, while we looked better than the normal no make-up and pony tails.

Love you, girl!

My last Kindergarten Round-Up

I attended my last Kindergarten Round-Up today.  This is an afternoon they give the upcoming kindergartners to come and see their new school.

Each time, they get a t-shirt that they will wear on all Kindergarten field-trips and they have a theme.  These year was Frogs - "Hopping into Kindergarten"

They had a frog craft and, unless in Sunday School, I don't think Mac has ever used a glue stick.  How sad is that?

They had a Frog Story

And they had Frog Cookies

Then, they got to go to P.E. class.  And then to Recess.

Mac had a blast and he is ready.  Even if Mommy isn't....

Jersey Day 2012

To was 'Jersey Day' at school.  My kids don't have jerseys, but they do have favorite teams.  So, they all wore their t-shirt representing their favorite team.

Not sure why Tavis looks like this?

(Middle two are smart kids!)

Tavis and his orange!

This is Tavis' pile of laundry from today.  Can you guess what color he prefers to wear?

Heck, look above at our easter pic?

Cereal on Sunday Night

We always have cereal and popcorn for dinner on Sunday night. That is what I grew up eating and that is now what I offer my children.

When I was doing the DPP I took this picture, but never used it, to show what selection coupons and sales give my children in the cereal department.Since work has gotten so crazy, and coupons aren't being used like they should, our selection tonight was Cheerios, Honey-Nut Cheerios, Crispix and Honey Bunches of Oats.

My, how the kids long for the old days....

Welcome to the Big Boys Room

The new style is to have mis-matched furniture, right?

The desk was one of my siblings. The chair belonged to the Hildebrands. The two dressers are totally different and came from two different Henry kids rooms when they moved out and got married. The left bunk bed is the one that my brother slept in and then, strangely enough, Jason slept in when he lived with my parents for awhile. The newest addition - the bunk on the right we got this week from the Anands. And another set of bunk beds means Mac can sleep with the Big Boys.

I was hoping to put this off until Summer because the boys have to get up and get ready for school. And half the time, Mac sleeps in. But, I was not home at bedtime last night and Daddy agreed to let Mac sleep downstairs. He can be charmingly convincing, you know?

Hopefully, next post will be about my office set up in Mac's 'old' room.

Mac's 5-yr-old check up

So, I don't post these kind of posts much anymore. One, because most of my kids are only required to come in every other year. Two, because after this one, our insurance doesn't cover them anymore (no vaccines and no check-ups after age 5, nice!)

Mac had his check-up today. He aced the eye test and we were able to check off everything on the list (dry at night, understands commands, communicates well, etc.). When Dr. asked him what hand he wrote with he rose his right hand? I said, no - give him a pen. Then he drew something with his left hand. Dr. asked again and he raised his right hand again? Not sure what that was about??

He was 36 lbs and 41 inches - both 15%. I'm not sure how accurate that is since we are 3 months late, but it helped him get on the charts. He also received the rest of his vaccines (not happy with Mommy) until age 12. This brought on further investigation of all the other kids shots - Mollee is complete until her b-day (age 12), Tavis needs both new Hepatitis shots, Daegan needs second new shot, Capps is complete and now Mac is complete - glad I checked into those!

Easter Sunday

The night before - all set up and ready for the crew!Mac may have gotten more spoiled this year?

PJ chaos before breakfastOf course, Mac slept in today and we had to wake him up, but, he wasn't disappointed!

After breakfast and getting dressed, we head outside for pictures - before church!

My Boy Buddies

The oldest and youngest - this picture just sort of happened by mistake and I'm so glad it did - I love it!!!

I won't post all the individual pictures, but I couldn't resist this one!

The kiddos:

Mollee and Daddy:

Mommy and the Boys!

My azalea is always a late bloomer, which worked out great this year!

After church, we got a picture my Papa's Oak Tree. This was a silly face test for lighting.

And, our family photo.

Happy Easter, all!!!!!

Caines Basketball Court

Growing up, there was a basketball game in the driveway often, usually, a few times a week. These games were very serious business. I have no idea how to even calculate how many I sat and watched.

Dad was very good at teaching my brothers, and my sisters (notice how I'm not on the list), the rules, smart moves to make, etc. But this is what he had to work with: JR, the maniac player - his tactic was to shock you by his craziness, whether it was yelling in your face or possibly relieving you of your shorts. Philip, the fouler - he felt no shame for any pain inflicted, he'd even inflict pain on himself by punching a wall or something if he made a stupid move. David, the jerk and only one that really played basketball - usually trying to make you laugh or say something cocky that made you want to destroy him. Heather, who was always in on the playing and was tough up against the boys. Ruth, who was a lot younger, was usually sent to chase the balls that went down the hill.

When Jason joined the family, I was very excited to watch him join in these games. And then Jon joined in also - I think we even have pictures of Gary playing a little bit while he was here? :)

Today, after the Egg Hunt, the David Caines' were around to play. Somehow, the Dads (Papa, Jason, Jon and David) and Heather started a game of H-O-R-S-E. Might I add, my hubs won!!!!

Soon, the cousins started to linger out near the court and they decided to play an organized game. It was the Dads against Heather and the cousins.

At first, I didn't understand the why it was split this way, but Dad said it was teach them to play together and let the Dad's just put a little pressure on them - Smart!

It was so fun! I look forward to the boys playing many, many more games in Papa's driveway.

And I look forward to continue my post as cheerleader sitting in the sun!