Berry Picking!

 I was inspired this year to go berry picking after reading it on a friend's list of summer items.  I researched some options and picked Ham's Orchard.  My kids (and I) don't do well with heat so I figured we'd pick berries for a little bit and then head home. I was completely wrong.  They all loved it and Kayden asked to go back out three separate times while we were cooling off. I was going to tackle the adventure all by myself but Oma decided to come along.  We had so much fun with her and I'm so glad she came because I was able to be so much calmer with another person to help with the kids (and I was able to get some pictures!).

Oma brought this giant hat for her.  The girls quickly took it over!

 

 

 

 

Killian insisted on being held most of the time.

He also couldn't be bothered to hold his own bucket!

The girls liked to hide in the shade of the hat even if they weren't the one wearing it.

Pretty soon Killian discovered the sticks.

    After we got pretty hot, we headed to the porch for lunch and peach ice cream - ice cream first!

 

 

He couldn't be bothered to eat by himself either....

Keeley found a bug and trapped it until everyone could see it.  Killian needed to be really close.

Rocking chairs!!

Girls and Oma headed out again and Killian wanted to stay in the rocking chairs.

Love that sweet boy.

I got up to straighten up lunch and he headed off for Oma and the girls.

On a mission!!

       

Keeley carried her bucket and Killian's back to be weighed.

We had a great time and all the kids slept on the way home!  Kayden asked if we could please go blueberry picking soon so I've started researching that too...

Kelly surprised us all by making a blackberry cobbler with our pickings a few days later.  Yum!

Zoo

 For Father's Day we decided to head to the zoo.  I've been a couple of times with the kids since we got the membership but Kelly hadn't been yet.  We had so much fun.  We got there right as they opened, of course, because the kids get up so early.  

The girls like to measure themselves with these penguins.  They were really upset that Killian wouldn't participate!

Feeding the giraffes!  So fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Girls on the monorail.  All three of the kids actually love the monorail every time we go.

Again, three kids in tow (one of which is a very active toddler) means not many pictures.  We saw the giraffes, elephants, and tigers.  Killian wanted to see the tigers three different times.  After we saw everything and had lunch, we played in the water and then bribed the kids with ice cream to get them headed toward the exit!  On the way home, Kayden was asleep before we were even on the highway and Killian followed shortly thereafter.  I had mandated a 30 minute "no talking" time so the kids could all fall asleep.  Keeley didn't fall asleep and kept telling me, "Mom, if we can't talk, then you and Dad can't talk either."  So bossy!  Wonder where she gets it from....

Last day of school/first day of summer

Well, the school year has come and gone.  This has been a stressful year with us at Good Shepherd and we are not planning to return next year.  Today was incredibly bittersweet for me.  On the one hand, I can't wait to start the summer with the girls.  I've missed them so much this year.  On the other hand, it has been really hard for me to prepare for this day knowing it would be our last at Good Shepherd.  We started at the the school when Keeley was 2.  Those teachers have loved and nurtured our girls through the loss of my Kendrick, my grandfather, and the birth of Killian.  The girls have learned so much!  They have truly blossomed in the montessori environment and we are so thankful for all of our experiences there.

Here's Kayden on the first and last day of school....

 

And Keeley.....

 And the family....

 

I cannot believe how much they have changed in a year!!!   I also cannot believe the girls will be in Kindergarten and First grade next year!

I decorated the mudroom as a surprise for when I picked them up and they loved it.....

 

And we compiled a list of activities to start working on during the summer.  I'm going to savor every minute of summer with my babies.  Or at least cram enough activities in to carpe kairos a bit!

 

Kindergarten Bridge Ceremony

In the montessori environment the students are grouped in three year cycles.  Completion of kindergarten also completes the primary cycle.  Keeley has been in the same classroom for the last 3.5 years (she moved up to primary a little early).  In that three years the student transition from the little ones in the class doing the "baby works" as the girls call them the to leaders of the classroom.  They are able to give lessons to the younger students and help the teachers with the flow of class more as they get older.  Keeley has had some amazing teachers and the ability to really shine in the classroom.  At the end of the year there is a bridging ceremony for the kindergarteners.  It is held in the school's garden and has some of the middle year students in attendance.  It was doubly special for me as Kayden was able to watch Keeley complete the ceremony.

Students arriving in the garden.  

Listening to Mrs. Stevens talk.

Mrs. Stevens explaining the artwork she gave each child.

Mrs. Stevens talked about the transition that occurs in the primary and compared it to a butterfly.  She gave each of the students a drawing she had done showing the life cycle of a butterfly.  This is an appropriate analogy but also really special to Keeley because she loves the life cycle of the butterfly.  She has come home with every work the classroom has pertaining to that life cycle.  At the end of the talk Mrs. Stevens talked of how the students had their wings and were ready for the next adventure - elementary. 

Middle year students looking on

 After that it was time to cross the bridge to symbolize the bridging to the next stage.

 

 

 

Keeley with Mrs. Bacon.

The kindergarteners.

Kindergarteners with their lead teachers.

Birthday party!

Kayden had so much fun at her party last year that she requested the exact same one this year!  However, this year, she wanted to help even more than last year.

Making the perfect shade of blue for the water.

Icing the "water" cupcakes.

Directing her assistant.

Cake and little jello fish treats.

Dolphin balloon she selected as her mylar balloon.

      

Watching the bounce house go up

 

The sand art table.

Serious about his snack!

Kayden wanted her snack inside, privately.

Pizza!!!  I asked if we could just get cheese and she made sure I got a few pepperoni because she's "noticed some of her friends like pepperoni."  Such an observant and sweet girl.

Wanted to sit in my lap for cake time.

     

Killian is intently watching and miming the blowing since he just had his party.

 

Serious about cake too.

Sweet little hostess.