Ben and Emmalee misc.

 This is what Ben did to the table one day--and it's still there!  (I haven't tried anything besides the dishcloth yet). 

 I'm not sure when this all occurred.  

I just know these pictures were on my camera when I downloaded my pictures.  She does make one cute snowman!

 Emmalee's after-school lady bugs.

 Brienna did her hair this day (one of the few days she wanted someone else to do it).

 what a cute idea for a snack!

 Emmalee and Ben.

 This is what Ben likes to do at home--especially when I tell him we need to pick up the floor.

Once he's picked everything up, he pulls out the mini=vacuum and vacuums as much as he can.  He really is a great helper (especially if it is before 4 pm).

I have observed that he has his "meltdowns" after 4 pm.  And on days when he hasn't had enough sleep the night (or nights) before.  And once he has a meltdown, it takes a minimum of 20 minutes to calm him down (distract him, etc.) so he can join us again.

Elementary End-of-the-Year Awards & Gifts

 Emmalee received a few awards at the end of the year award ceremony.

 Here she is with her "Faithful Attendance" award--they can only miss 1-3 days.

 And here she is receiving her bronze medal for her AR goal (over 100 AR points in reading).

 All of the 2nd graders and 3rd graders received this.  Only a couple of 4th and 5th received higher.  Emmalee likes to read, but she isn't as "into" books as the older kids (Ethan, Brienna, Zane)

 I thought she looks so adorable here!  (and notice how cute her hair is!)

 Here is what I gave the graduates this year.  I put in play dough, candy, mints wrapped in money wrapper, and rolled up $2 bills.

I thought it would be a fun gift--and different than just giving money in a card.

 This is what I made for the teachers.  I made a double batch of cookies and only had about 1 dozen left over.  Each teacher had 6 cookies in their bag.  

 This is the card I made for them, and I wrote a note to each one on the back of it.

I had 16 that I gave out (I also gave some to the secretary & our superintendant/principal).  Again--I wanted to do something a little bit different.

(And not to brag or anything, but everyone loves my chocolate chip cookies.--OK, it is a brag)

Elementary Spring Concert

 Tuesday was the Elementary Spring "Zing" Concert.  Emmalee is in the blue shirt with the pink bow in her hair.  

 This is most of the elementary kids--minus the 9 kindergarteners & the nine 5th graders that are out of camera shot.  

 Here is the whole bunch.  I was impressed with this song.  Our music teacher had the kids singing in 3 different parts.  It was awesome!  Especially since we have such a small school.  I did get a little bit of a video I might try to add (I am still challenged when it comes to putting videos on my blog).

The 2nd graders! 

**About 2 or 3 months ago Emmalee decided she was going to start doing her hair all by herself--absolutely no help from me or Brienna.  A few times I asked if I could help her a little (lumps, bumps, creative, etc.) but she said she didn't want any help.  I should have taken some pictures, but I didn't.  I did enjoy all her creative styles, and most days, her hair looked awesome (and not "messy").  On those few days where her hair was a bit messy, I just bit my tongue (after she refused my help) and let her go to school.**

Town & Scrapbooking

Friday I went to town with Brienna & Ben.   Brienna needed an x-ray for her back doctor appointment in 2 weeks.  And I had a lot of stores/shopping to do (we had Emmalee's birthday shopping to do). We bought 2 pieces of foam for Rusty (since his back hurts & he puts a pad on top of the bed).  We went to about 10 stores.   I ended up going to Wal-Mart first, then to the "old" Wal-Mart to pick up Emmalee's bike (last stop) but (of course) they didn't have the bike so I had to go back to the other Wal-Mart to get the bike.

Also, there was a power outage in IF, so some of the stop lights were out & DI was closed for a few hours  (Ben had to make sure we made it to his favorite store!). So when we finally got home (I bought 3 Little Casear's pizza's for dinner) & put all the fridge/freezer stuff away, it was almost 8.  It was scrapbooking weekend, so I gathered all my supplies & went to set up my stuff.  I did manage to get a few pages done before coming home around 11 pm.  

Sat. I went back to scrapbook, took a break to help with Bountiful Baskets (1 1/2 hours) & then scrapbooked some more.  Around 4, I was at a stopping point and even though I could have stayed a few more hours, I packed things up and came home.  I made American tacos for dinner & home made salsa/pico de gallo & then worked on some piano recital stuff (awards, certificates, program).  So it was a very busy & tiring weekend.

But Sunday, the kids looked at the new pages I finished for their scrapbooks (and other books also) so it makes it worth it.  I just wish I had a place to scrapbook more often (all my stuff is still in the Jeep).  But it takes at least 1 long table to spread everything out, and there is definitely no room here for that!

Haircuts by Brienna

 Callum has been bugging me to give him a haircut, but I am usually to tired at the end of the day to even want to think about it.  So he talked Brienna into giving him a haircut.

 He decided to get it buzzed.  This is the first time she had given haircuts.

 wow, Callum--look at all the hair that is growing under your arm!

 Brienna's going to trim that too????

 I love Callum's giggles, laugh, and smile!

 I asked Ben to show me his hair cut and instead he showed me his "stinky feet"

 Actually, Ben's hair cut was first (I guess he's more forgiving).

 I did hear an "oops" once, but no real damage done!

 

Nice, Ben! 

Ben said his hair was a "knife"--so he went around "cutting" everyone's arms & legs.

Spring Piano Recital 2013

 Emmalee getting ready to play her songs.

 Emmalee

 Shilo Egan

 Emmalee

 Ellee Shifflett

 Hunter Egan

 Ivy Shifflett

 Brian Murdock

 Emmalee's & Brienna's duet.

 Joni Grover

 Matthew Murdock

 Abby Grover

 Brienna

 Josey Grover

 My piano students