Finished at Last!

I'm happy to report that the 2009/2010 school year has at last come to a suitably successful conclusion.  Both boys made the honor roll thanks to some hard work and a lot of parental nagging and homework assistance.  As a matter of fact, I think Sam and I were more tired than Chad & Aaron of the homework and studying.  And so I say, halleljuah!  We are done for two whole months.  Here is Aaron at the 6th grade Honors Assembly.  Now if only next year he can stay out of lunch detention.

And here is the only picture I currently have of 8th grade graduation.  Some 14 year old whose name shall remain anonymous broke my camera a week and a half ago while trying to film his skateboarding exploits and we are still working out the kinks with the new camera.  So, here is a picture of Chad and a couple of his possy from the Facebook files of Nathan Hewitt.  Thanks Nathan!

It was a great day for Chad and he even got a brand spankin' new skateboard deck for graduation to replace the one that got run over by the car last week.  (Chad's had a rough week.  He also put his ipod through the laundry.  I ask you, do you think this boy is responsible enough for high school?  Yikes.)  After the ceremony, we went out to Chillis, and later he had a sleepover where not much sleeping at all was done with a few of his first class pals.  Look out, La Cueva, here they come!

Summer, come quickly!

Do you ever feel like the month of May will never end? I am exhausted. I think I could probably take three naps a day. I have been out almost all day for most of the past few Saturdays. I am tired of projects, finals, concerts, games - everything! And I've turned into a whiny cranky pants, if you didn't notice. :)
Here is the NM Select Boys team after their final tournament game on Saturday night. They look the way I felt by that time. It was their third game of the day (following Aaron's double header and the kids' piano recital earlier in the day) and it was about 100 degrees in the gym. They were completely wiped out and, being the obnoxious mother that I am, I decided to document their fatigue with the camera.

And here they are the next afternoon after a good night's rest doing their semi-formal end of the season picture. Holy Cow! These boys have worked hard. For the record, it is not a good idea for your middle schooler to do two sports at a time unless both you and he have more energy than we do. Chad is absolutely thrilled to have a week free of practice. Now if only baseball was over - and everyone knows I never want baseball to end! I'll probably be bored out of my gourd a couple of weeks from now when school is out and everything else is wrapping up, but boy does a little down time sound nice about now.

Recital!

Saturday was the annual recital for Mrs. Jensen's fabulous piano students. They all did a wonderful job and we, the audience, were quite impressed.

The Smith boys - relieved to be finished. They suffer from some serious pre-performance anxiety.Bethany, Kaitlyn & Emily - La Cueva Ward's resident musical prodigies.

Here is Bethany playing "Shortnin' Bread". She made me want to get up and dance a jig.

And Aaron playing Sliding on a Rainbow. Love those glissandos.

Chad playing Moonlight Sonata. He's practiced this song for months and I never get tired of it. This was Chad's final piano recital. Miranda is taking his spot next year. But, do not fear, music lovers. He has committed to practice one hymn a week on his own from now on.

How you can tell That Amber Needs Shorter Naps

So, last night, the girls were all tucked snugly in their beds - or so I thought.  I snuggled into my own bed with an excellent book breathing a sigh of relief that pajamas, teethbrushing & prayers were at last complete.  I got through a paragraph of my book when to my surprise, onto my bed popped a cute little three year old.  This is how the next half an hour went.

Amber - "Mom, It looks like I forgot to get a hug."
So, she got a hug and a scoot back towards her bed.  Five minutes later.
Amber - "Mom, it looks like I forgot to get a kiss too."
So, she got a kiss and a not so gentle scoot back towards her bed.  Five minutes later.
Amber - "Mom, I forgot to get a drink."
Five minutes later.
"Mom, I can't read because the girls turned off all of the lights."  (Yeah! Kind of the point.)
Five minutes later.
"Mom, I can't sleep because the alarm clock scares me."
Oh boy!

Miranda's Birthday Date

Yesterday was Miranda's 7th Birthday.  Being a busy Saturday, we decided to put off the party until today.  So, the big event for Miranda's actual birthday was a lunch date with Grandma.  Miranda decided she wanted the two of them to go to Applebees alone.  When Aunt Emily and Aunt Rebecca asked Miranda if she was sure she didn't want them to come along, she answered quite emphatically, "Really Sure!"  So, these two lovely ladies headed off to the restaurant.  As they pulled into the parking lot, Miranda noticed something next door.  "Ooh, Grandma, it's a Burger King!"  And just like that, there was a change in plans.  Instead a nice sit down lunch with molten chocolate lava cake for dessert, they got macaroni and cheese and chocolate milk.  Oh well!  At least Miranda is a cheap date.  We are so lucky to have this thoughtful, creative, meticulous, funny little girl in our family.  Happy Birthday Precious!

Big, Bad Chad

It's May, which means that my children are overscheduled, we have parties and/or games almost every day and I am too discombobulated to remember to take any pictures.  Luckily, some parents have clearer heads than mine and hence, here are some shots from Chad's game last night taken by one of the awesome North Valley Dads who was kind enough to share his album with us.

The wind up!

The extension!

The release!

Trying to steal second.

And now trying to steal home.

I love this picture.  Chad looks like such a beast.

Up to bat!

And starting his slide into home.

And here is Chad holding a conference at the mound with Cameron and Justin.  Justin has been on Chad's team for four years now and I am going to adopt him as soon as I can convince Teresa and Reno to relinquish custody.  He is the coolest freshman I know (and I can say that since Chad's only in 8th grade).  Cam's not so bad either.  I think I'll adopt him too.