End of School

Summer is in full swing and I am barely bloging about the end of school…I am way behind, but trying to catch up!

The last couple weeks of school were filled with concerts, parties, contests and graduations. I really enjoy watching the girls participate, they always do such a great job and seem to give it their all.

SPRING CONCERT

Every year the elementary puts on a Spring Concert. This year the theme was Rockin Around the World. They all sing a bunch of songs together as a group and then each individual class performs twice, once with a musical instrument and the other time they sing a song they have learned with actions. Jeslyn was also a narrator this year. It is always fun to see each grade perform with the instruments. Some of the kids are definitely better than others. At the beginning of the school year in music class each student gets to pick which instrument they would like to learn to play. Jeslyn picked the violin this year and liked it so well that she got one for Christmas and is now taking lessons. On this particular night...Jeslyn wasn't quite ready to perform. She had just gotten a new bow and forgot to rosin it. So it squeaked...She then had to pretend to play. It was kind of embarrassing but funny. We sat on the front row right in front of her and Clay saw her and was cooing and giggling at her...it was really cute.

Our school isn't very big about 12-18 kids per grade. We almost know everyone from either school or church which it makes it fun!

The Kindergarten class didn’t sit on the stage; they waited for their turn in the 2 front rows of chairs. I had a hard time getting a good picture of Jauncee, but I tried.

If Jauncee would have turned towards me I could have had them both pictured =)

MONSANTO SAFETY CONTEST

Every year Monsanto puts on a safety contest and this year Jauncee won first place and received $15.00 and a blue ribbon. Good Job Jaunc!

KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION

My little girl graduated from kindergarten and will be moving on to the first grade. I am sure going to miss my little helper everyday not to mention the special time we get together. Her graduation was really cute. You could tell all the kids were having fun. Jauncee really liked going to school and I was very impressed with her teacher Mrs. Pearson. Jauncee really came along ways since the first of the year.

The Kindergarten Class

We learned our ABC’s

And counting 1, 2, 3’s.

And now we know all these.

The kindergarten class.

We learned how to share

We learned how to care.

Just ask us if you dare.

The kindergarten class.

It seems we’ve just begun

And now we’re almost done.

This year’s been so much fun!

The kindergarten class.

But we must say so long.

With this our little song.

But we’ll be back ‘fore long

The kindergarten class.

CLASS OF THE YEAR

The third grade class was honored this year as the class of the year. They achieved 98 percent on their ISAT tests this spring, which is remarkable. Jeslyn scored in the advanced level on each individual test.

REPORT CARDS

I was very pleased with both of the girls’ grades this year. They both improved every term. For some reason Jeslyn’s report card wouldn’t upload to blogger but she did do a fantastic job. I am proud of both of them and hope they continue to strive for good grades each and every year.

Our Clayboy!

Oh our little Clay Boy…time sure flies when you’re having fun! And that is just what we have been up to all day every day…how could you not with such a cute bundle of joy!

There are so many things I want to remember about our baby who seems to be growing up too fast for his momma’s likings, although I think his daddy wishes he would hurry up and get big so he can help and tag along!

~ Clay has such a personality he is very animated in everything he does.

~ Very strong willed and persistent when he wants something.

~ Good natured and easy going, he will go to just about anybody.

~ He will clap when he is excited and patty cake on command. He also likes to play peek-a-boo.

~ Loves his daddy so much and the second he comes in the house…dad better pay him some attention or he will hear about it.

~ Loves to bathe. He kicks and splashes, talk about water everywhere even with the littlest amount.

~ He can maneuver around quite well scooting here and there on his bum. He hasn’t quite figured out the crawling thing yet but is so close. I think we spoil him and pack him around from room to room too much. Oh well!

~ Clay has 6 teeth. 2 on the top and 4 on the bottom.

~ If anybody laughs he starts laughing too.

~ He no longer has a palate for pureed food…he wants the real stuff.

~ He can say Ma-Ma and Da-Da. He also will say Ba Ba Ba and give a little wave.

~ He can pull himself to a standing position if he has something steady to hold on to.

~ Loves to go for walks in the stroller. He loves to be outside.

~ Every time I nurse him he likes to play and pull on my nose! It drives me nuts and if it isn’t my nose it’s my eyes and eyebrows. He really is a silly boy.

~ Clay’s smile can definitely light up the room and turn any frown upside down! He has a way of melting most hearts.

This little man really is the sweetest thing ever. He is so loved by everyone. I can’t imagine life without him. Clay has truly blessed our family and I am thankful I get to be his mommy.

We love you Clay!

Weenie Roast

I can’t seem to remember when we had this weenie roast, I do however remember it was cold but sunny and the girls had been waiting all spring to finally have a cookout so we entertained the idea. They love to roast hot dogs and marshmallows. I hope it decides to warm up so we can have many more cookouts with what is left of spring and of course this summer.

Clay loved sucking on the marshmallows…he was a sticky gooey mess. Isn’t he just the cutest thing ever?

Calving Season; Its not just work, it's a lifestyle!

Bringing calves into the world is time-intensive and sometimes stressful but the results of a healthy, active calf are well worth all the work.

This spring has been wet and cold to say the least…I can’t quite figure out why there is talk of global warming when it seems to be so much colder and for longer periods than I ever remember it being. I wish we actually had a spring instead of what seems like a really long winter. With that said…I am rather disappointed in the amount of pictures I have for this past calving season… the wet cold snowy weather didn’t make for pleasurable conditions for a baby. I think Clay and I got to go out once maybe twice. My hubby is great at most things…but he didn’t do a very good job at packing the camera out and about with him :)!

Jauncee was the calving trooper this year. The second she would see Dirk pull in the driveway she would run and get on all of her snow clothes. It didn’t matter the weather, she always wanted to go. I don’t think she missed out on tagging many calves and of course enjoyed every bit of it. I love that she is so ambitious and enjoys being outside no matter the weather.

We only had one calf that we got to bottle feed this year and for only a few times. Jes had the honors. I don’t think the calf made it…he was sick from the start.

I was informed last night that this calf is very alive and is doing well. It's mama had to big of teets in the beginning to latch on.

These particular pictures are from a Sunday afternoon which started out sunny. In a matter of 10-15 minutes we were in a full on blizzard! Clay didn’t seem to mind he was snuggled up in his coat and nestled in my arms asleep…the 4-wheeler always seems to do that to him.

Calving season is always fun and sometimes anxiously anticipated…it’s fun to watch and see the outcomes of all the pairings. One never knows just what they might get!