Phoebe is so excited...

A couple of months ago, Phoebe brought home a styrofoam cup with soil in it.  She has watched and watered the soil as it grew with excitement and anticipation.  Today we replanted it into a bigger pot...

My Sweet P was screaming with excitement when she saw the flower today!

Sunday Snapshot - {My Pets}

I'm a bit late with my Sunday Snapshot because of the holiday.

This weekend my kids were all over the place, but my animals were not :)

Jasper - I can almost hear him saying to me "Please don't take another picture of me"

Hampton - He's a mess and old, but we love him.

Gracie - I honestly think she poses.

George - I took this picture a few weeks ago, but he was out and about this past weekend and I didn't want to leave him out.

 

I think they're a pretty photogenic crew.

Head on over to Ni Hao Ya'll to check out more great Sunday Snapshots!

Look out high school...here he comes!

Zach also had a graduation this past week.  He is leaving middle school behind.

It was a smaller graduation and definitely shorter.

But I was every bit as proud of my Zach watching him shake his principal's hand.

I asked Zach wheat his teacher, Mr. Hanson, said to him...He said, "I thanked him and told him I owed him for helping me to pass algebra, and he said 'just remember that you CAN do it'."  I wish I had been down there to thank Mr. Hanson!

I didn't ask him why this teacher was pointing at him...Do I really want to know?

This is the look of a boy who is ready for the next step!

I sure hope I am :)

Sweet P's Last Day of Kindergarten

We made it through Kindergarten :)  It's hard to believe that the school year is over.

This was P on her first day of school

And here she is before climbing onto the bus for her last day.

Could she get any cuter?

Jake's High School Commencement - May 20, 2012

The day I've been dreading for the past year finally came... GRADUATION.

He didn't have to look soooo happy about it.

The class made their way to their seats.

We were sitting miles away (thank goodness for my zoom lens!), but he managed to spot us.  Of course it was made easier because we were all jumping up and down waving our arms!

The Senior choir members went to the stage to sing.

I filled with tears seeing him up there with his friends singing for the last time.

The National Anthem.

After, they joined the entire choir to sing.

I couldn't see Jake because we were behind him, but I did snap pictures whenever he was on the "Jumbo-tron".

After they sang, Jake made his way back to his seat with his classmates.

It was finally time for him to walk up and receive his diploma.  I like to think he was looking at me, but Ali had come to sit with us after singing... :)

I love this shot as they threw their caps in the air because of Alex.  Can you guess which one is him?  So cute!

He made his way over to us afterwards.

 

P got to him first.

  

Then Zach raced in...so sweet!

 

Kodi got her hugs in.

And then a kiss...

I'm so thankful to my Mom for being here to celebrate.  Thanks MOM!!!!

With Ali.

Mom, Sam, Kodi, Jake, Zach, Phoebe, Ali and Bryan (They were all laughing because just as I was taking the first picture someone walked in front of the camera...this is the second)

Me and my boy *tears*

When did he get so tall and become such a man.

My Graduate. (Being photo-bombed by his Dad)

The diploma.

It's rare these days for me to get a picture of all my kids.

 

So how about two :) 

 And Mom finally got Kodi to pose for a picture with her!

 Proud parents.

And now on to his next adventure...The University of Arkansas!

I really want to thank my Jake for an amazing "high-school Mom" experience!  It's been incredibly fun and rewarding.  I look forward to the "college Mom" experience with him.  I know he'll make it memorable. 

Oh my how I love my boy!

Senior Class Day and Sweet P getting the "Key" to the school

At BVHS they have a "Senior Class Day" which is wonderful because it's like a mini-Graduation.  Much more intimate than the actual graduation at Kemper Arena!  It was really nice and made even more special because P had been chosen months prior to receive the "key" to BVHS.  They actually chose two kindergartners from each filter elementary for this honor, the class of 2024.  YIKES!  That is almost hard to type :)

Nana pressed everything so Jake wouldn't look like a wrinkled mess.

P was super excited to be a part of the festivities.

She walked across the stage with a fellow kindergartener and was given a plaque by the graduating President of the Senior Class.

 

I quickly snapped a photo of her walking from the stage.

 
She raced up to sit with her Nana.

Then Jake hit the stage with the rest of the graduating Choir members to sing.

I was really proud of Jake's friend, Zack, as he was mentioned for enlisting in the Marines.

I quickly snapped a shot of Alex as he approached the stage to receive a rose.

 

Jake as he left the stage.

 

Next up...Graduation...

Graduation Week

Last week was a blur!  My Mom came into town on Tuesday, we attended Jake's Spring Show on Thursday and Saturday, Friday was Class Day for the seniors and Sweet P was chosen to be a representative of her school to receive the "Key" to Blue Valley High School and Jake's graduation was on Sunday.  In addition to that, Kodi came home for the weekend, the kids had finals and Zach was preparing for his 8th grade graduation.  Whew!  Then...I got sick and Bryan went out of town.

Anyway, I'm happy to FINALLY begin posting some pics...

Let's start with the Spring Show.  This is a choir event and Jake was a performer and one of the Masters of Ceremony.
 
Performing the Guys and Dolls medley

My boy

Jake and Alex

With fellow MC, Grayson Yockey - just before performing Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

With Grayson again, as MC's, just before performing Outta Your Mind

Ali, during her duet, singing Hear My Song

Jake and Ali dancing and singing Time Warp

Short video of Jake and Ali dancing and singing - with Jake's short solo

At one point in the show, Jake and Grayson pretend to take their clothes off...but they have clothes underneath.

Someone has been working out :)

Seniors singing their last song, Seasons of Love from Rent

Taking their final bow - Jake, Erin and Alex

 It was a beautiful show, but sad too.  Very bittersweet.

Next photos to come... Jake's Senior Class Day and P receiving the "Key" to the school...