Wesley should try smashing rocks with this hammer!

He is always inventing something.

Kyla’s graduation marked the last time I’ll have all the kids in the same school until Kyla’s senior year.  But I was able to get a sub (for my own sub self) that morning, and be part of her day!

My parents joined Kyla and I for lunch out.  And then she felt very grown up when I sent her to the movie theater by herself (okay, it was just a block away), to meet friends for a matinee.  At just 11 1/2, she seems really grown up to me!

Piper’s next….

I had the honor and task of taking Wesley’s 2nd grade class for the last two weeks of school, while his excellent teacher was in Kenya.  We were covering Living Things in science, and had a section on animal habitats.  Science should be hands-on when possible, so Piper and I brought in Art Gecko for the day.  Piper is actually very shy, and would rather forgo a much anticipated playdate than make a phone call and, gulp, have to talk to someone.  We’re working on this, and her teacher readily gave her permission to miss about 45 minutes of class so that she could give 15 minute presentations to the 3 2nd grade classes.  She did an excellent job—she introduced them to Art, and talked about what he needed to survive as a desert animal. Knowing her subject well, and speaking to younger kids, many that she knew and knew her, made it much easier for her.  I was so proud!  And I love that I am often in a position that I can manage extra experiences for my kids.

I’m not great at coming up with good ideas for celebrations, so I just asked Dwayne what he wanted to do for Fathers Day.  He came up with a lake cruise, and we found one leaving out of Kirkland and were able to get tickets for the five of us and my parents. What a perfect day! 

It was one of our first hot days of the season, so no better time to enjoy the Northwest views!

If it wasn’t cold or difficult, I’d love to take up kite-surfing like this guy.

And I’m not sure why I don’t a castle yet.  They seem to be available.

This man is a great man and excellent father.  (A terrible mother, but that’s why I’m around.)

Piper, who has started calling Dwayne “Papa” to be annoyingly adorable (do middle children have to stand out?), loves to have her picture taken.  And, also annoying, she’s naturally photogenic.  Sorry, I can’t help myself.

I found the knife not in the knife block, not in the kitchen, but somewhere on the floor where we do not usually store sharp, expensive knives.

 

I took a closer look and called Wesley to explain. 

He was using it to look for geodes…by smashing them with this knife.  (He’d always smash rocks with a hammer before.)

Luckily, he had the $50 to buy us a new one.  He admitted it probably helped him remember the lesson. 

One leaf blower + a pair of roller blades =

My nieces, that’s who!  (They brought their parents, too.)

Amber gave her parents a break and ran off with her older cousins, and beautiful Taryn let Dwayne and I cuddle and drool over her.

A good time was had by all!

I thought Piper and Juliana had climbed out her window to hang out on the roof.  My heart palpitations came when I saw them try to get down by way of wishing well.