Last Day of School!

I am so proud of all these kids who survived this crazy school year. They handled virtual school so well and really worked hard to make it a good year. Maylie got to go back in person  for about 6 weeks in the fall (October-mid November) and then went back to virtual over the winter months while everyone else just stayed virtual that whole time. Then in February Nolan and Abby started a hybrid schedule where they were virtual some days and in person the other days while Maylie went back full-time in person. Landon decided to stay all virtual during that time. Then finally in mid April all the kids went back to full-time in-person learning. Despite all the changes and crazy back and forth schedules, they all survived the 2020-2021 school year. 

They had their last day on Monday, June 7th. I didn't snap a picture of Abby or Landon before high school/middle school, but I did get one of my kindergardner and 4th grader. They had matching shirts for all the kids to wear on their last of school at Paramount Elementary. Way to rock this school year!

 

Another teenager!

Well it is now official...we have another teenager in the house!! Landon turned 13 on Friday, June 4th and had a good time opening presents, going to dinner and enjoying cake that night with the family. 

The next day Jason took him and a few friends to an Escape This in Frederick where they ventured to solve the "Mob Boss" room. They had a great time and solved it with just seconds to spare!!

Here is Abby, Nolan, William, Bridger, Landon, Coldon, and Bennett with the item they had to find...a crystal!

I'm sure Jason helped out a bit too!!

After the Escape Room they came back for some lunch and cake to celebrate his big teenage birthday!

Landon is a great kid who has a fun sense of humor and is so smart! He has done really well this past year doing online school and actually preferred it to in-person middle school. He is just about to finish the 7th grade and it's hard for us all to believe he will be the oldest in the school next year. Here's to hoping his teen years are his best yet!

 

New Park

Marty Snook Park added a new section to their recreation area based on carved whimsical creatures. They are still in the middle of building it, but we went over one Saturday to check it all out. Hudson was a little frightened of a few of the creatures including this big Viking ogre!

The attention to detail was incredible and so interesting to see what creative minds can do with tree stumps!

We can't wait to see how it will all turn out when it is finished!

 

Cunningham Falls

On Memorial Day weekend we took a little trip up to Cunningham Falls to hike and enjoy the views. It was a great way to spend the morning and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. We are hoping to do some more of these Saturday morning hikes this summer!

 

May happenings

We were able to have a few fun events during the month of May. Early in the month we went to Antietam Recreation's Free Saturday event where we got to go to the petting zoo, ride a zip line, go kayaking and ride down this monster water slide!

I went to the Stake Seminary graduation with Jason and ended up running into someone who went to school in my hometown and knew my sister Tami really well. Adam McBride is now over the seminary and institute programs in this area. What a small world it is sometimes!

Hudson had his very first dentist appointment and was a perfect patient. He was pretty proud of earning this little certificate!

With two older sisters, Hudson loves dressing up in all kinds of costumes, especially princess ones. I think he makes a pretty cute Elsa!

Jason and I had a goal to do more date nights so we got a couple of "datenight subscription" boxes that come each month. As you can see from the pile of unopened boxes, we are doing really well on this goal:)

At the end of May these three were able to be vaccinated against Covid. How thankful we are for the miracles of modern medicine!!

 

Dancing in the street

Abby attends Barbara Ingram School for the Arts in downtown Hagerstown and enjoyed performing on the streets on Friday, May 14th. They closed down the block right in front of their school and we enjoyed both some inside and outside performances. 

Here she is playing the ukulele...

And then later performing a dance number with the other students in the theater program.

After such an abnormal year of school, it was nice for them to spend the last two months of it in-person and somewhat back to normal. Here's to hoping for an even better school year next year!

 

Mother's Day

The only thing I really ask for on Mother's Day is a picture with these five children who made me a mom. Fortunately I get what I want at least on this day!! Motherhood is so very hard but I am grateful that our Heavenly parents have entrusted me with these precious souls. I know I make plenty of mistakes, but I truly do love these children of mine.