Happy Father's Day

My husband is a wonderful father. 

The boys love him and have dumped me in favor of him!

(I was a Daddy's girl myself, so I understand...sorta.  I still don't like it!)

Papa can do no wrong!  (according to the boys)

E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G is about PAPA!!!
(are you seeing a pattern here?!!)

But, all in all, it's a good thing!

Happy Father's Day Honey!

  I and my sons, and my brethren will obey the law of our fathers. - 1 Maccabees 2:20

Today was Thrifty Thursday for my friend, Gail, and I.  We are getting together every Thursday during the summer and doing something thrifty.  Last week we went to thrift shops.  This Thursday, we sat at Gail's kitchen table and I sorted a half-gallon bag of buttons that I had bought at the thrift store.  She went through her recipes and sorted them.  Our friend, Elaine, joined us and copied recipes from Gail's recipe box.  We had a wonderful time together!

When I got ready to leave, Gail sent the boys a bag of cucumbers.  The boys love cucumbers as much as candy!!  They were so excited over the cucumbers!  I predict they will be gone in a few days!

Nikolai made this himself.  I am thinking he might have a career in culinary arts.  

Isn't this a pretty arrangement? 

 

Alas, it did not last long as I stole a slice and Deniska stole a slice! 

Thank you Gail for the cucumbers!!

 

A Snake in the Grass? Nope, don't think so!

One day this past week, the boys started into their clubhouse and just happened to look up.  

This is what they saw nestled in the corner on the ledge of the porch!  It has always amazed me how snakes could climb trees, or in this case, a wall.

Sadly, Mr. King Snake had eaten all of the baby birds in the nest at the opposite end of this ledge.  Thee  baby bird had just hatched a few days before. The boys were not happy but it gave me a chance to talk to them about nature and predators/prey.  

Come to think of it, I don't think the boys ever made it in their clubhouse that day or several days!  I assured them that Mr. King Snake would not harm them and not to be alarmed.  Also, I told them to stay away from him - I didn't want him in my house!

Graduation

On May 25th, the boys had their 5th grade graduation program.  It's a big deal at their school complete with caps and gowns, a separate location, and lots of recognition.

D loves bow ties.  Not sure where that comes from but he is passionate about them!  N - not so crazy about ties or bow ties!

 

The boys loved their teachers this year and they were an awesome team!  This is Mrs. Ray, math teacher. The boys both love math and loved her class!

This is Mrs. Lesan, the English Language Arts teacher.  She taught the boys so much about writing and about enjoying reading.   She has a gentle spirit and the boys responded so well to her.

This is Mrs. McClure.  She supervises the boys doing their morning safety patrol.  They open the doors of the cars as the parents drop off the students.  Mrs. McClure has loved my boys since their first day in school.  She has always paid them attention and petted them!  They absolutely LOVE Mrs. McClure!!

This was after graduation back at the school.  See how cute they are!   I know, I know, I'm prejudice. 

 

Now bear with me while I list what they were recognized for at the graduation ceremony:

Deniska:

WES News Team (he operated the camera)

Safety Patrol

Perfect Attendance

Certificate of Special Recognition  (6 years - including kindergarten!)

Honor Roll

President's Award for  Educational Excellence (this came from the White House) 

Reading Achievement Certificate - all A's

Mathematics Achievement Certificate - all A's in math 

Nikolai:

Music Achievement Certificate

Student Council Vice President (that is where his medallion came from)

Service Award - Flag Team

Safety Patrol

Cardinal's Honor Club

Perfect Attendance

High Honor Roll

President's Award for  Educational Excellence (this came from the White House)

Reading Achievement Certificate - all A's 

Science Achievement Certificate - all A's

Social Studies Achievement - all A's

Mathematics Achievement Certificate - all A's in math 

All in all, Dennis and I are very blessed that our boys do well in school.  They both work hard and enjoy their extra activities. They are happy, healthy boys - who could ask for more? 

In Flanders Fields By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

When I was a very young girl, I can remember my mother buying poppies from veterans for Memorial Day.  This is the poem that inspired those poppies. Throughout the history of the United States, with all the wars fought past and present, we should remember those young men and women who have given their lives for our freedom. 

Agatha, Oscar, and Ozzie

Hope everyone has a nice relaxing day!!

They're BACK!

Yesterday, the four-wheelers arrived back from the Yamaha place.  We had sent them in to get ready for this summer.  Let me tell you, it's hard to get the boys off of them!  This is D - look at that grin on his face!

 N slowed down long enough for me to snap his picture!

D, not to be left out, pulled in front of him for his picture to be taken again.