about to lose it...

the end of the school year...

The kids were SOOOO excited about going skating...especially Bella since she's been watching Braden skate for a few years and she couldn't wait 'til she was in kindergarten so that she could go skating too. They always take the elementary kids the day before school gets out, and the kids look forward to it so much. Bella must have asked me 20 times, "Are you coming too, Mommy?" She wanted me to get to watch her skate. They had lots of fun, and as always, were good and tired when they got in bed that night. :) Here are a few pictures from skate day:





This might just be their favorite part of going to the skating rink...


Here is a picture of Braden saying goodbye to Mrs. Ruwersma on the last day of school. He tied again this year for the highest GPA in his class.


So that catches us up to this week, our first week of summer break. Sometimes that first week or two can be quite the adjustment, and starting up a new routine is kind of dreadful for me. So far it's been good. Yesterday we broke out the water hose and enjoyed getting wet. I don't think they have as much fun with anything else as they do running through the water. And of course I have fun squirting them too. We're going to have to break out the Slip n Slide that we last used in October. :)

I was supposed to work today, but after going through six possibilities, I still couldn't find a babysitter, so I finally gave up and decided to work two days next week. So we have had a nice, relaxing day. As a matter of fact, none of us even got dressed until after lunch. :) Evan is resting, the other two are outside playing, and I actually have a few free moments of quiet to update my blog...for the second time this week!

Okay, we are up-to-date now. I've added some new links on the left if you want to check them out. Thanks for visiting with us...enjoy your long weekend!

bella's graduation...

Bella's kindergarten graduation was quite the evening. The kids did a wonderful job...they have worked so hard this year. Really they are a tribute to two great kindergarten teachers. Now it's on to 1st grade!

Braden finished up school on Friday after the awards ceremony. We have pictures from the last day of school, but I'll have to post them in a few days. Today was our first day of summer vacation...SFSG, as Braden would say (so far, so good). :P After not being home at all last week, I am happy for a day with nowhere to go. We do have some stuff to do this week, but hopefully we can manage to be homebodies for at least one week!

Here are some pictures from Bella's big night:

Walking down the aisle in her cap and gown...


I think they were singing a song...


Taking part in the program...


Receiving her diploma...


Jack and Jill crying about Jack's poor head (she looks SO sad)...


Bella with her wonderful teacher Mrs. Ewing...


That's all for now! See you soon...

the aquarium...

This is backtracking to a a couple of weeks ago, but here are some pictures from Bella's field trip to the aquarium. Everyone had a good time and we (especially the adults) were worn out by the end of the day. I was assigned two students to look after...Bella and her buddy Paxton. (They will be playing Jack and Jill in the graduation program Tuesday night.:) After the aquarium, we stopped at a park and had our picnic lunch. It was an exciting time for the kindergartners!

Jessica, Paige, Emily, Bella, and Bethany...








Her best fish imitation...


Mrs. Ewing's K-5 class...


I love the look on her face...


Please pray for us this week! :)

(On a completely unrelated note...if you know the Faulks, go check out their blog for pictures of their brand new baby boy!)

the end is near...

I so, so, so need to update this blog! I have lots of pics from Bella's first-ever field trip...to the aquarium. Lots of fun...40 kindergartners...need I say more? :) I just canNOT believe that Bella will graduate from K-5 next Tuesday!!! So exciting! I remember sitting at Braden's award ceremony on the last day of school last year and thinking, "It seems impossible that one year from now, Bella will be finished with kindergarten." I think I even posted about it. Anyway, here we are and the year has already passed!

All of you please help me PRAY that my mom will be able to come for the graduation ceremony. It would mean so much if SOMEone in the family could be here for it. She wants to try to come, but circumstances, as always, are a bit of a hindrance. So help me pray her into town. :)

So here are some quick pics from a visit to the walking trail last week...

That's some serious cheese...


Bella in her new helmet that Daddy picked out all by himself!


A moment of bonding between father and daughter...


Crazy kids...





Aquarium pictures coming soon...thanks for visiting the Pepin family blog!