Summer, Summer, Summertime!

Wow. With all of the end of the year activities, I've been slacking with updates and photos. Sorry. So, on with what's been going on.

The last day of school was this past Friday, the 20th. The first two pictures are my before and after of the 07-08 school year. It's still so hard to believe that Conner has finished the first grade. Conner is enjoying the freedom of not having to wake up so early and being able to play with friends whenever he likes.

This is Conner and Mrs. Thaler, his teacher this past year. When Conner got home from school on the last day, he said that he felt like he was going to cry because he missed her already. She was awesome and we are so fortunate that Conner had such a great teacher.


Conner is now a light blue belt and his last testing was great. Parents are encouraged to write a letter to include with the testing papers if there is anything they'd like to add about why their child is a good candidate to advance. Conner's letter was chosen to be read during testing, so he received a medal of which he is extremely proud. His Tiger Ticket was also chosen at the close of testing. At the end of every class, two Tiger Tickets are handed out to students who worked especially hard during that class. Students write their name on the ticket and drop them in a box with the anticipation of their ticket being drawn come testing time. Conner won, for the second time, $100 to be spent on TKD stuff. First time around, he got his sparring gear with his money, this time he got a school shirt, TKD shoes, and nunchucks. Don't worry, they are really soft.

Conner, Grady, and Master Song. Master Song lives in Korea but was doing an internship with Conner's school for 6 months. His last day was at testing.

Our annual fishing derby, held at the pond in our neighborhood, was Father's Day weekend. Although we didn't catch anything we still had a great time.

I caught the boys in one of their rare quiet moments. Once they realized I was taking some pictures they decided to ham it up a bit more.

End Of The Preschool Year

Grady's year wrapped up well and summer is in full swing for him. The closing ceremonies were quite an event, with lots of songs and hand motions...most of which Grady did not partake in. His own personal program consisted of looking in the door next to him, poking the shoulder of the kid next to him when he wasn't looking, and more of the like. The Lord's Army was the one song that Grady particularly liked, mostly because he got to simulate an airplane. While the kids came up to get their certificates, the teachers read answers to questions the children had been asked about what they want to be when they grow up. Grady is going to be Superman, a Power Ranger, and a skateboarder.

This week Grady's in Vacation Bible School, which he is loving. There is a second week, in early July, that both the boys will attend, but that is the extent of camp for the summer. My mom is coming up July 16th to help with the kids the following weekend and then she'll join me and the boys on our drive to NC that Monday. We'll be down south for about a month visiting my mom and sister, and the boys get a long weekend with my mom and Brian while I'm in Aruba in August. Lot's of fun stuff coming up!

Conner's schoolyear does not end until next Friday. With all of the snow days and delays, our calendar was stretched by a week. He played baseball this season so we've been doing games and practices as well as keeping up with Tae Kwon Do. He's doing really well with both but I think he's ready for baseball to end. Lucky for him, this Saturday is the final game.

Below are pictures of the boys with their turtle. Well, the turtle they found then accidentally let go the next day. They were so excited and wanted it to walk around and stretch out. Wouldn't you know that upon Grady's turn to "walk" the turtle he got distracted and it kept on going. I'm sure it's enjoying life much more now.

One Quick Story

I'll post a couple of photos tomorrow but I had to share the exchange Grady and Shawn had while I was at a birthday party with Conner. Grady got an italian ice out of the freezer and sat down to eat it. Before eating it, this is the conversation they had:

Grady: Daddy, is this a treat?

Shawn: Yes

Grady: If mommy asks, tell her I ate an apple...I already had a treat today.

Kids.