Summer Day Camp

This week we were all at summer camp at our church - all of my kids, plus a cousin and a friend from Kindergarten! Sid's cousin Andrew was also there.
Sidney, Annie and Caitlin were all in the big kids group, and Alyssa nad Jack were in a group called Squeaky Beakers, a camp tailor made for the kids of parent volunteers. All five had a great time. We all rode there and back together all five days, and while they were there they had some time for Bible study and games, then two electives - for instance, Sidney had swimming and gardening, Annie had Tea Party and swimming, Caitlin had clay creations and scrapbooking. I was a driver during the mornings while they were there, so I got to drive Sid to her swim class and stay with her for the hour. It was so much fun, not just for them, but for me. Even the squeaky beakers had a great time! Here are some of my favorite photos.

cherry pickers

After Sidney's Kindergarten ceremony we headed to Oma's house to pick cherries. Both grandmas were there - Grandma Mary and Oma Isolde. We picked cherries, and picked, and picked some more, and finally ended up with (my estimate) probably 30 lbs of cherries. Some of ate too much during the picking, others chose to pick cherries that are not yet ripe...but all in all, it was super fun. After all the picking, we helped my mom pit some cherries to make a german-style cherry cake. Yum. She made so much we all got to bring some home. What a nice day it was. Sunburned, and tired, and sore from leaning from the ladders and hanging from tree limbs, but what a great day with the grandmas. I know my girls will remember it always.

another little 'graduate'

Sidney had a "moving up ceremony" honoring completion of Kindergarten today. Very cute ceremony. Her teacher did an excellent job - it was actually fun to sit through, and very unique! She did a "most likely to..." section where she awarded each kid with her prediction. Among them were predictions like "college professor," "researcher," "professional athlete," etc. Sidney got a choice - her teacher's prediction: most likely to be an "artist or drama queen." Funny, she's sorta already both!

Here are a few photos!







Sidney's great teacher, Ms. Powell, explaining to the audience why she chose "artist" as Sid's profession.





The class sang the cutest version of "New York, New York." The words were something like this: "start spreading the news, we're leaving today, we want to be a part of it, FIRST GRADE, FIRST GRADE...." So adorable. Ms. Powell did an awesome job on the ceremony. You could tell the kids loved it.





This is Sid with her friend Caitlin, who was awarded the kindergarten valedictorian award - she's a super smartie. We are very proud of her. What a nice friend she's been all year to hang out with Sidney and sorta take her under her wing when Sidney has rough spots - Sid's so lucky to have her.

the graduate

Alyssa "graduated" last night. She was SO excited. Both sets of grandparents came along, as well as her cousins Miah and Annie. Here are a few shots.

One down, one to go...

Alyssa finished Pre-K today, and graduates tonight. Sidney finishes Kindergarten next week! Such big girls...I'm so proud of them! But, just like when I was little and in school myself, I'm finding myself getting sad all over for them. What if they don't see their good friends again? What if their friends get moved to different classes next year, or different schools? I know, big deal. They'll get over it, but when you just grow to love their little friends so much, it's sweet and sad at the same time!

cheeeeerries

perks of having parents with an orchard = not spending $13 on these.

How can you not love them?

Nikki, Lindsey, Stephanie, Carter, Cory

Lucky's haircut

Before and after...