Sweet memories

Today one of my dearest friends leaves the US to return to her foreign field.  I am filled with such thankfulness for the weekend I spent with her this summer in SD.  Those memories are a treasure for us both!  This was my 40th birthday present from my boys.  I can hardly think of a better gift. 

I'll never forget our quick phone call last night & getting to sing a hymn with the boys just for her.

6th birthday!

LegoFest Austin - 2015

Several years ago, we went to the LegoFest event in Austin.  It was tons of fun for all & the boys have been wanting to do it again.  This year the event came back to Austin on the weekend of Trevin's birthday.  This was a perfect chance to start his 6th birthday celebration & enjoy a fun event together.  We rode the metro into Austin with Auntie Amy & Malia.  It was a relaxing 45 minute ride without the hassle of Friday night traffic.  We had a fabulous evening together & the boys really enjoyed seeing the new things that the LEGO company presented this time.

Kindergarten

It was a big day for this sweet boy.  He had been looking forward to starting school all summer long.  But when summer was winding down, he changed his tune!  We had big discussions about how he was going to miss mommy.  We had long talks about growing up & going to school with Benjamin.  All in all, the first day was a success!

4th grade

4th grade:  a new hallway, Texas History, multiple teachers for different subjects, 1 more year after this of elementary school, helping the younger kids out at school, more responsibilities at school.

 

I can't believe how big Benjamin is. 

It is fun to keep track of the boys' growth.  For the first 3 years for the boys - Trevin was ahead of Benjamin in height by at least 2.5 inches.  But Benjamin had some huge growth spurts...so that he & Trevin measured the same height at 3 years.  Considering their sizes at birth, this is remarkable (Benjamin:  4lbs, 13oz, Trevin:  7lb, 4oz).  Ever since then, their yearly height is the same.  We are going to have tall boys!!

School Begins!

They took little pieces of my heart...the morning they left for school.  It was a big moment.  Big brother & little brother going off together to school.  Kinder & 4th grade....here we come!

Goodbye Summer Vacation!

The boys experienced bowling for the first time at the brand new Bass Pro Shop in Round Rock.  They help Jett celebrate his birthday & had fun galore.  Considering it was a first, their score were impressive.

 We had an afternoon full of fun with these special friends.  So thankful their parents were willing to stop by, even though they were so weary from a huge roadtrip to/from Colorado.  We sure love these boys.

 Words don't express what these 2 mean to us.  We were so sad that their year here had ended.  But we enjoyed the special privilege of taco supper and an hymn sing with a few families as a nice send off before they headed east.  Looking forward to seeing them at convention in October!

More summer fun

It is amazing that in the middle of Austin we can find places like Bull Creek to enjoy the beauties of nature.  It was unseasonably cool the morning we walked & explored the area along the creek.  I loved the feeling of being away from the city. 

 

 Fiddle Camp 2015!  This was Benjamin's 2nd fiddle camp.  He loved learning a bit more on the guitar & had great fun with his cousin Damion that week.  There were considerably more beginners at the camp this year.  If we had known, Trevin would have easily fit in.  Next year both boys plan to play in it.  Fiddle songs performed were:  Angeline the Baker, Old Joe Clark, Boil the Cabbage Down, Mountain Dew, Swallowtail Jig (Benjamin's fav), Flowers of Edinburg, Cooley's Reel (my favorite!).  That is a lot of music to learn & perform in 1 week!

Summer Camps

Benjamin chose a couple of camps this summer.  Unfortunately they began as soon as school got out, but they were interesting & certainly stretched his brain!  Camp Invention....designing & making a model of their product using recycled products, taking apart old electronics, making a 'boxcar' for an obstacle course race.  We loved getting to see all his work at the end of the week.  Next up with the **free** Microsoft camp for coding.  He has continued coding this summer.  I promised to learn along with him, however I haven't gotten very far yet. 

On to 4th grade!

The last day of school was jam packed with fun.  It coincided with National Doughnut Day - hence our donut celebration afterward school was out.  Benjamin had a fabulous year & the boys are excited about the prospect of being in school together next year. 

Wimberley Market Days

Amy & I took a Saturday off & did some exploring in a neat town about an hour away - Wimberley.  Their Market Days event is once a month with includes acres & acres of vendors selling a little of everything and amazing BBQ just in case you get hungry during all the walking & shopping.  Amy found a great headboard for Malia's bed & light fixtures for their home.  My find: a mahagony side table for our living room for $10!   We can't wait to go again (and take our husbands too).

 My great find!

Graduation

Completion of pre-K means our Trevin is ready....ready to learn even more in Kindergarten, ready to meet more friends, ready to go to school with Benjamin.  It is just the beginning of lots of learning.  He had a fabulous year, sharing many experiences with his cousin & classmate Malia. 

Each student had a part in the graduaion.  Trevin spoke his part LOUD and clear...."We already knew our letter sounds like "W", w-w-w.  W-W-W What's happening dude?  W-W-W What's going on with You?  So we learned how to read."  Then the class read a story out loud about Matt & Tom. 

Way to go, Trevin & Malia!!