Coen is 4!!

Happy Birthday Coen!

Today our little guy is 4 years old!  What a fun, happy, energetic, cute, little red-head he is!  We had a fun day celebrating his birthday.  First, while Dada was at work the kids and I went to the store to get cake supplies and picnic food.  Coen said he wanted to have a picnic at the park...but not just any park.  He wanted to find a NEW park.  So that's what we did.  It turned out to be a great park with a huge field to play in and a giant hill to roll down.  Too bad I forgot my camera.  All four of them spent most of the time rolling down the hill until their cheeks were red and a water break was needed.  We came home just in time for naps and while the kids were sleeping I made Coen's cake, a volcano, and his "Super Coen" cape.  We cleaned up and Dada came home just in time for dinner.  Coen wanted a dinosaur birthday so that's what he got!

Dinosaurs everywhere!

We had a dinner fit for carnivores and herbivores with plenty of both around the table.

Coen requested a Longneck Dinosaur cake with a "REALLY long neck"!

Coen with his brothers and sister.

Blowing out the candles!

Choosing his piece.  He decided to go for the head.

Good stuff!  Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream to go with it.  The cake was a red velvet cake inside because when you cut into a dinosaur......

What kind of mother am I?!  I think I've been hanging around too many boys!  Ha!  They loved it and I have to say, I thought it was pretty clever! :)

Next, Coen had to put on a dinosaur mask for a little birthday present treasure hunt planned by Dallin.

We all went outside to watch him search.

Success!  He found a box filled with pictures, cards, and little crafts that Austin, Dallin, and Claire had made for him.  It was hidden under the van.

Then inside we went to open presents.

A "Super Coen" cape just for him.  It's his favorite color...green...and he says he doesn't have to share it with anyone because it has a "C" on it.  He spent several minutes jumping off the couch practicing his flying techniques before he moved on.

He was quite excited about his dragon.  Now he can play dragons...or should we say "Spyro"...with Dallin.

The whole family checking out the presents (except for the lady behind the lens.)

And last but not least...the volcano!  With a little baking soda, vinegar, and red food coloring...that little dinosaur at the bottom didn't stand a chance!

Happy Birthday

Coen Grant...

Coco Bean

Coco

Toto

June Bug

June

June-y B

Junifah

Coby G

Ener-G

Bob

...and any other name you come to!

We sure love you and we're so thankful that you are in our family.  Your are the special boy who holds the middle spot in the lineup!

Dancing

Our kids love to listen and dance to music.  It's one of their favorite activities.  One of their most favorite CDs to listen to is Dragon Tales.  It's so fun!  Each song is great and the kids love to act out what the lyrics say.  And the best part is...it never gets annoying!  There aren't many kids CDs I can say that about!

Here they are dancing away!

Beckham in the middle watching all the action.

I think he likes it!

Sleeping...

...but not sleeping in.  School is out!  No more getting up early!  My kids didn't get the memo.  In fact they have been waking up even earlier.  All five of them.  Beckham has decided 5:00 is the new 6:00 and the boys are all up by 6:30 at the latest.  What in the world?!  Usually Claire manages to sleep until 7:00 but that just depends on whether the boys wake her up or not.  Oh, well.  At least we get an early start to the day!  Tory has to leave by 7:00 anyway so now they all get to see him before he goes.  This is a picture I took on the morning of June 3rd.  This was back when the boys were still in school and I woke up before they did.  I just think it's funny how they all sleep the same way with one knee up and their arm behind them.  Must have been a warm  night since none of them have covers and Coen's are all on the floor.  Ha!

(In case you're wondering...Coen's bed pushes in under Austin's bed on the right.  We just pull it out for naps and bedtime.  That way they have more floor space in their room during the day.)

And here's a picture of Claire sleeping during naps.  Doesn't look very comfortable to me!

Rock Scientists

The boys have been having lots of fun outside the last few days.  What's kept them busy?  Rocks.  106 of them to be exact.  They dug them up, sorted them, washed them, dried them, and then counted them.  They also brought all 106 of them into their room but Mama said they had to keep them outside.  They were very disappointed that their "clean" rocks had to stay out in the "dirty" back yard but eventually found a good place for them in their outdoor science lab.  Austin wanted to make sure I took a picture and he said the title should be "Rock Scientists".  So here it is!

Lost Tooth

Last Monday, June 7th, Dallin pulled out his third tooth.  It was his first top tooth.  He says it's hard to say his "S's" now.  He worked with it all day and finally pulled it out.  He was very excited for his dollar that the Tooth Fairy brought.

Firsts

Today was the first day of summer vacation!  It certainly felt like it with our over 100 degree day today!  And tomorrow's going to be even hotter!  We got to go swim at the house of one of Tory's friends.  He is also a chiropractor and Tory does some computer work for him.  They were going to be gone and invited us over to use their pool.  We jumped at the chance and had a blast.  It was a nice saltwater pool.  Love those!

Today was also Beckham's 3 month old mark!  Wow!  Does time ever fly!  He is just getting cuter and cuter and is so round and chubby.  There couldn't be a happier or better baby either.  He is full of smiles and little giggles now.  So fun!  Today was his first time going swimming.  He loves baths so I figured the pool would be a big hit...and it was!  His little shoulders were just shaking with all the laughs coming out!

Dada and Claire.  She wasn't so sure about it at first...but that only lasted a couple minutes!

This is the first time EVER that we've had TWO babies in floaties!  They sure had fun!

This boy sure is a good swimmer!  It's hard to get a picture of Austin because he's always under the water or jumping off something.

Dallin's really getting good at swimming this year, too.  Here he's kickin' back for a little relaxation in the pink tube.

Coen is for sure part fish.  I wouldn't be surprised if he's getting around without water wings by the end of the summer.  But I don't know if he'll get enough practice.  Tory focuses on teaching one boy each year.  I guess it depends on how Dallin does.

Claire loved floating around in her floatie and also playing out in the shallow end by the steps.  She was the last one out of the water.

And then there was Beckham who was just loving the water.  We hung out on the shady side of the pool since he's too little for sunscreen (and let's face it...if you're in our family you NEED sunscreen!)  The waterfalls were on that side and he loved it when they'd splash.  Another "fish" in the making.

Last Week of School--LAST DAY!

Friday, June 4, was

THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!

The boys were very excited but also a little sad.  Tory went to school to have lunch with both of the boys.  First was Dallin.

Dallin at lunch with his friend Michael.

Dallin and friends.

Austin was next.  Tory said all of the other parents, grandparents, friends, and relatives must have had the same idea.  There was hardly even any room to sit and they didn't even get to sit with his friends.  He didn't get any pictures of that part.  But he did get a picture of Austin with Mrs. Main.

We'll definitely miss Mrs. Main.  She's been a great teacher.  I've never heard Austin say a single negative thing about her the entire year.  She has the best sense of humor, is very patient, loves teaching math, was in the Air Force, plays the piano, collects Longaberger baskets, has a little Pug and two Great Danes, and loves coffee.  This is only her second year teaching 2nd grade.  She taught special ed for a little bit but that's the only other teaching she's done.  I think she's so great because it's what she's always wanted to do and she is finally getting to do it.  We need more teachers like her!

It's been a great year for both of the boys!  And now...

WELCOME SUMMER!!

Last Week of School--Star of the Week

Dallin finally had his week to shine the second to the last week of school!  He was very excited to finally have his turn and make a poster about himself to show to his class.

He chose blue because that's his favorite color.  He had pictures of when he was smaller and of his family and then we picked some pictures of things he likes to do like:  Frisbee golf, riding bikes, climbing trees, playing K'nex, swimming, scooters, swinging, and camping.  And of course, the most important thing we had to include was a picture of Spyro the dragon since Dallin is absolutely obsessed with that little purple dragon.  We cut out his name and some stars and put them on, too.  Cute poster!

Last Week of School--K Splash, 2nd Grade Awards, and Scouts

Wednesday, June 2, found us all at the school again.  Dallin had his

Kindergarten Splash Day.

They had fun little water stations set up all over the front lawn of the school.  Looked like they had lots of fun!

Dallin with some of his classmates.  He's in the middle.

Fun in the little pool.  Dallin is holding the yellow bucket.

Of course they had to make bubbles!  Dallin on left.

Getting serious bubbles now!

Sliding in shaving cream!  Dallin is front left with his back to the camera.

While Dallin was having fun outside, Coen, Claire, Beckham, and I went inside to watch Austin's

2nd Grade Award Ceremony.  

Here he is with his WONDERFUL teacher, Mrs. Main.  I just love her.  She is such a great teacher.  I wish she could teach each one of my children.  But anyway...back to Austin.

He received awards for:

Outstanding Citizenship

Art Achievement

Perfect Attendance

Freedom Elementary Honor Roll

and

Award for Artwork Displayed in the Keller ISD Art Show in May

Here's a picture of his artwork that was chosen to represent his school in the Keller ISD Art Show.  It's a stitchery of a parrot that he designed himself.  It was displayed for a week in the Keller Town Center.

Way to go Austin!


Later that evening the kids and I all went to Austin's Pack Meeting for Scouts.  They were supposed to fly kites but the sky was very stormy with lots of lightning.  Not a good combo.  So instead they had a very quick award ceremony and ate popsicles.  We finished just as it started sprinkling.  Austin received his Wolf Rank.

Good job Austin!

Last Week of School--Kindergarten Graduation

The kids are on their last week of school!!  Actually, after today there is only one day left!  Even though this week was short with no school Monday, it's been sooooo long.  It's been packed with lots of activities and ceremonies.  Tory has to leave by 7:00 am now so I get to load up all 5 kids every morning to take the boys to school.  But that's the easy part.  All of these ceremonies this week I've had to go to by myself with all of the kids.  Not the best pictures of all of these events but hey...at least the camera made it there!  I am just worn out and can't wait for summer!  One more day...we're almost there!

June 1, 2010

6:00 pm

Dallin's Kindergarten Graduation

Dallin Ryan - 1st Grade Ready

The five Kindergarten classes together.  You can almost see Dallin in this picture.  We were way in the back.  Standing room only in the cafetorium.  Tory got there right after they sang their songs.  Good thing since Dallin's class went first!  Whew!

Dallin getting his diploma and awards from his teacher, Miss Leal.  He received the following awards:
Eagle Excellence Award
Fabulous Friend Award
Six Flags 600 Minutes Reading Award
and
Outstanding Citizenship Award

Such a handsome little guy!  He picked out exactly what he wanted to wear.  He HAD to have a vest and a tie.  This was a very special occasion!

With his teacher, Miss Leal, after graduation.

One year down...

Only a couple days left boys!

Everyone was happy to get outside and wiggle!  It was so HOT in there!

K is for Kindergarten-hip, hip, hooray.

I is for imagination we use every day.

N is for numbers we know one, two, three.

D is for drawing, the best you can do!

E is for exercise to keep our bodies strong.

R is for reading books all day long.

G is for good friends. We made more each day.

A is for alphabet we know how to say.

R is for remembering everything we learned.

T is for teachers who taught us so much.

E is for excitement. This year we’ve had lots.

N is for next year. On our way, here we come!