MN Vacay - Week 2

Tues - my hair appt, $5 movie day ("Cars 3") with Megan and Max, impromptu happy hour with Heather and Vern when I dropped kids off

Wed - Mom and I ran errands in Brd, the kids built an awesome fort, that night the kids watched a movie and had pizza delivery in Cabin 8  (Papa was their pizza man... Papa John!  lol!)

Thurs - Rylee and I went garage saling ("garaging") with Gaga, Jeanne and Karen, afterward we had lunch at Olive Garden (Rylee loved their unbuttered breadsticks!), that night we played outside and the kids watered their new apple trees  (Our neighbor, Tom, got the kids an apple tree and we got another one so they could pollinate.)

The kids wanted to name their apple trees.  Jace named his Rolly (like roller coaster because his was a State Fair brand).  Rylee named hers Chris since hers was some kind of Apple Crisp brand.

Here they are watering Chris and Rolly...

Fri - the cold and rainy weather rolled in which was fine since swimming at the community center pool is always on my kid's summer bucket list, followed by a DQ lunch, and a visit with my Uncle Jack and Aunt Judy

                                                

You know it's cold when even Gaga puts on a jacket!

Sat - Gregory's grad party (Greg and Sharon's grandson), movie night

Sun - we all attended the Baptist church with my Uncle Don and Jan, later we celebrated Penney's birthday/retirement with her family and friends

...with Megan 

...and Max

Mon - I didn't write much down about Monday, but I know Rylee had dance  :)

MN Vacay - Week 1

I'm done with school on Friday and we leave for MN on Tuesday!  We can't wait to get back.  We had some fun before we left too.  Saturday was a birthday pool party for Jace's girlfriend, Zoee, and Sunday was Miller's pool bday party too... I think.  I can't remember that long ago!

One funny story: Jace is terrified of rain.  If he see's grey clouds, he doesn't want to go outside.  If one drop of rain falls on him, he flies to the house like someone shot him out of a cannon.  So the day of Zoee's party was a literal monsoon.  We were all sitting in Jon's truck in the Target parking lot waiting for it to let up so we could go in and pick her out a present, when Jace says: "Mom, I think we could make it if we took the umbrella."  All three of us looked at him incredulously.  Me: "Wow, Jace, you really must love this girl if you're thinking of going outside in this weather!"  I didn't really know how much Zoee meant to him until that moment!  :)


Anyway, back to MN.  I didn't really start taking pictures or using my good camera until later in June, but I have a few cell pics so let the recap begin....


Tues- travel day, Gaga and Papa picked us up in Mpls

Wed - vacation bible school (VBS) Jace's first year!, outdoor play, sprinkler fun

Thurs - VBS, Deerwood park
Quick Story: We had planned to go Rafferty's that night, but I fainted at the park!  I think I burst a cyst.  Luckily, I could tell that I was hurting and not feeling quite right so I was on the phone with my Mom when it happened.  One minute I was talking to her, the next I was coming to in the mulch with Jace above me saying "Mommy?" and my mom's voice over the phone saying "Shannon, are you alright?"  We gave Rylee a lot of crap about it this summer since she never once came over to check on me.  In her defense, she said she thought I was resting or taking a nap.  Cause I often just lay down at the park!  Lol!

Fri - VBS, Meg and Max came for the kid's practice performance (below) and spent the afternoon playing with the kids, Heather and Vern joined us for happy hour

Sat - Father's Day crafting, we picked up my soul sister, Sara, for Brainerd errands, Rafferty's pizza, and an evening visit

Sun - VBS performance at church, Father's Day lunch with Grandpa Chip and Connie, Father's Day dinner with Papa and the Johnston/Erickson "Cedar Crest Crew"

I took some cute videos of the kids performing their bible school songs at church, but no photos.  This is what they wore though.  You'll have to take my word for it that they both did a great job!  Lol!

Mon - John Wayne movie day in honor of Great Grandpa DuWayne's birthday: "North to Alaska," dance with Jillian at the remodeled studio (it's so great!), we purchased another apple tree, and ended the night with "McLintock"

June- End of School Year

Finally wrapping up the end of the school year - lol!

Below is Rylee at her awards day.  She had already received three awards at the winter ceremony so she only had one left to receive for reading over 100 books this school year.  She is with our former principal, Mr. Roberts.  We're all still upset about his transfer.  :(

Jace had a fun-filled week at his school.  Every day was something special: water day, pajama movie day, board game day etc.  Then Jon made the kids a special breakfast to commemorate the last day of school.  They look so disappointed that the school year is over.  Ha ha

The next day is a planning day for me so the kids went to work with Jon.  Motorola does a special bring your child to work day and they plan all kinds of fun activities for the kids.  Jace was super excited since this was the first year he was old enough to attend. :)

They saw an attack dog demonstration and a drone demonstration among other things.

One quick story: Jace got tricked out of his fidget spinner (that Jon's department made) by an older kid.  Jon stepped in and made Jace another one.  This came the day after Jace had traded a board game with one of his friends at school so Rylee didn't agree with her Dad's solution.  "Dad, he's never going to learn if you do that!"  Uncle Ryan declared it the comment of the day and he agreed with her. Right on, Rylee!

June - Flea Market

Tacky tourist day (with Marissa)...

...and Josephine.

Tacky tourist was also the day of the 2nd grade flea market.  Each student needed to make 25 items to market and sell.  

Welcome to Rylee's Decoration Station!

She made perler bead and zentangle decorations.  

She was so nervous the day of and worried that her product wouldn't sell.

(P.S. Rylee has a crush on the boy behind her in the white shirt and tie!)

As you can see, she sold out quite quickly and she was ecstatic!

She was a seller in the morning and then a buyer in the afternoon.  

I snapped a quick pic of her shopping in my classroom.  :)

She really put a lot of time and effort into her project.

So proud of you, Rylee!

May - Jace's Graduation Part 2

I don't have any pictures of the ceremony as they encouraged us to sit back and relax.  They gave us a complimentary DVD afterward.  :)

First, they had a processional...





Then the kids sang a couple of songs.  Jace even had a solo in "Rainbow Connection" that he kept a secret from us!  He started the song...

"Why are there so many songs about rainbows 

and what's on the other side?  

Rainbows are visions, but only illusions

and rainbows have nothing to hide."

He did great!  Each kid also had a little part of poem that they had memorized.  Jace's was...

"We do what we see, and say what we hear

You're our teacher throughout the years." 

Then they all received their diplomas.  They called each child's name...

...and read a little interview they had completed.  

This is what they read for Jace.

After they received their diplomas, they all danced out to "Can't Stop the Feeling."

It was ridiculously cute!

Afterward...

With Zoee...  :)

Not sure if you can read this, but this was Jace's report card.  

It was filled with such nice comments.

Jace is truly the sweetest child!

May - Jace's Graduation

Jace graduated from preschool this year.  He'll be starting Kindergarten at my school next year! Where did the time go?  The graduate...

His graduation was in the evening so Jon, Rylee, and I could attend (my parents had already left for the season).  He looks quite handsome and grown up.

With Daddy...

With Mommy...

With his very proud (and pretty) sister...

May- American Girl Tea

Rylee's friend, Josephine, invited us to the American Girl Store for her birthday.  We've always wanted to go so we all got dressed up: me, Rylee, and her new doll, Lea (a Christmas gift from Gaga).

Rylee and Lea at lunch...

With Josephine and her doll 

(sorry I'm really bad with names so I can't remember hers  Lol!).

Lea really enjoyed her special chair and cup.

Lea also got her hair styled while we were there.

Showing off her fishtail braid.

Josephine's doll got her hair done too.

Lea splurged on a new outfit and boots.

A closeup of her hair too.  Lea really got pampered!

It was such a lovely day and experience.  We would ALL love to go again.  :)