Summer is Upon (some of) Us

I have been out of school for the better part of the last decade and yet it still stings a bit when June rolls around and I don't get 3 months off. Sigh. 

Whilst I will still be spending many a day in an office, I do plan to make my mark with the kids on the Summer of 2015. Thus, on the first day of summer I took off work (Steve had a teacher work day) and the kids and I made our list of 20 things to do this summer. As Cooper explains, anything on this list we have to do. We can do other things, but if it's on this list, we have to do it. 

It's a good list (we went on to create an illustrated version we could hang on the wall and check off as we progressed). 

And progress we did!  

On day 1 we painted rainbow pictures:

Finger painted, to be exact. 

Daphne's:

Cooper's:

We have also (so far) painted our toenails one of the ten colors, made brownies and made cookies. 

Off the list items have included...

summer haircuts for the boys:

Ok, the finished product is more like this:

So handsome. So big. 

And cheering the Blackhawks to a Stanley Cup. 

Also not pictured here, we have made up rain dances in our backyard during a tropical storm. 

I'd say we are off to a strong start. 

Still many on and off list items to accomplish. 

Take Us Out To A Ballgame

It's amazing how expensive going to a baseball game is these days (how grumpy old lady do I sound???). Fortunately due to good friends and a babysitter snafu, we ended up with 4 premium tickets to Sox v. Astros this Sunday. 

Celebration of Learning (and Cooper)

Today was Cooper's class' celebration of learning party. Despite it being in the middle of the afternoon (not first thing so one could go in late or last thing so one could take off early or lunchtime where it is conceivable one is just at a long lunch) I made it there and was front and center for the whole production. (Can you feel my bitterness at school functions that clearly are scheduled without consideration to working parents... Especially those with an hour commute????). And better yet! I got to sit next to a super hot 5th grade teacher because Steve managed to get a sub for a half day. 

There are so many things which I can say and have already said about how thankful I am for what his first year of school has been like. Other than one incident where a child who I shall refrain from naming (and who I refrained from giving dirty looks today) punched Cooper (wtf?), it was positive experiences all around.

 Oh yeah- there was that time Cooper got "written up" for goofing off but he was so hard on himself we just tried to reinforce that he needed to listen better  and tried not to laugh.  Even his teacher felt bad for having to issue any form of discipline (which was only a mark in a folder...). 

I somewhat digressed here...

 Back to today.

 Today was poems, songs, videos, artwork, treats, snuggles and fighting back tears. 

Oh, and did I get a picture of Cooper with his friends?  No

What about a photo with his teacher?  Nope

Instead we got the amazing family selfie. 

Or ummm...

Whatever this is:

Oh we give up! (And Steve continues to vary his expression not at all.)

We couldn't be prouder of our Booperton. We love you, buddy. Forever and then plus one more. 

*********

So, as a follow on post... Tonight we got end of school gifts ready for the kids' teachers. I had each of them decorate a thank you card for each teacher (Cooper has one teacher, Daph has 3). If I ever needed proof of what an amazing year it's been for my kids, I need only look at what kind of product they create when left alone to work. 

Here is what the front of the card I gave to Cooper looked like originally (different color, but otherwise identical):

Here is how it looked once he got done with zero input from me:

His own fancy lettering to write her name. He not only added the ellipsis all by himself, but could explain why he did it and what it means.  And when you open the card, it picks right up where the ellipsis left off. 

Clearly his kindergarten teacher was amazing. 

And to brag on he other little, check out her artwork and sentiment (transcribed by her brother). 

Colors and practicing her letters. 

A house. 

A rainbow. 

How lucky we found a place with teachers who would help us ease Daphne into "school" when we were left in upheaval. 

Though they will never see this I offer a big Thank you!  to you teachers who have taken care of and taught my babies. I have learned (or rather been reminded) how much an excellent teacher can make a difference. 

(And thank you, Steve for being an excellent teacher. I think your good teacher karma has rubbed off on us).