Birthday time

Next up for June was Ellie turning 11 on June 21 and Sam turning 8 on June 30th.  The kids had great birthday parties and enjoyed getting cards in the mail.  With any luck we will get some thank you's mailed out to a few of you before school starts again.  :)

Ellie celebrated her real birthday with a candle lit cookie

Silly girls- first we did a movie, then Applebee's, finally home for owl shaped cupcakes made by dad, and a sleepover

Yep- it was another Chuck E. Cheese birthday party for Sam.

Iron Man's shield even with a light in it, made by dad.  What a day: Chuck E. Cheese, cake, and a sleep over with friends

A little surgery

Next on Ellie's summer list of activities was getting a cyst removed off of a bone in her leg.  In May she had complained a bit about her leg hurting.  Dave and I kept saying it will get better, but then we learned she had cried during track and field day at school, her gym teacher even noticed she was in pain.  So that night we were off to urgent care thinking she had a sore calf muscle.  Hmm- 3 hours later after blood tests for blood clots and an x-ray we found out she had a cyst on her bone.  By the next day we know she was headed for Mayo to see a pediatric orthopedic doctor.  Yep- her parents felt like complete failures- dismissing her pain as nothing-oops it happens to the best of us.  From there we learned the cyst was common, likely caused her fibula bone to fracture, and with a simple surgical procedure by fall she would be back to her active self.  Well from the pictures below you can see she breezed through her very first surgery.  She had her parents a little nervous- ok her dad was crazy nervous- as parents are if there children are being put to sleep.   All went well and Ellie is back to riding bike and swimming.  By the time school starts she will be back to running, jumping, and dancing too!

 

Music and Drama Camp

Summer began with Ellie and Sam being a part of the music and drama camp at Faith Church in Austin.  Ellie was an amazing narrator and Sam enjoyed being a part of the songs and boys group dancing.  After the picture is a video with snap shots of the songs and Ellie's parts.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.  I am one proud mom!!

 

Where has summer gone?

Wow- the summer is flying by and little is posted on our blog.  Look for some posts of our June/July excitement!

Good Bye to a family pet

Hercules was almost 15 years old and lived a great life of being our family pet.  In the past couple of years he had turned into our "crotchety old man" but we still loved him.  This week he was sick on and off, but had moments of feeling fine too.   It appears he peacefully died by himself in the mudroom where he stays when we are gone.   Although it is hard to lose a furry member of the family, we are thankful he didn't suffer long.   

 

 



End of Year Talent Show

LOVE THIS VIDEO!!  Sam and his friend William were asked to perform their Just For Kix hip hop dance for their elementary school's end of year talent show.  They had so much fun and all I can say as this video continues to make me smile.   William's mom commented how much fun it will be to show this at the boy's graduation!  AHH- Love that they are making such fun memories!

Teachers

We were so lucky to have our kids have a couple of the best teacher's ever.  Sam loved his teacher so much I suggested she just move up each grade with him.  :)

Last day of 2nd Grade with Ms. Hull

Miss Hull just loved our kids how can we not love her- Sam's 2nd grade teacher and Ellie's student council leader

Mrs. Wiste and Ellie- these two are going to miss each other so much- they made a great bond when Ellie was in her 3rd grade class and then she got be in Mrs. Wiste's 5th grade class too.

Now it is on to summer fun!!