Celebrating School!

Since we were going to be in Utah for the last day at their old school, the kids begged and begged and begged to go back to see all their friends. I emailed the teachers the month before we came out and they were very gracious and willing to let the kids come. My kids couldn't wait!!

So, we took Connor to his class first. Mrs. Gurr had kept his coming a secret. He walked in and his classmates went crazy! They couldn't believe their they were seeing Connor! It was actually touching to see their reactions upon seeing him and made me love all these kids even more.

For the last 3 years, Connor has had the great opportunity to be in the Accelerated Learning Program at his school. Most of these kids you see here in these pictures have been together, in the same class for all of that time. They have built some pretty tight bonds!

Before I could say "no" the twins ran to their class and I am so mad at myself for not getting any pictures with them and their friends!! Boo!!!

Connor, Tianna, and Alorha

Connor with a fun group of girls

Christian, Connor, Kris, and Ben

Connor with his great friend Kylie. These two bonded not just through the ALL program, but because they are both the older siblings of twins! They could commiserate together, if need be! 

Connor and a good friend, Maren

The whole class

Connor and Sam

Connor and his great teacher Mrs. Gurr. This lady did more for Connor than probably any other teacher. She was strict and expected a lot, and didn't let Connor get away with anything. After a few months of trying to fly under the radar, she called Connor out on it and he has been excelling ever since. He really rose to her expectations.

This taught me a good lesson about our children rising to the expectations we place on them. If we think, "Oh, they're only 9, we shouldn't expect them to be able to do that, or do this good of a job", we are actually short-changing them, and robbing them of being excellent. It was a great lesson that I am still trying to implement into my parenting. I think there is a fine balance between expecting too much and expecting too little. But kids really will rise to what you expect and often exceed those expectations.

Connor and Kris

Daniel and Connor

After finishing the "last day of school" we headed up to Salt Lake to visit with my fabulous sis in law Kim and "the cousins" at Liberty Park. It was a beautiful day and we had a blast!

This event was also not accurately captured with my wonderful camera timing. Where are the pictures of the cousins together? Boo, again!!!!

Isn't Brooklyn a doll?

After the trip to the park we headed back to Saratoga to hold our annual Whip Cream fight. This was a total spur of the moment decision, but it was so fun!

You probably remember that every year (for the last 5 years) we have held a whip cream fight on the last day of school. We do it out our back yard and into the park. Everyone bring ship cream and we set up a huge tarp water slide that the kids just love!

A few days before the last day of school, things started popping up on Face Book from people in the neighborhood asking about the whip cream fight. I thought it was so funny how people thought it was still going to happen, even though we lived in TX! We got asked enough about it, I decided, "What the heck," and just did it. Almost all of Connor's class came. And we had a few families turn out from the neighborhood. Not too bad for spur of the moment!

My kids thought it was the greatest thing ever! Just like old times!

Getting ready to "cream" eachother"

After the fight.

Again, horrible on the picture taking, but this will have to do!! 

What a fun place to live!!! Saratoga Springs will ALWAYS hold a special place in our hearts.

Always.