Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Field Trippin' with Reese

First of all, BIG thanks to Chet and my mom for taking time off so I could attend these field trips with Reese {two in the past week!}.

First, we became one with nature at the Dillon Nature Center in Hutch.  Prior to last week, we had only been there once {and hope to visit again this summer!}.



























































We may or may not have spent 30 minutes talking about roly polies....



































And picked, rolled, and sniffed leaves!  Haha!  One with nature, I told ya!
























































More sniffing...














































































































































































Field trip selfies, a must!

















































































































































































































































































Next trip, Rolling Hills Wildlife Refuge outside Salina.  We haven't been there since the tax season after Cru was born{he was two months old}.  A lot has changed!

We spent all morning walking through the museum and attending an animal education class.  Followed by lunch and riding the tram through the zoo.  It was cold, but a great day!



My crazy passengers!  In the past, I've always had a van load of girls!  Who sit quietly, giggle, and play truth or dare.  Boys...NOT.SO.MUCH.













































































I love this^

And the "people" in the exhibits....so creepy!  And so real looking, yet so fake.  One boy walked away from the Native Americans waving at them thinking they were real.


































































































































Bat caves^



































































Puppet show!







Oh, you know, just passing around rhino poop!





































More selfies!!





We haven't had the greatest weather for field trips, which resulted in us heading home a little early.

I decided to drive by Dairy Queen after dropping off my van load of crazy 2nd graders {the kindergarteners were there enjoying treats with their adopted grandparents} and wouldn't you know, it started raining, so all the kids needed rides back to the school {they had walked there}.



Sure, why not chauffeur another van load of crazy kids!

I spend a lot of time in the van.

And I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Monday, May 18, 2015

All Schools Day Week

Nothing like All Schools Day week in our small town!  Loved it as a kid, quite possibly love it even more as a parent!

For the record, our family has still escaped the carnival!  If they want to go as teenagers with their friends and throw up on rides, more power to them!  But I will not put myself through that!  Some may think they are missing out.  I think I'm being smart :)

Reese has performed at May Fete for the past three years....this year, we added Evee!



































The girls were both scheduled to perform at the park, but rain and tornadoes were in the forecast {Chet actually got caught driving home from a meeting out of town when sirens sounded}, so they performed at the high school.  Definitely not the same :(

Everlee's first dance performance in front of people....not a whole lot of dancin' going on {I know she knows the routine, she does it whenever I play the song}, but her beautiful smile NEVER left!  And we were so proud ♥♥♥




















































































































Reese is a veteran now.  We are so proud of her confidence she now has when performing.  We've run into some conflicts between dance and softball recently, and her dance instructor assured me several times that she knows the routine and she'd be fine if she needed to miss class.  She was right!  She also knows every word to the song ;)  Lots and lots of singing while dancing ♥♥♥





















































































































































































The girls definitely earned their treat that night :)

Chet and I co-chaired our school float again this year with our friends, Chris and Mindy.  This year's theme was #ASD2015: Bringing Friends Together.

Yes, all that!

Our float idea basically stemmed from one of the Bible verses that was presented at our initial meeting - Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter: whoever finds one has found a treasure. Sirach 6:14 (which we condensed to "A faithful friend is a treasure.")

And from that came a treasure chest, then came a ship, then came a pirate ship.  And these ideas only came to life because of the extremely talented and intelligent families at our school!

Chris and Mindy have a little break before they have another float rider.  We, on the other hand, have two more years with Evee....six years in a row of float building!!!

Enough talk, here's a parade recap.....











































































Eisenhower^


Canton Galva...real water fall...awesome!^


Lincoln^


Elyria^


Sonshine Preschool...moving sun!^


























































































































































Washington^

And our buddy, Hunter!



































At this point, I had to get Cru from the float, so I handed the camera over to Reese....


Roosevelt^












































































Reese's friend, Nethmi^





Nice pics, Reese!

Now I'll take back the expensive toy!



























































































































After the parade, we rode horses....






































After horses, the girls and I went back downtown to visit some shops....and I was craving a funnel cake!



We had plans to meet friends for the fireworks, but our kids were on our last nerve, so instead of getting to play and have fun with friends, they had to take baths early and watch from the van.

They still loved it!




































And then our van was dead....



Friends to the rescue, thank goodness!

All Schools Day 2015 in the books!

It was a great day!  I love experiencing these traditions that I remember as a kid with our kids...nothing better!

And our float won!  People's Choice {which is the new grand prize} and Best Use of Theme.