Caution: Photos Ahead

Ah, the end of the school year. This is where the insanity that led to my nearly four-month blogging break began. So many activities that something had to give. We gave up a clean house, regular family meals, exercise, early bedtimes...I may have been able to squeeze a few posts in if only I'd been willing to let go a little on personal hygiene, but even I draw the line somewhere. So photo scrooges beware, this is a photo heavy catch-up post.

We managed to fit in a couple of games with our awesome neighbors—this year we tried kickball instead of softball. They could say jousting, and we'd show up, just because they're all so awesome.

May 14, 2012

I helped with a water polo team dinner, a new experience for me to try to feed that many hungry teenagers.

May 15, 2012

I attended my last (sniff) kindergarten Teddy Bear Picnic.

May 16, 2012

The kids had also prepared a reader's theater. Funny story here:

The first group of kids lined up to do theirs in the classroom, with the other kindergartners sitting on the rug in front of them. Near the end of the performance, one of the little girls standing began to projectile vomit. Guess where Ainsley was sitting? Yep, right in front of her. She was covered, but refused to leave before performing her part. The show must go on...

May 16, 2012

Joey's teacher (and Robbie's former—and favorite—teacher) retired, as did Joey's 1st grade teacher, also a favorite.

May 16, 2012

Robbie performed with the percussion ensemble at the Junior High, and it was awesome. I discovered that he was a soloist when I saw it listed on the program, and had to text Rob to come and bring the other kids. Teenagers! He did well, in spite of his cast.

May 16, 2012

Not really an end-of-school activity, but I had to include this photo of us cleaning the church because it's a classic. Reminds me of a church dinner we were at: Joey started freaking out because Rob got mad at him for taking multiple desserts before everyone had been served, and a nice ward member who witnessed the meltdown said, "Oh good, I thought your kids weren't normal, now I can see that they are." Yeah, that's it, normal.

May 19, 2012

Rob, planting the flowers, because that was something I was willing to let go.

May 19, 2012

Backman Family History night was extra exciting, with a solar eclipse.

May 20, 2012

Another band concert. Joey did an amazing job, especially considering how little he practiced his clarinet. :)

May 21, 2012

We are so lucky and grateful to have a great-grandma who is healthy and supportive.

May 21, 2012

The water polo awards dinner. Robbie and Jonas got a special mention as the only seventh-graders on the team.

May 21, 2012

Joey, as an Idaho Spud in the 6th grade 50 States assembly.

May 22, 2012

The junior high awards night—there are some AMAZING kids there! I'm glad that Robbie is one of them.

May 23, 2012

Joey, after a poetry reading with one of his best friends.

May 24, 2012

And, Ainsley's last day of kindergarten. Sigh.

May 24, 2012

She adored her teacher, Miss Newman/Mrs. Gunn. :)

May 24, 2012

Rob will be shocked that I posted this photo, which is not the least-flattering photo that has ever been taken of me, but is probably the least flattering photo I've ever posted. It's because as a scout leader I had to help with the court of honor, and gave the picture-taking duty to Ellie. She didn't take one of just Joey, but I don't want to skip his big achievement—we finally made it through the 30 days of exercises, so he earned his Tenderfoot!

May 31, 2012

Drumroll here, for the much anticipated last day of school. Yay! Here's Ellie:

June 1, 2012

And Joey:

June 1, 2012

He came home with what appeared to be an arm tattoo. He explained that he didn't want to ruin his shirt by having his classmates sign it.

June 1, 2012

Robbie not only survived his first year of junior high, he loved it.

June 1, 2012

We celebrated by making homemade pizzas.

June 1, 2012

Fun, but a lot of work and a big mess to clean up. Next year I need to remember that and we can just go out for dinner...

June 1, 2012

"Best Day Ever"

As we got to the end of the school year, I decided it was time for some middle-child spoiling. I surprised Ellie by picking her up early from school and taking her for her first pedicure and manicure. I was forty when I had my first one, so unfortunately she will never appreciate it the way I do, but still, it's a fun mom-daughter activity, which we needed.

I let her pick where to eat lunch. She is not a foodie.

And as if that wasn't enough fun, we hit the anniversary sale and picked out a fun watch (and something else in that bag...can't remember what that was).

Ellie and I needed some work on our relationship, and I can tell you that this really did the trick. We still have our moments, but I don't think either of us will ever forget what she called "the best day ever."

I could be on a poster for time management

Seriously, it's been too long. I can barely remember what happened yesterday, let alone four months ago. Yep, it's actually September 6th, but Rob thinks backdating whatever I manage to post is for the best. So here goes...

Not the best way to start the summer...

Robbie was having a great spring—here he is...

at the JV water polo tournament, May 4th...

and playing softball on May 9th...

Until Thursday, May 10th, when he was delivering letters for the annual Boy Scout flag fundraiser. The boys were getting in and out of the car frequently, to deliver letters, and Robbie got a little impatient—he got out of the car before it had come to a complete stop. He fell, and caught himself with his left arm, but broke his wrist in the process. So...

Here he is getting a sling on May 11th.

And a cast on May 14th.

Red for the Utes, of course.

Luckily it's waterproof, so he didn't even have to miss the 1st day of swim team.

Not Quite Twelve on the Twelfth

Piano Recital

No one performed perfectly, but they're all making progress. Practice time is even enjoyable most of the time! Although we don't need to hear these songs for a while... :)

Proud mama

Dad gets credit for enforcing practicing!

Wonderful grandparent support

Their amazing teacher, CarolLynn

Ainsley can't wait to start learning to play...

Ballet Recital

Lulu, Duffy and Ainsley

Amelia and Ellie

Ainsley and Great-grandma Clayton

Ainsley on the far left

Ellie & Amelia, center right

Cousins—and mom failure—no flowers. :(

Ellie & Ainsley

With Grandma Judy

With Grandpa Marsh

Picked up flowers on the way home. :)

With fabulous teachers, Miss Natalie & Miss Connie, on the last day of class.

Neighborhood Kickball

Last Spring we started an unofficial softball league with several other families in our neighborhood. This year we've switched to kickball, which is easier for the kids. We feel lucky blessed to have such great friends.

12 photos on the 12th—April

The 12th of April was busy, productive and fun. I went to my last kindergarten program as a parent! Hopefully I'll have many more as a grandma and great-grandma someday. :) Rob was working from home, so we went out to lunch (Zupas, Ainsley's choice). It snowed, and I finally got our taxes filed. Book group was great—we did something different, and picked a theme, rather than a specific book. The theme was whole food, plant-based nutrition, and we had a potluck in addition to our discussion. It was a record turnout and a fabulous evening.

Spring Break

It's a good thing Rob is mostly eating a no-sugar, whole foods, plant-based diet now, because if his arteries were the least bit clogged, I'm pretty sure the shock of seeing a post here would induce a heart-attack. Remember this one?

I've been kind of busy. The upside to catching up on events that happened months ago is that out of the 730 photos I took in one week (plus 4 videos, but who's counting?) I've narrowed it down to a few favorites. You're welcome. Or, for you Grandma, since you may be the only one still checking this blog, I'm sorry, you can come and see the other 725 anytime. :)

We spent spring break (March 30th - April 7th) in St. George, which was beautiful, although still not as warm as I like it. We arranged for the Easter Bunny to deliver baskets and eggs there, and a whole week early! The kids were able to play with some new toys and finish up all their sugar over the break. 

Speaking of bunnies, we met up with some friends while we were there and the kids begged for a bunny just like theirs:

The kids were able to swim a couple of times, once indoors and once outside, with friends.

There are a few photos that I wish I had, including some with one of my favorite mission companions who was also visiting St. George from Colorado. We were able to meet up for ice cream, and took our kids to a movie and dinner another day. It was so great to see her, but my phone pictures are terrible. On the other hand, she told me about the Red Cliffs Recreation Area, and we went "hiking" (more like walking, with lots of photo stops) there. This photo, taken there, is now my desktop photo:

Last but not least, Ellie finally learned how to ride a bike while we were there. She just went and did it on her own! Unfortunately it was the day we were leaving, so she didn't get to enjoy her new skill for long. Although apparently we didn't pack her helmet, so maybe that's okay.

It was great to get away, and we loved spending some time with Ralph, Judy and Jake, in addition to our friends.