Summer Time!!!

The kids' last day of school was Friday!!!

We celebrated by going to a neighborhood root beer float party

and then hiking at Willow River State Park. 

 Grant and Miya feeding the geese. These geese were NOT shy--they'd try to take the bread right out of their hands.

Made me nervous...

 Garrett showing me his number scroll on the last day of school.

He got to 7,000-something and was proud to have the longest scroll in his class! 

Shayla is ready for the summer!

Ty had his 5th grade graduation--look out Middle School, here he comes!

He got to share some memories of his grade school days and it made me a little sad that he is growing up so fast and a lot proud to hear what he had to say. I thought i'd include his speech here at the end, for the grandparents (I did record it, but somehow it got deleted off of my phone :(

"Through my elementary years I have achieved many goals, and there are many more that I am still striving for. I hope I've shown enough respect to all my wonderful teachers who have helped me reach my goals. Such as ones as little as learning my A,B,C's. My teachers have all helped shape the character I'm today. They've taught me to be respectful, to never give up, and to always think of others first. I hope I can share these characteristics with others someday.

One of my first memories was going to the apple orchard with my wonderful kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Sexe. I remember how proud I was to be picking my own apples. I remember how crisp and juicy the mouthwatering apples tasted! My first grade teacher Mrs. Baumann was one amazing first grade teacher. I remember the bunk bed Mrs. Baumann had. I thought it was so cool! I wasn't here in second grade but I still had an awesome teacher Mrs. Amorelli at River Crest. I can't forget my third grade teacher Mrs. Frydach. She was so patient with me. I remember fourth grade very vividly. Our class talked a lot! I was one of the kids who talked a lot. And I'm still working on that. But Mrs. Ida always kept a great attitude. 

One of my last memories from my elementary school is Camp St. Croix! It was an action packed three days. Full of rock climbing, hiking, delicious food, and many bonding experiences. Mrs. Shimon made fifth grade my favorite year by far because of her exuberant attitude, and loving heart. Elementary school is a blast and it will forever have a special impact on my life." by Tyler K. Hacking

Shayla's Kindergarten Grad

What a tear jerker! Her teacher is the sweetest grandmotherly type and just loves her students so much, she had tears in her eyes as she bid them farewell at the end of the program, which in turn caused all of us parents to cry as well.


Shayla has grown up so much this past year--she is excited and ready for 1st grade in the fall.

(The songs they sung were so cute--my favorite was Willie the Walrus. I've tried for 3 days to upload the video--but it's not working! Any helpful hints about uploading videos?)

Garrett's graduation

Oh, boy...I've got joy, I do, do you?
That song is so stuck in my head! Any of you who have done Joy School know exactly what I'm talking about! But it's a small price to pay for the great experience it has been this year doing Joy School with Garrett and his buddies. (notice the 2nd boy from the left--nice.)


Garrett was so proud today at his graduation. He is such a fun, sweet, enthusiastic kid and we sure are proud of him, too.


One more year of preschool, then off to Kindergarten! It couldn't be soon enough for him, but as his mom, I want to soak up this last year of having him all to myself.
(G. eating his graduation cap treat)

Future Joy Boys

Shayla's Joy School Graduation

We had a Graduation BBQ at our house for Shayla and her classmates. It was a bit of a cold day, so we moved the graduation inside, but everyone had a great time. The kids sang a few songs for us. Shayla LOVES to sing, but if you notice her trying to hide behind her hands in the pics, it is because her big bro and his friend were teasing her on the front row. Oh, the joy of big brothers :)