Shoot Me! 21 of 52

Today is Week 21 of 52 of the Shoot Me! Challenge sponsored by Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans. This is your chance to step out from behind the camera and post a photo of yourself. Don't be shy now!

Today's photo was taken just this morning after I returned home from the YMCA and my workout. Justin and I were resting for a little bit before moving on to the next thing for the day.

Take care,

Michelle

Piano Recital

Friday night was Cara's 1st Piano Recital. The recital was held at The Meadows which is an assisted living facility. Cara's music teacher's mother is a resident at The Meadows. Parents, grandparents and residents were invited to come listen to the students play their pieces. Cara played two songs and did a wonderful job. There were 13 students that played for everyone's enjoyment.

Mrs. Nissen and Cara.

The whole group of students.

Take care,

Michelle

What a Mother Won't Do For Her Children!

Last Tuesday was sign-up for the City of Norfolk's summer recreation programs. This is when I sign the girls up for softball and also for swimming lessons. I have been doing this for years so I know to get in line early. Tuesday afternoon I picked the girls up from school and we went straight home. One of the neighbor boys came running over to watch my kids and I left to go get in line. I got in line at 3:35 p.m. and the doors open at 5:30 p.m. to start sign-up. When I got to the city auditorium my spot in line was about the 6th person around the side of the building. I was ready for the long wait with my lawn chair, a water bottle and a book to read.

This is how the line looked at about 5:00 p.m.

Another photo of the line.

I have never seen the line this long before. The line extended from the front door, around the side of the building and proceeded all the way to the end of the block. Therefore, the line was over a block long. However, the doors were opened early at about 5:15 p.m. I got the times that I wanted for swimming lessons, so, I was very happy. One mother as I was leaving commented on my lawn chair. I told her that I had been in line since 3:30 and I wanted something to sit on while I waited. She couldn't believe it! The first mother in line claimed her spot at 2:00 p.m. I do know of one mother that did not get her kids signed up for swimming lessons because all of the spots were filled.

Take care,

Michelle

Banana Split Party

The entire 3rd Grade class was rewarded last week with a banana split party for learning their multiplication tables through number 12. But, they had to earn each part of the banana split. For example, if they learned the 1's they earned the bowl, 2's the spoon, 3's - a scoop of ice cream, etc. Justin, Ashlin and I went to the party to help scoop ice cream. The whole class was very excited and loud. Mrs. Crosser even blew her whistle to get the class to calm down and to remember their manners.

Cara and Audrey enjoying their banana split.

McKinzie and Callista eating away.

Ashlin got to have some ice cream also. Cara didn't want her photo taken because she knew that it would end up on the blog. She is becoming self-conscious and her mother is starting to embarrass her more and more.

The class enjoying the party.

More of the class eating ice cream.

Take care,

Michelle

Shoot Me! 20 of 52

With all of the running this last week of school, I didn't have time to come up with a new photo. So today for week 20 out of 52 in the Shoot Me challenge I am posting a photo taken last fall at Keith's brother's wedding. This photo is Merina (my mother-in-law), Cara and me. I am impressed how our outfits coordinated though.

Take care,

Michelle

Holly & Randy's Graduations

A week ago our niece, Holly, graduated from nursing school with her bachelor's degree and her dad, Randy, graduated from college with his master's degree in education administration. Keith and his parents attended Holly's graduation ceremony together at the Lied Center in Lincoln. The kids and I left after school to attend the party part of graduation. The graduation party was hosted by Randy's sister and husband, Sandy and Kevin, in Davey. It was a fun evening of visiting with family and friends. Best wishes Holly as you enter the "real" world!!!

The two graduates!

Holly and Cara enjoying the party!

Eli with some of his cousins. These cousins followed him around all evening. He was their leader in the fun and games.

Take care,

Michelle

Preschool Celebration

This morning was Ashlin's Preschool Celebration! It is called a celebration and not a graduation because some of the children will be taking preschool again next year. I told Ashlin it was her graduation and celebration from preschool because she will be moving on to Kindergarten in the fall. There were 24 students in Ashlin's class (6 girls and 18 boys). I also need to mention that there were 4 red-headed children in the class (Ashlin, Ty, Nathen, and Keaton). You don't see a lot of redhead people, so, to have 4 in one class was amazing!

Ashlin with Mrs. Keiser (on the left) and Mrs. Nedrow (on the right).

Mrs. Keiser is the class' teacher aide and Mrs. Nedrow is the teacher. Mrs. Nedrow mentioned this morning that there were three families in the class that this is the third child in the family that she has had as a preschool student (Faltys, Thramers and Leader). Mrs. Nedrow moved to teaching preschool when Cara started preschool. She is an awesome teacher!

Ashlin receiving her preschool certificate and a bracelet.


The students performed a short program for the parents and grandparents that were in attendance. The program consisted of the students reciting a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, counting by 1's, 2's, 5's and 10's, saying the days of the week, saying the months of the year, singing a song about the alphabet, singing the school's theme song for the year, and singing a few other class favorites.

Waiting for the program to begin. The children were all tired of sitting and were very excited. They had a busy morning that consisted of: attending Mass since it was a holy day, attending the May crowning of Mary, and saying a decade of the rosary at church.

Take care,

Michelle

Shoot Me! 19 of 52

Today is week 19 in the Shoot Me! Challenge sponsored by Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans. This is your chance to step out from behind the camera and post a photo with you in the picture.

Today's photo was taken just this morning at Ashlin's Preschool Celebration.

Take care,

Michelle

Spring Concert

Yes, I know that I have been neglecting blogland. I am behind on posting and reading. Please bear with me for one more week. Yes, that is how much time until school is out for the summer. Actually, Ashlin's last day of preschool is Friday, but the two oldest get out next Wednesday.

The girls had their Spring Music Concert recently. The gym was packed with parents, siblings and grandparents. I hate how the pictures turn out in the gym, but at least I am snapping a few photos. The theme for grades K-3 was Disney and Cara and Erica had a blast learning their songs. They also had a great display of the students' artwork for everyone to look at.

Cara's third grade class.

I had to snap Erica's picture quick because when the whole class was on the risers you couldn't see her.


Ashlin's preschool class.

Take care,

Michelle

Shoot Me! 18 of 52

Today is Week 18 of 52 in the Shoot Me challenge where you step out from behind the camera and post a photo of yourself. This challenge is sponsored by Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans.

This week's photo was taken by Erica as part of a school project she had to complete. Her 1st grade class read a story about a character named, Flat Stanley. Each student then had to make their own Flat Stanley and take it home. Flat Stanley was to go on adventures with them. Each student was to take pictures of Flat Stanley in different locations and then make a poster to share with the class. I was reading, so, Erica thought that Flat Stanley might enjoy reading also.

Take care,

Michelle

Soccer

Erica has never played soccer until this spring. Given the choice between soccer or track, she decided to give soccer a chance. She started practice mid April for two weeks and then last week we started playing games. Erica's team is called the Pink Panthers and their shirts are bright pink. There are five girls on the team and they play 3 on 3 for 1st grade girls.

This was at her first game last Thursday night. Erica is getting ready to kick off and it just missed going into the goal.

Running after the play.


Chasing down the ball.

I am happy to report that during her second game last Saturday Erica scored a goal. After she scored a goal she turned toward the bleachers and looked at Keith and me with the biggest grin on her face. Then I have to report that shortly after that she accidentally scored a goal for the opposing team. The weather on Saturday was very windy and cold here and she kicked the ball and then wind took it right into the other team's goal. Erica then had a look on her face of, "I can't believe that just happened". It gave us a good laugh. Her play is improving each game and she is learning to play more aggressive and not to be afraid (soccer is not a game of manners).

Take care,

Michelle

Spring Volleyball

This spring Cara decided to participate in volleyball instead of track. Twice a week during the month of April, Cara was in the gym at school practicing her volleyball skills. Each spring the head varsity volleyball coach hosts a clinic for the 3rd-6th grade students at the school. Mrs. Borgmann wants these girls to get excited about volleyball and start to learn the skills needed to play in high school on her teams. Cara had a GREAT time and I noticed that her skills have improved since last fall when she played at the YMCA.

Waiting for serve receive.

After spiking the ball.

Take care,

Michelle