One Thursday...

Harper had her kindergarten field trip today.  They went to the Discovery Center at Gage park, and the zoo.   She wasn't very forthcoming with information, but did share that she liked the part of the discovery center where they got to write on a wall.  She is pretty excited about having tomorrow off school.  She is off because tomorrow is kindergarten round up, so the current kindergarteners get to stay home.  The high school has been out the last 2 days due to power issues after being struck by lightening, but we just got the word that they are back in business!  

Cameron had a track meet today at Wamego.   I misread the starting time, so I got there late and missed the pole vaulting.  Cameron got 2nd place today!  (We are not mentioning the part where there were only 2 pole vaulters at the meet!). 

He also did triple jump, which we missed out on because Saige was having a drama time over almost dying of thirst.  We did, however get to watch Cameron's 4x800 relay team.  They took 3rd place.  (Not because there were only 3 teams either!). 

We also watched him run the 300 meter hurdles.  He did great.  We judge his greatness by him not tripping over, or wiping out on the hurdles!  

It was a fun meet and I am glad I got to see at least part of it!  

Official things.

Colin and I drove, and drove and drove a little bit further today to Great Bend.  We saw a bit of flooding from last night's storms, some cattle, the flint hills, more cattle, a wind farm, and a few more cattle.  

Whereas I find the flint hills to be beautiful, I forget that there is not really life west of Salina.  Luckily for me, Colin has an "amazing" selection of music downloaded on his phone and he "let" me listen to it the whole time!  It was nice to have a day to visit with him. 

It was worth the drive because we got so much accomplished.  Colin is now officially enrolled at Barton Community College.  He also has a dorm contract, a meal plan, financial aide all squared away, and committed to wrestling.   He also may have gotten a part time job.  I call that a successful trip!  He has a few more bits and pieces of paper to fill out, but at least the hard stuff is done.  

We also took a little bit of time to look around the city of Great Bend, which he didn't have time to do last time.  It has the feel of a small town, but the amenities of a big town.  I like it.  So does Colin.  

The high school was struck by lightening in the big storms of last night.  That meant the big boys were out of school.  Saige got to skip the drive to Great Bend, and instead hung out with Cameron all day.  She said he is a boring babysitter, since he only let her play on the tablet and not in the mud!  She was excited when Mallory got home and took her to the last official RE class for this year.  

I met them in time for the big celebration.  Harper, Saige and Quincy all got awarded for good attendance.  The award was a gift card to Sonic.  Harper acted like they handed her a million dollars.  Saige thought we were leaving right that minute to go to Sonic.  It will be a nice summer treat someday, but I am done with driving for the day!  

I will miss my 1st grade class, they are awesome little sweet peas, but I am definitely running low on motivation and am looking forward to summer break!  

Senior night at baseball

Tonight was a celebration of the senior baseball players.  Colin's final senior night.  I could have cried.....

But instead I cracked up.  Colin is a really funny kid.  He was telling me that you get to write your own introduction and after the last 2 senior nights, be realized they don't fact check - so he did a little embellishment on his.  Colin will be going to Barton College next year.  It is 3 hours away.  I am going to miss having him around all the time.  He is in a class full of really nice kids.  I am going to miss his friends being around all the time as well.  

A few days worth of photos.

Colin had a game at Central Heights.  They won the first game 17-1.  They lost the second game 1-3.  I don't know how that happens.  Other than it was raining during the second game and the umpire called everything a strike.  The game definitely went faster that way!  

We have been letting the goats out to graze the yard. It sometimes means the loss of parking in my spot.  It sure does make Saige happy!   

I heard her say "look!  my club members are here!!"   We are thinking she might need some human friends.  Which is why I got all the paperwork for preschool -  she is so excited!  

Quincy had her 4th grade music program.  She was asked to dress nicely.   Her idea of 'nicely' and mine don't exactly match.  She did concede to wearing her show clothes.  She also let me fix her hair but tore it all out the moment the program was over!  

Even Landrie broke out a skirt for the occasion!  Q just won't be swayed on the issue.  

Saige had to wear her purple in honor of Prince.  Or at least that is what we told people since the outfits she picks need some sort of excuse.  

Cameron had a track meet at Rossville.  We didn't get to go since we were setting up for the 4-H garage sale, but he cleared both 7 foot and 7'6"!   That is a great improvement!  The pictures his friend took are pretty good too!  

Today, due to a large amount of generosity, our 4-H club had an incredibly successful garage sale during city wide.  

We had all of the garage sale items as well as all of the food for the concession stand donated.  The kids cleared over $1000!  Not too shabby for 10 hours worth of work! 

When momma is away....daddy lets the kids have a very nutritious lunch!  Yes, that was their whole lunch!  Yes,  Jim is a softie.  Yes, he knows about spoiling kids.  Yes, they do love daddy and claim he is more fun than me.  One of us has to be the mean one!  

My girls

Last week, I did a post I called "my boys."  Mallory gave me a lot of grief over the weekend because I didn't have a post featuring the girls.  So here you go Mallory!  

Mallory is kicking butt at Emporia State.  She is well on her way to making her dream of being an elementary teacher a reality and we are very proud of her.  She has the craziest schedule....when they told her to go out in the world and get experience, she took it to heart.  She is helping at a preschool in Olpe a couple of days a week, and volunteering in a first grade class in Topeka a couple days a week.  On top of her classes.  She has kept her job at Brookside on weekends, and  is the Employee of the Month!  She even had an article in the paper about her! 

Not to be outdone in the time management department, Madison is going to school full time and working more than full time.  She will be finished with her dietary management certificate in May, and is anxiously waiting to hear for certain whether she got into the pastry and baking program at Johnson County.  One thing that will sound weird, but I am very proud of, is Madison being a lot more social.  She has met some very nice people at Johnson County and I am happy to see her getting out more and having fun!  

Quincy had a hard day today, as the kitten she worked so hard to rescue passed away.  She takes things very personally!  She is soft hearted and has a real gift with animals.  

Harper is my main count down girl. She isn't only counting days until school gets out, she is also counting days until the pool opens for summer!  I am proud of how far she has come this year.  Some of the shyness is being replaced with self confidence!  

Saige is ornery and loves to antagonize her brothers. She starts speech this week, and is so excited about it, although I don't really know if she actually knows what speech is!  

Yesterday, we threw out a broken chair.  Preston decided to give Blitz the cushion as a bed.  Last night, I turned on the porch light and found this.  Apparently, Curley has given herself honorary dog privileges.  

I realize this has nothing to do with the girls, but Preston has a playing test in band tomorrow.  I got a huge kick out of him playing the trumpet and the peahens came running with their feathers puffed out.  Apparently, Preston's trumpet playing sounds like a peacock mating call!  He didn't find it as amusing as we all did!