End of School

 A few days before school got out Ben's class had a kindergarten graduation.  I got a cake for the class - I thought it turned out so cute.  Who knew that Tom Thumb would do custom orders?

 Here's Ben after his ceremony.  I didn't get any good pictures of him walking across the stage or of the performance - I'm not sure what happened there? 

 After we got home Ben opened a few presents from the grandparents. 

 Elizabeth also had an awards ceremony. 

 She's receiving a medal for Eagle math excellence. 

 We then went back to class and the teacher had special awards for each of the kids. 

 Elizabeth loved it!

 The next day was the last day of school - whoo hoo!

 They were SO excited - I was too!

 I couldn't get that boy to stop his crazy looks!

 Oh man - picture time was over. 

 After school we did our annual running through the banner picture.

 And we had a swimming/ice cream party to celebrate the last day. 

We're SO glad for school to be done for a while...we know summer will be over before we know it! (in about 3 weeks!!)

Brownies and Susan B Anthony

Jessica and Ryan brought back some fun clothes from China for the kids.  Ben loves his new shirt.

 Elizabeth is showing off her new dress, purse, and her name written in Chinese. 

 4 of our kiddos.  Claire was taking a nap. 

 Elizabeth's brownie troop had a fun time earning a badge at Sweet and Sassy. 

 8 of our girls

 Best Friends - Bridget, Emma, and Elizabeth

 The girls got to pick out outfits and get their hair done. 

 After the girls were all ready they had a freeze dance competition. 

 We ended up with a runway show. 

At the end of the school year Elizabeth's class had a living museum.  Elizabeth dressed up as Susan B Anthony.  She memorized a speech that she had written about Susan B Anthony and as people walked through the halls they would step on the student's buttons and the students would recite their speech.  It was a very fun event.  She seemed so grown up reciting her speech in front of so many people!  

Meeting Claire!

 Jessica and Ryan were in China for 3 weekends, and we watched Cooper and Jackson during those weekends.  They were with my parents during the week so mom and dad could take Cooper to Kindergarten. 

 Ben had a soccer game so the boys had fun watching and then had a blast playing at the playground afterwards. 

 We also would watch Elizabeth during her bball games - we were playing outside while Elizabeth's team was warming up. 

 Also during those weeks Ben had field day.  Ben's teacher made the cutest shirts - they each drew their own face for the shirt - so cute! 

 This is just something I had to include for memories sake :)  When Ben gets a splinter he won't use his hand until it is out - and he won't let me get it out so I have to do it when he sleeps.  He's so goofy!  Here Ben is with his splinter in his hand - and he won't use it to pull the rope! 

 We had some family in town so Ben's Aunt Mary came to watch field day.

 Me and Ben

 

 Ahh - my camera is so bad! 

For Ben's end of season soccer party they had a gymnastics party.  His coach was so nice and said that Cooper and Jackson could come too.

 I think they enjoyed themselves!

 Oh man this boy is hysterical!

 After the soccer party we went to our house to swim with some of our out of town family. 

 I think he's debating whether he should go in with his splinter. :)

 

 Ahh - the big day was finally here!!!

 We were waiting very patiently for Claire, Jessica, and Ryan to finally walk through the doors. 

 We spotted them!

 Can you see Jackson's happy face?! (and Cooper of course)

 I think Jessica missed her boys :)

 Claire was doing her best to not look at us.

 They boys are checking their new sister out!

 The new family of 5!

What a wonderful, happy day!