Bella's D.A.R.E. graduation was on May 7th. The county-wide graduation was held at a large high school gym in Columbus. There was an essay contest where the kids had to write about someone that they look up to. Bella wrote a beautiful essay about Andy and she ended up as the winner from our school! She was honored at the graduation by sitting in a special area and getting her name called to receive a medal.
Apparently, there was a newspaper article about it the next day, but we don't get the paper anymore and I didn't see it. But I did find this online. Bella is not pictured, but her name is mentioned.
A couple of days later was Muffins with Mom at school. I grabbed a quick selfie with my kids before we all headed off to class.
Some unofficial guy time.
Bella's 6th grade class took a trip to St. Louis. They had to be at school by 6:30am. These kids were super excited - they didn't mind. During their two-day trip, they visited the Botanical Gardens, City Museum, Science Center, St. Louis Zoo, and the Arch!
That same day, Graydon had class in the one-room schoolhouse located behind our school. The kids dressed up in old-fashioned clothes and spent the day experiencing what school was like 100 years ago. He even brought his lunch in a basket.
We had a board painting party after school as part of Teacher Appreciation Week. I painted this fun sign to adorn our deck over the summer. With it, and the summer flowers we've added since this photo, our deck looks festive and summery.
Saturday, May 12 was the Elementary Kids Fun Run, another big event that takes place every spring in Columbus. Bella really wanted to participate again this year, even though she got back from St. Louis at 11pm the night prior. Since she was doing it, Curtis decided to run too.
His age group ran a half mile.
Exhausting race for our little buddy.
He was happy to finish.
Bella's turn! Her group ran a mile.
She was the fourth finisher and the second girl!
Another happy finisher!
Proud of our kids!
The following day was Mother's Day. The boys sang a song. I didn't seem to catch many of the kids in a happy moment. ;)
We always have a love feast in church on Mother's Day. This year, they wanted daughters serving with their dads. Since it would be pretty hard for Andy to do his pastor duties and serve, Mr. Dodd stepped in to serve with Bella. He even stayed back from a visit down to Kentucky to do so (we didn't know about that until after the fact). He's the best!
Me and my three!
I got a new jar for our blender and a new bike! It's my first new bike since I was nine. All five of us went for a bike ride through the cemetery and then grilled out for dinner that night. I love Mother's Day. It's one of my favorite days of the year.
The third grade classes learn Hope history as part of their social studies lessons and they take a walking tour through local historic sites as one of their field trips. Since the founder of our church was also the founder of our town, our church is one of the stops on the tour and Andy dresses up as Martin Hauser (the founder). He does a great job.
That week, our school held its annual academic fair. All three kids presented their projects. Graydon's class did science projects - Graydon chose flowers and food coloring (transpiration).
Curtis did an ipad presentation on his research on panda bears.
Bella had to make a wind mill that, when air is blown, will turn and pull up a cup filled with pennies. I think that her wind mill carried 40 pennies!
Andy led Graydon's Cub Scout group one night. They learned different marble games and constructed leather sacks to store their marbles.
"Hey Mom! Take my picture!"
Coming home from watching Graydon's baseball game in the rain. (Bella's feet).
On May 20th, Mabel turned TWO! We made her a special cake and sang Happy Birthday.
She was so patient.
It didn't take her long to finish it.
We have a wooden hanging on our front porch and one day discovered that a bird built a nest between it and the brick. Mama bird chose a really safe and secure spot to lay her eggs. The baby birds have since hatched since this photo was taken.
Curtis is looking forward to our trip to see Mimi! Translation: "New Jersey"
She loves to play and gets so excited!
Coming up. . . Bella's Sixth Grade Graduation and the last day of school!
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