The Family

With the grandparents in town for the kids' piano recital as well as for their cousin J's kindergarten graduation, Joanna suggested doing family portraits since it was one of those rare occasions when we were all together.

It was an awesome idea.

And then she went the extra mile(s) and went shopping to coordinate all of our outfits.  Easily the hardest part of family portraits and definitely my least favorite thing to do.  So, many eternal thanks to my sweet SIL for pulling all of us together and making this happen.

The weather, though?  Definitely didn't cooperate with only a gloomy gray sky to work with as our beachy backdrop.  Bah humbug.

And determined as we were, it was almost downright comical trying to get six little people, two grandparents, and four frustrated parents all smiling and looking in one direction.  *Almost* comical, I said.  :p

Because just when we'd very nearly get 'em all ready, something ridiculous like birds would come flying by.

And then we'd lose 'em all just like that.

Grandpa was seriously not helping matters, either.

It helped to break us down into smaller groups.

Also helped to forget the kids entirely.

Changing spots also helped refocus the troops.

The tall Kims.

The short Tsais.

So we kept 'em moving around, winning some, losing others.

And they kept insisting on having fun during this serious endeavor.

And Grandpa kept insisting on relaxing and enjoying the day.

Still we pressed on...

Still finding it easier to forget the kids entirely.

Except that they're so stinkin' cute.

In their matching dresses and all.  (Quick question: how many grown-ups does it take to get three little girls to look at the camera?  The answer is found in the window reflection behind the girls.  Ahem).

Knowing when to throw in the towel?  Golden.

So close.  So. Close.

"Dear God, thank You for letting picture day be over.  And thank You for the rice.  Amen."

Amen, sister.

Their First Recital

The weekend that followed the whirlwind last week of school was also jam-packed with its own events.  All fun stuff, but very tiring for those of us who prefer the sit-down-and-rest type of rides.  It all started with Mikey and Allie's first ever piano recital.    

This is our kids' piano teacher.  I've mentioned him here before.  He starts every lesson by asking for their prayer requests and then praying with our kids.  He's always reminding them that music is a gift from God for us to enjoy.  It's readily apparent that he loves the Lord, loves music, and loves to pass both of those on to his students.  He's always encouraging and has something positive to say.  Our kids just love him.  They've always looked forward to their lesson time with "Uncle Tim" in stark contrast to the nervous dreadishness that I used to feel before piano lessons.

I am so, so thankful for such a wonderful piano teacher for our kids.  I hope it launches them into a lifetime of playing and enjoying music that helps them worship and praise our great God.

So it came as no surprise that he began the recital with a short prayer and reminding us all that music is a gift from God for us to enjoy.

And look who made the long drive down for our kids' first recital?

Allie played "The Dredyl Song".  She did great although she told me afterward that she accidentally played it an octave higher than she was supposed to but didn't want to stop and start over.  Ha ha, I was so nervous for her that I didn't even notice!

Mikey played "Ode to Joy" and also did a great job.  There might have been a few whoops and cheers from our row after they were both done.  BIG sigh of relief.

A quick shot with their teacher when all was said and done.

And a shot with the Lighthouse kids who all know "Uncle Tim" as their piano teacher, too.  He's very, very popular with the kids at our church.  :)

Thank you, Uncle Tim for helping all our kids love music as they learn to play and worship!

Hello, Summer!

And with that, they charged full steam ahead into sunny days full of carefree fun...

Watch out, cuz here they come!

Hello, summer.

Whirlwind

The girls finished their last days of school last week.

My head is still spinning.

On Monday, Allie's rainforest creature family project was due.  The assignment was to create something made entirely from recycled materials found in our home.  So we yanked stuff out of our recycling trash can, found an empty bottle of detangling spray, sacrificed a plastic ball from the kids' old ball pit, and after Daddy hot-glued the head and straw antennae on, I cut out the cardboard wings and covered them with foil, Allie added all the artistic flair... and ta-da!  Allie's "Cameleo-fly".  Combination cameleon-butterfly.  Pure awesomeness.

Also, I got an email Sunday night proclaiming Monday to be "Country Western Day" so could the kids please come to school dressed in their country western duds?  Um.  Country western duds?!

So we dug out a pair of jeans and a jean shirt and called it a day.

: /


Wednesday was Allie's class party.  A 2-hour ordeal.  I went with the other three kids in tow and tried to help out as best I could.  No pictures.  Ordeal.  (But the kids had a great time).

Thursday was Allie's last day of school!  And the ONE time I didn't hear my alarm this whole year and overslept.  As did Allie.  Until 8:08.  We have to leave the house by 8:25.  Allie was still a little dazed and confused by the time we rushed off to school.

But she recovered nicely and enjoyed her last day as a first grader.  And even got a last hug in at the end of the day before hopping in to the van.

Which had a special surprise waiting for her.  Along with a special "School's out/summer's here!" playlist blaring inside.

Let's just pretend her balloon doesn't say, "Happy Birthday" on it, ok?  Thank you.  Also, she chose a Happy Meal as her last-day-of-school treat.

Then it was inside because there were cookies that needed to be baked! 

Because then it was Friday and with it came Lauren's farewell preschool party.  With these three in tow.

There's our girl now!

Singing their little rainbow song.

A last picture with her teacher.

And a last goodbye hug.

And a last hug for her other teacher, too.

Aw look, someone made mini rainbow cupcakes for the Rainbow class.  So. Cute.

She's done with preschool, folks!  :)

She made it!  And so did her mom!

It was for sure a whirlwind of a week and there was hardly any time to feel sad over my babies growing up or to feel proud of my girls for braving their separate schools alone this year.  But now, two days into summer, I'm left just feeling thankful for God's faithfulness in bringing us all through this school year and for the many ways He has blessed us in it.

Also that I have a full year before I have to survive another last week of school again.

Because, whew.

Friendly Neighborhood Helpers

I realized a couple weeks ago that we never went to an open house at school for Allie.  Remember Mikey's open house back in kindergarten?  It was around this time of year.  The thought again entered my consciousness when Allie came home with a big folder made out of construction paper with the words "First Grade Portfolio" printed on it.  Uh oh.  Did I totally miss her open house?  Because that would not be beyond the realm of possibility in my world.  I scanned recent school emails and asked around to see if I had perhaps completely missed the date.  Thankfully, yet puzzlingly, no one seemed to know what I was talking about.  They equated my talk of an Open House as the same thing as Back to School night.  Yet I remember them being two very different events- one in the beginning of the year when the teacher lays down the law (expectations and so forth) and the other towards the end of the year to celebrate all the hard work and to signal the winding down of the school year.

So apparently I didn't completely drop the ball.  This time.  Score one for the mama.

Turns out, Allie's grade puts on a spring performance instead.  So whew.  That date I knew about and even told Phil about it with enough advance notice so that he could request the time off in order to be there too.  Score another one for the both of us.

Such a cute program.

Apparently, the kids got to choose which "friendly neighborhood helper" they wanted to be and our girl chose plumber.  This plays right into her daddy's plan to forgo college in favor of trade schools instead.  Well, knowing a good handyman (or girl) is always er, handy, right?

And there's our cute lil'  plumber now!

Scanning the audience...

Still scanning...

And the moment she spotted us.  All of us.

Each of the groups came forward to sing their part of the show.

I've been singing "friendly neighborhood helpers, we love yooooouuuuuu" all week.  And Allie corrects me "we THANK you" each time.  And I keep doing it.  And she patiently keeps correcting me.  Because that's just how it is when your mom has an ornery streak.

She doesn't really mind though.  And I love her to pieces.

Her daddy had slipped out before the show started in order to surprise her with these.  And then was a little embarrassed when he realized no one else had brought flowers for their performers.  That is, until Allie gave him a big hug to thank him and declared herself the luckiest girl because her daddy was the only one to bring her flowers.  Pink ones, even.  I think he felt better after that.  :)

Afterward, we all went back to Allie's class for a little "cast party" where this guy made off like a bandit with a cookie, a doughnut hole, a drink, and this lollipop.

Which he just was not going to share, no matter how hard daddy tried.

Ah my Allie-girl.  No open house, but I definitely think your grade's show was an even better idea.  And now first grade is coming to a close and I couldn't be prouder of you, sweet little girl.

Ahhhhhhhh!  Feeling sad that these days with my littles are flying by so quickly.  She's growing up so fast!