Summer...

Kate had the day off of school yesterday. After arriving home from my schooling we were off to the greenhouse for planting and photography practice. Miss Kathryn loves her camera from Christmas. We are still waiting for her to edit her botanical movies. Here is some of the days photographic results...Blueberry bushes in bloom. Sweet little flowers aren't they? Don't you want some for your yard. Fun Fact: the foliage turns red in the fall. Beautiful and edible landscaping.Kate practicing her photography skills. The hat is cute Leanne!!! She's using it not only as a fasion statement, but to hide the hair that she hadn't brushed yet.Green it's a good color.Love the veins above and the foliage on Heuchera Electra below. Really spring will be here sooner than you think.On the way out of the greenhouse Kate stated, " I don't won't to leave summer to cross back over into winterland again. I see why you want to be here all the time." Nice to have brought her over to the dark side... or at least the green side.

Chance of rain...

Kate woke up this morning and said to me..."Mom, There's a 30, 30, 30, 30, 50, 50, 50, 50, 30, 30, 30, 30, 30 percent chance of rain today." We definitely use the Weather Channel a little too much in this family.
These photos were taken two weeks ago. The Botanical Gardens have these beautiful Caladiums growing in the shade garden. These shade loving plants originally hail from South America. I love that you can find your favorite color combination out of the 100's of named cultivars.

I was a little frustrated that my camera kept focusing on the trees and not on the leaves. I'll try again. This time I hopefully won't have to stop taking pictures to negotiate a peace treaty for the littlest Rapplings.

PAWS-itive!!!

I am so proud of Miss Kathryn and Miss Sydney.

They both received a P.A.W.S Award at school today!

Every month each teacher chooses one student

from their class to receive this award.

P
Positive Attitude

A
Act Responsibly

W
Work & Play Safe

S
Show Respect

Mrs. Garrison called on Thursday to let us know Kate would be receiving one and could we be at school at 9:30 a.m. Monday? No problem...I had to call back and find out if this was to be a surprise or she would already know.

Surprise...that meant I...

1. Couldn't forget.

2. Couldn't tell the little sisters.

3. Needed to delete all email evidence

4.Had to write it on the calendar without

actually writing it on the calendar!

On Friday I received another Stranahan call... this time Mrs. Bauer wanted to know if we could bring Sydney to the P.A.W.S award ceremony on Monday to receive her very own certificate. I told her that would work out since we were going for Kate! Two great girls who got

to walk down a RED CARPET to some Rockin' music. Lots of fun...

long ceremony due to end of year awards... but worth it.

So happy that Kate and Sydney were able to receive

certificate's at the same time.

A special note...Miss Kate, We can't believe that you're officially a sixth grader at 3:36 p.m. today!!! Great job! It was fun to hear Mrs. Garrison say that all of your former teachers thought you really deserved that award. Thanks for being a great example for your sisters. Don't forget to keep practicing PAWS at home!

Miss Sydney, I know you were embarrassed to go in front of the whole school but we are so happy that you have had such a great year and that your teacher loves you as much as we do! Can't wait to see what you learn in first grade.

Photo by John... he thought it was hilarious when Sydney peeked out from behind Kate instead of stepping out front. That's our silly, silly girl.

Kate's so very very funny.

I discovered six or seven of these "movies" that she took over the last couple of weeks. This one made me laugh the most. Thought everyone might enjoy. ~Susan

Rain, Rain and more Rain!

So cute aren't they? Kate and Syd are spending a night at their friend's house. So the time I usually spend negotiating, cajoling, and reading bed time stories is now all mine. (Insert diabolical laughter here.) So I have time to organize and backup photos, blog, and my favorites laundry and dishes. This may sound like too much fun for one girl but believe me I can handle it! (I sound optimistic about my to do list because it is now a DONE list except for the laundry. Which WILL WAIT until morning.)

Last week John and I took a little time to appreciate the amazingly perfect weather by sitting in our lawn chairs. John was studying and I was "on break," which is what John and I say when we're going to ignore the Rapplings for a few minutes unless there are visible wounds that really "NEED" a band aid. After I went to bed that night it rained and rained and rained. I woke up to our little lake again. Paige wanted to "IM" but not in the pool, in our yard. What a difference a night can make.

John took these out of the back yard Saturday Night. That's when all the water came flooding out of the legs of the chairs onto the drive way.

Nice shot of the fog coming off of the ground.

I remember it was almost two years ago exactly when I sat on the couch with a newborn and waited to see how much flooding we would have at Skrappaper. I was exhausted and worried. How could I help John , manage a new baby, a cranky two year old and bail water. I knew I was loved when Melly, Ken, Lisa and Harvey came to our rescue.

Lisa's off in Mexico right now and Melly's in Indiana but I am so thankful that they were here for me when I needed them. Love you, thanks friends!