Beginning, End, and Lots of Stuff from the Middle

Spring!!

For much of the Spring, we hosted a couple of different moose.  This guy split his time between our yard and the neighbors.

One day, Sis tried her hand at applying mascara.  She needs a little more practice.

I'm super proud of my first runner's toenail.

Dash finished first grade off strong by reading the entire Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.  Sis followed his example.

Sissy reading Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, a family favorite.

Sis's other interests include shoes, especially fancy high-heeled shoes.

Sis has to work hard to look that good, however.  This shot doesn't begin to do justice to her daily bedhead.

At the end of May, we drove over to Casper to watch the State Track Meet.  It was awesome to see Dan, Jill, Boe, Kamber, Upton friends, and our new hero (a kid from Rock Springs who currently holds the fastest 800 & 1600 combined time in the nation).  Per their usual, the kids have become fanatic track fans this spring.  This is the long jump pit they made on the driveway by hauling sand out of the park playground.

The boys came up with a new version of basketball.  Brandan played the whole game while kneeling and ended up with skinned knees and feet.

Several times a day, Sport disappears and can be found scaling the pantry shelves to reach the best snacks on the top shelf.  When he finds something particularly good, he will shut the door and enjoy a rare moment of privacy.   

The weather has been awesome for lots of walks and bike rides.  This was a rare moment when Sport and Sis were getting along and actually holding hands.  Usually they are fighting over space and scratching each other or pulling hair (to be honest, Sis does all the scratching and hair pulling and Sport does a lot of crying).

Dash on the last day of first grade.  Dash had a really successful year.  He blew his teachers (and parents) away with his state test scores.  We are so proud of him!

Two days after Dash finished school, Colt started pre-kindergarten summer school.  I was really reluctant to send him because we miss his company so much, but he was so excited.  The last couple of months I have come to realize what a great little peacemaker Colt is in our house.  One of the many examples: during a craft activity at a play group, Sport became upset (mildly put) because there were no more sharks to paint, only fish.  Colt reasoned with him for just a minute and then willingly gave Sport his shark, the last one and the craft Colt really wanted.  Later that week, Sport snapped his shark in two (surprise, surprise) and Colt immediately consoled him with the promise that he would break his own fish.  How can I keep such an amazing social example to myself?!  

Also this spring, Brandan finished his Masters Program with flying colors, coached Junior High track, and went to several high school basketball camps in his new position as 9th grade coach.  In our spare time, the family has been exploring the local hills and helping the beavers build dams.