Kayleigh's last day of Second Grade was the next day, after I last wrote. It was only a half day. I'd forgotten to give Kayleigh the camera to take a picture with her teacher, so we went back later in the day, before Ms. Valentine had left - which explains why Kayleigh's hair is wet and is wearing her swim pull-over.

Ms. Valentine was a fun teacher and Kayleigh liked Second Grade a lot. She learned several cultures, like Egypt (did a music presentation with all of the Second Grade classes) and Indians. Did more with Math and telling time, and lots of writing. I'd say Kayleigh's hardest area was keeping organized and turning things in at the right time. She's too much like her Mother. One thing I noticed when I'd go to her class is that Kayleigh didn't like to sit down. She'd do all her work standing, if she could. I'm pretty sure she was the shortest one in her class. And of course, the cutest!

James River Scramble

Last weekend, the day before Father's Day, we drove down to Richmond and I ran in a 10K there called the James River Scramble, an off-road race with some fun scrambling. I ran it last year and loved it. This year, it didn't knock me out so bad. I got some crazy bug stings while running through the trees, which caused me to roll my ankle, then trip on a root. It was like a comedy show. Here's me after the race - I usually forget to take pictures but got a couple this time.

They had some free kid activities, like rock climbing. Kayleigh and Thomas both loved that and did it over and over. Thomas finally got all the way to the top on his last turn.

We stayed all day, checked into a hotel and the kids swam while Melanie and I napped. Kayleigh worked on her free style for swim team and did really well. Then that night they had fireworks. Sunday morning we drove home, after a quick visit to a visitor's center. Made it for church, which was on the way home. I like Richmond - the running paths go all over and it's just a nice place to visit.

Swim Team

The kids have started swim team. They had a time trial a couple weeks back. That's where they just swim like it's a meet, only no competition, and get their starting times. Each week they are just to try to beat their last time. At time trials, Thomas got through it fine, Kayleigh had a little trouble (cried down the lane - all the people watching around her kept cheering her to the end. I don't think she particularly liked that part, but she couldn't get out of it that way. She looked like she just wanted to get out of the pool.) All they both are in at this point is one lap of free-style.

They missed the first meet (Richmond) but had a meet yesterday. Thomas was first and beat his time by about 16 seconds, I think. He likes to dive and does really well at that part. But when he stops doggy paddling so much, he'll be faster. Kayleigh wouldn't dive in, for some reason, but let herself in and pushed off. That slowed her down quite a bit, but she still beat her time. Actually, she did better than twice as fast. The coaches haven't put them in anything else yet (not ready for other strokes) so they got to go home pretty early. The warm-ups start at 6:00 am. They were done by 8:00. The meet lasted till around noon.

The swim team season lasts till the end of July. I think it's just good exercise and hope they have fun. EV started mini-developmental team, but wouldn't get in the water the first day. I swam with her the second day. Of course, she does fine in the water. She's just the drama queen and has to do it her way - which means, with ME.

Water Slide

This past week, my cousin Kent's kids have been staying with us. Jennifer went to Girl's Camp and they are packing up their things for the big move to Belgium. First it was Zach and Eliza. Then Emma came, and they took Zach. the kids have been having a blast. EV will have a hard time letting Eliza go. They have all gotten along so well (so far as I know).

My neighbor and I invested in a water slide. Here's some photos of the kids on it:

Zach and Eliza	EV

Half-Birthday?

Today is Thomas's half birthday. We're starting to celebrate his half birthday instead of his birthday, at least I want to start that tradition. And this was the first one. His birthday is December 15 and he gets all his presents, Christmas and birthday, pretty much at once. I'm sure this happens for lots of December birthday people. Well, a couple months back his bike got smashed up (wasn't his fault) and he needed a new one. He's a huge biking fan - taught himself to ride before Kayleigh even learned how. So I'd heard someone mention the idea of a half birthday. Since he needed a new bike and December was a LONG way off, this seemed like a good excuse to try it out. So his family presents will be on his half birthday. On his real birthday, he can have some sort of celebration with friends (not so focused on presents). We'll see how it goes.

So anyhow, today was his half birthday. And of course, he got his bike. It has gears and hand brakes. Grandma Bonnie also gave him some money to pick out a present, and he chose a nerf gun that does some strange lighting up thing. Thomas and nerf guns...

Swim Team

Kayleigh and Thomas have been swimming on the swim team. Last week was time trials where they have the kids all swim, similar to a swim meet, just to get an idea of how fast they swim and get them used to how a swim meet goes. Thomas was first and did fine. Kayleigh was a bit freaked out. Took her a while. It was cold and windy and I guess she just didn't feel like being tough. They only had to do freestyle and for their age group, it's only one pool length. They need to work on their strokes. Practice is daily and they seem to get stronger every day. It's a good experience for them. School's out after this week, so they will start morning practice. EV will also start mini-developmental swim team next week. It's similar to taking swimming lessons

Graduation

Thomas had his Kindergarten graduation. I'm sure he's hard to see in here. He's in the middle. His award (each child gets a specific award on that blue paper they're all holding) was for "His Curiosity". He asked what curiosity meant. I told him it's like Curious George. The award fits him nicely. He doesn't even think about asking permission to explore things, at times, but just sets out to explore it. This is his teacher, Ms Morris. She was great. Kindergarten was fun for Thomas. If you click on these photos, they enlarge.

Kayleigh had a class picnic, sorta. It got pushed indoors for weather troubles, then shortened and condensed so that it was pretty much a wash. She did this story reading with half of her classmates, and that was about all. She's in the middle there. The shortest in her class. Of course, the cutest, though.

Dance Recital

In In other news, Kayleigh had a dance recital and was just as cute as can be. She had a ballet one - dressed like Cinderella. Curled her hair all curly-Q. The other was tap, and she was a teddy bear (danced to Elvis). Very cute costumes...

Afterwards, we all ate out - Aunt Lynne, Kristin and Laura came to watch, as you can see.

Piano Recital

Then last week was the piano recital. Kayleigh and Thomas both played. And did great. I had 9 other students who played (have 10 others total). Here they are:

Of course there's tons of other photos to show y'all, but I'd better quit now. Hope everyone's well and having a good summer. Our summer season starts late - school goes late here. Last day is tomorrow.

Love to everyone - Kathi