Leah's 11th Birthday

Leah's 5th grade graduation

5th grade party at the Buhler Park

I was in charge of the T-Ball station, and the Kansas wind made the ball chasing through the parking lot SO MUCH FUN.

The kids opened up clues to Leah's birthday surprise everyday leading up to her actual birthday, which included these hats and shades, and Blake's sand bucket.

Church carnival to wrap up the 2-day celebration. With a Unicorn face paint.

The day before her birthday she was a nominee in her Library's Emmy Awards for the Best Movie Category. They didn't win.

Their 5th grade music class sang to the parents

Here's a quick snippet of their performance.

Leah said it was her "best day ever" because she also earned her Sunflower Reader points and bought a high-top pair of gray Converse tennis shoes, she got 2 new strappy tank/bra's from the Buckle, and she had her friend Madison Staib over for a sleepover. They did their nails, hair and make-up, watched movies, and played hide and seek.  

First Feels of Summer

We absorbed as much sunshine as we could the first weekend of May.  Between Blake's Kiwanis Adaptive Track Meet, Leah's birthday celebration, and Girls on the Run 5k, visiting Aunt Kate and Luke at Milford Lake, and playing all day prairie surfing in our pond and flood run-off...it was a near perfect 3 days.

Here are some snapshots of Blake's Track Meet: He ran the 50-yard dash. Softball throw and Standing long jump. He competed with his 1st grade classmates, Bella, Josh, and Jacob.

Then that evening, we headed to Carey Park in Hutchinson to celebrate Leah's Girls on the Run 5k.

She, my mom, and I ran 3.1 miles with her. She's been training with other girls from her school, along with mentors to help empower young girls to more in life!

Then the following day the kids spent their hours playing in the pond, in the yard, and in the mud!

Visiting Dillon Nature Center!

And then we traveled to Junction City, KS and Milford Lake..

I LOVE days like these where we can shut off all social media, unplug, escape the noise and rat race...and breathe fresh air, be lulled by the waves of the water, and laugh with those we love.  

I am re-awaking this blog to continue to document my kid's childhood for their benefit as they grow up...because most of all, I want them to remember THESE days.