Some Parker Randomnesses

Amidst the chaos of the end of the school year, Parker gets a little lost in the shuffle.  The older girls are so busy with so many things, and I forget to mention the fun things that Parker is up to.  Here are a few snapshots of things that she has been up to the last few months.

We had a couple of her friends from school over for a playdate and lunch.  It was so good for them to see each other again after school has been out!  (Her friend Kate on the right will be going to the same kindergarten next year, and is also in one of the Midland wards.)

Dad took the girls to the Art Show and Parker got this cool tattoo painted up her arm!  She probably couldn't tell you about any of the other art she saw at the show, but this sure made an "impression"!!

One night while dropping Maryn off at a rehearsal for her play that she is in this summer, there was a fire alarm pulled in the theater. We had to wait for quite a while to get the all clear, but once everything was good to go the friendly firemen let Parker take a seat in the firetruck and showed her how a lot of the stuff works.  She felt pretty lucky that night!

This picture makes me laugh every time I look at it.  You can tell she is doing literally what they told her...Parker look down to the side at the fan in your hand.  Haha!!  Huh, this fan, right here?

 

Most of the time, I think Parker feels pretty lucky to have older sisters who dote on her and play with her.  With Maryn's recent fascination with fashion and photography, Parker often becomes the "test subject".  This particular afternoon just made me laugh.  Parker felt so beautiful, and had such a fun time being the model.  I love how seriously she is taking her job!  She is a great helper, that's for sure!

A Day to Appreciate Dad

I just love celebrating Father's Day with Mark. He is such a great dad, and makes it so fun for our girls. He not only makes us all laugh, but cares deeply for our well being and happiness.  He is a great provider and protector (especially with his bow and arrow set), and we just love him!

This year, he chose his gifts (makes it soooo much easier) and they were all very practical, manly things.  I kind of got a chuckle out of it because who are we kidding? He loves his poetry, crafting supplies, and books more than anything else really!  Haha!

Anyway, I'm sooooo happy to have him as the Father to my children!!  Thank you for all you do, Mark!

And equally grateful to have my own Dad in my life!  What an awesome example he is to me and all of his grandchildren!  Love you Dad, and happy Father's day!!

Endings and Beginnings for Maryn and Avery

End of an era for Maryn...she is now officially done with middle school and beginning high school in the fall.  It's hard to believe that the time is here for her to become a freshman, and that Mark and I are old enough to have a child in high school.  In any event, I am happy that she is moving onwards and upwards.  I think she is glad that middle school is over, and has a lot of hopes for her career at HH Dow High School!!

In addition to the "graduation ceremony", where Maryn was recognized for her participation in Art Honors club, the Alden B. Dow Writing Society, and as a member of a winning ensemble for Head to Head (dramatic vocal ensemble); Maryn's 8th grade symphonic band had a great end of the year show!!  This would be the last time she would perform with many of her classmates.  Most of them are moving onto Midland High School, but Maryn will be going to Dow HS (when we bought our house it put us in another school district).  That's why this goodbye was a little harder than normal.  Hopefully she will see her buddies around town, and at games, etc.  But now they will be rivals!  Haha!

Maryn and Lauren performed duets for the Solo and Ensemble competitions 2 years in a row and brought home blue ribbons both times!  Lauren will be going to Midland HS next year though. :(

 

 
Of course no graduation or concert would be complete without ice cream afterwards.  I think they are all feeling the impending summer freedom!!!!

Avery successfully completed another great year of school!  She is done with 7th and moving onto ruling the school as an 8th grader in the fall.  She made the transition to a new middle school this year, and so it was interesting having 2 middle schoolers at different schools.  Avery loved Jefferson, and becoming a "Husky"!!  She has made some good new friends, many of whom also go to our church! She made the basketball and volleyball teams, finished her first year of French, her art was featured in the Dow Diamond Art Show, and she was recognized for her participation in the Alden B. Dow Writing Society, and winner at Head to Head for her dramatic vocal ensemble.  (Her and Maryn's team went "head to head" at the finals, and Maryn's team ended up winning!) In addition to all of these accomplishments, Avery was also recognized for being on the Honor Roll all year (which when you add in sports for 6 months of the year is no small feat).  We are proud of her!

Goodbye 2014-2015 school year!!  Hello Summer Vacation!!

Parker Graduates Preschool!

The day has come for us to bid farewell to our beloved Chippewa.  It has been a rocky road at times, but in the end Parker is so much better for having spent 2 years here.  The teachers have learned to love this quirkly little girl of ours, and I don't think she will forget them either.  I am so grateful for the growth and preparation they have helped her with so that she will be ready for Kindergarten next Fall! 


Anyway, here is our adorable little graduate on her BIG day!

Haha, closeup of the funny look on her face here!

 

 

I can't help but get misty.  There will be no more preschool co-opping for me.  (Halle-freaking-lujah!! Haha!)  There will be no more lunch dates with my little buddy.  There will be no more field trips to the Apple Barn, the Petting Zoo, and the Fire Station.  Where will my little co-pilot be when I need to run afternoon errands, and pick up the girls from school and shuttle them to a million places?!? 

Sigh.  At least we still have the summer.  Then I will commence the mourning again this Fall.  Ugh.

A little tennis creates sisterly "Love"

So the area middle schools had a quick season of tennis during the spring months.  The girls decided to give it a "hand".  Instead of playing against each other though, we went ahead and registered Maryn to play for Avery's school team.  We figured it might create a place for them to "bond" and possibly create some sisterly "love".

Avery and Beth (a friend who goes to school, church, and lives in our neighborhood)

Parker was their little ball fetcher for many of the matches.

The awards banquet at the end of season. Beth, Maryn, Avery, and Hannah (another friend from school/church).

At the end of the day, I don't know if tennis is either one of their favorite sports, but at least it got them doing something together and creating some fun memories before next year when they will be in different worlds.

Another "win" for MarynAvery!!

Avery's 5K

This will Avery's 2nd time running a 5K.  Last year she ran with her 6th grade class, and had a great time!  This year she wanted to run with some friends, and although her training began literally a week before the race, she still managed to finish with a decent time.  She had a lot of fun, and that's what matters most!  (Right?!? haha!)