{kate's first track meet, and a blue ribbon}

Kate had the awesome opportunity last week to participate in the elementary district track meet. She qualified in the long jump at her own school, and was able to compete against all the other schools.

It was held in the evening at the high school track, and she was SO excited to go, she was jumping all over the place!  When we got there, each school had their own color tee shirt, and all the kids were lined up by school on the bleachers, chanting their school names, and making quite the rumpus.  It was SO fun to hear and see the excitement of all the kids. She ran to be with her friends, and joined in the chanting.

Within 15 minutes, she was called down for her event, and we headed over to the long jump area.  They each got three tries, and the best one would be kept for scoring.  Kate did AWESOME.  I couldn't tell how far she was jumping, but she clearly was outstanding, and jumping farther than anyone else. On one of her jumps all the people around us went "whoaaaa", and I knew it was a good one.  I think that must have been THE one, because we soon found out that she took first place!  She jumped 10 feet 8 inches to win!

She got to stand on the winners' podium and get her picture taken with the other winners, and her cute little face was just glowing.  She was having the time of her life!

Way to go, Miss Kate!

{kindergarten, here they come!}

My boys are going to kindergarten!  *sob, sob*  I'm not kidding...I am NOT ready.  I'm really not.  I look back over the last five years, and I simply cannot believe that it's already time for them to go to school. I will absolutely miss them so much, and I don't know how the house will be without their laughter and rambunctiousness. Probably pretty boring.  :)

I know it will be "easier", but I don't care. It's hard for me to let go of my kids, because once they're gone, that's it.  They spend more time at school than they do at home, and their years at home with me are over.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity I've had to be at home with all my kids, and the boys are no different.  They are absolutely delightful--full of mischief and craziness, yes, but with that brings a lot of fun. I will miss them terribly.

But...I'm excited for them too, because I know they will love kindergarten, learning, and making new friends.  Both of them will be challenged in their unique ways, but I know it will be good for them.  Kindergarten orientation was this past week, and it was a good look into what we can all expect starting in the fall.

A friend watched Caroline for me, so I could take the boys myself, which was perfect.  The boys stayed in the kindergarten classrooms and met the teachers, while all I was with all the parents in the gym for our own orientation with the principal and other administration.  Once we were both finished, we all headed to the cafeteria, where they were able to go through the lunch line, and even get cookies and milk! (Henry really loved that part. :) )  After we ate, we got to go for a ride on the school bus, which my boys have both been talking about forever, as they've watched the girls ride it everyday.  The bus driver told them all the rules, and Henry even got to be the example for "how to cross in front of the bus".  I think we'll need to teach that a couple more times!

It was a wonderful morning with my boys!

{a weekend hike}

The weather finally started cooperating, the the temperatures have been steadily rising over the last few weeks.  A couple of weekends ago we decided to take advantage of them and go up to one of our new favorite places--Letchworth State Park.  We packed a picnic lunch, and off we went!

We ate, played, hiked, laughed, and ate some more...it was a perfect day!

{violin recital}

A few weeks ago, Emma had her very first violin recital with her new teacher and studio. It was actually a group recital, which they do every spring.  She's taking the Suzuki method, and her teacher is quite simply the best music teacher I've ever seen. She is fantastic--technically excellent, kind but firm, and a professional violinist that has traveled the world several times over.  We are so lucky to have her!

Her students don't sound like typical violin students, especially considering their ages.  I was stunned but the level of talent when I heard them all play together--from the tiniest student to the college students.

Emma loves playing the violin, and she did really well during the performance.  It was an old historic building in the art district of downtown Buffalo, which is actually now a private high school.  It was the perfect place for such a wonderful recital!