The Last Week of School 2011

On the Thursday before school let out, Shelby’s class had their end-of-year party.
This was one of the extremely few days all year that you can bring in FMNV food, very exciting! ;)  (Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value)  With that in mind, Mrs. Peña and the parents went all out.  This year, a major theme in the Kindergarten classes was nature, plants, and insects.  At the party, there was all kinds of “insect” candy, “dirt” ice cream with gummy worms, and root beer floats “just because!”
First the scholars played a game like musical chairs, but it was “pass the box” and they all got a little insect surprise.

 

They were allowed to steal someone else’s, but I knew my girl would find her joy in drawing her surprise out of the box. :)



Then, they decorated these little insect houses.



Then it was time to EAT!



That night, we went to one of the last softball games for the Sluggers.

 

Coleman entertains himself at the games :)









 

And the next day was the very last day of Kindergarten.  Daddy and I were both off that day so we picked up Shelby with a big surprise: We were going camping!  (coming up next!)

Her last descent down the stairs as a Kindergator:



Her last little hand raise to say, “My mommy’s here.”

 

No, I’m not sentimental at all!!! :)

Uncle TyTy’s Texas Tech Graduation

 

Mid-May, this lovely couple saw their 4th child, their baby boy, graduate from college.

That looks like some pretty big smiles!  Maybe something to do with being done paying for college for their offspring?  :)

The Peck fam drove out there Saturday morning, arriving in Lubbock just in time to change clothes and head to the graduation.

They filed in for what seemed like forever.  Nonnie started getting nervous and texting Tyler to make sure he showed up.  Ha!  Once, we thought we saw him but after several minutes realized it wasn’t him…so then Jeff took a picture of “fake Tyler” when he walked across the stage.  :)

The real Tyler is that tall one in the middle of the picture.  Can you see him?

    

Thank goodness for Aunt Mill and Angry Birds for keeping Coleman occupied during the LONG ceremony!

 

Finally, “Tyler Davis Jones, Summa Cum Laude!”

After the ceremony we took a few family pictures.

The proud parents:

Everyone:

 

And the 3 BIG sisters with our LITTLE brother:

 

The kids entertained themselves guns-up style:

 

After heading back to the hotel for a change of clothes, we headed over to Lorla’s house (Laura = TyTy’s girlfriend) for a catered Mexican dinner and some nice hang-out time.

The oldest and youngest generation tired out, and headed back to the hotel :)  (Thanks Nonnie and Poppy!)

 

Then all was left was the barely-out-of-college kids, those of us too old to hang with them, and beer pong!

  

Jeff and I bought these hats for Tyler and Laura at a truckstop on the way to Lubbock…Classy stuff!!!

The night was long and fun.

The drive home the next morning was longer and a little less fun :)
Happy graduation Ty Ty!  We love you!

Spring Dance Recital 2011

Shelby had her very first dance recital a couple of weeks ago.

The day started out with a dress rehearsal at 9:00 am.  Shelby was so happy to FINALLY be wearing her red costume!

 

 

I dropped her off at the designated location in the hall and she got to coloring with her friends.  The class was ages 3-5 and since we started last fall, they wouldn’t let me put her up a class with 6 yr olds.  She was the oldest one but still had a great time.  There were a couple other 5 year olds, some 4 yr olds, and even a couple of 3 yr olds.  Shelby brought colors for everyone to share, of course!

I got to snap some close-up shots during the rehearsal, as no flash photography was allowed during the real performance that night.

They wore tutus and bows for their ballet to “You’ll Be In My Heart” (from Tarzan).

And they wore back feather skirts and hats for their tap song (“Rockin’ Robin”)

Shelby seemed to be a little leader since she was the oldest. The other girls sometimes looked to her for their moves :)

After rehearsal, we went home to rest a while, and before long it was time to get dolled up and ready for the REAL THING. 

Shelby loves when I curl her hair so we had to do it for this special night!

 

And she was all about posing for the camera.  She loves her Mamarazzi.

We got her flowers and of course she LOVED them.

As we walked down the hallway to her class’s spot, she just kept smelling them and smiling.

This picture shows how hot those hallways were!

After the recital she got more flowers from Aunt Millie and Uncle Lukas.

There she is!!

Afterwards we all headed to Oscar’s for some Mexican food.  Yumm!

All of our lovely family who took the time to come to this for Shelby are so special to us!

Poppy, Nonnie, Luke, Millie, Tyler, Anna & Bryan!

 

We took a few family pictures.

Nonnie doesn’t like these so we’ll keep them small :)

 

Of course, I love a good picture of my love and me!

 

We did some swingin’ in the parking lot before heading home. :)

Finally…Meet Bryan.  This is Anna’s boyfriend!  He was in town to visit Anna from Little Rock, Arkansas to witness this special event (lucky him! haha!)
As you can see, Shelby took to him like a bird to water.  She knows a good guy when she sees one! :)