School's Out For The Summer!

For the last two months, Connor has been counting down the days until school would FINALLY be out for the summer! It wasn't because he didn't like his teachers--he loved them (Mrs. Grimes and Ms. Ames (his student teacher while Mrs. Grimes was on maternity leave)). It wasn't because he didn't like participating in all the activites and learning, per say. He doesnt even complain about having to go...he just simply is happier when he doesn't have to! So, he was one excited kid when I took this last photo before we walked out the rapidly vacated school hallways...and into our summer!

**Dane with his teacher, Mrs. Schowengerdt--about the sweetest teacher ever! She deserves some kind of award, I think, for having to put up with my floppy-haired, angelic, charming Dane and his antics all year (like her phone call last week telling me he had been taught how to "flip the bird" by a fellow student and both were giving it to everyone in the lunchroom!) Her last words to me were how much she adored him anyway...sweet (bless her heart) girl...

**Natasha with her teacher, Mrs. Lunt--she adored Natasha and told me that she was the kindest, most helpful and lovely girl in class...of course! (wink, wink)

So, sayonara, 2009-10 school year...see you later, Legacy Elementary...except for dear Tash...she's onto the big junior high this fall! Wowzah!

Stop! 'Cause I Really Love You...

A Little of This and That:

Natasha (who dearly loves to take every at-home school assignment and make it as grand as possible!) was doing a unit on puppetry. And, much to her chagrin (although I secretly think she liked it just a wee bit) was assigned to an all boy group. They had to write a script to perform with the puppets and Tash chose to be the Evil Princess in their play: "Cinderfella--The Supersecret Super Spy." She picked out the fabrics that would "work with her vision" and off she went to her room to create. For the next two nights, all I could hear coming from behind her door was the whirring of her sewing machine. She refused to show us until her vision was complete...and this wonderful outfit was the result of her hard work! I think it's pretty darn adorable...

Dane got to be "Star of the Week" last week (requiring Mom to assemble the yearly poster showcasing his little life...) But Dane was adamant that a new picture be added to the envelope of photos we used for his poster last year (that's right--I was organized enough to find such a save--yeah, me!): Dane insisted we take a photo of him playing Mario Bros (one of his favorite loves in life...actually, it would be more apt if I declared it his obsession in life...he really wants to do little else but play with Mario and Luigi!)

With all the photo shoots I've been doing lately, Natasha is getting to be a good little assistant. She lugs props or my camera bag, holds the reflector, or "sits in" for the subject while I check lighting. I took these at the last shoot as she sat for lighting and it struck me later just how quickly she is growing up...