chigger hill

So, we went camping Sunday night, but I first wanted to document this sweet Colby story.  He had been saving up money all week to buy a new card game, but when we walked into the Cedar Hill State Park office, he saw the bunny stuffed animal that Brooke wanted the last time we camped.  He quickly came over and asked how much money he would have if he bought it for her as an "early birthday present."  I told him that he'd only have $3 left, and that he didn't need to do that because he had been saving all week for that game.  He was adamant that he wanted to buy it for her, and I was just super impressed with his generosity.  Brooke was, of course, thrilled with his little "surprise" when we made it to our camp site. 

He announced that he regretted his decision about 15 minutes later (probably because he realized it would take a while to save up again, haha), but it was very thoughtful nonetheless.  But it gave us an opportunity to talk about NOT expressing regret in front of the person you bought a gift for, haha. 

After the gift, we got to work on setting up camp.  Colby really wanted to bring a pocket knife, so Kevin agree as long as he wore it on his belt loop so it didn't get lost.  My little dude was thrilled and I was just grateful that we didn't have any injuries.

Meanwhile, Brooke was making sure her bunnies were both tucked in next to her sleeping bag :)

She's the cutest :)  It was also pretty hot that afternoon, so she was taking a Body Armour break...

We decided to check out the trails before we made dinner and about 0.5 mile into the 3 mile trail, I was ready to call it quits.  The trail was harder than we imagined and I was dealing with some attitude from my sweet girl.  I tried to remain positive, but I was dripping sweat and frustrated.  We rode another mile and attitudes suddenly shifted.  It was getting late, so about 1.5 miles in Kevin asked the kids if they thought we needed to walk back, or if we could stay on our bikes and ride the rest of the way.  Everyone agreed that we could finish the trail, and I'm so glad we did.  First off, it got much easier, haha.  But second, we worked through something hard together and the views of the lake, the abundance of wildflowers, and the setting sun all made the struggle feel worth it!

When I asked Brooke what caused her attitude shift and her desire to try harder, she said it was when I made the comment about the snakes coming out when it got dark.  I was honestly just worried about it getting dark before we finished, but I'm glad my comment caused the change.

We were SO happy when we could see the parking lot through the trees!!

Highlights: Cooking dinner together in the dark, remembering the box fan to sleep at night, watching Colby build the fire in the morning, and campfire cocoa.

Lowlights: going to sleep without a shower (I felt disgusting, but I didn't know we were gonna go on a 2 hour strenuous bike ride before dinner), and CHIGGER bites.  Colby escaped with the least bites, but man, those things are seriously terrible!  Kevin's legs looked awful with bites ALL over them.  He would wake up in the night and have to go put ice on his legs because they felt like they were on fire.  Brooke and Colby had bites along their underwear lines, and Brooke had some on her feet as well. I just had a few on my ankles/legs, but I have no interest in going camping again until at least November! 

When I told my friend Andreia about the chigger drama, she commented that Cedar Hill was nicknamed "Chigger Hill" for that reason.  All I know, is that I don't want to repeat that again anytime soon. We either need to bring a sulphur sock to tap around our ankles, or avoid the park in May at all costs!

last day of school

I can't believe another school year is over!!  And I really can't believe that Brooke finished her last year at Daulton.  I made sure to get one last picture in front of the Daulton sign and another one in front of the "Future Leopard" sign...

Before the kids entered the building, I reminded Brooke to cherish the walk with Colby through the halls because it won't happen again until High School!  As I saw her put her arm around her brother, I quickly took a pic and wished I could follow them through the halls.  They are so lucky to have each other and despite their sibling squabbles, they know it, too.

end of fourth grade

The Fourth Grade graduation was at the Willie Pig Auditorium in Mansfield.  Earlier in the week (when I was setting up for Colby's class party) I heard the fourth graders practicing their song and it took everything in me not to cry as I walked down the hall at her school.  It's hard to believe that she is already done with elementary school!  Why can't it be a K-6 campus??

She looked beautiful and so grown up... 

We arrived early so I could help the teachers with all the balloons and decorations. That also meant that I had time to take pictures with Brooke and a few of her friends. 

Brooke and Hope, who is also our neighbor...

Claire, Brooke, and Kendall...

Brooke and the boys...

The Fourth Grade class...

We were so incredibly proud of Brooke for achieving A Honor Roll, but when she received the Principal's Award (given to one boy and girl in each class), I totally cried. We just found out about it the day before, but Brooke told me that she hoped she would get it.  And then, she received an Athletic Award from the PE Coach, which I'm sure is in recognition of her commitment to Daulton Dashers this year.  She was trying not to smile, but I could tell that she was SO happy.

They went class by class for all the extra awards, then took each class off stage and had them walk across as their names were read.  You could tell that it was awkward for the kids, but some of them really hammed it up, or lost their paper graduation hats because they were walking too quickly, haha.  Brooke walked so gracefully across the stage and I felt proud to be her Mama. 

She will miss Daulton so much, but thankfully she'll see a lot of these kids at her intermediate school.  Once a dragon, always a dragon!!

I love catching the hugs!  Papa wasn't able to come because of his recent surgery, but Grandma represented them both.

Just checking out her Principal's Award, which was in recognition of "Modeling Excellence"...

Violet, Emma, and Brooke...

Brooke with Ms. Gutierrez, who she absolutely adored.  I don't know how we're so lucky, but I honestly feel that Brooke gets the very best teacher every single year.  Ms. Gutierrez was no exception!

The Principal, Mr. Gammon, is also fantastic.  He cares so much about the kids and his dedication and concern for them is apparent in all he does.  

You know me, had to take a million pictures with our beautiful graduate...

We are SO proud of our Brookie Girl.  Not only does she have the kindest heart, but she is helpful, patient, fun, smart as a whip, and dedicated in all she does. She has thrived at Daulton and always finds joy in everything she does.  Here's to hoping that 5th grade is just as wonderful!

We ended the evening with Coldstone ice cream and a surprise necklace set from Grandma.

All of Brooke's Awards...

Everyone was afraid that the expected rain would ruin the Fourth Grade Picnic, but it ended up being a beautiful day!  These kids had a blast with inflatable slides, an obstacle course, Bahama Bucks, yard games, and lunch.

Brooke and her friend, Jorge.  He was the recipient of the other Principal's Award for their class and his mom mentioned that Jorge was not surprised at all that Brooke received the other one since "she's the best kid in the class."

Brooke and her friend Sydney, who has been in her class since Kindergarten.  Most of the years it was just random luck, but in the summer between 3rd and 4th, Sydney's mom reached out to Mr. Gammon and asked if he could make sure they were in the same class again, haha.  Doesn't hurt to ask, right?

Brooke and Madison, who created all sorts of drama for Brooke towards the beginning of the year, but I'm glad it was all sorted out by the end.  

They had a pretty good rotation scheduled between all the activities, and I just wandered around with Brooke and watched her hang out with her friends.  She was really sweet and kept running over to me as well, so I had the best afternoon with my girl.

Brooke and Mrs. Brown, her teacher for science and math...

Enjoying their snow cones...

Brooke and Penelope...

The teachers brought a bunch of the balloons from the graduation ceremony and created this fun backdrop, so naturally, we took a few pictures.  I will cherish these pictures forever!

Brooke and Logan, who apparently has a little crush on her...

We crossed paths with Zalaya, so I snapped a quick picture of them together...

After lunch, Brooke played a few yard games before it was time to head out.

On the last day of school, they have a tradition known as the Fourth Grade Clap-Out.  The parents all line up outside and cheer the kids on as they take one final lap through the halls and outside the building.  The younger grades line the halls as well and clap for them as they pass. 

I most definitely got choked up as she passed, but I couldn't help but also feel intense gratitude for the amazing years she has had at Daulton and for the beautiful person she is, inside and out!

Brooke is one of the tallest girls in her class, but she looks super short next to her friends, Ava and Samaree. 

Brooke and Kailee...

Mrs. Blanton wanted to get a picture of all her former 1st graders, but it was too chaotic in the common area, so we opted for a picture of just the two of them :)

And one with a few more of her 1st grade classmates...

Thanks to Ms. Gutierrez for an incredible year!!

Now on to intermediate school...