Jacob loses his first tooth, Tara hair cut for summer

Jacob lost his tooth this morning over a bowl of corn pops...he was trying to find the indiana jones glowing spoon. He took a bite, hesitated, crunched and out fell his tooth onto the table. He could have easily swallowed it. He has refused to wiggle it. The other one right next to it is in the same precarious position....about to come out anytime.
Tara has been struggling with the hair, so we chopped it. She is very happy with the results....she says she doesn't look like Dora this time because she doesn't have bangs.

Happy Memorial Day

We had a fun morning at the Concord lake. We swam, fed the geese, played and Gene even built a sand castle. We were there for about 2 1/2 hours and then the crowds started coming...so we headed home for a cook out. We let the kids watch "Clue" with us. They loved it..it's been years since we have seen it.
We enjoyed the day since Gene is headed for Oxford in the morning. I've got a summer schedule to stick to while there is no school.
One photo is of Tara next to her rose bush that grandma Annie planted when she was born. It has really grown and blooms so nicely each year. We cut off bouquets to give to teachers on the last day of school.

Field Days

Both Emily and Tara had their field days this week. An end of the year play day, if you will. We finally got photos of the girls with their teachers. We had
chilly winds and sprinkles for Emily's on Weds. Tara had her field day in doors. The ice cooler with drinks wasn't even necessary.
We had fun though. The girls had fun with their friends....and especially not doing work in the class room. Emily ran the 50 yard dash, hula hooped, hurdled, three-legged race with her friend Ayana and ran sack race. Tara ran the 50 yard dash, jump-rope run, hula hoop, tug of war and hurdles. The 2nd graders got to have a water balloon toss at the end. Fun, fun. Jacob and I were great cheer leaders.
Tara missed two days of school due to a cold...and has spent this weekend doing pages and pages of math. Little did she know, it was a mathathon this week. ugh, not fun. Yesterday we all headed to the park. We took a picnic and went for a short mile hike. It was perfect weather, we all found walking sticks (lots of branches were broken from the rain storms that have been through this week). Jacob found more rocks for his rock collection. He seems to be most fascinated lately with any kind of rock he can find. Tara gave another talk in primary...and she came home with the question "are any of my grandma's still alive?" So, we sat down and made a family tree for her and dug up pictures of everyone. Grandma Cunningham, she was so glad to hear you were still alive. We only have 3 days of school left, and then begins the summer fun. We hope you all are well.

End of Preschool, new Explorer

Jacob is officially done with preschool. His graduation was on Thursday. He did a great job singing the songs, listening to his teachers and running the mini-olympic races. He already misses his friends.
We were tired of the trouble the van was giving us, so we bought a Ford Explorer via Ebay. Bennett drove it from D.C. area and was here for Mother's day and brought the new car! We love it.
Gene returned from Nurenberg late Saturday night. He had a good trip and hit Einhoven during the beer festival. All of his co-workers enjoyed it...and he did alot of sight seeing.
We had a huge storm on Friday. It took out our power for a couple of hours. We had fun in the dark....the girls played in the rain before it started getting scary. We had hail and alot of wind. Tons of big trees in our neighborhood came down.
I was released from my calling in primary. I am now teaching sunday school for the 16&17 yr. olds. A really good class. It was so weird to go to RS...I was very fidgety....but happy to be there.
The kids sang for mothers day...brought us cookies at the end of our meetings.
Gene and the kids made french toast for breakfast and made some beautiful cards.
We are all well and hope you are too.

Woodbadge, Chilis and a week of firsts

Ok, All is well this week so far. We have put the van into the shop for the last time. Not that it doesn't need another visit....it's just it won't be us putting it there. 8 times back to the fix-it shop in 4 months is a bit of a record. All for transmission fluid leaks to a brand new transmission!!! Anyway, we have done away with the problem. We bought a ford Explorer on ebay ...in Vienna, VA. right next to DC. So, Bennett is picking it up and driving it right to us for Mother's day. He was happy to find the free ride. Gene drove the van to the airport and parked it there while he is in Nurenberg this week....and I am driving his jeep. It's all very fun and exciting.
Gene was awarded his woodbadge this past week with 4 other men in our ward who recently had the leadership training. He's worked really hard, so we were glad to see him actually get it in hand.
We had another school night at Chili's restaurant. Its so nice now that the kids are actually old enough to go to a restaurant with us, order food and eat it all before any melt-downs. Infact, it's quite pleasant.
I actually visited my visiting teaching sisters this month...in their homes. You may not think this is note worthy, but believe me, this is an accomplishment for me. Of course, now there are only 12 days left of school til summer, this wont happen again for many months.
We had a great week of firsts.....Jacob gave his first talk in primary. He did a fantastic job, he read most of it all by himself...and pronunciated words so well. He was very proud.
Tara rode her two wheeler bike (that she got for Christmas 2 years ago) all by herself. It was too big when we bought it, then she was just scared of falling (no thanks to the pictures and stories from Marisa!!) Just kidding, we love you Marisa.
Anyway, we were all just hanging out on the deck. She's been getting the bike out for days now and just sitting on the seat with her feet on the driveway watching all the neighborhood kids ride by. The longing in her eyes was breaking my heart.
Gene told her to just coast down the slope a few times with her feet down off the pedals. She did that and walked the bike back up several times.It was dusk and none of the other kids were out, and we were just talking (about the explorer) and suddenly she shouts she did it. We couldn't believe it, she was up and running, peddaling, for that matter, and was gone to the end of the garden.
Of course, turning has taken more practice and she ran into our front tree because she didn't turn in time tonight. but, she's fine.
The Borden's azelea bush bloomed this week and Gene took a picture and the kids brought home a huge bouquet. Jake's been sneezing non stop.
This week is teacher appreciation week, so we have been arranging gifts of diet dr. pepper and chocolate for the girl's teachers....because they say "that's all they drink, or eat"....ok. Jacob's last day of preschool with his graduation is on Thurs. How did this happen so fast, I swear it was just Christmas.
Gene is gone to Nurenberg for the week so I am watching chick flicks like 27 dresses and Dan in real life....awaiting my kinder eggs and strawberry gummies to return.
Happy Birthday Kristina! Happy week to all of you.