Schools Out for Summer!

I'm not sure how ready we are, but the last day of school was yesterday! As cold as it is outside, it definitely doesn't feel like summer vacation.

The whole family was waiting for Annie and Emma as they got off the bus yesterday. Travis and Jake did what they do best--yell from the sun roof of the truck. One of the duty teachers actually threatened Travis with detention for hollering out his love for the girls when he drops them off in the morning and they head into the school.

As the bus came to a stop and the door opened, Annie must have seen me sitting there with my camera, because I heard the "oh moooooooooom!"

Emma's last day as a first grader

Annie's last day as a third grader. The fourth grade is the highest grade at our elementary. She will be the oldest grade in the school next year!

School Spirit

To celebrate the last week of school, the entire first grade decided to give each day a theme. Emma was thrilled.

Monday: Pajama Day

Tuesday: Beach Day

Wednesday: Hat Day

Thursday: Red, White, and Blue Day

Friday: Come as you are day

Thirty Six!

Travis turned 36 yesterday! Despite my efforts over the years, I can't seem to convince him that birthdays are a big deal. We celebrated with pizza and then we surprised him with a new tv! Our old one has the closed captioning on all the time and does strange things with the volume all by itself. I knew Travis wouldn't buy a new one, so I surprised him. For once he didn't have a clue. The key to that? Not telling any of the kids!

I also arranged to surprise him with a birthday song and treats at mutual. However, by early evening he was feeling a bit under the weather and decided not to go. Sherri (the young women's president) and I tried to get him there, but were unsuccessful. I finally just told him what we had planned and the kids and I sang to him. He was not feeling well enough to share any of the giant cookie.

Well, happy birthday Travis! We sure love you and are grateful for all you do for our family. You certainly keep us laughing :)

The Flood has Ended

Incredibly, the damage from the flood continues. It has been an insurance nightmare, and as construction projects seem to go, the work has not gone smoothly. A couple weeks ago, the carpet installer came to put new carpet and pad in each end of the basement hall. While he was here I was outside working. When he was done and leaving I asked how it looked. "It no match" was his reply. IT NO MATCH?!?! I went downstairs to find I had paid $800.00 for carpet that was at least three shades darker than the rest of the hall. I made a call to our carpet salesman who came out to verify that it looked terrible. He said my only option was to take carpet from one of my upstairs rooms, use it as a patch for the downstairs hall, and then pick a new carpet for the room upstairs. I decided to recarpet the piano room. He told me that would be an additional $800.00! After stepping WAY outside my comfort zone and arguing my point that they told me it would be a perfect match and that we should have gone with the end plan all along, they agreed to pay. Although I wish I didn't have to do anything, I do love the new piano room carpet. I also love the smell of new carpet. Now I think the room needs painted...

It looks like the insurance check to pay for all the damage will be here today as well. Do I dare say I think the flood is over?

"It no match"

Picking Battles

After finding two toddlers attempting to swing from the kitchen light, after finding Justin in the sink more than once pouring water on himself and the counter, after many attempts to discipline, there are no longer chairs around our kitchen table. I have officially surrendered.

Oh, and these two didn't manage to get the chair on the table. Thank heavens! That was my genius. After way too many times of taking it away from Justin as he pushed it around the kitchen to use as a ladder, I thought I would solve the problem by putting the chair on top of the table. I put the chair up, went to get the vacuum, and was completely outsmarted.

Mother's Day

A week later, I am finally getting around to writng about Mother's Day. After my original plan for Grandma Amy's gift fell through, Travis' sister suggested we come for a surprise Mother's Day visit. Surprisingly Travis agreed to the plan. Sunday morning we drove to Rigby. Toots and Papa were at Maria's getting ready to have dinner. We pulled in and knocked on the door. Toots came around the corner from the kitchen and looked at us as though she really should know us from somewhere and Frank had the most dazed look about him. When it finally sunk in there were pleanty of laughs and hugs and exclamations from Grandma of how she didn't have enough food at her house to feed all of us.

I have had some serious second thoughts about how sweet our little gift actually was. Turns out, this is what we got Grandma Amy for Mother's Day:

* a trashed toy room

* the opportunity to refold all her blankets

* a wet guest bed (Justin's leaky diaper)

* the need to restock on juice

* the need to restock on chocolate

and my favorite...

* a call to the plumber after Justin flushed the toilet so many times that it may never be the same!!

But, remember Toots, we did spring for breakfast at the Pancake House, so as you went home to clean the whirlwind we created of your home, you were nice and full. And the best news of all? Two more weeks and we will be back!!!!!

Pony Tails!

There are few things love more than a little girl in pony tails. Congratulations to Meg! She is the youngest Kraupp sister to have her hair fit into two ponies. I am scared to cut her hair. I have heard too many stories of little girls going in for a haircut with curly hair and coming out with straight hair. We often find ourselves wondering where Megan came from. With those curls, delicate features, light bright blue eyes, and her feisty little spirit, she has broken the mold for what we had come to expect a Kraupp Kid should be.

MVP

This is the last week of Emma's softball season. The first time I handed Emma a bat she was a toddler and she knew right what to do with it. She has had a very successful season. Saturday's game was especially fun. She was once again 100% at bat and her fielding was incredible. She threw the final out to home and in another inning as she was playing catcher she caught ball, after ball, as if she were a seasoned player! Her coach todl her she was the MVP of the day. She loves to play, and oh how we love to watch her.

A New Gown

Amazing the difference a week can make. Amber has gone from hospital gown to evening gown. We are so thankful she is finally feeling better!