The signs have been all around me, but I don't see how Summer can be starting.  I must have completely missed Spring.  But my Bible Study Fellowship has finished after I enjoyed a wonderful 6 months studying the wonderful truths in Romans.  And Awana finished for the kids last week too.

I was quite proud to see all that my kids had accomplished in Awana this past year - our first complete year!  Bragging mom alert - Girl3 finished her Cubbies book, Boy6 persevered and finished his book just in time, Girl7 was able to complete two books this year.  We were all so blessed to have such dedicated leaders who were there with my kids each and every Wednesday night, were excellent Christian role models and loved our kids.

We were able to watch and applaud as another crop of seminary men graduated and prayed for them as they are being sent out to use their training.  My youngest brother graduated from High School last Saturday.  Though he now towers about a foot above me, he will always be 3yo(how old he was when I left for college).  I was reminded of this when I saw this picture of my own 3yo "pretending" to graduate like her uncle:

So although I had planned to just keep schooling over the summer I've decided that we will take a break after this week.  I'm ready to not think about lesson plans for a few weeks.  Our homeschool group will have a "graduation/promotion" ceremony on Sunday.  This makes a good ending date for the end of our school year.  But with that comes some bittersweet as it means that Girl7 will be finished with 1st grade and Boy6 will be finished with Kindergarten. 

We will be spending the next month taking advantage of our new membership at the local YMCA where the kids will be taking swim, ballet(girls), karate(boy6), tumbling and art classes.  If I get motivated, I may even take an aerobics class or two myself.  Boy1 will probably continue his current favorite pasttime - eating:

Can this boy put away some food!  My inlaws were gracious to take us to breakfast last week and he ate 2 adult serving of eggs.  He can easily go through a whole cantaloupe in one sitting and at my brother's graduation last weekend ate 3 plates of food.  I love that he's not particular and will eat just about anything(don't know where he gets that from - hope it lasts!).

So I'm off to find a permanent indoor home for our beach towels which have been in a bin in the garage since last summer and check our sunblock supply:)

Blessings!

-J