Last Day of First Grade

Katie was so happy to be healthy, so she could make it to the last day of the school year. It's always an exciting day for her!

I couldn't believe that I was officially out of first grade and was now considered a second grader! 

I was so happy to say good-bye to my friend before we began our summer breaks!

Her Purchase

My friend, Noreen, sent Katie some money for Gotcha Day, and she decided to spend it on books. She found some books from her Magic Tree House series that she didn't have yet, and some books about Boston. She was so excited!

There's nothing like new books! Thank you, Grammy Noreen!

Sick

By the time the school year ends, Katie is exhausted even if she doesn't know it. Every year, she always gets sick. I thought she was going to get through the year this year, but in the last week of school, her fever hit. As if being sick wasn't bad enough, she developed a fever blister on her lip. Poor girl!

I kept telling my mom that my lip hurt. 

It seemed to get bigger and bigger and bigger as the night went on. Luckily the size had gone down the next day! It hurts when your skin stretches that much!

A Fun Find

When we had gone to the Toys R Us Going Out of Business Sale, Katie found something she really wanted. It was a fairy door that came with a mailbox and a book about the fairy that lives behind the door. Katie learned all about Sophia, the animal fairy. Each night she writes and leaves a note for Sophia in her mailbox, and in the morning, she receives a reply. It's so much fun to watch her reactions!

This is where I leave my notes for Sophia!

Still More Furniture Shopping

We have been doing lots of furniture shopping lately as we have been looking for the perfect furniture for Jennifer's house. Katie absolutely loves trying out all of the furniture!

This is the chair for me!

An Early Father's Day

We celebrated Father's Day a week early this year by having my dad over for a dinner of his choice. While we had dinner, we decided to have some fun with Snapchat. We don't use that app a lot, but we had a lot of laughter that day.

First, we put glasses and a headband on Grandma with the Snapchat filter.

Then we tried it on Grandpa. 

Grandpa and I wore some summer flowers too! 

This was our favorite filter. After taking Grandma's and Grandpa's pictures, we had everyone take a picture with it including Garyldine, Jim, and Charlie. 

Garyldine put them all together for a family portrait!

And...It Pulled Her In

Ever since it was released, we had wanted to see Coco. When it finally came out on Netflix, we decided to go to Jennifer's and watch it. Of course, Katie said she didn't want to see it as soon as the rest of us wanted to turn it on. We told her she didn't need to watch it with us, but as soon as it started, she was interested.

I wasn't going to watch it, but I really liked it once I started!

The Claw

After furniture shopping, we were walking through the mall, and Katie found "The Claw" machine. She always wants to try this game. Jennifer had some money, so she let Katie play.

For only $1, I got a weird looking rubber turtle! 

Furniture Shopping

When we went out furniture shopping, Katie made herself comfortable.

Why stand when you can lie down?

Creativity

My sister, Jennifer, was spending time with Katie, and Katie decided to get creative with pipe cleaners!

I decided to make a campfire. 

Then I decided that the flames would need some smoke. 

 Then I put cotton balls on a pipe cleaner that turned into marshmallows.

Time for roasting! 

My last step was to add the rocks around my fire. 

To go along with the good food, I had to have entertainment. 

I can stay busy for a long time with pipe cleaners!

After Dancing

I always like how Katie puts outfits together. She had been to her lyrical class on a pretty hot day, and she chose the perfect shoes.

I just can't seem to give up my boots!

A Second Dance Costume

For Katie's lyrical class, she will be representing a tsunami in her recital.

I liked how this costume was so "flowy!"

A Story Before Bed

Here is a scene I'll never get tired of seeing.

I love to read!

A Ballet Costume

This year's dance recital has the theme of Magic Tree House books. For Katie's ballet class, she will be representing the American Red Cross. She was thrilled when she got her costume and tried it on for the first time.

Can I help take care of you?

A New Family Member

We recently decided to begin looking for another young cat. We love Mr. Limpet, but he was craving a playmate. Bingle is a good cat, but she's at the age that she doesn't want to wrestle with a kitten. We took Katie back to the same rescue organization that we got Mr. Limpet from, and we found the cutest 8 week old black kittens. It didn't take long for us to choose one. We just chose the busiest and toughest kitten, so we knew he could keep up with Mr. Limpet.  Katie changed his name from Javier to General Washington, and we took him home.

There was hardly any get-to-know-you-time with Mr. Limpet and General Washington. They became quick friends and playmates. Even though General Washington is tiny, he takes care of himself. They are so much fun to watch together!

Aunt Jennifer used to have a long haired black cat, so we were happy to have another! 

General Washington likes to read.

Sometimes he has time on his own when... 

...he and Mr. Limpet decide to sleep. 

Sometimes they play together. 

Mostly they just love each other, and I love them!

The School Carnival

Katie loves to go to the school carnival each year. These are her three favorite things. 1. Trying to win a raffle basket. 2. Seeing her friends. 3. Going on the swings that she goes on every day at recess.

She likes to see all of the games, but she usually doesn't choose to play them. She just likes to walk around and look at those.

My mom doesn't have to spend money on the games since this is what makes me happy!

Teaching Kindness

Katie comes to school with me in the mornings. Before school begins, Katie usually spends time with other staff kids. One morning, Katie and her friend decided to make a poster to teach kindness. The poster had different ways of being kind listed. When they were finished, they asked if they could present their poster to my class and to a second grade class. When they got the okay, they practiced and practiced to be ready. The two girls did such a good job inspiring kindness.

We challenged the kindergarten class to make their own kindness posters when we were done!

Setting Up a Store

Katie decided to go though some of the drawers and gather some items she could part with, so she could set up a store and make some money. She had so much fun!

I tried to make my store look pleasing to my customers. 

Not all of my customers could afford my prices, so I negotiated with them. I also gave away some freebies!

Getting Home

When Katie gets home from a trip, she goes straight to her favorites!

I had to take the time to play with my dolls when I got home. 

After, I spent some time reading. It was good to be home!

The Long Trip Home

After our short time in Idaho, we drove the long trip home in one day. Like always, Katie was a trooper in the car!

When we stopped at a rest stop to stretch our legs, my mom showed me the fast way to climb a tree! Ta da! 

It always helps to pass the time when you can sleep.

Seeing the Parks

Before it was already time to leave, we made two quick visits. First we visited the City Park, where I spent a lot of time growing up. There were a few good updates, but for the most part, it looked pretty much the same. It was fun being there. A lot of the town has changed with a big population boost, so it's nice to find familiar things.

We also wanted to take Katie to the Shoshone Falls park, so she could see the waterfalls. There was lots of water that day. In addition to the falls, it was windy and spurting rain throughout our time there. We didn't let a little bad weather get in the way of fun though.

Whenever we're on a trip, I love to visit parks. It gives me time to run free and just be a kid! 

My mom said the playground was a lot better than the old one that was here. 

I played on it for a long time! 

Aunt Jennifer wanted to take me to the lava rock fountain, but the water wasn't turned on. She used to climb on it, but you're not allowed to climb on it anymore. 

While we were walking through the park, we found this very playful squirrel. I loved it! 

This sculpture was in the park, so I pretended to be farming! 

My mom thinks I look really tall lately. I told her it's because I'm almost a second grader! 

Dennis came to join us for awhile in the park after awhile! 

While Dennis and Grandma talked, Aunt Jennifer put me in this tree. At first, I wasn't happy because she put me by a bee!

After awhile, I relaxed a little. 

After, we went to the Shoshone Falls Park. We got there before Dennis and Grandma, so we got a picnic table with this view! 

I was ready for a picnic! 

Even though it was windy and a little wet, we could still have a nice picnic. 

With all of the water going over, it was hard to get a clear view of the height of the falls, but they are taller than Niagra Falls. 

We were getting pretty wet as we stood close between the mist from the falls and the rain. 

It's always fun to watch waterfalls. 

Aunt Jennifer and I both liked standing here! 

We just watched for a bit. 

When we were walking back to the picnic table, I challenged Aunt Jennifer to run up this hill and see who could touch the tree first. She let me try on my own.

Running uphill... 

...is always harder... 

...than you think it will be, but... 

...I made it! 

 Aunt Jennifer told me that she used to roll down these hills and told me I should try it.

I wasn't too keen on the idea, but I gave it a try! 

Now she can say I did it! 

Between the wind and the hill, I thought I might roll down the hill the rest of the way, so I held onto this tree for support! 

This park was a fun adventure!