Scenes from Summertime '09 (thus far)

Summer is passing by way too quickly, doesn't it always? As I look at the calendar, the kids start back to school one month from YESTERDAY!! I can't stand the fact that school begins so early in August, but I guess summer has to end sometime so we go with the flow.

We just got back yesterday from our summer trip to South Dakota and had a great time (blog coming soon). I first must catch-up with what has happened since school got out May 28th.
For starters, we didn't realize three years ago how convenient it would be for Rich to take the girls to school when he began working at WIF. Their intermediate and junior high schools were located about five minutes from Rich's job. Both Rich and the girls have had the huge privilege of spending some extra time together in the mornings driving/riding to school on occasion. Besides, getting in dad's car at 7:20 a.m. sure beats the 40 min. bus ride at 6:50 a.m. Here they are leaving on the last morning of school. The school they will attend next year is in the exact opposite direction of Rich's work so I'm (they are) afraid the rides will be few and far between.

*Dad driving his Daisies*

The last day of school!
Olivia arriving home from her last day of 7th grade and her last day at Fishers Jr. High.

Both Olivia and Alexandra will be redistricted to Riverside Int. & Jr. High. Olivia was sad to say goodbye to friends she had met in 5th-8th grade who she will not be going to high school with. The new school that they will attend this year does not feed into our high school but it will be fun to meet new friends and have many old ones too! Who can argue with having too many friends?

Alexandra felt differently about saying goodbye to Sand Creek. She is looking forward to all the new adventures at Riverside. She will attend this school for three years, as long as we are not redistricted - again! Three years seems to be a long time to attend one school in this growing district! Here's our antimated child arriving home at the end of her great 5th grade year and, might I add, straight A's all year long.
























Mr. Leighton finished 2nd grade with having one of the best teachers anyone could ever ask for! He had a tremendous year and grew (literally) academically in many areas. As a result of receiving very high math scores on the Terra Nova standardized test taken in Feb., Leighton was invited to be placed in an advanced math class for the coming year. He also became quite the "techie" guy. His teacher often asked him to help the other students with their power point presentations, etc. He was her "go to" boy, and what a boost that was for his confidence!

You're usually not as tall as your teacher in 2nd grade!

Hello Third Grader!!

Leighton's class did an end of the year presentation for the parents. He chose South Dakota as his state to research and Mt. Rushmore as the national landmark to present.

We had many baseball and soccer games to attend this past spring/summer session. Leighton sure loves his baseball and soccer is the sport of choice for both Olivia and Alexandra. This was also the first time for

Oliviva to play co-ed. To her, the thought of playing with and against boys was quite unsettling until after the first practice. She had a change of heart when she realized that they brought more competition to the game and they weren't too tough on the girls. In fact, the girls gave them a run for their money!


Baseball!


Leighton loves to pitch and catch
Leighton & his buddy, Timmy, along with the dads


As an early birthday gift, my parents took Leighton with them to a Cubs/Reds game in Cincy via a motorcoach. What a fun gift and fun time.













Waiting for the bus!


A visit from the Minnesota Moorlachs

Rich's brother, Brian, and his family came for a visit in early June. While they were here we took in an Indpls. Indians game, two of Leighton's baseball games, Olivia's soccer game, Alexandra's soccer game,(sorry about our game schedules!) a little swimming, a little bike riding, some pizza, and just some good family time.












Cousin time












Give us your best smile!

Happy Father's Day

Family over for dinner on Father's Day evening.



Grandma Marilyn Visits!

On the same day that the girls and I picked Marilyn up from the airport, Rich and Leighton left very early for Madison, WI to meet Rich's brother, Brian, and his son at a Twins/Brewers game. The boys had a great time at the ballgame, "dining" at Fuddrucker's, and swimming at the hotel. We, on the other hand, had a terrific girls' night out! What can beat Olive Garden and some shopping at Hamilton Town Center on a gorgeous summer night? Not much!

It's fun to swim with grandma and refreshing, too!

On Saturday evening, Alexandra had a birthday party to attend and Olivia worked at the Fishers Freedom Festival selling cotton candy. We decided to go on a "double date" and let Leighton have the privilege of choosing where we would eat dinner. Let me just say "bravo" and thank you, Leighton, for choosing Bravo! Good choice, my son!

STAY TUNED FOR MORE SUMMER FUN TO COME!