Last Concerts for Declan's 5th Grade Year

Declan back row far right

 Declan enjoys music quite a bit and you will usually find him listening to the Disney channel on Pandora.  He just loves Disney music.  Declan was very excited that they were going to do a couple of Disney songs for his end of year 5th grade concert.  He was so excited that he wanted to try out for a solo.  Declan's tryout went well and his music teacher gave him a solo.  For a couple weeks all Declan could talk about was memorizing his part for his solo.  I had him sing for me and I was a little nervous about it for him.  He has never sang in public before and I wasn't sure how it would go.  The time in the program came for his big solo and I was surprised to see him joined by seven other boys for his solo that they all sang together.

Declan with fellow "soloist"

Apparently, the music teacher called it a solo but in fact it was sung by eight boys.  Many other parents were quite surprised/relieved to see that their children weren't really soloist but in a small group singing.

This is how I imagined Declan's solo.

Declan rocking it

Sing it

Declan also had another band concert which he did really well playing his saxophone.

Declan with his biggest fan, Zaynzley!

8th Grade Graduate

 

It is really strange how quickly Rhi's and Eddy's kids grow up. It makes me feel quite old actually.  We just attended Quint's 8th Grade Graduation from Thatcher. They have quite different traditions from Duncan. Gone is their own special night, prom dresses and marching in.   I suppose I will have to adjust to this way, unless I can finally convince The Carlton's to relocate to Duncan.

Class of 2019
(Quinton second row from back)

Waiting for the Festivity to begin.

Requisite, slightly cheesy inspirational song. I remember from my eighth celebration we sung a song from Hercules, the Disney film.  They sang "this is my fight song" by Kelly Clarkson. Oops, it's actually Rachel platten. Kelly's song is this is my heart song.

Grandparents in attendance. Thanks to Eddy for saving us Good seats.

A rare treat - a picture of Quinty Smiling!

I hate to say it, but I cracked under pressure. Fancy new camera is only as good as the person who was using it.  It went so fast, and I forgot to check all the many settings and ended up with this sad color. Next time I will know to practice on some kids before it comes to the one I want.

Receiving his diploma.

The Gang's all here, look closely to spot Eddy. It was a mad house afterwards. No plan to meet outside or anything.

Quint and one of his wonderful great-Grandmas.

Quintoni
Quinton's best friend is also named Quentin

Now, off to High school!

What They Wore-summer buzz

Since Zany gave Archer her sickness they both stayed home with me and just the three boys went to church.  Soon as school is out we do the summer buzz.  Goodbye long hair, hello super short hair that you don't need to comb.  Eddy's hair is marine recruit short which is just what he wanted.  You should have seen the pile of hair.  I picked up an old barber's chair at the thrift store so it goes up and down and spins which was nice for me.

I can't hardly believe summer is finally here.  I have high hopes of cleaning out every nook and cranny and reorganizing/purging.  We are shooting for a house of order.  High hopes but it is tricky because I do like stuff and often regret getting rid of vintage stuff.  It is not always easy to find that vintage stuff down the road.  I used to collect vintage turquoise pyrex but then I got rid of it all and now the prices for it are crazy high and you never see it at thrift stores anymore.   I guess I will focus on getting rid of the kids stuff they have too many clothes anyway no regrets there. 

McCoy, Declan and Quinton (right) all buzzed for summer

Don't think Ashlee is the only one to spot birds and the like. I saw this fowl fellow strutting his stuff around town.  I am not sure what he is but I liked him.

Looks like he might be sporting a buzz cut too!

Happy Start of Summer!

Better Camera, Better Birder

Well I have really been enjoying my new camera, and my somewhat new hobby of taking pictures of the the birds, around our spot in the desert.  I shall try and space out these posts,(especially considering I have yet to finish my spring wildflower post,  which I am sure everyone is waiting for with bated breath ;)  Normal caveat applies.

Gambel's quail, Who always looks ready for a night on the town, with his little top hat. 

Western Tanager, some of these have super bright orange heads and look very tropical compared to the desert. 

White faced ibis, bows hello

Hooded Oriole.

This isn't the the greatest picture but I like that it looked like these male and female Vermillion Flycatcher were kissing. 

So if you have been watching playoff basketball, you may have seen the Taco bell ad (at what seemed like everybreak) where everything is black and white, except the breakfest burrito they are hawking.  Guess what Taco bell? My Camera can do that trick too.  Be prepared for lots of cheesy filters like this in the future, as I learn my camera.

Powering Through

Powering through to the last day of school has been my mantra these last couple of weeks.  Due to the extreme number of the end of the year activities that each child has I find myself longing for summer break.  Everyday the kids have need of various things for school, add the overlap of two leagues of baseball (one league ends another begins so for a couple of weeks Declan and McCoy are each on two different teams at the same time).  I am so frazzled I am actually looking forward to having everyone home and nowhere to be, during the day anyway.  I expect before long with the fighting and nagging that is part and parcel of summer break I will remember the old days of everyone busy at school with great fondness.  For now though, I am celebrating the last day of school which is finally here as much as my children,  Sleeping in until 8am at least, is high on my list of priorities!

Archer found the easy way to increase his muscles by simply packing his shirt with socks and underwear.  I am sure that that extra muscle will help him power through the last days of kindergarten.  No more homework or schools projects, yipee!  

Look at those shoulders

Showing off his new found muscles

I made it to the end of another school year!  

No more papers, no more books and no more teacher's dirty looks!

American Girl Doll Fans

When I was in high school, I can clearly remember my sister Ashlee and her best friend Camilee companionably pouring through the American Girl Catalog.  This was back in the Golden Age of American Girl in the 1990's when it was Pleasant Company.  They both desperately wanted an AG doll but the problem was neither set of parents was supportive of it as they were wildly expensive.  Well Ashlee and her friend both scrimped and saved and finally when they were 13-14 years old they each had enough money to buy a doll.  Ashlee bought Felicity and Camilee bought Samantha.

Despite their advanced age they both loved their dolls and they continued to pour over the AG catalog together (if you have a AG catalog from the 1990's it is worth some money!).

Fast forward some twenty years and Ashlee has embraced her love for all things AG.  She is a collector and now has lots of dolls, five of them all historical (Felicity, Addy, Caroline, Samantha, Rebecca, Kristen).  Ashlee only likes the historical ones.  She did inherit some from a neighbor and she was kind enough to give me a Felicity.   I was never into AG as a kid I was too old by the time Ashlee got into it but Ashlee has encouraged my adult interest.  When AG had sale on dolls for $65.00 with a bonus pajama outfit for those early birds who ordered early Ashlee asked if I wanted to get one I said, "Yes, Kit please."  I love the fabrics from the 1930's and the dresses are so cute so it was an easy choice for me.

Ashlee ordered Caroline and I got Kit.   We took our new dolls over to Grandma Parke's house to show them off to her and Aunt Rebecca.  They too are AG doll people.  Grandma Parke owns Addy, Molly and Emily (Molly's friend) while Aunt Rebecca recently got Rebecca.

Ashlee (far left), Aunt Rebecca, and Grandma Parke holding Caroline

Grandma holding Kit while Aunt Rebecca admires some clothes

With American Girl dolls you are never to old to start collecting!  

Local Desert Animals

After six long years of service, and numerous trips my dear Camera sadly has been replaced. It would only turn on about 33% of the time and then wouldn't zoom at all.  I got a newer model of the camera I had which I love and am really pleased with.  Its a Panasonic Lumix and its great. Lots of options, it will even film slow motion but I have hardly scratched the surface of its tricks. So for know these are just basic photos, of animals I have taken.

Here is a Chipmunk, feasting on a mulberry. There are lots of mulberry's tress in Duncan, all over town. They are pretty tasty.

I snuck up on this wild beast in his natural habibat and moved very stealthy to not raise his ire. 

A coyote non-chalently strolls by the river. I always like to see them in the day, usually I only see them at night running across the road. 

Rabbits can be seen at any given moment really, though they are sill pretty cute. 

I caucght this guy during his daily workout of pushups. He is quite pretty I think.

Sadly I found these two super cute puppies abandones out in the desert. They walked with me for quite awhile, over a mile  to get to the town building up the hill. We gave them water and they are going to try to find homes for them. I hope they are ok. 

This was pre new camera, old broken zoom one. if you look across the way in the middle of the picture you see a rock like creature

Its a turle!  I think I know now where he lives, but I haven't seen him since. I am definately keeping an eye out though

Star Wars Party-May 4th

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away....

Episode VIII

Princess of Power

It is a period of civil war and general unrest despite years of negotiations and political maneuvers.  A new hope has been found in Princess Leia (Zaynzley) who is known for her willingness to befriend one and all.

Zany as Princess Leia 

Princess Leia meets and joins forces with a Jedi Master Obe Wan Kanobi (Archer).  Discussing the possible plans to overcome the evil Empire and bring peace to all once again, they realized they need more help.

Obe & Princess Leia

Obe Wan reaches out to a fellow Jedi, Qui-Gon-Jinn (Declan) to help their cause.  Despite their best efforts to keep their meeting secret, they are found out by an sinister agent of the Empire, Boba Fett.  Bobba Fett brings along Darth Vader and a battle is nigh at hand.  Princess Leia using her powers of persuasion gives Darth Vader a kiss on his helmet and turns him from the dark side.

With Darth Vader subdued, Qui-Gon-Jinn and Boba Fett face off.

Dec and Coy

 Having overcome the Empire the Rebel Forces celebrate.  Princess Leia hugs hugs her new friends Obe Wan & Darth Vader demonstrating the power of a princess. . . 

Rare sighting of a mystery Jedi in the background (Quinton)

 Watching Episode III on Star Wars day (May the 4th) while eating Star Wars inspired treats was fun for all.  Even Papa, Nona and Ashlee came to celebrate!

May the Force be with you!

Spring fixings

We have had a fairly wet spring this year, there are quite the variety of wildflowers. In addition, there are lots and lots of blooms on the store rose bush. 

There are heaps and heaps of them.

Wait what is that I see up there? is it a bird? 

It's a Pa! He was taking advantage of the good weather to fix the leak before the monsoons come!