Friday, May 15, 2009

TGIF

I don't know about you guys, but the last few weeks of the school year are absolutely crazy-busy.

I don't enjoy being busy. In fact, most of the time I keep my calendar pretty clear and purposefully schedule free time for myself because I just really function best when I have lots of space in my days. 

I do not believe in doing everything (I say no quite often actually) but I do believe that my husband works hard so that I can stay at home and be available to do things with and for our kids. SO, when there's a field trip or something going on that I can help with I like to say YES!

Such was the case this week.

I was able to go on Sarah's last big 5th grade hurrah...a field trip to Castlewood Canyon State Park. Got to lead a hiking group (which just so happens to be one of my most favorite things to do!)


We had a beautiful day to enjoy the great outdoors. Next week those 5th graders will bid farewell to the elementary school that has been their home for many years. I've grown to love so many of these kids (and their moms!), and watching them grow and mature has been so fun! Spending time with them this week was a gift to my heart! 

I also volunteered to go with Abbey's first grade class to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo today. I haven't been to this zoo in awhile and I must say that it has improved since my last visit!

This zoo has a GREAT giraffe exhibit (I counted 15 today!) and the highlight for the kids was feeding them. Their tongues are black. Ewwwww. Believe me I was freely dispensing the hand sanitizer. 

If you're wondering why I posted a pic of a giraffe's tongue it's because I don't have any other pictures that don't have other kids in them and you know how I feel about posting pics of other people and/or their kids without permission. (That was one long sentence!)

I clearly wasn't thinking when I told Abbey she could have a friend sleep over tonight (her first...ever!) after all day at the zoo. Every day this week has been jam-packed and the exhaustion has definitely set in. I couldn't stand to disappoint her though. 

I just popped the girls some popcorn and they picked all the M&Ms out of the trail mix. They're watching Parent Trap 2 (one of my faves!) and I'm hoping they're equally exhausted and will crash pretty soon.

John graciously offered to take Sarah to the Family Beach Dance at school tonight because she was dying to go. I was so thankful! I took this cute pic of them before they left. I was proud of John for digging out his Hawaiian shirt in an attempt to be a little more festive. He texted me and said that "Who Let The Dogs Out?" was playing and the kids were going wild. His follow-up text said, "Limbo". He's a great sport, huh?


You wouldn't know it from the pictures in this post, but I have a 12-year-old son who's also had an eventful week. He's at a youth group function tonight and I think I'm going to do Paper, Rock, Scissors with John to see who gets to go and retrieve him. I have a secret strategy for winning at Paper, Rock, Scissors. I'm hoping it doesn't fail me tonight since I really want to stay on the couch in my pjs for the rest of the night!


16 comments:

Jennifer said...

How awesome to live where a field trip consists of going hiking and NOT to a theme park! ROFL

We are just beginning our last weeks of school this coming week. Shelby has swim lessons (they do it in the spring for k and fall for first graders). Then field trips, commencement ceremonies, and visits to the high school! Akkkk

Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt said...

Maybe if John's already out he can get W on his way home? I mean, pajamas?? You might as well climb in bed and fake-sleep. LOL.

Becca~CapturingSimpleJoys said...

How fun for you to be able to go hiking with your kids!

That tongue is gross and amazing all at the same time!

You have a good husband! Hope you'll be able to get some rest this weekend.

Gretchen said...

Good luck with your strategy, Mer!

Great pictures, all. Castlewood Canyon is one of my faves. We used to live less than 10 miles from there. I used to see snakes, which i hated, but remember all sorts of lurvely mother's day brunches and small hikes there. It's gawgeous.

Well done, John.

Tiffani said...

Wow! What a way to wind down the year!! I loved all the pics!! Sarah and her Daddy?! Sooo sweet!!!

Seriously, Adam and I do RPS for EVERYTHING and I'm tellin' you I NEVER win! If you seriously have a strategy I need to know it!!

Enjoy your weekend! I'm hoping to scrap some tomorrow!

Amber said...

Busy...but so fun sounding! Field trips wear me out, but I love hanging out with my kids when they are in their zone. I love to see them with their friends. So much fun!!

And how sweet that John went to the dance with Sarah. So sweet.

jeanie@mageditor.blogspot.com said...

It sounds so fun but very busy! My son's last week is next week and we are so excited. Then my Maggie has her last week as a junior after that. She will be a SENIOR! Yikes...I thought she was still in kindergarten and then I blinked and she was all grown up! LOL
I have so many great projects planned for summer. I want to get on them but they involve the man power of my two teens.
Have a great weekend Meredith.

Unknown said...

My favorite animal at the zoo is always the giraffe. I just love them!

Also, would you mind sharing your secret strategy for Rock, Paper, scissors?

I gave up playing because I couldn't ever win. I do believe The Mister has a strategy of his own.!

Happy Saturday!

Betsy said...

Meredith you sound just like me...living in a crazy whirlwind!! It's all good, but so tiring!

My kids had a 5th grade end-of-the-year beach party, too, back in the day! haha Those were so much fun for them. John is such a good dad!

Hopefully you got to stay in your pj's for the night. You deserve it after the whole field trip thing. :)

Have a great weekend!

Emily said...

What a sweet father/daughter picture! Sounds like you've had a fun week.

Carpool Queen said...

I think your secret strategy for winning Paper Rock involves batting your eyelashes at your husband. Something tells me that works every.single.time.

His Girl said...

fun pictures and great tales! How on earth am I ELEVEN posts behind here? I will catch up, though. I am determined!

Christi @ Writing the Waves said...

Sweet, sweet, sweet times you all are experiencing!

I cried when Caylie "graduated" from 5th grade, and was moving to middle school with the "big" kids...now it's Christian's turn to "graduate"...although he still has a couple of weeks left!

Time goes waaayyy too fast doesn't it?!

Cathy said...

Love the zoo field trips!

LOVE daddy/daughter pictures.

DON'T love rock paper scissors...

*carrie* said...

Fun post, Mer. Happy memories of that zoo!

That is so funny about the dance. When I taught 8th grade, I had to chaperone some of the dances--it was something else!

Mollie said...

LOVE the pic of the camel tongue?? Talk about right time and place.
Love the Picture of John & Sarah-What a great dad!! It reminds me....do you know I still have the picture you took of me and my dad at my wedding!!! I have thought about it alot lately with your dad sick- You mentioned someone took a picture of you and your dad at your wedding....it is my favorite!! Thanks!!