Just Fishing

We got to spend a Saturday with Brendan and Rick on the best boat, Oppa's Crew, for a day of fishing. Everyone had a lot of fun and the kids had fun just sitting on the back of the boat.

Last Day of School

Nicole poses with Mrs. Oerzen, her fourth grade teacher, and Carroll outside of school. She is dying to look inside her envelope not to see her grades (straight As) but to see who she got for next year.

The lucky teacher - Mr. D. He is the most popular 5th grade teacher and she is happy!

Graduation Party

Jessica decided to have her graduation lunch at Benihana's. Here she is with Kelsey, Nicole and Brendan. Her friend Gabby decided to have her party here too!

It was the first time to Benihana's for Grandpoppy and Grandmommy who both enjoyed the meal.

Later, the rest of the family came to our house for cupcakes and snacks.

Best Friends and Seventh Graders

Jessica and Kaitlyn pose for the first time together as seventh graders. Kaitlyn won many awards at graduation. She is a great friend and since Jess finally got her cell phone as her graduation gift the texts have been flying.

Graduation

On June 25th, Jessica graduated from Floral Park-Bellerose School. She won the award for the highest average in reading which was a great achievement.

At the ceremony, awards are given, the band and orchestra play a song and the class sings a song. This year's song was Breaking Free from High School Musical.

Afterwards, a reception follows in the gym which is still decorated from the dance.

Here Jessica is with Grandmom Lillian, Grandpoppy, Grandmommy and Aunt Hilda along with Jim and I. Nicole was still in school as siblings in school cannot attend the ceremony.

Elvis and Neil

The dance had funny cutouts to take pictures behind. Jess and Kiera decided to be Elvis and Neil Armstrong.

Also, this year the school hired a digital photography company to take pictures of the kids with their friends and teachers and then had an assortment of frames to display each.

Sixth Grade Dance

Every year the sixth grade has a dance on the Friday before graduation. The class votes on a theme, Retro this year, and the parents decorate the gym to match the theme. Our gym had records on the walls, old fashioned cardboard cars to take pictures in and a time machine to enter the gym in.

I was lucky to work the dance and the rest of the parents could attend for the last thirty minutes. All of the sixth grade teachers attended the dance as well.

This is Jess with her friends Carolyn, Gabby, Katie, Cassidy and Kiera. They had a great time dancing and goofing off.

How Time Flies

So we are almost at the end of the school year. It will be a long few days to go. My girls still have tests and homework this week while many of their friends are hanging out these last few days. This is their parent's fault as we like strong teachers. (They do not know we request the tough ones.:))

For Jess, it means the last few days in elementary school as she moves to the Junior/Senior High in the fall. There are so many teachers who have gotten her this far that it will be hard to say goodbye and hello to new friends next year. It is like kindergarten all over again. But first is the dance and then graduation.

For Nicole, it means not having a sister to worry about at school. Nicole is an amazing young lady who has a heart of gold and never leaves her sister behind no matter what. I hope her teacher next year continues to push her they way this year's teacher did.

For Jim and I, it means a new world of cell phones and continuing to let go a little to our girls. Both will be walking to and from school with friends next year but they still get 10 weeks of summer fun. Some will be at camp. Some with be at dance. Some will be at the pool. Some will be with us on vacation.

I hope the some will have more smile than tears.

Jess Bridges to Cadets

Jessica bridged to Cadets tonight. Here she is reading what Girl Scouts mean to her. She leaves behind two awesome leaders that wanted to hold her back a year because they loved her so!

Next year will be a new adventure with a new group of girls.

Nurse Kelsey to the Rescue

Kelsey thought all Uncle Jimmy's foot needed was a Dora the Explorer band aid. It must have worked because his foot reduced significantly overnight.

I see medical school in her future!

Coley and Kelsey

Luckily for the kids, Rick has a pool. Here Nicole and her mini me, Kelsey, have fun in the pool.

Kelsey likes to think she is a big kid and luckily her older cousins like having her to play with.

Happy Father's Day

Yesterday was Father's Day. We celebrated on Saturday with dinner at Houlihan's and then we watched Hairspray.

On Sunday, we gave Jim breakfast in bed. This is a photo of Jess which was taken in the afterschool program. Her teacher took the picture, enlarged it and then Jess picked out a frame and personalized it.

He then relaxed for a little bit before we headed to Rick and Erin's for a barbecque with the family.

Jim's Boo Boo

So while Jess and I are on our trip, Jim and Nicole were having a little quality time. They went to her lacrosse game on Saturday and went to Jim's softball game on Sunday morning. Nicole usually goes to softball because she likes to harass one of Jim's friends, Tom King.

So while he was attempting to slide into third base, the base won and Jim broke his ankle. He collect Nicole, dropped her off at his mom's and went to his hospital for x-rays. He did happen to call and tell me there was no need to come home early.:)

He really chipped the little bone that sticks out on his left foot. The orthopedist put him in a walking cast and told him to come back in two weeks.

Our friends, the Schelecthers, picked us up after the trip, took him and Nicole dinner and bought us food for the next morning.

Our friend, Tracy, made us dinner Monday night which was delicious.

Thanks to everyone who helped Jim and I out! We are truly blessed!

Finally Heading Home

Jess is ready for the drive back to NY. We watched Hairspray, Enchanted and National Treasure during our bus rides.

We had a great two days and have decided to visit Baltimore to see the state sport, jousting, in action on Saturday nights.

Junior Troop 1003 or 04

On Sunday, we headed to Baltimore for the day. First we went to the National Aquarium. Here the troop is in front of bubbles. We then saw the dolphin show.

After lunch, we took the Duck Tour which I would highly recommend if you get a chance.

Jess was disappointed we did not get to visit the largest Barnes and Nobles which is located at the Inner Habor.

I have a dream...

Jessica is standing on the spot where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his infamous I Have a Dream speech. A little known fact is that he did not have those inspiring words written in the speech but added them during it.

I have a dream that all children have loving parents, food in their bellies and no hardships at all.

The Wall

My dad's cousin, John Dennis Donovan, died in Vietnam. Everytime we go to DC, I like to visit his name and say a prayer. Jessica gets so emotional when we visit.

I am grateful to all the men and women who have given their lives for freedom, and the ones who continue the battle now.

They are the greatest Americans!

White House

Jessica and Kaitlyn are standing outside the White House. Jess is confident Kaitlyn will be the first female President and her the Chief of Staff.

Hopefully, they will let their moms on the other side of the gate!

Washington DC

Jessica and I spent Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 in Washington, DC and Baltimore with her Girl Scout troop. It was almost 100 degrees but we saw many things and had a great trip.

This is us in front of the Capitol.

Third Place in the Sixth Grade Wheelbarrel Race

Jess and Kiera came in third place in the Wheel Barrel race! They are in the middle in red.