First Grade Graduation

Selah graduated from 1st grade near the middle of June, so we needed some way to celebrate the occasion.  Why not head to the local park and invite any of Selah's friends who can come.  So last minute, we had a park party.  Tirzah, Julia & Shifrah all made it (and their families, of course).

Shifrah brought along some animal masks.  Can you guess who's playing the zebra?

Big cousin Josiah shows Hannah the safest way down a slide...

Guess who is the monkey?

Selah and her friends- what a blessing to have Christian homes and friends to raise families together!!

Tirzah, Julia, Selah, Shifrah - may you encourage one another in purity and in charity...

Guess who's an upside-down puppy?

I love those mousy eyes and smile!!

Josiah setting Judah straight...

Play soccer?  Nah, not when you can play with sand!

After softball, the dads and kids started soccer...

Shifrah & Selah on 'D'...

Julia and Tia run after the ball...

Uh-oh, Duane & Dave, is this a kids' game?

Selah sneaks up on her daddy...

Judah & Silas, block Uncle Dave!

Thanks, everyone, for coming!  It was a great way to end the school year.  Now it's planning time for the next school year.  Most supplies are already purchased.  The 'principle' approved all the curriculum.  Now it's just up to the 'teacher' to figure how to juggle the 2nd grade subjects around the new Kindergartner and 2nd-year preschooler.  Plus Hannah thinks she's doing 'school' too...

And just in case any are wondering - the teacher actually enjoys it!  Homeschooling is definitely not for every family, and it has its pros and cons, but as for right now, homeschooling has been a very big blessing for our family.  It works for us for now.  Next school year, with the little one joining the ranks of students, will undoubtedly be a challenge.  But we don't go forward in our own strength.  What a blessing to get our daily source of wisdom, strength, grace, all from our great God!!

Villa Roma With Grandma

Near the beginning of June we visited Grandma at her timeshare in the Catskills.


Selah teaching Hannah how to swim in the indoor pool...

Race car time- some little boy wanted to race with his daddy...

Isaiah was technically too young... but here he is, tickled to be riding...

And they're off!

Grandma & Selah kept the lead the whole race...

The next day was a bit warmer to enjoy the outdoor pools...

...and the big blue slide!

Selah's turn...

This slide was just the right size for Isaiah...

"Come, Hannah, 'Saiah' will show you!"

Duane playing his mother in a game of shuffleboard...

Thank-you, Grandma, for sharing your vacation with us!

Hannah's favorite toy in the indoor playground...

Waiting for the shuttle bus...

Is that how you go down slides, Mr. Isaiah?

Swing time...

Now, just how impossible is it to get 4 pairs of eyes looking in the same direction?

Now they're all looking, but washed out...

Daddy & Grandma cooking breakfast...

Then it was Uncle Daryl & Aunt Wendy's turn to stay with Grandma, but Hannah still got her 'holding-Peytra' time in.  Who's ready to be a big sister?

Brothers sharing a game of shuffleboard...