School's out...school's out...

We did it!! We made through our first year with both of my kiddos in school!! Rachel graduated from the HeadStart Center last Friday and Noah finished up 2nd grade today! It is hard to realize that Noah will be in 3rd grade and Rachel will be in Pre-K next year. Why do they grow up so fast?! It just seems like yesterday we were picking out baby names and thinking about starting our family.

Rachel had a great year and learned so much! She made a lot of friends and really enjoyed the social side of being in school. Here are pictures of her on the first and last days of school:




Noah had a very successful year! Today at the 1st and 2nd grade awards assembly he recieved several recognitions - "A" honor roll for the entire year, "A" conduct for the entire year, and Reader Hall of Fame (he completed 3 grade levels- 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, and began Nonfiction tests) for our Accelerated Reader Program. I am very proud of him! He worked hard and made straight "A" for the entire year. Yay, Noah!!! Now to relax a bit before gearing up for third grade. Next year will bring a few challenges and changes - our third graders begin changing classes as well as take their first TAKS test.
Here are Noah's pictures from the first and last days of second grade:




I think tonight we are going to celebrate the end of a great year - maybe dinner at our favorite place and then a $2 movie (Horton hears a Who). I hope you all have a great evening. Watch for snippets of a busy active summer from the Dunn family!

My treasures, my joys....

Just thought I would share a couple of shots from today! Summer has arrived! It has been sunny and hot the past few days. The kids are ready for the pool! I am too!! Just a few mmore days before the official start of our summer vacation...

My little graduate...

Rachel graduated from her HeadStart Center on Friday afternoon. They had the cutest little ceremony. They sang three songs, including "What a Wonderful World". Then we went inside for cake and punch and to watch a slideshow of pictures from the year. I am looking forward to a fun summer with both Rachel and Noah. Next year Rachel will attend a "dual-enrolled" HeadStart Pre-K at Huey Elementary. She is growing up so fast!!

Next week, Noah will have his awards ceremony at Haynes, so I should have some "end of the year" pictures of him to share!

Maybe Yeager's Not So Useless...

Maybe... just maybe...Yeager might redeem his "useless" status by letting me use him as a subject. I have been trying to "break in" my new 30D. (By the way, I think I am in love!!LOL!) The kids are sick of me and take off running when they see me with camera in hand. Not Yeager though!! He will let me take all the pictures I want - as long as I don't insist he wake up or sit up!! So here are a few of our Useless Yeager!






These were taken with my 30D w/ my Tamron 28-75 lens. I am getting used to the camera and am LOVING it!!

We have a busy weekend ahead of us! Today, Noah has field day at school. I am going to pick him up early so he can go with me to Rachel's graduation from HeadStart. Then this evening we have a Block Party at Kate Haynes (Noah's school). Tomorrow we have Roscoe's BeeKeepers' Picnic. Then of course, there all the other things to get done over the weekend, and then church on Sunday... but it is all good, and should be some good family time!!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!! I will try to post some pictures from the weekend's activities soon!!

America's Got Talent: Terry Fator - What a Wonderful World

We love this!! Terry Fator is so talented and this is just a sweet song!! I hope you all enjoy it as much as we do!!

Doin' the Happy Dance

I am soooo excited!! I finally got the opportunity to upgrade my camera. I found a great deal on a refurbished model. It came today and I think I am in love!!! LOL! The poor kids have been cahsed around for most of the evening. For now I will just post one of each of them!!





Oh!! I forgot to share news about the newest member of our family - well for a little while anyways! I would like for you all to meet Fisher! He is a Lab-mix (I think) who had to find a new home very unexpectedly last week. He is a really sweet, overgrown (about 100+ lbs) baby boy. So far he and Max get along alright. Max is pretty willing to share his yard, his food, even his swingset. The pnly thing he isn't too sure about sharing is Roscoe!!!

Laura Ingalls or Nellie Olson

So, here is the story:
We were having an "old-fashioned" day at church a couple of weeks ago. I decided to make R an old-fashioned, Little House on the Prairie style dress. Of course, I was remembering how sweet Laura and her sisters looked in their dresses on the show - which was one of my favorites as a child. When I had finished it and we were out on the porch taking pictures, I asked Roscoe, "Doesn't she look like she belongs in Little House on the Prairie?" His response - "Yeah, she makes me think of Nellie Olson." Can you believe it? Humph!! Anyway - here are a few pics of my little prairie princess!

It's MOM'S Weekend

Well, in case I don't get around to posting it tomorrow - Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful women/mother figures in my life. You are all very special and mean so much to me!!

Here is my all-time favorite UTube video. anita Renfroe is hilarious and I think captures Mothering Young Children in a nutshell!! If you have seen this you will want to see it again. If not, you will love this... Enjoy!!

Bitter-sweet blessings

Yesterday afternoon I pulled out my good ol' film Rebel to laon to a friend. I had not used that camera in nearly four years. When I got it out, I found there was a roll of film in it. I shot the last few frames and dropped the film into my purse. This morning I took it in to have it developed. The pictures were from a fun day at Crockett during Sam's kindergarten year. The pictures were not the greatest quality, but it was a sweet memory. It was good to see images of my sweet little man laughing and having fun with his friends. I miss so much, but I know he is laughing and having a wonderful time in Heaven and I will see him again and be with him for eternity!! I also know he is with the one and only One who could love him as much as Roscoe and I. So... here are a few glimpses of the sweet blessing I recieved today.