Jason’s last day of school

Jason finished the 2’s class with Mrs. Cheryl and Mrs. Linda on Tuesday of last week. He had such a sweet year, and he has grown so much!

And here are a few pictures from the school year and last few days of school:

Leo's piano recital

Leo had a great piano recital on Thursday! Leading up to it, he was very nervous and didn't want to perform. But, his teacher was great about choosing a song he likes--Cantina Band from Star Wars--and not putting pressure on him. She agreed that he could play just the first page, even though it is a three page song. He played the first two pages, so I think that was a win!!



When it was over, he was SO STOKED! He didn't go to sleep until nine PM and talked all evening about what he might play next year. His teacher also let the kids circle the songs from other performers that they might like to play, and there were a lot of circles! I am so thankful for Miss Becky!

Part of the reason that Leo ended up playing the second page of Cantina Band despite his nerves was that he wanted a new Lego set! This is the one he chose and then built all by himself!

Supporting our teachers

Wednesday the big kids were off school because our county’s school system shut down due to so many teachers asking off for personal days to rally in Raleigh! In fact, 42 counties had to shut down their schools that day! We joined them, and I am glad we did. It was a great experience seeing so many spirited, helpful, kind people together in one place! The police officers were kind, too. Our favorite part was marching with a group with a woman in the center with a megaphone calling out the chants with a tuba player next to her. “Who’s schools?” “Our school!” Who’s voice?” “Our voice!” “Can they take it away?” “No!”

I wrote our state representatives and the standing house and senate education committee members ahead of time because I didn’t think that I could handle standing in line with the three kids. And I think that was a good decision, too. There were upwards of 20,000 people there. Here are some photos:

And just so I remember in the future, this is what I wrote in those letters:

Dear Ms. Barringer,

As a parent of a North Carolina Public School student, I am writing in support of the #RedforED #itspersonal teachers’ movement on May 16th.  Due to the lack of funding, compensation, and respect of our teachers and students, the North Carolina General Assembly has created an environment which now requires that we take action. It is in my highest hopes that you, as my representative, fully back and support the actions and decisions of our teachers during this movement.  Please know our community is watching, and we are expecting a model of integrity, dedication, confidence, and support from you toward those who work tirelessly for our children.  We as parents know the cost of what is being lost in our schools today, and we are here to ensure we take back what rightfully belongs in our classrooms -- funding, compensation, and respect.  

Personally, I cannot list the statistics and talking points, but I can see the degradation in the public school my Kindergartener and second-grader attend. I see the teacher assistants leaving and not being replaced, I see the PTA being asked to fund technology because there is no budget, I see good teachers leaving because the job is too hard for the pay, I see the building not being cleaned, air conditioned, and maintained as administrators make tough decisions with budgets. We can do better. Please keep NC public education a viable option for families. Without it, our economic growth will quickly falter and we will have lost more than we can make up.

We trust you will stand with us,

Christine Kraft

More days living the dream!

Just pictures of the last couple of weeks! Lots of fun!

Playing Legos with me before bed!

Museum trip just Jason and me!

Watch the garden grow!

Picking strawberries...

Lake Wheeler play!

Fun on the driveway!


Fun with friends!


Beautiful Mother’s Day flowers!


Herb garden 

Olivia is eight!!

Wow! Olivia is eight!! It’s hard to believe that eight years have flown past since we brought our little girl into the world. We are so proud of and thankful for her! She is a great reader, having read several series all the way through making her famous at the library for her number of holds and interlibrary loans! She is a sweet sister most of the time, Playing with both of her brothers in turn! She tries new things like lacrosse and new foods, and sticks with things she is good at, I like violin and swimming! We love you, sweet girl!

I have written this post three times now and it will never publish for me. I’m sick of it, so I’m just doing pictures of her birthday party on April 29 and then her day at school on Monday, May 7.

Birthday party on April 29 at BounceU since Nicholas was traveling the following weekend. The sweet girls had a great time!

And on her birthday, she woke up in a great mood, had a yogurt parfait with a maraschino cherry on top for breakfast, opened two presents and skateboarded through the house, and had a great time at school! Jason and I went in for lunch Bunch, she brought in a sweet to share with her class, and then we had a special birthday dinner with cake and open up more presents in the evening. Perfect for eight!

Thank you to all of our family who still seven’s presence! They really make her feel special. She love the skateboard and squishy’s, has already had a play date using the Barbie dolls and microphone, and has already learned lots of chess moves! She can hardly wait to use the towel set and fin at the pool!

And for the birthday quiz! 
1. How old are you? I am eight now. 

2. What makes you happy? A lot of things...music, Mommy, family, friends, pool, unicorns, rainbows 

3. What is your favorite animal? Dolphins and horses

4. What is your favorite thing to eat? Ramen noodles or yogurt 

5. What is your least favorite thing to eat? Asparagus 

6. What is your favorite thing to do? Skateboard 

7. What is your favorite TV show? Great British Baking Show

8. What are you really good at? Lots of things: skateboarding, violin, lacrosse 

9. What is your favorite movie? Lego Star Wars

10. What is your favorite color? Violet or light pink

11. What is your favorite song? Call me Baby

12. Who is your best friend? That’s hard: Mallory, Lalon, Malin

13. What do you and your Mom do together? Talk, play games, drink tea

14. What do you and your Dad do together? YGuides, silly games with the boys

15. What is your favorite sport? Swimming 

16. Where is your favorite place to go? The beach 

17. What is your favorite book? My Weirder School or Backyard Witch

18. What do you want to be when you grow up? A mom or a dolphin trainer