Another Ending....

The school year is officially came to an end.  All the weirdness aside our schools worked hard to make each child feel like they counted.  

First up was SRIS with Ryder being a band student he got to be one of the first to check out.  I was really anxious after the whole bathtub incident.  He passed his instrument inspection with flying colors.  I asked Mrs. Woods if what he did was correct.  She smiled an assured me that if he followed the instructions in her email it was perfect.  I could finally relax.  Next station to visit was the computer checkin (we didn't have anything).  Onto the next step library checkin (he turned in his band music).  Then the finance office (all good).  Then spread out on all the tables were binders, past project, and what I assumed were smiling teachers.  They were all hidden behind masks.  

Last stop!!!
A Crumbl Cookie from the PTA.

All this lasted for 20 minutes.  He is now officially a 7th Grader.

Checkout day for DHMS!!!  No special checkout time instead in alphabetical order.  The last name of Waters we are definitely at the end of the day.  We followed the arrows around the building, through the hallways, to finally arrive at the 9th grade lockers.  We had a little hitch she couldn't remember her combo.  Lucky for us there was a custodian near by with the key.  Unlucky for us it was jammed.  Opened with very little inside besides wrappers and a container of Ranch that looked disgusting!!!  It quickly found it's way into the nearby garbage can.  Next stop was computer & library checkin (no computer & a calculator).  Finance office was next up (nothing).  She got her ticket of her yearbook and we were off to find that stop.  Got it from her Honors Geography teacher who told me what a great student she was and was going to miss her.  The final stop was the cookie table manned by the principal Mrs. Monkers (she is changing schools next year) She greeted Reganne by name and wished her luck next year at the high school. 

Done with middle school!!
onto
high school!!!

Rylee didn't have an official check with being a senior.  If she did I wasn't allowed to go with her.  That would be so embarrassing to be seen with your mom.  Let's hope all her fees have been paid so she can receive her diploma next week.

We did get an email about seminary graduation this year.  No official presentations instead one of the bishopric would be bringing her diploma by with a treat.  We haven't always seen eye to eye on seminary each year.  I do know that she did make some amazing friendships over the past 4 years.

Rylee & Bishop Marchant

Seminary Graduate!!

We are so proud of these kids and all their hard work over the past 8 weeks.  This has not been the easiest of school years but we all survived.  

Bring on graduation!!!

You Need to do WHAT???

It is that time at the end of there school year with all the final assignments.  Ryder received an email from his band teacher Mrs. Woods that he needed to clean his baritone.  She detailed all that needed to be done to return it on check out day.  The instructions said to take it apart and give it a bath.  WHAT!!! won't that damage it??  No Mom, that is what we are supposed to.  

Just watch...

Not sure about this at all.

He has his snake
slowly cleaning each piece.

Now it needs to be dried.

Reassembled

Ready to play!!

He did a good job and didn't have any extra pieces left over.  I am still not sure this is what he was supposed to do.  However, I do trust him to follow instructions and do his best.  He is also talking about changing instruments next year for the trombone.  When I asked why he had 3 reasons.  The first being he could do jazz & concert band with it.  The second it's always good to learn new things and being able to play multiple instruments.  The third and final reason it is much lighter and he can bring it home every day to practice.  He hasn't complained all year about the weight so how can we deny him the chance to try something new.

Monday we will find out it is clean enough when we return it for school check out day.

Another Week Down

It's another crazy week full of school assignments & projects.  We even threw in smiles and even a little laughter when we could.  Ryder was also excited for swim to resume even if only for a couple of days this week.

Love this selfie I found on my phone.
She has been working really hard on her school work.

Dexter finding a spot to
cool off after a walk.

Ryder's science assignment.
Making a game to play.

The rules
His teacher was impressed and he received an A.

Graduation Gift from
the ward family.
It was filled with yummy treats, notes, and a book to read.

Boredom set in.
He found the cotton candy & snow cone machines
This was peppermint and it tasted pretty good.

Another one for the books.  We are slowly opening things back up and even slower in getting back to a new normal.  I am not sure when the craziness will break out but I'm sure that much longer on the staying home & staying safe will drive people a whole lot crazier.  It's only May and it is heating up as well.

The Filming

I have been dragging my fingers on this post for too long.  It won't change the outcome of her graduating or. turning 18.  I just like living in denial as long as I possibly can.  The first event of the graduation season was filming the graduates walking across the stage, having their names called, and passing through the school letters.

Let's get this show on the road...

Ready to go...

First Checkin Spot
Assigned a number.

Finding a spot to wait for our escort.
She found us and we started the procession.

Even nervous she makes it
look so easy.

Amazing

Last stop & last picture.
She has attitude!!!

The new normal?? Masks
They saved the best for last.  Cookies!!

The line is starting to backup.
We finished in record time.

Cars were backing up.

She is ready to kill me.
I needed one more picture to end the day.

She now needs to finish all her classes and finals.  She will then earn the paper that goes inside.  She was now ready to get out of the monkey suit and hang out with Ben for the rest of the day.  I appreciate the principal & staff for trying to make each one of these kids feel special and make the most of this crazy times.

Week 1555??

I guess not but if sure feels like one day is at least a year.  Celebrating birthdays, weddings, funerals, milestones all are difficult to do or to enjoy.  How can you celebrate and be happy when there is so much gloom & doom every where you look.  Here's to another week of finding the little ways to make the days brighter.  Even maybe bring a smile or laughter to our faces or to others.

Birthday flowers
My 54th Birthday was filled with birthday wishes from
friends & family through social media and text messages.
Dave & the kids bought plants for me to enjoy
for the rest of the summer.

Celebrating school assignments.
Ha Ha Ha!!!
Ryder has put his everything into each assignment
I love the responses he has gotten from his teachers
as they recognize his hard work & determination.

Shared this special picture for Mother's Day.
This was the last time all four of us were
on the front porch.
This was once my stage while staying each summer.

Another memory rediscovered.
Grandma Johnson's large jade plant.  I am
going to try and grow this tiny plant into a tree.

Happy Mother's Day to Me.
I colored my hair & wore my soccer uniform.  To
help me believe that all will get better soon.

We went to the park to
eat KFC dinner another memory recreated.

Celebrating can be hard on those struggling with the constant changes, negative attitudes, and just plain grumpiness.  Here's to another week with hopefully easing restrictions, school work coming to an end, and swimming slowly starting up again.

We hope everyone has a better week.  Keep smiling, staying healthy, and finding ways to service each other.

Has it been a week or a month??

I am so confused about what day, month, or even what time it is now days.  This week did have a few differences that made it stand out.  The weather has turned extremely warm.  AC warm before we even make it to May.  This usually indicates a long hot summer is approaching and its not going to pause long enough to catch our breath.  Maybe people will start feeling better getting outside in the sunshine and fresh air.  Getting everyone outdoors can prove a challenge but it sure feels good when we are there.  Staying home this week didn't really work.  We did maintain the social distancing and wearing masks while out and about.

Sneak Peak
at virtual graduation.
I am still protesting this happening.
However, it isn't doing any good.

Rylee's invite from Ben
for Prom on the Porch.

Cruise the Blvd
Get out and support local businesses.
Eat dinner, make donations, and see other people as they drive by.

Saturday Morning @ Gunlock
Kayaking is the adventure of the day.
The park was already closed due to the crowds.
We found this spot on the other end of the park.

Nice & quiet
and lots of fresh air without the
crowds.
Both guys wore themselves out time for a picnic.

Heading home @ 12:00
The cars were crazy with people everywhere.

Trying to catch a picture of the falls.
Picture not so good.
The state closed the falls down later in the day.
No way of keeping a safe distance.
This was the first time in 25 years that I have seen
the falls.  They aren't there every year.

Prom on the Porch
They are looking good &
having fun.

Sunday morning first
German Pancakes??

Gone in 5!!
They were yummy and not one complaint.
What took me so long to try these.

Sunday baking
Trying my hand at making bread, rolls,
banana bread, and muddy buddies.
Prepping for the week ahead.

My banana bread was good but definitely under cooked.  That is why it caved in.  It still tasted great and was able to share with co-workers since Ryder, Reganne, and I are the only ones that like it.  I'm very proud of myself with this accomplishment of making stuff that tastes good and other will eat.  It's only taken a pandemic for me to figure it out.  It's all in the yeast.

It's going to be another busy week the last days of assignments for Rylee.  Reganne working on assignments and returning school property.  Ryder working on school and getting back to swimming.

Everyone stay safe, healthy, and sane.  Hang in there for another week.  I am still looking for a pause button if anyone has one to share.

And Another One....

The weeks are starting to blend together and most days are the same way.  Get up, school, work, eat, argue, sleep, and repeat again.  Each day I get the privilege of trying to get school work finished this is making me not the person they want to see after work.  I am grateful for the weekend when thing can be a little more relaxed.  I just need to figure out how to get the house cleaned and grocery shopping done during the week.  This would really make the weekend relaxing.  I am going to really try harder this week to make this happen.

Why won't they eat the last one?
I am seeing this more and more.
Are they avoid getting yelled at or what?

This new fashion statement takes
a lot to get used to.
Between fogging up my glasses, smelling & feeling my hot stinky breath.
The worst is not being able to read anything without moving my glasses.
I had a serious headache by the time I made it home.

Curious Ryder has been dying to a hover board.
Ben had one that he was willing to bring it over.
He needed a little assistance getting on.

A little unsure and where is his
protection.  He definitely needs
a helmat and shoes.
 

He was off and riding.
Now he is begging to ride it inside.
No Way!!!!
I did find him in his bedroom riding it.
He soon wore out the battery so Ben took it with him
to charge it up.
This maybe a future birthday or Christmas present.

Sunday baking...
Yummy cookies with mini M&Ms

I also tried my hand at making rolls again.
These were absolutely delicious.
I just needed to share.  We took some to our ministering ladies.

The day isn't over yet.
He needed to shoot some hoops
since he was bored.

Love this time of year.
The air smells like flowers.
So glad I got this picture by morning the petals
had all fallen on the ground.

Loved the jets flying over as
a thank you to all the hospital staff on the
front lines.
They really are moving it took 10 minutes to get from Beaver to St George.

The weather is warming up maybe a little to fast this year.  The word from Salt Lake City is that restrictions maybe eased up as early as next week.  That would be amazing for everyone and get this world turning again.  We are all still healthy and kicking down here.

Everyone stay safe & strong for another week.