Meet JC Penney

The big 4th grade project

is Bottle Buddies.

Each 4th grader is assigned a famous Missourian

to write a report and make a figure for.

I was assigned James Cash Penney,

aka JC Penney,

founder of the department store

that is still around today.

I drew up a plan

and Mom and I worked together

to make him come to life,

complete with a shopping bag

and dollar bills in his coat pocket.

What do you think?

They look pretty close!

I was really proud.

The Runnin' Reeds

The last few years,

we've watched Dad run the LAKC 5K.

We decided to all take it on this year

I was pretty psyched.

Jack...well...

The crowd gathered,

and then...

we were off!

We all stayed together for the first half mile or so,

and then I took off.

Mom and Dad were sure they'd have to pick me up

and drag me on at some point...

but no!

Mom cheered Jack on for 2.5 miles

and then ran on so he could walk a bit.

We all finished!

I was first at around 28 minutes

Dad 31 minutes

Mom 35 minutes

Jack 38 minutes

(the official times never posted--boo!)

After a little recovery,

we all climbed the hill

to get to the kids' race

Tuck fell down.

He thought it was less fun after that.

I easily won for the bigger kids

with Jack close on my heels.

He said he let me win.

Hmm.

Turns out,

I won more than the kids' run.

I took first for the 14 and under boys.

Dad took first for 35-40 mens' group too!

Cheesing with our kids medals...

with a photo bomber

Cheesing with our new friend

(what was his name again?)

We decided it was pretty awesome

and we're already planning for our next family 5K...

Defensive player of the year

We've been faithfully gathering

every Saturday morning

on field 7

at 10:50

for Beckett's first soccer season

Boy, has he been fun to watch!

He's got a heck of a kick

He's also got this amazing ability

to hang back,

watch the field,

and keep the offensive moves in line.

His coaches have been impressed.

So have his brothers.

Great season, B!

Besties

What can we say???

The adorableness is hard to take.

Shareable 2

We got this awesome set

to build our own tents for the B and T birthday.

We've put it to good use.

And did I mention I got a big kid scooter?

I'm pretty awesome on it.

We needed to memorialize Weston's look these days...

Hat,

handkerchief,

shorts,

pulled up socks,

soccer slip-ons.

Nice.

And Mom and Dad aren't sure what to do

with themselves these days

when we all wonder off together

and play happily by ourselves.

More Mom and Dad bonding time!

Dad won't be pleased with this one,

but T and Dad are pretty cute.

And how about one with all the friends?

Some good times.

A whole lotta Legend

I've really improved my hustle,

my skills,

and my footwork this season

The hustle

Some skills (throwing while keeping my foot down)

and my footwork

I throw a maradona pretty regularly

I'm starting to make this look easy

(or easier any way)

Carnival!

We SOOOO look forward to this every year!

This year was the best yet.

We all took a turn in the hamster ball

Beck

Wes

and me

We ran the multiple bounce houses

and obstacle courses

until we were sweaty and out of breath

There were lots of new games to try

(Dad and Mike worked this one together!)

And of course,

we had to win liters of pop

Sugar, running, prizes, and more sugar?

A good time for all.

The 2nd graders get a field trip

It is a lovely spring day

(finally)

perfect for a field trip to Powell Gardens

There were all sorts of veggies and herbs

to taste and touch

pollen to collect

flowers to draw

and sculptures to climb on

We made ero-pots too

with little parsley seeds to plant later

My buddies and I had a pretty awesome time

goofing around

and running around the gardens

Thanks for coming, Mom!

A whole handful

Man, oh man.

I've been looking forwards to 5

for a long time.

Graduation from preschool,

starting kindergarten,

and all that stuff.

This is going to be a good year.