We're Back!

Well, we finished up the school year and I now have a 1st-grader, 6th-grader and freshman in high school at home to drive me crazy all summer! I had to teach the last few days of school, then we packed like crazy for 2 days, then left for our annual 10-day trip to the beach with all my family.

We had a great time with perfect weather, good food, fun family time and NO OIL!!! Thank goodness we were there in May! I'm getting 2 kids packed and ready for 2 different camps so I haven't had time to make a photo album of our trip yet. I always love to do that so the kids can get on here and look back at it through the year when they're missing the beach! So, check back in a few days. Here's a little teaser for now tho!

Dreaming...

It's official--I think the Strickland family is TOO busy and this momma is tired! Here's a list of what we've been up to the last few weeks. And why there's been no time to update our blog or cook or clean, etc.!

**Caleb's soccer games in St. Louis (he scored a goal last weekend as defender!)
**Hours of "The Sound of Music" play practice for Caleb
**Caleb got his braces off
**Both boys have been MAP testing at school
**Levi's Boy Scout meetings and upcoming campout
**Levi's track practices and meets
**Lori's root canal that won't quit hurting
**Mark's out-of-town trips for work
**Helping to get a bond issue passed for our schools
**Lori's still subbing for first-grade
**Organizing the sale of 3,000 tickets for Caleb's school musical
**Easter and family get-togethers
**Lydia's new haircut
**Lori trying to figure out the world of extreme-couponing

I could keep going on, but I'm sure you're worn out and bored by now so I'll quit. It looks like it will be this way for about 4 more weeks until school gets out, then we're all dreaming of this...our beach vacation! Can't wait!

Daddy/Daughter Dance 2010

Arrow of Light Ceremony

Last weekend, Levi received his Arrow of Light Award which is a pretty big deal in the Boy Scout world. This means he has completed every requirement in Cub Scouts and is now bridging over to become a Boy Scout. He's only been in scouting for a couple years so this is all new to us. He is now part of a new troop of guys that are in 5th grade through high school. They have some pretty cool outings planned, he's already been to Space Camp in Huntsville with them. And he's got his eye on the Eagle and is ready to work hard to earn it in the next few years. Here's a few photos of the ceremony. Great job, Levi! We are proud of you!

Walking across the bridge to receive his award.

Levi with his arrow to hang in his room! Not sure what Mark was explaining!


All the grandparents came to cheer Levi on!
Caleb had passed his soccer referee test this same day, so here's both boys with the patches they earned!

My new favorite song for this season of life...

Valentine's Fun...

Valentine's Day is almost here and we've been busy celebrating the whole month. Here's a few photos of our fun:



Our valentine flag in the snow we had a few weeks ago. For a snow day project the kids made this banner out of stuff we found in the scrapbooking box.



Last weekend, we had a heart-shaped cheese pizza from Papa Murphy's. It tasted much better than it looks in this photo!



This is our mailbox on the kitchen table where we've been writing love notes to each other all month. Lydia is really getting into this and writes about 10 each day that all say the exact same thing. I'm having to pretty much make the boys write some. They think they're getting too old for this kind of stuff.



And finally, the kids were out of school today so Lydia helped me make blueberry heart muffins for breakfast.

We (heart) Valentine's Day at our house!

Lydia's Big News...

It needs a little more wiggling!


It's out! Not the most flattering picture but it shows the missing tooth.


Thank you tooth fairy!


More exciting than the Super Bowl at our house last night--Lydia lost her first tooth! She was so excited and was up till after ten checking to make sure her tooth was still ready for the tooth fairy under her pillow! She is now 2 dollars richer and has the most precious little smile! She was off to school this morning to get her name on the class tooth chart and a little treasure box from the Nurse to keep her tooth in. The tooth fairy at our house lets the kids keep their teeth. Not sure why, since 20 years from now Mom will just probably find all their nasty teeth in their dresser drawer! The cutest part was watching Levi, who used to scream bloody murder when his teeth were pulled, telling Lydia how it's so easy and doesn't hurt or bleed at all! This was a hard tooth for me to pull--not because it wasn't ready--just because it was another reminder to me that my baby is not a baby anymore. I don't want anymore "babies", but the 3 I have are just growing up way too fast!