Just call me "Cliff"

Parker is smart...
Parker is logical...
Parker is no nonsence...
Parker is wise beyond his years...
Parker is Cliff Clavin (mailman from Cheers)
Parker knows anything and everything. And if there is something he doesn't know, he will make it up or look it up!

For example...
I called home the other day and this is how our conversation went...
Me: Parker will you take out 4 cubes of butter from the fridge. I'm making cookies later.
Parker: I don't see them
Me: Top shelf by the milk
Parker: These sticks of butter?
Me: Yes, cube, sticks either way, set out 4 please.
Parker: These are actually more like Rectangular Prisms
Me: UGH!
I love that kid!
PS (if you ever need to borrow a rectangular prism of butter, let me know)

Awards Time

As the end of the school year gets closer....it's time once again for concerts, awards and all that jazz.
Speaking of Jazz.... Parker's Jazz group performed at the final awards ceremony at school.

I love listening to Parker play the Saxophone and was thrilled when he stood up to play a solo!

Parker received a couple awards ....one was for Straight A's

 The other was the Teacher award for Science. 

I couldn't be more proud of Parker and all his accomplishments this school year.

Now it's time to move on to 8th Grade....YIKES!

Jazzin' it up

Parker had his final Jazz Festival for this year. I wasn't able to attend, so passed on my camera to Ryan so he could record and take pictures of the event. He hasn't quite mastered all the settings on my new camera yet, so I didn't get very many in focus shots.

Nancie and Raynold came to attend again and thoroughly enjoyed the great music!

Sweet Music

I was just hanging in the kitchen minding my own business when I heard a beautiful noise coming from the living room.
Piano music was being played, but by whom? I hadn't forced gently reminded anyone to practice. Could someone really be playing on their own free will and choice? 
   I tip-toed over and peeked around the corner and found Parker playing up a storm!

It was truly beautiful music to my ears :)

I just love it when the kids practice piano, or saxophone, or sing around the house.  Loud and clear for everyone to hear... music brings such sweet harmony (pun intended) to our home!

Wash & Spin

This year Parker's Boy Scout troop did a car wash as a fundraiser for their scout camp. Parker and I were in charge of making signs to direct people and advertise the car wash. The scouts took turns standing on the street corner.
We were out and about and Parker happened to be on the corner holding the sign.

When he noticed us, he started waving and spinning his sign like you see many "sign holders" do.

They had a successful fundraiser, I'm sure my signs made all the difference :)

Band Festival

Parker went to Band Festival with his Middle School Band...
I was able to watch and support them while they were there.
Unfortunately I didn't get a good view of Parker (darn stands)

They did a wonderful job.  Mr. Kellerman is an amazing teacher.  His love of music truly shows as he teaches these kids....

They ended up getting a 1 - Superior rating!
Way to go!!!

He's a Life!

Parker has been working pretty hard in Scouts.
He was able to achieve the rank of Life as well as many merit badges

He is well on his way to getting his Eagle in the next Year! 
Parker has wonderful Scout leaders that help keep him organized and on track!

Parker's re-model

I have set a few goals this new year...(some easier to keep than others)
One of them is to organize/de-clutter/re-decorate a room each month.
I figure I can do it if I have an entire month.
So, where to start?
Parkers Bedroom.
Other than getting a new bed a couple years ago, his room has been neglected. No paint, no new baseboard, nothing.
So here is Parker's room before (well, one side anyway)

And now here is Parker's room AFTER..

The walls are a light grey and we have plans to do some graphic square design on the wall behind the bed.  We also still need to pick up a shelf for the wall opposite the bed.  But hey.... it's a good start!

New Year Eve 2011

What better way to celebrate New Years than with some photos of adorable kids :)

Happy 2011

House Call

We're so lucky to have an Orthodontist that makes house calls :)

Braces are now adjusted and ready to go!

More Photo fun

I just love it when Miranda will let me play with my new camera and photograph her.
(Parker also was willing to be in the photo's as long as he was aggrivating Miranda)

It was a beautiful winter day and we decided to get a few shots before it got too dark...

Merry Christmas 2010

This is the only photo I have of our gift opening time today (the kids will be so excited I'm sharing) because I got a new camera and kept trying to get it working....

But...here is some fun photos I took later on!

Jumping for Joy because it's Christmas!

Thankfully Miranda is a semi willing subject while I get used to my new camera settings!

Happy Christmas Eve

I love Christmas Eve.... I love being with family and the anticipation of morning.
Every year I take pictures of the kids by the tree and this year was no exception.
 (you can check out a slideshow of years past HERE)

So now we are off to bed to have visions of sugarplums dance in our heads

(I'm hoping I've been a good enough this year that Santa will bring me a new camera)