Ode to Dallin, Thomas and Austin

I would just like to send a shout-out to three of our most devoted Baynes Family followers; Dallin, Thomas and Austin- Abby's dear friends from school and band. Here's are a couple of fun pictures from 5th grade Graduation and another from the 4th grade Spelling Bee for your viewing pleasure. You're Welcome! Now, I hear you are into poetry. Here is a Haiku I have composed just for you!

Be nice to Abby
All band nerds unite for good
Exclamation point!

And here's a limerick:

Riverside Meadows is great.
The students are really top rate.
Dallin is funny,
Austin's no dummy,
And Thomas is sometimes quite late.

Now, as much as I LOVE the views, isn't there something classroom work-like on which you should be concentrating? Also, remember to sell some doughnuts!!! 

First Day of School- 2nd Grade Edition

Today was Abby's first day of Second Grade. She has been so excited and just could not wait to go. She was totally ready and loves her teacher already so we are all very optimistic around here. She doesn't have homework until Monday so that is nice for us all. Here's to a great year of learning!!!!

School's Out ...for... the Summer?!?

Today was the last day of school. At noon today, Abby will officially be a 2nd grader! Notice what she is wearing... it is JUNE in CALIFORNIA and it has been cold and rainy! Paul has been in hog's heaven.

So, the last few weeks have been busy with end of year/beginning of summer activities. A couple of weeks ago, it was Open House night and we got to see Abby's classroom. She was so proud to show us around. Here is a poem Abby wrote earlier in the year that the whole class memorized!
We were so lucky to have such a fantastic teacher... perfect for Abby. She knew where to push and where to praise and when to let things be. Abby and her friend even spent a little time every day in a 2nd grade class. Mrs. Levitt was awesome and we will miss her!
Wednesday was the end-of-year awards ceremony and Abby was presented with the Science Award... fitting, I think! If you are wondering if Abby is catching up to her class in height, judge for yourself.
On the home front, we were finally able to get something done with our weed garden AKA side yard. We in a tiny raised veggie garden (that we will expand every year), evened out the surface, killed and cut all the weeds, laid weed block paper and covered the whole thing in playground wood chips! Doesn't it look great? Well, the kids haven't really even played in it yet because the weather has been crazy (that is why the playhouse is against the house- to protect it from the wind). Now we are looking forward to filling the area up with play things for the kids. Next year we want to put in a nice, wooden playground but I think the babies are still a little young this year. Slowly, but surely, we are whipping the yard into shape! Next project: the broken back fence!

Liam's First Hair Cut

First, let me say, I LOVE LIAM'S LONG HAIR. However, even I had to admit that it was looking a bit mullety lately so I finally consented to have it cut. I still wanted to keep it a bit long, but I wanted the length in the back gone. We went to a children's haircutting place and had a really fun barber. Liam did really well and sat very still for him. He looks a bit like a hobbit- I think I'll like it better when it grows out a bit...

Bishop's Pumpkin Farm

I have been so terrible at keeping up lately. I will try to play catch-up for October. On the 4th, we made our annual trip to Bishop's Pumpkin Farm. We pet goats, picked sunflowers, rode a train, played on the playgrounds and ate some yummy food. Here are the pics: