ShannonAlbert.com - June 2009

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Payton: Mom, I'm officially a SEVENTH grader now!!!

Me: lalalalala, I can't hear you!

Payton: Mom, you need to learn to deal with it.

On Tuesday evening, we attended an event at Payton's school where awards were given to 6th graders for various achievements.

This is Payton sitting w/all of the 6th graders desperately trying to avoid me taking her pic...


Payton receiving the principal's honor award for her academic achievements...


As a winner in the alphabetic lottery, she was first to stand in the line of recipients and waited on everyone else to receive their awards...


Receiving her second award for obtaining perfect grades in citizenship from all teachers...


Andy and Blake playing rock, paper, scissors to keep Blake occupied...


We are so proud of Payton for her achievements inside and outside of the classroom!

We had a fun weekend. Saturday started off with Payton attending a friend's birthday pool party and then afterward, it was Mommy and Daddy's time to go to a party. For the first time, Payton babysat Blake while we went out. They did fine and Andy and I had fun at the party we attended. So nice to be able to spend some time together! On Sunday, we all went with Aubry's fam to see Shrek the Third. I had heard it wasn't as great as the others but I have to disagree. I thought it was fantastic! The addition of Justin Timberlake to the cast didn't hurt either. ;-)

This coming week is the last week of school for Payton. At that point, we will officially have a kindergartner and 7th grader. I'm not sure which is harder to deal with as both seem so implausible. When did our babies get so big?

When I was initially laid off and chose to stay home, I have to admit that I was pretty apprehensive. Blake's never been an easy kid to care for and I wasn't sure how it would go. It couldn't have gone any better. We sleep in daily and have very laid back times together. We grocery shop together, go at the park, play games, do workbooks, etc. As of Friday, Payton will be home with us and I'm sure that the 3 of us will enjoy our time together but I'm also glad to have had the last 9 months with just Blake and me.