School's Out for SUMMER!

It is officially summertime at the Lee House

and we have got the GRUBBY feet to prove it!

Today was Ella's last day of kindergarten!  

She looks like (and thinks) she is 6 going on 16!

Both Miller and Ella have had such a great year

with such sweet, sweet teachers!

And of course our ViVi!

Vivi is their adopted grandmother.  She has loved on Ella since she was teeny tiny.  Ella is Vivi's first Covenant baby to graduate and go to "big school."

And this year not only did the kids get lovin' from Vivi everyday, they also got lots of hugs 

(and suckers) from Miss Tara.

If you ask Sara Wells who her best friend is, every time she will answer "Miss Tara."

Tara is moving to LA this summer to be with her beau.  Oh we will miss you Miss Tara!

This afternoon we headed over to the Baker's to celebrate Ann Tatum's 5 birthday!

These kids are growing so fast!  I remember the day she was born just as vivid as when Ella, Miller and Sara Wells were born!

We played all afternoon and evening to the point of major meltdowns, but isn't that what summer is all about?  Long afternoons and evenings, spending time together with friends and enjoying not having to be anywhere!

Now I know this may be a little late, but I also know everyone has not finished school yet.  And if you are like me, you may not have found that perfect gift for your child's teacher that has that extra touch that shows just how special they are to your family.

So, if you are like me and still looking for the perfect gift the week before school gets out, look no further. (If you are on top of it and already have teacher gifts, you can just store this idea away for next year)

All you need are vases, #2 pencils and your handy dandy glue gun.

I got these stem vases at Hobby Lobby and I thought they were the perfect size, but you can use any size.

 You need lots and lots of pencils (I used around 22 for each vases).

 Beware, if your kids are around while you are making these vases,

 they will find lots of other uses for the pencils and vases!

 Then you just hot glue the pencils to the vase.  It is really that easy!

I found it worked best when applying the glue to the vase.  For some reason when I put the glue on the pencil and then the pencil on the glass vase, it did not adhere.  But when I put the glue directly on the vase, the pencil always stayed.  I have no clue why.

And you will have a gift that keeps your favorite teachers smiling all year long!   

UPDATE:  Murray wants you all to know that Sara Wells is NOT a Tennessee fan (honestly, she might be the biggest Alabama fan in the fam).  My mom gave this outfit to Ella when she was a baby.  Murray almost burned it, but figured relationships were more important than football teams (just barely) so he allowed the cheerleader outfit to stay.  But somehow, this outfit is always a favorite.  So for the record, it has nothing to do with team choice, just comfy cute cheerleader outfit!  In the words of Sara Wells, "Woll Tide Woll!"