Dueck's Roost

I just love this girl! Have I said that before??;) One of many thing I love doing with her is attending the annual Pacific Ballroom Dance spring showcase. We have a great time being together and watching all the fun student performances. Getting into our seats before the show. Just striking a little pose Love how full of excitement she is! What's up with the bunny ears??:-) Already looking forward to next year! Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Kevin's favorite yearly IT event--the CiscoLive! Conference--was just not quite as fantastic as last year (because I wasn't there of course;), but I think he still made the best of it and had a good time all the same. Ha ha. Just kidding. I'm sure he had such a great time in Florida, he probably hardly noticed my absence!!:-) Sounds like the conference was as well done as always, and in addition to many great classes, included a couple of performances--the highlight of which was a "customer appreciation" evening concert by Journey. Glad you enjoyed it, Hon, but nice to have you home:). - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

And last but not least, 5th grade moving on ceremony!! Can't believe my first baby is heading to middle school! So proud of him for who he is and all his dedication and hard work. Especially proud of him for diving head first with no reservations into elementary school and all that it has had to offer (from honor choir, to chess club, to battle of the books, to b-ball 3-on-3 tourney, to math competition, to class presidency nominee, and to everything else you've given your best throughout the years!) Way to make the most of life!! (Couldn't be happier with all his teachers, and definitely couldn't ask for a better best friend!) Porter, you're a fantastic kid! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

What's the end of a school year without field day?!! The weather cooperated this year (if just barely) and the kids had a great time. Pictures are minimal since I only stopped in for a few minutes, and just for the primary grades (Joseph's nap time trumped fun in the "sun"). Thanks to my awesome friend Diem for the few pics I do have. Mae and friend Eliza. Mae class tug-o-war. Brooks class tug-o-war. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Up next, porter and James also had an end-of-year concert. The program was super fun--centered around music from the 50s. It was great watching P & J in their own special parts. Porter with a speaking part ... (Hi, James) (Porter and new principal, mrs. Ray) And James as a Dance Captain ... (You rock it boy!:) (Yeah, you too, Marcel!) So happy that my boys have such great buddies!! Good work guys! It was probably a long couple of years not only sharing a bedroom, sports teams, and friends, but a classroom as well. You survived, though, and without even a fistfight. Oh, wait, that might be pushing it. Will just leave it at, you survived!;) - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Okay, so the fun begins ... In addition to a yearly talent show, the end of a school year also brings an array of busyness that, considering it's almost September, I must quickly account for in our family blog (soon to be blog book--I hope). To start off, we had a great time watching Brooks in his kindergarten concert. In perfect kinder-style the students performed a few adorable songs ... (Joseph sure liked them) And then each received a special award--brooks for his reading I'm pretty sure (that's his wonderful teacher on the far left in orange, btw--ms. Sanchez). Finally, we attempted to watch a slideshow of the kinders throughout the year. Unfortunately, the setting sun made it very tricky to actually see the pictures, but it was a nice thought all the same:). And on to 1st grade!! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The school talent show this year was somewhat hijacked by the Dueck kids. Mae and her good friend Lauren began planning a gymnastics routine almost before Christmas brake had ended, James decided to perform an accordion song and play a heart-and-soul duet with porter, and in addition to porter also playing a piano song of his own, it turned out he (and classmate Kaitlin) would be the MCs for the evening. They all did a great job. Unfortunately my iPhone camera was malfunctioning and Kevin was late arriving so pictures are fairly limited. Here are a couple, though, of porter doing a great job conducting the show ... And here's a couple of the waiting performers (James on the far left in a blue-gray shirt, and Mae and friend at front in pink and black). Great job, guys! I'm proud of you for practicing hard (mostly;), and getting up in front of an audience even though it can be a little scary! Posted using BlogPress from my iPad