Another grade under the belts

One school year ago....August 2013 

 And now its over.  Its summer time.  It flew by at times and at others it seemed like it was going the same pace as a sloth would.  They have all gotten older and grown.  Wowzer.

Cruz and Katanya have LOVED their teachers this year.  Katanya had the same one that Cruz did last year.  In fact, they share a lot of things in common.  I love that these two play really good together!  (Did I mention they are the exact same weight, right down to the ounce?  Except Cruz has 2 1/2 inches on her right now.)

Kirsten LOVED her teacher as well!  She loved every day of fifth grade.  It was her last day in elementary school.

For her fifth grade promotion, we bought a new dress and shoes.  I fell in love with the dress before she did and we bought it as a "back up dress" in case we didn't find anything else.  For $20, you can't go wrong.  It turned out after three stores and too many hours, we couldn't find anything.  So it was a keeper.  She ended up falling in love with it that evening.  (Because it passed the twirling test.)

We are so proud of our kids!  Here's hoping to a long fun summer and praying the kids start getting along so I don't wish for school to start sooner than necessary.

P.S.  McKay didn't want any last day pictures in so there are no comparisons.  I can't believe we only have three more years with her in high school before she is graduated and off to college.  When did I get so old?

A crazy scientist named Alfred

 

Kirsten had to research a scientist and do a project on him.  Creativity played 15 points into the project.  She came up with the idea to do a song, and with a few suggestions on tunes from dad, she came up with this.  I give her 115 points for creativity!!!!

What normal kids do

After Early Morning Seminary.... (this is the hour between seminary and high school)

Poor McKay, getting up at 5am can be really rough.  Our early morning seminary actually doesn't start until 6am (she leaves at 5:40) but she makes the effort to "go dressed to learn."  I'm so proud of her!   (Thank goodness I only have to drive once a month due to the neighborhood carpool!)

It couldn't have come a moment too soon!

Our first day of school in the year of 12-13. 

 

The kids were happy and excited.   Does anyone notice besides me how much "eighties clothing" has really come back.  Don't get me wrong, McKay looks super cute but it sorta scares me.

Katanya was all set to go with her zebra striped (with pink) pants. 

Cruz was all smiles because he had his shoes that were "just like dad's".

And Kirsten was excited because she got the teacher she wanted.  Its the last time these three kids will be together in the same school.  

McKay was also all set to go.  I've never really cried when I've dropped my kids off for school, especially Kindergarten.  But this year, as I dropped McKay off at the MASSIVELY HUGE High School, I choked up and shed a few tears.  I felt like I was feeding my baby to the wolves.  Here's to another great year!

Great Graduates!

While we are in the process of moving.... ....and yes, I moved this all by myself, with a little bit of help with my nine year old daughter, Kirsten.  She pushed while I lifted or balanced as I took a break.  After we got it loaded Kirsten came in and said, "We're dead."  She was referring to the fact that her dad may be extremely happy I was moving bigger things or extremely upset.  Although, I am quite proud of this accomplishment.  Anyway here is a flash back to a couple weeks ago on the last week of school.

Katanya graduated from Kindergarten.

It was weird thinking that my youngest will now be in first grade and I won't be going through the kindergarten stage again.

Cruz is going on to second, Kirsten to fifth, and McKay will now be in ninth and onto high school and early morning seminary.  McKay also graduated on the honor roll and the top 10 percent of her class.

Katanya received the positive attitude award.  I would have to say that all of my kids are super students!

How we do it in Texas....

I knew it was a big thing. They call it Wellness Day here but it is the same at Field Day or Play Day back home. I didn't realize just how big this was!  A week before school got out, I pulled up to drop the kids off in the morning and we saw all the inflatable toys in the parking lot, McKay's words were, "I'm jealous.  I never got this."

They started off the day bringing all the classes out and doing a dance.  Then by grades they got to perform there own cheer / dance to compete for the "year long banner rights."  From there it was a little fun run around the block for all the kids.  What a rat race!

I volunteered to go around will Katanya's class and help out where needed.  All of the classes rotated every 20 minutes.  There were games....

 Building / Creative thinking games, trampoline jumping inflatables....(On this mountain, I had to lift a kid up to put the last bucket on.  They were having problems sharing so we put them together for one big mountain.  As we were taking pictures a gust of wind came along and blew it over on them.)

Water stations, (why didn't Jacob think of this in Idaho)  

Water Inflatable Slides....

 and more water slides.

Judo demonstrations,

and bungee trampoline flip throwing things for the older grades.

By the time we had an hour left, the kids were exhausted.

This is one of Katanya's friends.  By chance we are moving right next door to them next month.  Its a small move (ha ha, is anything a small move with Jacob's things?), so hopefully going a couple streets down the road won't be too stressful.

I loved being able to come in and work with Katanya's class and teacher this year!  Her teacher is one of the best!  I have been grateful to have had FABULOUS kindergarten teachers for all of my children.

And last but not least there was a picture taking station.  We have to have pictures right?

I guess they really do go BIGGER in Texas!

We survived the big day.

The REAL official "first day of school" picture.
The question was asked, "What was your favorite thing about school today (excluding recess and lunch)? Here is what they answered with:

Katanya: Laying on a towel for rest time.
Cruz: Writing.
Kirsten: The beginning when we did a work packet.
McKay: Not getting lost. (Which I honestly felt sorry for her when I dropped her off and she was left in such a big school and not yet having a schedule and knowing where any of her classes were.)

I think we can definitely handle the rest of the school year.

Upcoming countdowns (#1)

Who thought this day would ever come? I can't believe it has been almost 3 years since he started. Jacob is graduating! I know it's a shocker but I'm proud of what he has done and what he has shown the kids. It's never too late to take control and accomplish your goals. So the countdown: one week and Jacob will be down with school. One week until graduation. One more week of projects and labs and not getting home before midnight. One more week and hopefully I can have a life with my husband again. I'm looking forward to what the future brings.

Graduation is Saturday, April 9 @ 8:30 a.m. for all those who can come. Everyone is welcome.