We Go Together

Carlee performed "We Go Together" from Grease for her dance recital this year.  It was held in the new Smith Center and it was fun.  She did a really great job and we loved cheering her on.

Waiting for the music to start

Chang chang chang-it-ty chang shoo-bop!

Wha oooh yeah!

We go together!  (Her shoe flew off during the rehearsal and she kept on dancing.  Luckily it stayed on during her performance.)

Miranda, (We can't remember her name), Sienna, Brooke, Evelyn, Carlee, Leah, Olivia, Eliza

Carlee and the Smith twins--Eliza and Olivia

 

After the recital and to celebrate being out of school, we headed to Max Brenner for lunch.  It is a yummy restaurant known for chocolate and great desserts.  It even smells like chocolate and the kids were in heaven.

 Yummy!  Chocolate Shake for Clark and Milky Way Chocolate Shake for Jake

Carlee's Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows and Kate's Make-your-own Hot Chocolate Concoction

 Carlee got a marinara shot with her pasta, Jake got a Make-your-own Pizza, Clark got grilled cheese, Joe got a burger, and Katelyn and I shared a panini and salad.

Chocolate pizza for Katelyn's dessert

The boys shared "Fondue for Two"

The rest of us tried a little bit of everything and waited for gelato outside the restaurant.  It was a great way to kick off the summer!

Last Day of School

I LOVE THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

I love that it is relaxed and the kids just have fun being together with their friends before the summer.
I love that they don't have to haul backpacks and homework into school.
I love that it is only a couple of hours.
I love that they get to party with yummy food.
I love that I get to be there and take pictures of all of their friends.
I love to catch those sweet last moments with their teachers.
I love that there is no more STRICT schedule.
I love that we don't have to get up early anymore.
I love that we can stay up late if we want.
I love that we don't have any projects or homework.
I love that summer is here and I get my children home with me all day (mostly;)).

On the last day of school, Jake woke up sick!  He had a stomach-ache and looked a little pale and did not want to get out of his pajamas.  He was in a major dilemma because he wanted to see his friends and get signatures in his yearbook, give Mrs. Evans her thank you gift, eat ice cream at their party, and be with his class one last time.  Clark got off to school on the bus and Katelyn was ready to head out the door with the carpool.  I told Jake that he could stay home and if he was feeling better, he could go with me into school later when I visited the classes and took pictures.  He curled up on the couch in the loft and went back to sleep for another hour.

Carlee and I got ready for the day, did our morning chores, and prepared the snacks for classroom parties.  When Jake woke up, he felt much better so he got dressed and we went to school.  We visited his classroom and everybody cheered when he walked into the door.  Mrs. Evans gave him a big hug and was relieved to see him on the last day.  She was so sad that he hadn't been there first thing in the morning.  I left him to enjoy his class activities while Carlee and I went to Mr. Charltray's room for Katelyn's pizza party.  We ate some yummy food and hung out with the fourth graders for a while and then went back to second grade.  We watched a slide show of the kids presenting commercials about saving the earth and Mrs. Evans handed out awards, treats, and report cards.  Then we went back to Mrs. Montgomery's class to hear her last thoughts about her class, hand out report cards, and give hugs.  Katelyn came along with us and we headed back to Jake's class for last-minute pictures and hugs.  It was a great last day!

We made an "Apple of My Eye" basket for the teachers this year.  It was a hit!

Aspen and Katelyn doing some jingle they made up.

Mia, Alyssa, Katelyn, Aspen, Summer, Sara, Lauren, Audrey, and Cheyenne

Aspen, Summer, Katelyn, and Mia listening intently to Mrs. Montgomery's farewell speech

 

 Mr. Charltray and Mrs. Montgomery team-taught 4th grade this year and both were wonderful. 

Cole, Julian, Enrique, Jason, Hayden, Jacob, Carlee (hiding)

Cole and Jake

Mrs. Evans held "Camp Evans" during the last week of school.  The tent was still up . . .

Signing yearbooks

Jacob became good friends with Blake, Mrs. Evans' son but he had a different teacher

We loved Mrs. Evans.  She is moving to full-day Kindergarten next year.  Too bad Carlee is doing half-day.

When we got home, there was a surprise waiting for my "smart cookies" to congratulate them on finishing another great school year . . .

A little shout-out to my girl

I have to give a little shout-out to Katelyn.  She is just a sweetheart and so helpful to me.  I can't imagine life without her.  She is such a ray of sunshine and her charming smile and dimples light up the room.  She has the best laugh and gets uncontrollable giggles that are contagious.  She has a great sense of style and loves to "dress cute".  She is always willing to help out with things around the house, making meals, and organizing or packing for outings or vacations.  She is the first to ask, "What can I do, Mom?" or "Is there anything else you need help with?"  And she usually does it with little complaining.  She never stops as long as there is work to be done. 

She also is a huge help with her little sister.  I was concerned that with a five-year age difference that Katelyn would be "too cool" or mature to play with Carlee but she is always so willing to play dress-up, dolls, school, house, pretend, and go along with Carlee's ideas.  She helps Carlee with baths and getting dressed.  They read stories together and listen to music while singing and dancing.  She always comforts Carlee when accidents happen or feelings are hurt.  Katelyn is truly a great big sister and an even better daughter. 

Katelyn is extremely responsible and is always concerned with the daily activities and schedule of where our family members are going and what they are doing.  Sometimes I tell her that she needs to relax and be a kid and I'll worry about the "parent" stuff.  She is dedicated to her school work and hobbies.  She is extremely ambitious and wants to do well.  Kate is a hard worker and we are so proud of all that she accomplishes every day.

Katelyn is a really good friend.  She really tries hard to schedule her days so that she has time to play with everyone for some amount of time.  It gets really tricky because sometimes feelings get hurt and she worries about that constantly.  If she is already playing with someone, she really tries to squeeze in other playdates to accommodate everyone and make people happy.  She loves to play with her friends, be silly, and have fun.  They are very imaginative and come up with some great games and ideas.  Katelyn is really easy-going and will play just about anything with a good attitude to include everyone's ideas.  Even if she isn't very fond of the game, she will be a good sport and go along with the group.  She is a natural peacemaker and makes sure that everyone has a good time and is happy.  If arguments break out, she tries to find the best solution and compromise.  She has a really good group of friends and they have so much fun together.  I am so grateful that they all bring each other up and are good examples to each other. 

We love you, Katie-bug!  Thanks for being who you are and working so hard to do what's right. 

End of the Year Awards

I attended the awards ceremonies of my kids during the last couple of weeks of school.  Each of my children received awards for their achievements this year.

Clark's Achievements:
*National Junior Honor Society (missed the induction ceremony due to his choice of attending Carlee's preschool graduation)
*Dean's Honor List (quality behavior)
*Quality Counts Award (quality academics)
*Outstanding Attendance
*President's Education Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence

Katelyn's Achievements:
*Honor Roll Award for exceeding standards in Reading, Writing, and Math
*President's Education Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence
*TRIGGS Award from March 2012

Awards recipients from previous semesters sang the school song before awards were given.  

There's Kate!

Smart girls and BFF's:  Katelyn, Aspen, and Mia

Jacob's Achievements:
*Honor Roll Award for exceeding standards in Reading
*"Being a Thinker" Award (individual classroom award from Mrs. Evans)
*TRIGGS Award from March 2012

Awards recipients from previous semesters sang the school song before awards were given.  

There's Jake!

Smart boys and best buds:  Cole and Jacob

Way to go, munchkins!  We are so proud of your hard work and accomplishments this year.  Congratulations!  We love you!

Girl's Night Out during Father and Sons

While the boys went on the annual Father and Sons Campout, the girls and I grabbed some friends and headed to Town Square for a night out of dinner, shopping, and playing.  We discovered this sugar store with enlarged candies and treats and the girls had way too much fun!

And around 10:00 when we were piling into the cars to head home, the girls begged for a sleepover and I gave in.  So much fun in a sugar store and being awake way past bedtime can only lead to a long, crazy night and lots of giggling!