The last weekend of the school year was also the end of rec center volleyball. It was such a joy to watch this undefeated team win yet again. (I actually felt sorry for the opposing team.) Afterwards there were donuts & gifts, photos & laughs + gratitude for this opportunity. The night before these guys also beat their parents (Hubby included) during the last half of their last practice. While Kate chose to stay with A & P to exercise, Hubby and I went home to check on the rest of our children, take the dog to the groomer, drop Danny & J off at the rec center while picking up K, taking Michelle and Natalie to the dance studio for Michelle’s recital photos and purchase gifts for teachers. I thought it was so sweet M & N still love their teachers and want to buy them things and it was fun going around town with them for very specific presents. By the time we were done it was time to pick up Maisie from the groomer and the boys from the rec center. Then it was time to start packing and see if we needed to go shopping for our summer vacation. After hours of that all six of us humans opted to go to the thrift store and eat out at Freddy’s. As we got in the truck and sat around the table at the restaurant it felt so good for all of us to be together with nothing left on the calendar for the day.
Sunday found us at Church, getting more preparations done for our trip, Michelle auditioning for the competitive dance team (she decided she really missed it -- and is now on the Hip Hop Crew again!), our ministering brothers coming over to visit, and eating dinner with H’s family at their house. H was on Kate’s club team and it was a blast to spend time with their family enjoying their property (including meeting their two goats), talking, eating, telling stories, and having root beer floats for dessert. We were having too much fun to even think about taking a picture.
Monday & Tuesday brought things like final assignments being turned in at the middle school like Michelle’s Aztec newspaper for social studies, Language Arts presentations, math tests and all those other end of year things, field day and softball for Natalie, frog dissection in science class and baseball games for Danny. Hubby got to go to Danny’s Monday baseball game (not a fun one since they lost 6-7 and my favorite boy struck out three times) and Natalie’s field day (he said he was grateful for her white hat to make her easier to see), and her softball game (she only told me it was cold). I got to do things like upload all our proof of vaccination and go to Danny’s Tuesday baseball game. This game was a bit more fun with mercy ruling the other team 13-0 but one of our players got hurt and couldn’t play the rest of the game. I kept the camera put away out of superstition so I only have a photo of the boys at the end of the game. The rain had been holding off and it started drizzling right as Danny and I got to my car. By the time we drove to Raising Cane’s for dinner it was raining pretty hard. Totally worth stopping there and getting a little wet so that when we got home all six of us could eat dinner together. How I appreciate family dinners after so many busy nights!
Natalie told me the professional photographer definitely wasn’t a softball player with the way they had her stand for her picture. I love it anyway because she is my favorite softball player ever.
Our middle school graduate! I did get a little emotional the afternoon of her last day of school (one day before everyone else’s) but luckily someone had brought gluten free oatmeal raisin cookies to work so I just stuffed my face with one of those to remain composed in the classroom. I got to sneak out to the den during my break to watch a bit of the slideshow & tried to see her in the mass of 8th graders at the amazing celebration they got to enjoy while I waited for the bus with my students. I am so grateful they could party and end middle school on a good note. Speaking of ending on a good note, Kate finished middle school strong with all A’s! Woo hoo! I think that’s pretty impressive considering she was also in two volleyball teams this spring. Congratulations, our first middle school grad!
The last day of 7th grade this guy looked a bit serious but promised me he was just tired. He worked hard at the physical therapist the day before and is making great progress in healing his throwing arm. I got to see him playing basketball during the end of year picnic and he didn’t look tired then. They grilled hot dogs, had apples & apple sauce, fresh veggies, chips and even ice cream sandwiches. I noticed Michelle and her friends didn’t seem to know about the ice cream and when I told them three of the girls stood up and literally ran to get them. It was great.
Last day of 6th grade and ready to pass out the rest of her teacher gifts. I loved the emails and texts I received from grateful educators that were pleased that she cared enough to know exactly what presents to give. Michelle achieved her goal of getting all A’s again this quarter and might be my most excited kid for summer to start. In the excited for summer category I think I win, though! I have absolutely loved being at my children’s middle school with wonderful co-workers and students and community but it was no cake walk. I’m ready for a rest and time with my family before I begin again in August.
Natalie opted to stay at school after her picnic to spend as much time with her wonderful teacher as possible before summer. I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before but we are so very grateful Natalie could have the same teacher this year that she had for first grade. It was great to be able to schedule my lunch break so that I could join in on the picnic fun a little and snag a picture of these two wonderful humans together.
My last day of school/work ended with SR taking us all to eat at Bad Daddy's Burger Bar together. It was a wonderful way to end the year with the people who have been there with me Monday-Friday for months on end. I am so grateful for them and all the things they have taught me. Happy summer!
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