End of Year Festivities

The sixth graders did an end of year project called "Taking a Stand" where they chose someone or a group of someone's (my grammar aside) who took a stand. Ty chose to do the Spartan's Battle of Thermopylae. He did all kinds of research, a written report, a three-panel display, and then an oral report. He really wanted to dress up for the oral and we were able to find this shield and helmet. Although I was present at the oral report, I knew he would HATE me taking his picture there, so I waited until he was home.

That evening was Justin's Kindergarten Celebration. Justin has this thing for doing his own hair for really special occasions. The first time was for Christmas Eve when he was three (see flashback picture below). I had been hurrying around getting everything ready to head to Mom and Dad's and found Justin at the bathroom sink looking really spiffy.

Each class sang a song. Justin's class sang about the baby chicks they hatched in their classroom.

Justin and Mrs. Smith with his Kindergarten scrapbook. The children's scrapbooks were how I volunteered this year without having to go into the classroom. It was so much fun to put each of their classes books together. Just after I took this, we were walking out and he was really, really quiet. I asked what was wrong and realized his eyes were all red-rimmed. He was so sad to be saying goodbye. I assured him he still had six days of school with her. It was so Justin. Love that tender kid!

Dave finished his finals for third quarter and after one afternoon of getting the ironing caught up (he doesn't wait around for me to do it, because I don't), he got antsy. He doesn't sit still well for very long. I, personally would have no trouble reading, playing sudoku, word fill-ins, etc. for a week, but not him. Here he is sewing on the badges to Ty's new scout shirt (old one disappeared when he took it off to play bball, dang it). And below working on finishing the two chairs he decided to re-do last August and never finished :)

Abbie's big week is next week. Although this week (no pictures though), she talked to her class about throwing a surprise party for their teacher because her birthday is in July. She organized it all and they all pitched in to pull it off. They celebrated in style on Thursday.

Tuesday is the 5th grade send off. I've been furiously working to make banners and posters this week while she has been at school. I don't remember really freaking out that Ty was going to middle school last year, but I am really struggling with Abbie headed there. I really wish she had one more year in elementary. She is really excited to play the flute in the band. Our middle school marching band just took second place at the Junior Rose Parade in Hollywood.

Last day of school is Thursday, maybe it will stop raining for summer. May was the second wettest ever on record and June kind of started out the same way. Crazy weather.