YEAR END

Lots of special moment this past week.  Brayden is officially done with elementary
 school-complete with fifth grade graduation ceremony and party.

He achieved a Gold metal in math this year- a big goal he set for himself.  So nice for him to want to accomplish something.  He is tons of fun but continues to challenge us a parents.  First born, strong willed and driven to win at all costs makes our life and his clash!  such a challenge trying to parent.

 

Brayden is moving into Middle school and our very special K4 teachers are retiring this year.  All four of our kids were blessed to have this wonderful team of teachers.  They loved our kids and helped ease us into this whole school thing.  So thankful for them and all they mean to our family.

The other kids also had special celebration in their class where they were recognized for their strengths and what they brought to the class this year.

Andrea also had a couple stories that she wrote and illustrated all put together in a book.

After 28 years of teaching this teaching is retiring.  She is beyond amazing.  She put this entire scrapebook together just for James of the entire year!!    She truely loves her job and her kids!

 Such a special class for Becca.  She was recognized for Loyalty, John 15:13  She is a great friend and had a great group of girls in her class this year.

 Of Course the end of school is never complete without fun day....of course rain and storms rolled.  The kids still had fun-games, blow-ups and snow cones made for a fun morning.

And as if all the school party's are not enouph we had to find some time to celebrate just a bit more!

Last couple soccer games have also come to a close...number one team this year.  A bit sad as they are not able to stay together next season.

Another party-to celebrate these fun girls.  I love that their coach took the time to award all these girls with fun names and their strengths...I love great coaches!!

Happy Birthday James-6 Years!!

The 26th couldn't come fast enough-James was counting down for his birthday and everyone else was counting down for the last day of school.  It was a crazy day and we ended up having to celebrate as a family on Friday-funny how the hours of the day just fly by.  Somehow between all the party's and year end celebrations and baseball games we were able to still have a special day for James...I hope!

After patiently waiting through-out the day we decided to open a couple gifts before heading out to the baseball fields.

Last game of the season.  We celebrated with some cupcakes.  So special that a good friend from church came to cheer him on along with his teacher from school.

 Finally friday we were able to have a little party...basically open more gifts and all the special cards that he got in the mail.

James was pretty excited about this package!!

not so much when it had something not for him.

We had convinced him that he wasn't getting a cake....that it was just a crazy week and cupcakes were it.  The girls had fun surprising him with the shark's tooth cake.  This was the cake James had wanted to make for brayden.

Silly guy.

Year End Activities

The school is almost finished...but not quite yet!  Today there were tears and lots of general grumpiness in the house.  Last monday should be exciting but after a busy weekend and knowing most of your friends are out of school today was anything but exciting.  These days are filled with lots of parties and fun memories...just wish they didn't all fall within such a small time frame.  This past week I was finally able to tag along on a field trip.  Brayden's last one of elementary school.  It was a lot of fun heading out to a summer camp and having class in the great outdoors.  The teachers were amazing and the kids loved it-I think I even learned some things.

 The kids counselor came along and spent some time talking about their commitments they made at the beginning of the year-she called them their "we wills"  we will be kind, include others, listen to other peoples point of view..... then had them write down which ones they thought they failed to live by, then burn them.  She reminded them that this is God's grace and forgiveness and that we all get a new start every day....That Middle school is a new start.  Such a wonderful talk...not sure how much these kids got sitting by a fire but hopefully some of it will sink it.

 This lady led the kids on hike...she was a wealth of outdoor knowledge!

 This station was a lesson in physics-kids had to build a catapult and see which could launch the farthest.  I had most fun seeing how they worked together-always a boss and then one kid out in their own world.

 They finished the day with a shelter building lesson.  By this time the kids were pretty much done, they were having a great time!

It was lot so fun this past week with a bonus thrown in.  NCAA Tennis was going on at TU and Annie's team was playing.  We became Pepperdine fans real fast.  The kids were actually able to follow the matches a bit and had fun cheering the team on.  So special to spend time with this family again.  These girls are amazing athletes!

More Party fun for James.  Finally a party for his teacher-with no loss for anything!  This teacher has endless patience and love for these kids.  After 28years of teaching at Metro this is her last class-such a special year for her.

And she still smiles even when a class pictures seems like a disaster.


Just some more surprise party fun.  Its that season when we are turning 40!  Surprise party this weekend for Marleny.  So fun to surprise and celebrate together with all the kids.

 I played lazer tag with this bunch...I am with Becca-craziness!

 Just for something else it was Brayden final state Baseball tournament this weekend.  The boys did great but came up against the bulldogs-again!  They came in second-so fun to see this crew start hitting big this season.

Just a couple more....Becca's last soccer game and I remembered my camera.  She is a tough player but has a softer side when she plays.

this is what these girls really love to do....laugh and giggle. I love that none of them knew each other and all go to different schools.

Just one more game left for Brayden.  After a tough season last year this year they learned to move the ball and work together in order to survive the full field and big boys-now they are number one in their division.