Rounding Out the School Year

We are well into summer vacation around here. Summer is supposed to be a time for a little more relaxation; a time to take a break from the hectic school year schedule, but it never really seems to be that way for me. Summer is just a different kind of hectic, but it has been nice not to worry about homework, carpool and that kind of jazz. The kids are having a blast, of course.

May is always crazy with end-of-the-school-year comings and goings. For Mary Kate it was a bitter-sweet month. She finished up her last year of junior high school and she declares that she is going to miss it. I told her that she is one of the luckier ones. Many people don’t have fond memories of junior high and aren’t sad to see those years behind them. I think she is an exception more than the rule to have had mostly a positive experience (except for that tiny little incident at the beginning of 7th grade that landed her in the hospital). Kids change so much in junior high. This is her on the first day of 7th grade…

I wish I had pictures of her with each one of her teachers over the three years that she’s been in junior high. She has had fantastic teachers at that school and they have influenced her in hundreds positive ways. I think she is well prepared to enter high school. Did I just say that my daughter is entering high school? How did this happen? I’m the one that’s not prepared for that!

As for the boys, they ended off the year with a week of parties and delight. Their teacher, Mrs. Daley, is a yellow personality all the way. She is all about having fun. I love this picture of the three of them. It just wouldn’t be right to post one of those boring, run-of-the-mill teacher/student pictures of her. Poor Mrs. Daley has 18 rowdy boys and only 7 girls in her class this year! She handled all the craziness beautifully. She has got a high tolerance for chaos.

I love this lady. She made 3rd grade a great year for my boys.

 

 
Doesn’t she have the most gorgeous teeth?

I can’t complete this post without mentioning the kid’s piano teachers. They are the greatest!

Miss Janet for the boys…

…and Miss Janet’s daughter, Alexis, for MK…

The kids had a recital on the last day of school and it was a great way to round out the month of May. They kids worked so hard on their recital songs, and they did a great job.

For FHE we have been going through the “For The Strength of Youth” pamphlet, one section at a time. Tonight’s lesson was on the importance of education. I really wanted to help my children understand how lucky they are to have the educational opportunities that they have. They are blessed to be able to attend good schools, they have had wonderful teachers who work hard to make school a successful venture, and they have parents who can provide some good educational experiences outside of school. I hope my kids will understand how lucky they are and take advantage of the opportunities they are given to learn and expand their minds. After all, what’s in your brain is all that you can take with you when you leave this life. Better fill it up!