Before and After

This year, because of a trend I saw on Facebook, I took a "last day of school" picture of the kids. I'm glad I did this; it's great to see how the kids have changed over the course of the school year. Seeing the side-by-side of Josh was shocking. He's grown and matured so much this year. This is a new tradition I hope to carry on, at least for as long as the kids will let me take "first day of school" photos. 

First day and last day of 5th grade.

First day and last day of 8th grade. 

School's Out For Summer!

Well. It's official. We no longer have an elementary student in our family. Both Josh and Carley attended all six years of elementary school (K-5th) at one single school. In other words, for the past nine years I have been taking a child or two to and from Coyle Avenue Elementary every single school day. Elementary school never felt quick when we were in the middle of it but now that it's over, those years feel like they went by in a flash.

Carley had her promotion ceremony a couple days before school ended. The principal put together a really great slideshow of photos, which culminated with a kindergarten photo of each child immediately followed by a current photo of the same child. She even added some of teachers' elementary school photos. The 5th graders were each called up to receive a certificate and the ceremony was followed by a buffet of breakfast pastries and fruit. 

Carley is front row, 4th from the right

Mrs. De La Torre was Carley's 4th and 5th grade teacher. She also taught Josh in 4th grade.

As Carley heads to middle school, Josh is moving up to high school. I'm still having a hard time grasping that concept. 

Josh's 8th grade recognition ceremony was on the last day of school. They also were called up for awards and provided a continental breakfast buffet. 

Josh is 14, which means sometimes he does not like me to take photos or "embarrass" him when others are around. He also didn't want to stay at school any longer than necessary. Because school was out at 11:00 am, 8th graders were allowed to leave with parents as soon as the ceremony was concluded and he didn't waste much time saying good-bye to anyone, including teachers, before we headed to the car. Just like that, he's a high schooler.

There you have it; school is out for summer. In two months, I'll be taking one to his first day of high school and the other to her first day of middle school. I tear up if I think too much about it. 

What Happened in May? A Lot of Things!

Carley took five days of spring swim lessons. She ended up taking eight more days in June, as well, to strengthen her strokes. She wants to try out for swim team next year.

Carley played in her very last elementary band concert. She starts middle school in August and did not choose band as her elective. She'll be taking art and performance in school, which is still falls in "visual and performing arts" so not too bad. She is looking forward to expanding her experiences.

Mother's Day was in May. Carley made me breakfast in bed.

Josh went to his 8th grade dance. I cannot believe he's finished with middle school! He's in the back row.

My Girls on the Run team ran their 5k! I started co-coaching a Girls on the Run team at Carley's school back in February.  It's a really great program for 3rd-5th grade girls that not only incorporates exercise and goal setting but the lessons also cover important topics such as self-esteem and celebrating individual
qualities. The team met after school twice a week. All teams in the area ran the Girls on the Run 5k in May. I was so incredibly proud of Carley and all the other girls on our team for accomplishing their goal.

The girls needed an adult "running buddy" to run the 5K with them. Since I was a coach and needed to be at the finish line, my friend, Christy, ran with Carley. Thanks Christy!

 Carley received an award from her teacher for improving her reading over the course of the year. Carley really did work hard and through individual tutoring and help at school, she brought up her reading a couple of grade levels.

What Happened in May? Crazy Ice Cream Day!

You may remember we have an annual Thiel holiday, created by Carley: Crazy Ice Cream Day. Usually we celebrate during the last weekend in April but this year it was postponed a weekend. 

We held our 3rd annual Crazy Ice Cream Day the first Sunday of May. 

This year the kids invited a couple more friends to join us. I put together a couple games to make the event more fun than just eating ice cream. 

I think the mini-party was quite a hit and the ice cream was delicious, of course. Just looking at these photos makes me smile, especially the ones where you can tell the kids are really having a good time. 

Pin the cherry on the ice cream.

Our sundae bar.

First person to get the cherry out of the whip cream and stand up wins!

What Happened in May? A Track Meet

Our school district puts on an open invitational elementary track and field meet each year for 4th-6th graders. Each year, including when Josh was younger, I would only hear about the track meet after it happened. This year, because of my involvement in PTA, I heard about it ahead of time! 

Carley participated in each event: long jump, shot put, 70 meter hurdles, 370 meter run and 70 meter run. 

Students could only participate one time in each event. Each flight included nine students and each child received a ribbon for their place. The highest Carley received was 5th place but she went out there, gave it her all and had a great time. 

long-jump

shot-put

5th place in long-jump and shot-put

70 meter hurdles

370 meter

70 meter

The meet was a fun event and Carley enjoyed participating with her school friends.