Emma's year

I attended the 7th grade awards today.  That means Emma is finished with 7th grade.  There is one day left of school, but that is just a formality.  All else is done!

It has been quite the year for Emma.  She has physically changed a lot in my opinion. She has no more little girl look to her.  I just see a young woman when I look at her and I'm not sure I like that.  I am so very proud of who she is and who I see her becoming, but it's still hard. She is my baby and she is almost 13!

August

end of April

This year Emma accomplished many goals.  First and probably the biggest accomplishment physically and mentally was gymnastics.  She loves being at AIM after a rough start and horrendous time in the fall.  She made it to the level 5 state meet and did considerably well considering she competed on a broken toe.  Emma has been at AIM for just over a year.  The other week on the way home from practice she and I talked about all she has accomplished in that time.   During our discussion she said "they (meaning Deanna and Debbie her coaches) broke me mom, but I survived and am stronger for it".  She said she has no regrets and is so glad she is at AIM.  In all honestly I was speechless and on the verge of tears when she said that.  To hear your child say they were broken is tough stuff, but it is so true.  They did break her, but in the best way because she is a better and stronger person now than 12 months ago.  It was hard to watch and to know what to do during the process.  I failed her many times I am sure, but Drew and I muddled through with her.  She has much more confidence in herself and her abilities.  She is a self admitted lazy gymnast and she likes to be challenged now.  Seeing her work through all the very, very hard stuff at AIM....no words for how happy Drew and I are for her.  She is a tough cookie and that makes me so proud!  Her last year as gymnast is going to be great!

Emma completed her first year as a NCL Wildflower member.  She completed the required hours and then some, but not too many.  It was a true challenge because of her gymnastic schedule.  However, she dedicated time and effort to more than 10 charities.  She completed more than 50 hours.  Her favorite place to volunteer was the Atria, which is an assisted living facility.  Mine too and it makes me happy to know that we can share this journey together.

Finally, Emma did so well at school.  She was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society in April and she finished 7th grade with all A's.  She struggled all year in math and somehow found the time to go to tutoring when offered.  She worked hard and had a 90 for the year.  Honestly, that is huge.  She hates math, but she had a great teacher and that made all the difference.  This is the second year she earned all A's in her pre-AP classes.  She has already decided she wants to leave Strack next year having accomplished that again.  You go girl!

Getting her NJHS award

7th grade awards with her bestie Ashlynn

It's been quite the year Emma.  You are amazing and we are so proud of you!!!

Back to School---2015-2016 edition

Another school year began this morning. To celebrate the end of summer and to complete another summer bucket list item we had a fancy dessert last night.  The kids picked a trifle and it was delicious.  We had a really light dinner so everyone could be very glutinous and eat as much dessert as they pleased.  We ate the entire trifle last night!

Everything was homemade except the angel food cake

Everyone went to sleep easily last night obeying bedtime for what I hope will be many nights to come.  Then this morning four little and not so little faces greeted me as I woke them.  Elena was definitely the most excited to get going and to ride that bus! 

Elena, Samuel, and Jonah will all be at Haude Elementary this year.   They were all excited about their teachers.  Elena was the only one excited to ride the bus.  That will probably change!  It was 40 minutes late this morning and I really hope that changes quickly!

Elena said the best things about her day were the monkey bars at recess, meeting new friends, reading books, and going to art.  I think she had a successful first day.  She has talked about it almost non-stop since I picked her up after school.

Samuel liked recess, lunch, math, science, but he did not like music.  Apparently he does not like to sing!  He was smiling almost this big at the end of the day!

Jonah said he had a good day.  He likes his teacher and is excited to go to his switch class tomorrow.  He was happy to have lots of friends in his class.  He never shares too much, but he was smiling so it was a good day!

Emma is at Strack Intermediate again this year.  Lucky girl does not have to leave for school until 8:30 where as the other three leave at 7:30.  Emma was the least talkative about her day which was no surprise.  She was happy not to have homework today and is trying to decide if she wants to try out for regional orchestra.  She was bummed that none of her classes were with her BFF Ashlynn.  She very much liked leaving school one hour early!

These four kids have been attached to my side for years.  It was strange to see them all off this morning.  It was even stranger not to pick up Elena at the ECLP at 2:30.  I kept looking at my watch so I wouldn't be late and it didn't even matter! I know they are well prepared for the year and will do well.  I wasn't sad...even with Elena starting Kindergarten.  I was happy they were all happy and thankful they like school.  What's not to be happy about when they smile like this or are just so silly!

We are excited for school!

But we are still a little sleepy!

Her sleepy pose

Emma got up and dressed in time for a group picture

Can't wait to see the journey my kiddos take this year.....

Today was the first day of school

How on earth is the summer over already and school beginning? Jeez!!!  Since I can't stop time this morning came way to quickly and I sent three kids to school on the 

bus and took Elena to school. Our new schedule is in full swing. 

Emma is in 6th grade and starting at Strack Intermediate.  I asked Emma how she felt this morning on the verge of new adventures and she said "good and a tad nervous!"

She had a good first day and was happy to learn that her BFF is in her science class. 

Elena is finally in Pre-K. That is her sentiment while mine is shock. When I asked her how she felt this morning she said "I am so glad school is finally starting."   Elena had a fun day and was excited to see her friends again. 

 

The girls are the last two at the house. The boys get the bus at 7:25am, but I did manage a group picture just after Emma woke up. 

Silly girls 

Jonah is in third grade and will have switch teachers this year. Jonah reporting feeling nervous this morning, but said he had a good first day. His favorite thing today was doing no work. 

Samuel is in first grade and very excited about school.  This morning he said "I feel awesome and lucky to have a great teacher!"  He also had a good day, but wasn't feeling as lucky as Jonah. Samuel had to do work today. 

I hope the enthusiasm continues...well for the most part at least!  Here's to a wonderful and rewarding 2014-15 school year. 

Meeting the teachers!!

This day has been on Emma, Jonah, and Samuel's radar since school ended.  Which teacher would they get? Who would be in their class? Well, this morning all the happiness and sadness that accompanies "meet the teacher" day occurred.  Thankfully, it was mostly happiness.

First, we visited Samuel's class.  This child is so excited to start kindergarten on Monday.  It was a definite that we would visit his class first.  Having only the knowledge of Emma and Jonah's past teachers, Samuel did not have many opinions on his teacher.  He was hoping for Ms. Yelverton who was Jonah's teacher.  Well....

He got his wish!!!  I was so thrilled for him and me.  She is a wonderful teacher and very easy to work with as a parent!  Kindergarten here we come!

Next we visited Jonah's classroom because it is down the hall from the K wing.  Emma was displeased to have to wait again!  Jonah did not get his wish for a teacher, but he did not seem to care.  He was pretty happy about some of the friends in his class.  I, however, like his teacher and have heard many good things about her.

Finally, it was Emma's turn.  Emma has never, ever gotten the teacher she wished for all summer.  Never!  This year was no different...poor girl.  However, that was all in the past when Emma saw that two of her best friends will be in her class.  All was right in her world again!  Emma will have three teachers which I think is good practice for middle school.

So, despite some disappointments, I think we are going to have a good year.  Emma, Jonah, and Samuel left Haude excited for Monday!  I can't believe I will have three kids at Haude....Emma in 5th, Jonah in 2nd, and Samuel in K....goodness!

The last day of school...finally!

Today was finally the last day of school.  It seems like the past 2-3 weeks have taken for ever to pass, but we all made it!  Emma and Jonah both had great years.  Jonah learned so much in 1st grade despite having merry-go-round teachers.  Emma loved her teachers and learned that consistency is a good thing.  They both worked hard and earned great grades....all A's and one B for Emma.  Jonah and Emma received three awards each this year.  Both received "Beat the Bell" aware for no tardies and the Conduct award for excellent behavior all year.  Jonah was on the all A honor roll for the year.  Emma was on the all A/B honor roll.  They are kind, helpful people and good students!  Drew and I are so proud of them!  They are now officially 2nd and 5th graders. 

They have also grown so much since last August...

And today...

Next year we will have three kids at Haude.  Samuel will be in Kindergarten!  Elena will finally join the ranks of those going to school.  She will attend the ELCP at our church two days a week.

I wonder how big they will look to me at the end of the summer....

Let the fun begin....it is officially summer at our house!!!!