A few weeks ago we kissed goodbye to yet another school year. The last month seemed extra long to me since my whole world was building up to Harlow's arrival in the middle of April. After she arrived life paused and it seemed odd that the rest of the world (including school) kept scooting right along. Needless to say, we all had been looking forward to the end for a while.
A few days before school let out, Max's class did an end-of-the-year performance of songs/dances they had learned. Max was so adorable--especially with his dancing--that I was absolutely kicking myself for forgetting my camera. They also read their page from a "When I grow up" book they had put together. Apparently the report Reed did on his Scottish heritage (including tracing lineage back to royalty) had an impact on Max because he said that when he grows up he'd like to be a king. I thought it was an interesting choice until another little girl said she wanted to grow up to be a butterfly.
Reed and Mrs. Alspaugh. Mrs. Alspaugh is the best teacher anyone could hope for. She was wonderfully passionate about teaching the kids and just perfect for Reed. She really "got" his personality and creativity and masterfully encouraged the best from him. I was so disappointed to hear that she was retiring after this year, since otherwise Reed would have had her for 4th grade as well.
Reed and Mrs. King. Reed had Mrs. King for Math and Science and really enjoyed everything he learned from her. When we stopped by to say goodbye, she mentioned how much she enjoyed having Reed and appreciated his talent and abilities and helping to explain math and science in class from another perspective.
After I had Reed take pictures with his teachers, this is how he felt about me taking more pictures. Sorry Reed, but you'll thank me someday.
Max and Miss Kefauver. Max had quite possibly the sweetest, kindest, gentlest Kindergarten teacher ever. He was lucky to also have a few different great enrichment teachers as well, but I think having such a loving teacher was just the entry he needed to school.
I got Max out a little early and as we were leaving his class a little girl called out to him and ran after him to give him a hug. Not a surprise really, since whenever I would pick Max up from school he seemed to be friends with everyone. His stories from school often included details about another new friend he had made.
Ruby is not one to be left of anything--especially not pictures.
Being in the picture with Max was nice, but what Ruby really wanted was the sand bucket his teacher had given him. Oh, the injustice of not being in school yet!
On our way out Reed jokingly asked Max if he would carry his backpack since it was filled to the brim and weighed a ton. He really just wanted Max to pick it up and be amazed at how heavy it was, but instead Max just said, "sure" and carried the heavy load without a second thought. That's my Max.
After we left school we headed straight for the Fractured Prune to celebrate the completion of another school year. The boys had also gotten their report cards and we had plenty to celebrate. Reed got straight A's (which I was very happy about), but even more pleasing was the fact that, for the first time, he had gotten perfect marks in the study habits section as well. I know Reed knows his stuff, but he has struggled with keeping things organized and using time wisely in class. He had been conscientiously working on those areas, so I was thrilled to see his efforts had paid off.
Max's report card was equally wonderful, not only with perfect marks, but also with advanced proficiency listed in every area...including P.E. I could not have been happier. The kids capitalized on my joy and convinced me to let them get a "hole in one", which is two donuts with two scoops of ice cream. No shortage of sugar here.
I thought I was being so clever by having the kids wear the same clothes they wore on the first day of school so I could take their picture. It wasn't until I was looking at these pictures that I realized that Reed was wearing the wrong clothes. Oops! Even without identical clothes, I can tell they've all noticeably grown up this year...and noticeably need hair cuts.
Of course the biggest change is the addition of our sweet Harlow.
One thing I know for sure--they can all jump much higher now. Either that or the last day of school is more exciting that the first.
First Day
Last Day
Hip Hip Hooray...now off to squeeze every moment out of these last 3 weeks of freedom!
1 comment:
I sure can see that a lot of growing went on in the last 9 1/2 months -height, jumps and smarts (as your report cards testfy). Congratulations on your great year Reed and Max and Ruby, too because I know you did home school.
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