The End of the School Year

 Boy we counted down the minutes to the end of this school year!  It was a really fabulous one for everyone- they all had excellent teachers and good friends and happy days, but we were definitely ready for the end of the school year when it finally arrived on June 2. 

Adam gets an A+ for best attitude despite earliest wake up time this year.  He was up at 6:05 every morning, ready to check off all of the steps of his to-do list, the most important of which was to eat breakfast.  About halfway through the school year I learned he was also eating breakfast at school, which made me laugh.  He is definitely enjoying fulfilling the role of bottomless pit in our family.  He learned a lot about himself as a middle schooler, often came home with hilarious stories of cafeteria antics, and enjoyed his science, GT, and band classes and teachers most of all. 

Leah had finals all the way up to the last three days of school, which meant a shortened schedule and a lot of studying.  She only missed one day of seminary this year, often beat the teachers to the church, and pushed herself to make new friends and stay true to herself in her giant high school.  She finished strong! 

These two became extra close buddies this year as they navigated the bus and the school together. 

The days leading up to the last day of school were filled with fun celebrations, including costume day!

Look at those brave babies go!

Emma is already looking forward to being the top dog in sixth grade next year, and she has learned a lot this year about the kind of friend, classmate, and student she wants to be. She also worked in the preschool and definitely uncovered her penchant for interacting with four-year-olds. She is a natural! She also rocked the cello, the euphonium, chorus, and landed a great role in producing the Afternoon Show for next year. And just like Leah, Emma decided about halfway through her fifth grade year that she didn't really need or want to wear glasses anymore.

Noah breezed through third grade with a stead stream of origami, friends, and compliments from his teacher. He's looking forward to getting started with the GT program next year. 

Leah took off for her NYC adventure before the kids got home from their last day of school, so we had lots of hugs and tears and goodbyes that morning. 

Laney got her summer cut while everyone was in school one last time. 

As for me, the end of the school year marked a year that ebbed and flowed with busy days and quiet days, times that I was willing to help out in the preschool and days when I was grateful for the time at home to prepare everyone and everything for all that was coming next. I don't think that I've found the perfect balance of work and home and hobbies and such, but I do know that I'm not ready to give up my time with my family when I have it for just about anything. These days are just zipping by. 

After school everyone was all smiles!  We did it!!!

And since Leah was on an airplane heading east on the last day of school, we took time for our very favorite end of the year school tradition a few days before she left- burning all of the unwanted school papers! 

It was a perfect night for it, and you can tell from this picture that we were all just so tired and ready for the early mornings and long days to be over. Bring on summer!

Now those are some real smiles!

Phew!  I love this tradition because it gives everyone a chance to stop and see all of the work and learning that went into the year.  It is no small task to attend 180 days of school!

There might be a bit of stress-relief associated with the night as well. 

These silly girls are recreating the fire Elmo.

What a great end to a truly great school year- one of the best we've had!  

Now bring on summer!