Wrapping up 5th, 7th, and 9th Grades!

 Noah, Emma, and Adam deserve three BIG cheers for finishing out the year so strong! This really was  a great year for the whole family. 

Noah had a bunch of fantastic performances at the end of the year - DSM Youth Symphony is his favorite ensemble- 

followed by 6th grade orchestra, and 5th grade orchestra- this bass player was in high demand! 

Chorus was a delight, and band took last place. 

We love seeing Noah in the temple! 

He was all about the countdown dress-up days! 

And knew when it was time to take a rest in the midst of all the fun. 

When the last day of 5th grade arrived, Noah was ready for it. 

These brothers are never at a loss for fun - this is their impression of General Grievous - 

And Noah was a great helper with getting the zwip line up for the season. For as much as he hates that there are no sidewalks in our neighborhood, he definitely enjoys the yard and all that it offers!

Emma astounded all of us with her willingness to wake up SO early this year - she was out the door before 7 and almost always had a smile on her face. She rocked her first year of junior high! She made so many friends in 7th and 8th grade, and chorus was definitely her happy place. Singing tied with acting. 

And third place was orchestra. 

Emma the Ambassador, seen her with Elder Corbin E. Coombs, our visiting general authority for this spring's stake conference. 

Emma has the best smile! 

And she's always making us laugh! 

Don't let the scowl fool you- she was thrilled that I took her picture on the last day of school! 

She was just slightly less excited about the last day of school than the rest of the kids - she has so many friends that will be going on to Southwoods without her next year. But she was already looking forward to the Stilwell Summer Musical- Beauty and the Best!

And last but never least, Adam!

Adam is happiest when his schedule is full and his brain is active and engaged. 

Lucky for him there are plenty of opportunities to fill every minute of his schedule. 

Lucky for him, many of his moments are shared with Grace (and other friends, too). 

I'm going to miss the days of all four of these musicians supporting each other throughout the year! 

When the hour gets late, the sunroom becomes the practice room. 

The night that Adam found out he made Valley Singers was a night to remember- they requested that I blindfold him and drive him to a park to receive the news. This was the night that I learned that his greatest desire is to have a bigger bed, as that was the guess that he made about where we might be heading in the dark. He got a bigger bed the following week. 

A night to remember! 

I'd say Adam's top performing pick is show choir, then jazz band, then Southwood singers, followed by jazz choir, plays and musicals, concert choir, concert band, and somewhere at the very bottom of the list, robotics. This was his last year for now in robotics. 

But look at his smile after making music! 

Adam's first year of high school was definitely a hit! 

Ahh yes, the father and I were always there too. The best support team this family could ask for - it takes a team to keep this family running smoothly and moving forward!