3 Graduations in a week

When the kids were younger we would always talk about how when Kayla was a senior, Max would be in Kindergarten. It seemed so far away then. This year has been a whirlwind of firsts and lasts. My first child graduating from high school. My last child graduating from kindergarten. My first year with all my kids in school. My last year with all my kids living at home. There are so many emotions with all of this.

Kayla's graduation was great! My mom and dad, Mikes mom and dad, and my brother and his family came. We went to red robin for dinner before graduation. It was really nice to visit before and have a relaxing time before the ceremony. We ran into Kayla's favorite track and cross country coach(Mr. McDowell) at red robin.

                                   
                                   

                                  

It was so fun watching Kayla walk down the aisle with her class. Of course our family screamed the loudest. We were all so proud of her. Kayla is also the first grandchild on both sides of our families, so she has been the first to graduate. After graduation Kayla went to the all night senior party with all her friends.

 

 

 Max's Kindergarten graduation was so cute! We love Mrs. Pratchner. She has been a kindergarten teacher to Lexie, Calvin and Max. Kayla came with me since she is not in school anymore.

Calvin is leaving Stillwater elementary to go to the big middle school Tolt. He had Mrs. Rosbach this year. She has taught Kenzie, Lexie and Calvin. Hopefully Max will have her when he is in 5th grade.

Calvin has had his cousin Jake in his class the last 2 years. They are best friends and do everything together. This is a picture of Jake, Nathan, and Calvin.

 Calvin got the academic presidential award. He works so hard in school and loves to learn.

 

I am not a super emotional person, so I didn't cry at any of these events. But the thought of all my kids growing up is really starting to hit me. As busy and crazy and tiring as it has been raising them, it has also been fun and rewarding seeing them turn into great people that are fun to hang out with.

Being a mom is what I have done for the past 18 years. It's not a flashy, high paying job, but it's one of the most important jobs there is and I love it! 

Calvin goes to Camp Waskowitz

 Around here, 5th grade camp is a big deal. All three of Calvin's sisters went to camp Waskowitz before him. Calvin had heard many stories about the dance parties in the showers, the skits and the food. Now it was his turn to experience the fun.

 Before camp they have the kids write down 5 friends that they would want to be in a cabin with. They tell the kids that they will have AT LEAST one of those 5 people in their cabin group. Some of the kids are pretty nervous and for many kids this is their first night away from home. Calvin was hoping that his cousin Jake would be in his cabin group.

 

Calvin got to camp and ended up not having any of the kids he wrote down on his list. At first he was a little sad, then he started to meet the other kids in his group. He met two boys from John Rogers elementary in Seattle. Calvin and these boys had tons in common and had similar sense of humors. They had a blast together!

 I was so proud of Calvin for making the best of a not so great situation. His teacher emailed me during camp saying Calvin didn't end up in the group she thought he would, but that he was having a blast meeting new people. She said he was a great leader.

Max struggled not having Calvin around all week. He loves to meet Calvin at the bus stop when he gets home from school at 3:45. He asked every day when Calvin was coming home. Calvin is such a great big brother to Max. He does so much for him every day. Max and I went up to the school to pick up Calvin after the camp was over. The reunion was so sweet.

 

 

 

 

 Calvin was asking him if he was good for mom. So cute!

 

When Calvin went to get in the car, for the first time ever he jumped right in the front seat. My little 5th grader came home from camp a little more grown up. He told me he had a new perspective on things. He chose to have a good attitude and make new friends. Calvin is becoming such a wonderful young man. The example he shows daily will affect many, including Max.

 

Vote for Kenzie

Kenzie recently decided she wanted to run for A.S.B officer. She had an awesome campaign plan. She used Napoleon Dynamite movie as her theme. She used quotes from the movie to make her posters. She wanted it to be a fun campaign to show the kind of person she was.

                                   

This poster cracked me up because she is so petite.

 We also bought a couple packs of cheap white t shirts and ironed on "VOTE FOR KENZIE".  She had different people wear the shirts through out the campaign.

We had so much fun coming up with funny quotes from the movie.

 I know it's my daughter, but I thought her campaign was brilliant! She gave her speech and shared her great ideas to make the school better, but in the end she did NOT win the election. This was a sad day for Mckenzie. It was hard for us as parents to watch our child feel so sad and rejected.

I was so proud and impressed when she decided she would continue and run for junior class officer. This was a hard decision for her. The thought of loosing again would have been even more devastating. She bravely ran again and prepared another speech. This time she won!

As a parent it's hard to watch your child not win something or get what they want, but in the end I think it builds character. It helped her hopefully feel compassion for girls who may not make the cheer squad. I am so proud of her for not giving up. She now gets to attend a leadership camp with lots of other class officers and A.S.B officers from all over the area. This will be an amazing experience for her. Who knows maybe next year, she will run for A.S.B officer again. Either way I feel like Kenzie has grown as a person this year. I love watching her take chances and be herself. She will make a great leader!