The End of an Era

I'll be the first to admit...having a newborn in the house makes for a blogging slacker mom. Rix and Bryce have been out of school for a couple weeks (they didn't get out until June 27th!). And although they were ready for summer vacation they sure were sad to leave their teachers!

Rix has always been lucky to get teachers that love him for who he is. He can be a little (or a lot) hard-headed, but his teacher this year, Ms. Petree, was amazing with him. She took that stubborn streak of his and used it to challenge him to think harder and excel in math, science, and reading. He loved coming home and doing homework and projects (like his science fair project) so that he could go to class and show Ms. Petree how well he had done.

Rix had an amazing first grade year. Of course there was his several awards for his science fair project, which made me so proud to see him perform and flourish in front of the judges, but he excelled in reading and math this year, being in the top three students in his class. (The top three students were him and his friends Ethan and Nathan, who are also blond hair, blue-eyed boys. Ms. Petree called them the triplets!) He still hates writing, and if his homework required a writing section I had to bribe him to finish it. He learned that if he wrote bigger, he could fill up space better. Nice try Rix!

Rix at his "graduation".

Getting his awards from Ms. Petree.

Rix and Ms. Petree

Bryce was in preschool this year at Park Lodge. He loved going to school and really loved Ms. Brown and Mrs. K. They were so good with the kids! He got really good this year at writing and identifying the sounds letters make, and he discovered his love of art! For me this was all new, because Rix hates art and coloring and crafts, but Bryce could do it all day! He will spend a long time on a drawing or coloring, and he is so proud of his finished product that I find it very difficult to not keep every last piece of art he creates (don't worry - I don't keep it all - that would be very hoarder-ish of me!). The week before school got out his class held a Father's Day party, and lucky for Bryce daddy was able to come! It helped that he had the time off anyway to help me with Jacob, but Bryce felt so special that Bryan was able to come!

Bryan and Bryce at the Father's Day party.

Bryce in his graduation cap.

Rix at the 1st grade BBQ

Cole and his nasty Cheeto hands at the BBQ

Bryce and Ms. Brown - I love her!

The end of this year was also bittersweet for me. My mom has been the secretary at Park Lodge for as long as my kids have been in school there. It's always been so nice to have her available if I needed her - she helped get the kids lunch, held them in the office if I was going to be late, and answered all of my questions relating to school (because she knew everything!). This year she retired for several reasons, one being that she wanted more free time to persue her hobbies and spend time with family. While I can't argue that those are terrible reasons to quit (I want more free time too dang it!) I am going to miss seeing her every day at the school! It does help that she has already volunteered to be a "classroom mom" to some teachers there and she is co-Vice President (with Carissa) of the PTSA next year (and I'm treasurer - how did that happen? I'm terrible with numbers!). So even though she won't be around as much as I'm used to, she isn't completely gone from the school. Thanks Nana for all that you do (and did!!). 

Nana with the grandkids (minus Aubrey and Jacob). See how crazy it can be with all these kids??