Rewind--end of year hullabaloo

Ty's Award Ceremony.  I can't believe I didn't get a full body shot of Ty in his getup.  Especially when I'd paid the kid $3 to wear it.  There was a $1 outfit as well, that one allowed crocs instead of sperrys, plaid shorts instead of starched khakis and an un-tucked collared shirt with no belt.  Bribery.

More than once during the ceremony I caught Ty glancing over at me. There will come a time when he has no interest in knowing where I sit in the crowd.  I ate it up this day.  He had a stellar year, excelled in every subject, grew a few more inches, kept his two front teeth intact, became closer with friends, ate mostly school lunch (with the exception of Tuesday's when Reese and I brought lunch to him and ate together in the PTO room while I did some work) and still refuses to visit the school nurse for ANY reason.  She's scary.  I'm pretty sure if Ty broke his arm he'd wait until he arrived home to mention it to anyone rather than risk a trip to the nurse's office.  Seriously, whatever that nurse is trying to do to avoid sick/injured visits from the elementary students, it is sure working!

Love this shot of Jade catching her first glimpse of us in the audience as she walks the graduation procession with her class.  She looks so old!  Her two wonderful teachers are the male and female behind her on the left.

So long to our amazing Principal!  She moves on within the district as the Director of Principals.  We think she is just the person for the job but wish that didn't take her from us. The only Principal better than Mrs. Butler would be our very own Grandma Patsy; Principal of Canyon Crest Elementary in Utah.  Oh, how we wish our children could attend her school, even if it comes complete with many a visit to the Principal's office.  :)


Jaden, Cherry and Clair at 5th grade field day.  I was helping in the snack shack . . . but I was mostly observing Jaden as she interacted with friends.  It's not very often that I get to peek in on her at school.  Although I'm often on campus doing this that and the other, it's typically been for Ty's class and general PTO stuff.  Gone are the days that her teachers need my help in the classroom.  And throughout the school year I've eaten lunch with the kids about once a week.  However, these last couple of months I became too cool to sit on the stage with Jaden.  ; )  So I suggested we leave campus and eat out.

Last day of school.  One last pic as a first grader before we walk out the door and Ty instantly transforms into a second grader.

Must pay tribute to Long Horn flag, for the gazillionth time, as we make our way down the hallway to get Jaden from her class.  My phone didn't quite capture their hook 'em horns gestures.

So much going on.  Always the tag along.  I think it finally caught up with her today. 

Jaden had some friends over for a "last day of school" celebration.  Honestly, I'd prefer 14 of Ty's little friends.  My ears might still be ringing or at least they fear another gathering of the sort. Loud. :)

A diva derby, immediatley followed by Jaden's piano recital that I only took video of.  She played an extremely slow version of Canon in D followed by Folk Dance.  She did great.  :)  

An informal dance recital for both Jaden and Reese that I don't have pictures of.  But I do have this dance shot of Reese in her element and obviously in the comfort of her own home.

And lastly, Ty was asked by his teacher to represent his 1st grade class at the District Project Fair.  He quickly became the know all for all things grassland.  He was helped by a 3rd grader to put together a slide show on that fancy little laptop behind him.  It was very professional.  Ty was really looking forward to it.  He had a small case of nerves on the drive over.  I was proud of him for performing so well outside of his comfort zone.