End of School Year !

Another chapter of the children's lives is closed.

Autumn is now a 5th grader! Peyton will be a kindergartener in August! Olivia will be in Pre-K (wherever that may be)!
I am amazed by their growth of the past year and how much they have changed; especially over the past couple months.

Autumn's awards ceremony was rather long since it was the end of the year. She received Honor Roll again and Perfect Attendance. She has been accepted in to the gifted program, Scope. Autumn has also informed me that she scored very high on her CRCT. This is how the conversation went.
Autumn- Hey, mom, I got to throw water balloons at my teacher today.
Me- Really? Why did you throw water balloons at your teacher today? (very puzzled)
A- Well, for every subject that we scored over 850 we were able to throw one water balloon at Ms. Tanner.
Me- How many water balloons did you throw?
A- Five.
Me- (Hitting the brakes on a back road near the house) Autumn that is awesome! (with a high five to her) You scored that high on every subject on the CRCT?
A-Yep, Ms. Tanner was so wet from the balloons.
Some days I wonder does she really understand how proud we are of her. She is so nonchalant about some things. We have not received the official scores yet, but I am pretty sure she scored high.

Peyton's Pre-K graduation was wonderful! I am very impressed by the way the children behaved and performed. The graduation did not start until 8pm, past bedtime in our house; so I was worried that some of the kids would be cranky, tired, and just plain not wanting to 'perform'. Not at all the truth! I don't think I saw one children not participating, they had such pride in what they were doing. Must of been the two weeks worth of practice. Peyton told me the days before graduation that I was going to cry when he was walking into the church; I held myself together. I was a little teary eyed; even daddy is the one that cried (he had to look away from Peyton to stop). The children said the pledge of allegiance and the Lord's Prayer then performed a couple songs. Peyton's class performed 'Life is a Highway', all with air guitars; so fitting for him. He also received the Most Athletic reward! I kept myself together until Mr. Billy announced them as Senior High School Class of 2024. 2024? What!?! I can't even think about that! Then I started thinking in 8 years Autumn will be graduating from high school! EIGHT YEARS! Where has the time gone?

Olivia had an end of year program on Friday morning. This was the first performance/school function for Olivia that I attended. Chris has been at a couple others; and she did not 'perform'. She either just stood in front of everyone or would not stand on 'stage'. I was hoping that this would not be the case, especially with the progress in attitude and behavior she has made. Olivia sat in her chair in front of all the parents and did a wonderful job! They also did the pledge of allegiance, The Lord's Prayer, and a couple songs. Olivia received the Best All Around award! If you would have told me 4 months ago she would have received that award, I would not have believed you. She has changed so much since moving to the new school; I can't say enough about how well she has done in and out of school. Sometimes it just takes a different view of scenery!

Peyton was upset this morning that he was not going to 'Autumn's school' today. He was ready to go to Kindergarten and start at his new school. He did not care about having a summer break he just wants to go to 'Audy's school'.

I am so thankful and glad that we have found a school where are children feel comfortable and can be themselves. My heart swells to hear the little ones say The Lord's prayer and to sing at the top of their lungs 'The 10 Commandments'. We have been so blessed since deciding to move the children there. And to think I almost did not choose this place because of the look of the outside. Looks from the outside can be very deceiving!