As the end of the school year approaches...

some reflections.
It's hard to believe that just 9 short months ago, we watched as our son boarded the bus at 7am and headed off to a new school building to start a new chapter in his scholastic career. That same morning we joined MaKenna on her very first bus ride to school. It has been a great year for all of us and the kids have accomplished so many things this year.

Connor has really enjoyed the new building and daily format. He has made the most out of the multitude of activities, clubs and organizations that are offered for these grade levels. He participated and was elected as his class's Student Government association, joined the Paw Print - school paper, band, tried out and made the Page Turner's team, Challenge 24 team and of course Intramurals. Connor really enjoyed his class and his teacher this year. He recognized that he has been "really lucky" to have had "awesome teachers, every year!" He was a little saddened when his teacher was not able to finish out the school year, as she went out at the end of April to have a baby girl! [now that Connor has met this adorable cutie-pie, it was all okay that his teacher didn't finish the year with them!] On Friday, Rick and I were invited to an awards ceremony at Connor's school by his principal. Connor was going to be presented with the Citizenship Award. Connor did not know that he had been chosen for this award and we were asked to keep this as a surprise for him. I avoided the barrage of questions the morning of... boy, does e keep tabs on me!!! Why are you going into work late? what appointment? where do you have to be? for how long???????
Anyway, he was completely surprised and stoked to have won this award! The expression on his face will be etched in my mind forever! Yes, the tears welled up in my eyes! Such a wonderful moment for Connor - a great affirmation for him!
He noticed that we were sitting behind the rows of students shortly before the ceremony started, the good news was that he thought we were there because Rick is on the school board. [I love it when a plan comes together]

MaKenna has had an exceptional year! She developed her own love for school and academia. We have learned that she likes to do, experience things at her own pace. Once she has decided to commit, "she's all in!" otherwise, "forget about it!" Thankfully she had a teacher that understands this about MaKenna and was able to bring out the best in MaKenna! We are grateful for teachers like her, who see the potential in each child and work hard to build on those qualities! Hard to believe that my "baby girl" is officially growing up! Her school career had begun! MaKenna has learned so much this year... all the in & outs of the daily routine, lunch room, play-time, specials and yes, even at this age, friendships! We will attend MaKenna's special "Graduation" ceremony next week and will take some pics to post. We are looking forward to this fun rite of passage!

Then it's Summer Break... yee haa! Connor and MaKenna are looking forward to, and in no particular order...Pools, Lakes, Bikes, Golf, Rec, Bonfires, Camping, Staying up late, Sleeping in, the Drive-in, Fishing, Rec, Fireworks... just carefree time!

Rick and I are looking forward to the above and a slightly more relaxed schedule [maybe wishful thinking on our part :o)], no school calendars, snacks, packing lunches, arguing about what clothes/shoes are appropriate for PE class, bed time, rushing here there and everywhere, permission slips, projects!

Skiing anyone?

I've created a couple of media clowns! The kids love seeing their pictures on the blog and better yet, when I blog about them. Connor has been wanting me to post some of the skiing pics and videos that I took over this past skiing season.
Our last ski outing was for Connor's birthday celebration. A few of Connor's buddies joined us for a day of skiing, pizza and cake. They had a great time.

MaKenna had taken her skies off but wanted me to get a picture of her anyway. My friend, Sharon has some awesome video of all of us skiing, Connor skiing backwards and over jumps... some "air" shots.I may attempt to post so that the kids can feel like SupaStars!

A lesson in learning...

I like the motto of trying to learn something new everyday. Rick and I try to pass this along to the kids in some form or another. As it turns out, that motto works both ways. On most days our kids teach us something new!
MaKenna has be sick, she came down with a stomach, fever bug and has really been under the weather. Just lying on the couch and in her bed for most of the day. It is so unlike her. She has been very weepy and wanting me to just sit at the end of the couch or at the foot of her bed. I think she just wants me close. Poor thing! This morning MaKenna started to panic, thinking that she had missed school. Our conversation went like this...

"Mom, is today a school day? I said, "yes, it's Monday but you don't have school today

because it's a holiday" "What holiday is it Mom?" "It's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day", I said.

"What do we do for MLK, Jr. day?" she asked. I said " well, we could talk about who

MLK, Jr. was and what he did". I went on to explain that MLK, Jr. fought for the Black people so that they could have the same civil rights that White people had. Civil rights such as being able to drink from the same water fountains, ride the same buses, go to the same schools, vote, etc. as White people. MaKenna then asked me "Mom, are we White people?" I said "yes, we are." She said "you mean tan, right?!" I said "no, we are considered white people." At this point MaKenna now says "so MLK, Jr. tried to change Black people into white/tan people?" I said, "no, he tried to give the Black people the same chances as White people." MaKenna pulled up her shirt sleeve and said [rather perturbed with me, I might add] "why do you keep saying White people? We are tan, this skin is not white!"

I tried to teach MaKenna something about Martin Luther King, Jr. this morning but I think that she ended up teaching me something. That lesson was that MaKenna didn't even really notice that skin color was a defining factor until I pointed it out to her. She didn't define a group of people by a physical characteristic... and I like that! I love the innocence of children and I love to see how their minds work. In so many ways it is refreshing and puts a bright spot on my heart!