Saturday, May 31, 2014

Saturday #22--Refining for May


I reached a conclusion this month--about all of this refining shtuff.

I can't spread myself as far as I always have in the past right now.

Like it or not, school takes a disproportionate amount of my time, and that needs to be ok.

We are only one week into summer, and my full-time school is clashing hard with their full-time vacation. I've implemented a few summer programs that will hopefully save my sanity (I'll keep you posted on that), but I know summer will be long and hard for Mommy/student.

And it's okay.

Just trying to get a little better every day.  That's refining.

At least for now.

Friday, May 30, 2014

The Games Continue

Just because it's summer, that doesn't mean that the learning and fun have to stop. My boys are still meeting with Ms. K over the summer--if you want to join in on the fun, check out her website.

She's the best!

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Graduation

Ben's graduation--from seminary and high school.
These seven young people have been together in the same ward since most of them were in preschool--it's always been the boys and T. She hangs tough with them, always has. Here they are, all grown up and graduating from seminary.

Tear.

As of today, five of these young men have mission calls (two to Peru, one to Spain, one to Chile, and one to Colombia), and one is finishing up his paperwork. In six months, they will be all over the world. Who would have thought that the squirrelly-est, rowdiest, craziest class in Primary would grow up to be so amazing?
They haven't changed all that much, I guess.

Then it was on to high school graduation.

Ben and McKay held this pose for about ten seconds, practicing their "receiving-their-diploma" handshake.
 I think Ben should have spent more time practicing his processional face instead.

One thing I love about Heritage Academy is how personal and caring the staff is.  Here, Mr. T stopped handing out diplomas for a moment to ask Ben where he had been called on his mission.

I was impressed that Mr. T had taken that time with Ben, and in the split second that I turned to talk to Brad, I missed Ben's antics.
A backward glance. A quick cartwheel. A strut back to his seat.  That's my Ben.

And with that, it was all over.

 Class of 2014. Look out world. Here he comes.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

"Graduation" Day

It is the end of an era.
No more preschool Mother's Day programs.  Can you find Eve in this photo below? She's got some air on that jump!
Best accident of the year--Evie's hair. If you missed the original story, click here. That layered pixie cut fits her sassy personality perfectly, and for now, it's staying.
This song, "Mother, I Love You," was signed by the kids, and Eve was very serious during her presentation. Not a single smile from that girl.
I love these old-school gold hand molds. I have three in a row now--Micah, Hyrum and Eve. Wish I had seven.
Two weeks later was "graduation."
Evie and her teacher, Mrs. M, had a special bond over those pom pom boots, and I was secretly stoked that she decided to wear them for her final program.
My Evie grew up a lot this year. She learned that school isn't a place to be scared. She only got sent to time out once all year (that's at school--not at home). She learned all of her letters and sounds. She is even beginning to sound out words and read.
 I can't believe my baby is headed to kindergarten in August.  My baby. Not a baby any more.
No matter how big she gets, she'll always be our baby.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Dog Days of Denton

We are ready for summer around here, and Summer 2014 is relatively short--just over ten weeks to squeeze in all the fun and vacation and swimming and traveling we can.

Along with all of the fun we have planned, for some reason I am determined to use Summer 2014 as time to improve some of my kids' skills.

Cleaning skills. Completing skills. Spiritual skills. Writing skills. Reading skills. "Not tattling" skills. I've got a plan.

I am determined to use Summer 2014 as time to improve some of my skills.

Consistency. Patience. Kindness. Prayer. I've got a plan.

And the plans start tomorrow. The kids were in bed before 9, in hopes that well-rested kids will be more receptive to improvement.

They needed it. The first full day of summer was exhausting. Eve fell asleep on a pile of towels as we were leaving the house for a barbecue.

Here's to the Dog Days of Denton.  I hope they're as productive and fun as I've constructed them in my head. 

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Saturday #21--Big News

Things have been really quiet around here this week, haven't they?

Big news around the Sanatorium.
My baby boy Ben graduated from high school.


Tucker and Karli drove down for the big event.
But that's not the biggest news.

See that big white envelope marked with a return address in Salt Lake City?
Ben received his mission call on graduation day.  He will be serving in the Peru Lima South mission, entering the Mexico MTC on October 8th.

More details to follow. For now, I'm enjoying having big kids and big bellies for the weekend.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

End of Year--Voice Recital

The end of the school year is filled with all kinds of lasts. Ben and Lily had their last voice recital with one of my favorite people.

I've written about Allyson and her magical vocal superpowers before (when she changed Tucker's life). She has such a gift not only of music but of how to reach kids during that difficult stage of their lives called adolescence.

She develops an individual relationship with each of her students, and when it's graduation time, a deep bond is forged between them.
Those goodbyes are hard, I get it.

She's tough, but she's fun, and that's a combination that my kids totally get.
The kids rocked their solos this year. I know my kids aren't the easiest to teach.

Thanks, Allyson. 

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

End of the Year--Hyrum

 First grade is almost over, and this little guy has changed a lot this year. Here's how he looked when first grade started:
And here he is today:
This is his boreal forest diorama. He knew exactly how he wanted it to look, which trees and animals he wanted to do (pine, oak, wolf, deer snake--in the tree), and he did much of it by himself (except for the trees--Dad helped). His teacher commented to me that she could tell that Hyrum had done his own project and that she appreciated that.

Biggest achievement this year:

We waited all year for those front teeth to grow in.  I have never seen a kid whose teeth just refused to grow in. Now he's in that snaggle-tooth crazy teeth stage, and I smile every time I see it.

Can it be possible that my baby boy is done with first grade already? When did that happen?

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Saturday #20--Mother's Day

Handpicked flowers.
Homegrown fruit salad.
Handmade holiday cards.
Heartfelt Mother's Day wishes.

One happy mom.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Distinction

Heritage Academy has a distinction program--a way that students can demonstrate mastery of a subject that is above and beyond the requirements in the classroom. Distinctions can be earned in English, math, science, etc., even in ballroom dance.

One of the requirements to earn a distinction in ballroom dance is to choreograph and perform a number for a recital.

Ben's friend Taryn had been working on her distinction during this final semester, but she hit a few snags along the way.

Her first partner decided not to participate.

Her second partner, although more than willing, had acute appendicitis and an appendectomy in April.

She didn't know what to do, so at the last minute, with less than two weeks until the performance, she asked Ben to rescue her.

Rescue her he did.

She looked stunning and moved with grace.

Her dance was beautiful and expressive.

And her partner did his job--he made her look her best.

In fact, he was fantastic.

I love the opportunities Heritage provides its students--well-rounded academic experiences and a quality education. 

I'm going to miss it there.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Sunrise, Sunset--Denton Edition

(Photos from Ben's final ballroom recital and Lily's final choir concert)

Is this the little girl I carried?
Is this the little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older. When did they?

When did she get to be a beauty?
When did he grow to be so tall?
Wasn't it yesterday when they were small?

Sunrise, sunset; sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze

Sunrise, sunset; sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears.
Thank you, Sheldon Harnick, for perfectly harnessing my emotions with your beautiful words.