A Chapter Closed

 

And, so, the close of another school year.  My kids are getting older, which means I am too.  Add another gray hair to my head, wrinkle to my face - I still tell people that I am 37 years old because I can't seem to grasp the fact that I am 38.  Where does the time go?  I will have a 3rd, 5th and 7th grader in the fall.  My jaw hits the floor when I think about it.  Isaac only has two more years before he's in middle school, and Miles will be there not long after since they will be phasing the 6th grade classes into the county middle schools in the next two years.

 

I took at vacation day from work on Thursday.  There was simply a lot going on, and I needed to be there to cheer on my oldest baby as she graduated from 6th grade.  I can't imagine a better way to spend a vacation day.

Everyone should be lucky enough to have a Christy Bearden in their life.  She has been beside me the entire time at Plano.  Her son Nathan and my Karson have been joined at the hip since day one in kindergarten.  Christy is my partner in crime, my friend, my sounding board.  She's the first person I look for at school events.  We talk for hours, laugh together, gripe together and the list goes on and on.

 

The last day of school was especially special this year with Karson graduating from 6th Grade.  The ceremony took me back to my own 6th grade graduation at T.C. Cherry Elementary school.  I was sporting the ever-so-stylish all over permed hair, looking much like a standard poodle.  I wore a lovely floral dress with one of those pin-on flowers at the waist.  I had my white tights and matching white flats.  B.E.A.-utiful as Jim Carey would say.  When the ceremony ended, all of us 6th grade girls locked arms and sang around the piano "That's What Friends Are For."  We cried and hugged and declared that we would be friends FOREVER.  Karson's graduation was nothing like it.  The were remarks from the principal, dean of students, a choral presentation from the chorus, and then each teacher came up and presented awards to their class. Karson's awards barely fit on my counter.  She received a ton of them. #nerdproblems =)

Karson has been blessed with some of the best teachers and friends at Plano.  Graduation wasn't the least bit sad for her or me.  I am happy for her time at Plano, and I know she is completely ready for the next chapter in her life.  Look out South Middle, this class of Plano Panthers is going to break some academic records.

After the ceremony, the kids went back to the classroom to change into play clothes.  We headed out to the front of the school for a cook out and afterwards a day full of games (dodgeball, kickball, and volleyball).  I pretty much just hung out with Christy and baked in the sun.  I stayed at school until 1 p.m. when it was time for the boys classroom awards.

Miles receiving his awards from his teacher Ms. Turner.  The Movie Star Award and the Jolly Roger Award.  She bragged so much on him and how happy he always made her.  We sure will miss her next year!

I'm certain that Isaac is completely in love with Ms. Kirk.  Not only is she gorgeous, but she's got to be the most popular teacher at Plano.  I doubt you'll meet a student that doesn't want Ms. Kirk as a teacher.  She is one of a kind!  Isaac almost tackled her going in for hugs both time he received awards.  He had the best year and the best time being in her class.

 So long 2014-2015 School Year.  This is officially the last time all three of our kids will be in the same school together.  When Karson and Isaac reunite at South High school, she will be driving him to school.  Sheesh!

Soggy Success

 

Mother Nature has a sense of humor.  It has been a soggy spring.  We had a steady rain for about two weeks around the time of Spring Break.  However,  for the last two weeks, there hasn't been a drop.  Karson's friend Madelyn asked her to participate in a four-man, outdoor volleyball tournament on Saturday.  Wouldn't you know....down-pour city.  The tournament was supposed to start around 8:30, but they moved the time up to 8 try and miss some of the rain.  No luck. 

 

The tournament began with pool play, subsets of smalls groups to determine how the single elimination match play would be set up. The conditions were awful, and really no team had any advantage - teams were combined of 5th-8th graders. Our team was three 7th graders and Karson.  Karson and Madelyn are both from South and have played together.  The other two girls were friends of Madelyn's and both are in 7th grade from Drakes Creek.

 I believe the first team we played was comprised of 8th graders.  They looked a little intimidating, but our girls held their own and pulled out a win.  The rules of outdoor volleyball are different than indoor.  It took some getting used to.

 We played some familiar faces the second game.  It was a team of South players (three 7th graders and one 8th grader).  The exchange of points and spread was close the entire time with our team losing in the end by two points.

We weren't able to finish the third match - got about halfway through before it was barely tolerable.
 Despite having four umbrellas, towels, a raincoat and one of those pop-up canopies, we still were soaked.

 Karson was cold but did her best to stay under the canopy and wrap up in towels.  At one point, we beelined for the car and cranked the heat up.  She took her socks and shoes off so we could attempt to dry them out.  They eventually called the tournament off by about 10:30 a.m.  I'd brought Karson a change of clothes which she got into quickly.  I got her home and into a warm bath ASAP =).  She snuggled up with blankets and spent the remainder of the day reading.

 I'm not sure if it's tradition to have a reception for a 6th Grade Graduate, but I think any reason to have a special celebration with family and close friends is worth the effort.  Karson has worked hard the last seven years at Plano, and we had a little soiree at our house yesterday afternoon to celebrate her achievements.  I had a table full of her favorites - everything from Oreo balls to bow-tie pasta.

 Our town recently got a Party City which is where I found the cute graduate decorations.  I tried to keep the "theme" of the party black and white to match her invitations.  I also recycled the supplies that were left for when Isaac graduates in two years (I'm frugal like that).

  I took pictures of Karson with all of her party guests, which was primarily family and close friends.

Karson got some of the sweetest cards and nicest gifts from everyone. She is loved!

 

The kids ended the day with a game of dodge ball which has become our kids favorite past-time on nice days.  They were able to get a couple of games in before the storms hit.  It was a wonderful day.  Karson's school graduation takes place next Thursday morning at Plano with a promotion ceremony, family picnic and games.  It's hard to believe she is almost officially a 7th grader!