The End....(of the school year)

Wrapping up the month of May...and it's another school year for the books.

Jantzen and Anna - waiting 'in the cue' for their turn at the piano at a recital (May 16).

 They played beautifully and it was fun to have Great G-pa M back in town and in attendance.  We like having LaVerne around during the summer months.

Anna and Brinley played in their final orchestra concerts for the year (May 19, 20).  I really love the emphasis of the orchestra program in our community.  Jantzen nearly registered for orchestra next year (bass player) but made a last minute switch.  For now, he is going to stick with piano and will be taking a guitar class next year instead.  That works for me!

Hard to believe that my baby graduated from kindergarten!

Tug-tug on my heart strings...

 It's been a fantastic year for Quinn - he enjoyed his class and two great teachers.

These kids sang their hearts out during their graduation program (May 22).  There was plenty of laughter and even a few tears shed (by the parents/grandparents). 

 G-ma and G-pa M with Quinn after the special program.

 I had serious flashbacks thinking of each of our children and their kindergarten commencements.  Even Aaron felt a bit nostalgic at the thought...

Quinn with Mrs. Ivers

After the program ended, we made a mad dash out of the school building to load up and head south for the weekend.  Jantzen had a big soccer tournament in UT so we packed as much as we could into the next 48 hours.  

Jantzen - 2nd from end

 Besides the wet, muddy fields and steep competition, we had a fantastic weekend.  Fortunately, everything Aaron and I had to coordinate worked out perfectly.  Thank you angels (including Mom and Dad's extra car in SL).  Bonnie and Bryant live 4 miles from where the tournament was being held.  Could not have had better accommodations!  After Friday's game, we spent the night at their place and then divided and conquered on Saturday.

After driving down to get the extra auto, Aaron took five of the kids and met up with cousins at the amusement park while I made a quick stop at IKEA and attended Jantzen's Saturday morning game.

It was nice to be able to wash Jantzen's super muddy, nasty soccer clothes in between games in Bonnie's washing machine.

 Quinn's height was exactly what he needed to get on any/every ride.  

He and Elsie showed no fear as they took on all kinds of 'big rides'.

 Korinne and Elsie

 With a Sam's Club around the corner from the tournament location, we brought our cooler along and purchased a picnic meal prior to spending time at the park.  We don't buy food at the park:).

 Lunch time.

Jackets were just right.  We packed for rain but the big storms hit at night (hence the soggy fields) which helped with crowd control at the park.  The day rain didn't last long.

Who would carry a book around at such a place?  Britton.

Jameson, Adam, Hilary, Britton

Korinne, Anna, Quinn

Quinn & Aaron

Quinn & Jameson

 After everybody got their fill at the park, Aaron and I traded cars/kids in a parking lot and once again, divided and conquered.  Aaron attended Jantzen's next soccer game while I drove further north.  I took the kids to G-ma and G-pa P's place for the evening and then met up with former college team mates to celebrate the retirement of our dear USU track & field/cross-country coach, Steve Reeder. (pics to come)  It was quite the memory-filled evening with great food and a fitting tribute to a genuinely terrific man (and his wife, Donna).

Lora E., Coach Reeder, Donna, Heather

Brock and Jantzen

 Meanwhile, Aaron and Jantzen finished up with the tournament then attended a REAL soccer game later Saturday night.  I think they rolled into CV around midnight.

Alexic, Jarom, Brock, Jantzen

 We stayed for church and a Sunday meal before heading home.  Of course, the kids wanted to stay longer to play with cousins the next day but we needed to get the garden planted, etc. G-ma and G-pa left for SL about the same time (G-pa took flight to SC to help Libbie with Xander).

 Memorial Day - the weather held out and we worked in the yard the ENTIRE day.

The kids did well.  Our yard is A LOT of work.  The garden is in now:).

 The three pine trees on the west of our property have needed some TLC at the base for a few years now.  I am so happy to report that we are done with this project. Taking out the grass around the trees, trimming lower branches, putting down black fabric and filling in with mulch doesn't seem like it should have required so much effort/time, but it did.  Now we just need to get our mower fixed (again).

Along with final field trips, talent shows at school, soccer practices/games, special lunches and parties, the kids enjoyed their field days.  The weather has been so hit and miss this month.  Anna's 5th grade class walked to and from the park for their activities and were soaking wet by the time they returned.  Jantzen's 6th grade class managed to dodge the storm.

Kai, Jensen, Cooper, Quinn

 My assignment during the elementary school field day (May 28) was that of time-keeper, rotation expert and horn blower.  Pretty important stuff.

 Nobody asked me to face paint or make 500 bags of cotton candy.  Hallelujah!

Elsie & Dana

 The weather couldn't make up its mind.  

One minute is was cold.  Then it was hot.  Sunny.  Then cloudy.

Kamay and Quinn

 After a few hours of games, parents joined the students for lunch out on the lawn.  

And then the rain hit.  Perfect time for our exodus.

Elsie -  2nd grade with Mrs. Bates

 Friday (May 29) marked the final day of school for Elsie, Anna and Jantzen.  Quinn finished on Thursday.  Of course, Tanner and Brinley were out a few days earlier than that (thanks to a generous attendance policy) and have been plenty busy being social and having fun.

Quinn - kindergarten with Mrs. Ivers & Ms. Rigby

 Walking the halls of the elementary school so Elsie and Quinn could give their teachers a little treat, Mrs. Garner spotted a couple of her favorite former students.

Jantzen, Mrs. Garner, Anna

Our teacher gifts were super simple this year.

We tied up bags of swedish fish with a little card.

Gone are the days of bigger/better things...:).

Mrs. Lauritsen, Anna, Mrs. Nielsen (homeroom teacher)

 At the middle school, the 5th grade students are put on a "team" of 3 teachers.  Anna is generally every teachers' dream student because she is so kind to everybody in the class.  She was a patient helper to a boy with special needs all year long.

Miss. Jolley & Anna

 

I was really proud of Anna's effort to earn the "Great American Challenge Award" this year.  My kids are not overly motivated by the extras offered at school and Anna was the first of our kids to take this one on.  She was one of 8 students who completed the challenge (out of 430 students). In the end, Anna decided having breakfast with the principal wasn't really 'worth it' but she sure learned a lot.  

Anna received this NED yo-yo along with breakfast with Mr. Bone.

When I first learned the requirements of the 'challenge', I thought "aren't kids already learning this in school?"  The answer is a tragic big fat NO!  Here's what Anna had to learn on her own accord - she recited the Gettysburg Address, Pledge of Allegiance, all verses of the Star-Spangled Banner, the Preamble of the Constitution.  She had to write out the Presidents of the United States (all 44 in order) and fill in maps with the states and capitals. 

Okay, so maybe some kids are motivated by the extras - intramural competitions anyway.

Each season possible Jantzen participated on an intramural team (soccer & basketball) and managed 1st place finishes each time.  Go figure!

Bob, Aaron, LaVerne

 Three generations....watching a good game.

 Quinn and Elsie prefer playing around in all of the blankets.  

They have sat through countless soccer games over the years.

 After each game, the boys run across to field to clap for and say thank-you to the parents.  

It's very cool.

Anna & Kennedy - and a bunny?

The regular soccer season has ended.  One more tournament to go.  

Good job Anna and Jantzen!

 May 29 - LaVerne celebrated 93 years of living.  

After attending the temple, we joined him for lunch. 

 Happy Birthday LaVerne!

We love you.

Happy end of school year.

Hello summer!