End of School...

Moving back a few weeks to the final days of the school year. Can't believe summer just snuck up on us. The weather has been perfect this spring/summer. Usually feels like we have unbelievably long winters and it waits til July to actual warm up. However, this year we have had the most pleasant spring/summer. A few cooler/rainy days, but so nice for the most part. We hit our first 90 pretty early on, which was great but it really made those last couple weeks of school drag out. Hard to concentrate on homework, and projects, and reading when all you want to do is stay outside and play.

Ah, love the leisureness of it all. Is that word. I say its a word.

We spend alot of time on our front porch, neighbors probably think we are weird. Well, I am pretty sure they already think we are weird, particurely me, this just gives them another reason. Its just that our porch is completely shaded and so pleasant with all my flowers and such. We like it out there, and appearantly we like to eat treats out there as well...judging off these pictures.

Yep, we like treats and we like the porch.

This picture has nothing to do with school...just thought they were cute sitting there on my bed, surrounded by books.

Carson had a couple of end of school projects to get finished. First one was a small talent show in his music class.

They could either play an instrument, or sing or dance, or draw...but if they drew it had to be musically related. Well you know my art loving boy, he wanted to draw. Thiago helped him come up with the idea of a mobile. They thought it would be cool to draw different band instruments and such. Thiago came up with the idea, so I told him he could go ahead and execute it. Gave me a homework break for once, usually I am the one behind the scenes in all that.

I thought it turned out darling. Thiago would google different pics of the instruments, show them to Carson, and then Carson would draw it the best he could. Which I thought was pretty dang good. I might be biased but I think he is a dang good little artist, and knowing how much he enjoys it just makes me smile. Loves to be creative that boy.

They invited all the parents to come and be an audience for the kids. I just loved watching him. He talks fast in front of people, which is so something I do. Made me smile. Cutie pie.

So something that was pretty cool happened to Carson at the end of the year. I think I have mentioned that reading has been something we have really had to work at. At the begininng of the year I was told he was in the lower of his class as far as his reading goes. I was dumbfounded. All through Kindergarten he was always just right on with the other kids, his teacher had never mentioned him being behind at all. But sure enough when I would go into volunteer and help his class, I noticed the difference. While the other kids would look at the words and just say them, Carson was still sounding everything out. He was getting it but at alot slower pace it seemed. I of course was devasted, felt as if it was all my fault. So I plowed into it with him, we worked hard at it, went above and beyond what was sent home. I was determined to catch him up. So imagine my joy when his teacher called me afterschool one night, to let me know of a special award he had won. He has a reading teacher that helps all the classes, she works with about 180 kids out of the whole school. Comes in once a week to their classroom and pulls a little group out and reviews with them. At the end of the school year, this reading teacher picks 2 kids out of the 180ish that she helps and awards them with "Most Accomplished Reader" award. My boy got it. He got recognized in front of his class with a certificate and also received an invitation to go to a Davis County Scolastic Book Open House. Basically like a big book fair, he was given a $50.00 gift card to buy as many books as he pleased. They had cookies and treats and he walked out of their with 9 new FREE books. Holy heck...proud mom moment. He was behind, we put our minds to it and we saw huge progress. I was dang proud of the both of us, feels like all the extra work payed off. So proud of my boy!!

Moving on...once again these pics have nothing to do with school, but they were on the same file as these others soooo..here they are. Lincoln boy being extra sweet with baby Boston. The baby brings out the softer side of my boy. Love it.

Cars came home one day with a little sticker that said "caught being good". I guess he stopped to pick up some garbage on the floor and a teacher spotted him and gave him this sticker. He then was sent to the office to pick up a little prize package. Notebook, pencil, stickers....atta boy!

Soon enough, Linc's final day of preschool came.

He still has one more year of preschool left before he starts Kindergarten. Which is a really good thing, don't think my heart is ready to send him off yet. I will gladly welcome another year at preschool, means he is only gone for 2 mornings a week, and home with me for the rest of the time. Much better.

The next day we all got to go to his preschool end of year carnival. Elle and him have been in the same class, so Ashley and I volunteered to be one of the game booths at the carnival. I have no problem volunteering for my kids school activities, perfect way to spy on them. Love seeing them in their enviroment. Kills me.

Gathered up his little teacher gift for Miss Katie, and we were off.

This boy. I love him so much. He just soaks up life. He lives for little events like this. He had been talking about it for days. That morning, he jumped out of bed, and just kept asking how much longer til we left for the carnival. He had the time of his life, hopping from one booth to the next. I loved watching him, his exuberance just makes my heart happy. Lives life to the fullest, no matter what. Love that about him.

At the very end they invited all the parents to come, and the kids did a quick little program. Lots of cute songs and actions, and then they were called up to receive their certificates and stack of keepsakes.

Look at that little smirk. Love him so much. He thrives on attention and praise. I do my best to just pour it on to him. Out of all my kids he needs it the most. Was so proud of him that day, just love him so.

Oh these two...best friends and worst enemies all at the same time. Truly like a brother and sister. Fight like crazy but boy do they look out for each other. Their relationship melts my heart. He loves his Elle belle. She is a little security blanket for him, and I am so grateful he has her.

Brings us to Carson...last days brought us his yearbook and his portfolio of 1st grade. He has studied both endlessly, admiring his work over and over again. Adorable!

He came home the second to last day with his bag packed full of all his treasures. All his little nametags, and homework folders and word lists. I started pulling it all out and of course like a big baby started to cry. 2 reasons, I have loved his teacher this year, she was just amazing. So organized, so on top of things. I feel like her and I worked so well together, and both cared so much about him. Made me sad to think we are losing her. Also was a little sentimental over the fact that another chapter in his life is closing. No more first grader. Why does it have to hurt so bad. Why must I get so sentimental. Why can't them growing up and moving on excite me, instead it just hurts my heart. Bad. Ugh! I need to get a life.

And just like that....1st grade was over. Done. And the boy is mine for the summertime. Which is a pretty good thing!