Emotional Last Day of Elementary

The last day of school started off normal. I took the picture above. It was only a half day, so I headed back at 12:30 with Miriam. She was definitely interested in our end of year celebration with water guns. We sprayed the younger kids, but the 5th graders took a long time to come out. When they did, we noticed that they were all crying. Even the 4th and 5th grade teachers were crying. This was my 6th year being at the school for dismissal on the last day and this was the FIRST time I had seen crying. Lexi had warned me that she thought she would cry because she was going to miss so many friends. Besides really liking each other, the students were sad because the school splits into two different junior high schools. Some of the kids will not be together in the Fall. Lexi got a million texts (on my phone) all afternoon and evening from different friends saying they were still crying or sad.  

5th Grade Graduation

This is a big day for Lexi. It is her 5th grade graduation. She has really enjoyed this school year mostly because of the friends she had in her class and choir. They really clicked this year.

Lexi and Nick Hand- they've had several classes together and have become such good friend

Lexi with her teacher, Ms. Torres

Shaking hands with the Vice Principal, Librarian & Principal

Lexi's certifications & awards

Standing up for recognition of different awards

Slide Show

Shot with mom 

Shot with Grandma Margie and Papa Malcolm

Yearbook Signing

The kids gathered at the school at 4:30 for yearbook signing. I am always amazed at how much my kids love their yearbooks. They look at them over & over again. They pull out the old ones and look at them multiple times a year too. This year, the 5th graders were really into writing meaningful messages to each other. They are moving on to junior high, but only a little over half of the school will be going to the same one as Lexi. The others go on to a rival junior high and also a rival high school. In the above picture, Lexi is with her friend Allison. They have really become close this year. I'd say Allison is her best friend for the 5th grade.

Field Day

These two happened to wear the same shirt today. It isn't that uncommon since this is the 5th grade t-shirt for the year, but it is still picture-worthy. Their grade have field day yesterday and then they helped with field day for the 3rd and 4th graders. Today, they are running field day for the kindergarteners, 1st graders, and 2nd graders. These end of the year tasks are all about loving school because it is secretly fun.

I just got the photo below from Lexi's teacher showing her class studying owl bones. I guess they are actually working too.

Biz Town Field Trip

Lexi's teacher posted this photo of her at Biz Town. The 5th graders are on a field trip to a place where the kids run the town. A few weeks ago, Lexi had to be interviewed for a job (by professionals in the real community). She was selected to be the CEO of a real estate company. Some of the kids ran for public office like Mayor and had to be voted in. She spent the day working her tail off and didn't get to take breaks like some of the other kids. They had to pay bills on their businesses and work out problems. I guess it is like the real world.

Moon Phases Costume

The 5th Grade had a science vocabulary parade today. They had to dress up as phrases. Lexi got Lunar Phases, so we painted this shirt. We enjoyed coming up with something that was sciency & cute. Lexi got the idea from Pinterest and my mom bought the materials. This morning, she realized it needed some pizazz and asked me to add the shoulder bows.

School Fishing Trip

Lexi had a school fishing trip today with the 5th graders. They went to Mary Jo Peckam Park and she was able to catch a 15" fish. I wasn't there, so I don't have pictures of the day, but they made these shirts in art class. I think it turned out pretty cute even if it is wrinkled.

School Garden

The elementary school has a garden in the back that the students and some parents are responsible for. Lexi's science class was outside today so that they could identify producers and consumers.

5th Grade Choir Concert

Lexi has been in the 5th Grade Choir this year, which means early morning practices twice a week. They have had quite a few field trips and have learned a lot. The choir directors at her school seem to be much more serious and professional than most elementary school music teachers. It has been a fabulous experience.

Day of the Braids

There is a silly email/text going around the Jr High and Elementary telling all the girls to wear braids today to see if the boys notice. I knew the boys wouldn't notice, but it is kind of a unifying thing for the girls. I asked Lexi if she would like Jordan to spread the word around so that some boys may look. I took a few pictures of Lexi and our neighbor, Sofia, on our way to school this morning. 

Crazy Hair

It is crazy hair day today at school and the kids didn't want to miss out. I let Lexi and Jordan pick what they wanted and this is what they came up with. Miriam wanted in on the action and I figured that it was harmless enough, so she had blue tips too.

Lexi's teacher posted a picture of her today working out in the school garden.

Spring Picture Day

It is Spring Picture Day at school. This is when they take the class pictures too. I decided that I didn't want to buy them this year because I am already buying the year book for each kid. Instead, I snapped a few before school pictures and one with the neighbors that we walk to school every day too.

Neighborhood Elementary Gang

When we were in Miami, we heard lots of talk about diversity. You hear about it all over, but our county has the exact same percentages of different races as the entire US population. Just look at the group, we usually walk with in the morning. My kids are the only blonde "Americans," Sofia and Isa are from Columbia. Elma & Tolman are from India. Emily is Chinese and Chloe is half Chinese. Unfortunately for us, my kids are the only ones that can't speak another language. This is only 5 of the families in our little neighborhood. We also have Venezuelans, Russians, Pakastani, and many others. 

Angles in Math Class

Lexi's teacher posted this photo of their angles class today.

Bubbles for Bluebonnet Bash

Every year, the Blue Bonnet Books puts out a list of 20 books for kids in Texas (grades 3 - 6) to read. The elementary school has a party every January/February to award the kids that read at least 10 of the books. These girls all attended the bash today and received bubbles. They also have a bubble expert come and perform many of his tricks. In addition to that, they ate pizza and missed some classes. Sounds like a good deal. 

Character Award

Every month, the school district picks a different characteristic like honesty or individualism to teach the kids about. For the month, a student with that trait is selected to receive a special recognition. This month, Lexi and Sofia (different classes) were nominated. All the nominees were recognized in the morning broadcast.

Birthday Lunch

This birthday girl turned 11 today, so I brought lunch to school to celebrate and eat with her. Yum!!!