Jack’s EOY Party

Jack wrapped up 3rd grade!  A huge example of just how fun his 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Jarrett, is was at the end of the end-of-year party—she told the kids to go outside for a group photo and had them all facing away from the door and then all of the parents came out and attacked them with silly string.  Jack loved it and, I’ll admit, it was pretty fun for Jonathan and me, too.  Love this kid.

5th Grade Promotion

On June 10th, we attended the elementary school 5th Grade Promotion ceremony and watched as our lovely little girl became a rising middle schooler.  We’re very proud of the student, friend, and young lady Ella has become in her six years in elementary school and know she’s ready for this big step.  Off to middle school and 6th grade in the fall! 

{standing with the other presidential academic award recipients.  go ella!}

{ella and julianna have been in school together since the 2’s in preschool.}

{elementary school class of 2015 (ella’s on the right side in the first standing row)}

5th Grade Celebration

The day before graduation, or “promotion”, for the 5th graders they were able to enjoy an entire day of fun at school.  The 5th graders were grouped into teams for an Amazing Race type of scavenger hunt, earning clues at each station after completing some tasks.  At the end of the day, a firetruck pulled into the school parking lot and sprayed the 5th graders with a fire hose for a good 20 minutes or so—it’s a rite of passage at our school for the rising middle schoolers each year.  And, at the very end of the day, after the 5th graders get changed into dry clothes, the entire school comes out of their classrooms and lines the halls and the 5th graders walk each hallway getting “clapped out” of elementary school.  I might’ve cried during that part.  It was a great way to end a wonderful 6 years of elementary school.  Go Ella!

I photographed the whole day for the entire 5th grade, but here are just the ones with Ella and her team.

{ella getting mummified.}

{the green hornets.}

{getting her hair spray painted.}

{performing their cheer for everyone.}

{changed and dry, ready for the 5th grade clap out.}

{probably one of her favorite high fives—mr. sword, her art teacher.  she even had several at-home private art lessons with mr. sword this year.}

Instagrammin’ in May

We enjoyed the beautiful weather of May!

the kids aren’t the only ones winning trophies ‘round here. #holla #womenssingles |olive, our love. | we wore her out. #beattytrails | bronze award recipients #girlscoutjuniors #ellaslastyearasagirlscout | lace up son family 5k finishers! #stevesmith #memorialday | lake wylie kayaking #memorialday | they loved the swimming the most. | they tried paddleboarding, too. | olive joined us on the lake. #shejumpedshipafewtimes | one last look at that smile with the extra permanent tooth. | oral surgeon success. #mohunkertooth | look at these cuties. #tbt #jackhascaughtuponherheightwise

Cruisin’ to Middle School

Ella’s headed to middle school next year!  It’s hard to believe she’s wrapping up elementary school, yet, at the same time, she seems completely ready to move on.  Leading up to 5th grade graduation, there were several celebrations for the 5th graders including a night time dance party, a full day of school festivities, and the 5th grade clap out.  The celebrations and graduation are all planned by PTA parents and so I volunteered to photograph all of the events.  A week before graduation the 5th graders were treated to a ‘Cruisin’ to Middle School’ dance party.  This has got to be the hardest event I’ve ever photographed—it was pitch black (no light stands or DJ lights on the dance floor) and it was a madhouse, kids running everywhere.  Only when they did organized dances or stood in front of the cruise ship could I get photos that didn’t look like mass hysteria.  You could definitely tell the kids were having a great time and hopefully you can see that in the photos, too.  Here’s just a selection that include Ella.

{aaah, natural light—in the cafeteria where the blue cake was (you can see lots of blue mouths on kids after this picture.}