Last week of school

It doesn't usually make a whole lot of sense to me to have the kids go back to school after Memorial Day. However, this year it worked to our advantage. Jeff came home from his trip to Germany the day after Memorial Day, and then he had three days to try to get over jet lag before the boys got out. They actually worked and learned right up until last Friday, then had field day and assemblies and parties and cleaned out desks--all the normal end of school year stuff--this week. Today was their last day and they were released at 10 a.m.

It was nice that Jeff and I were both able to attend the academic awards assembly on Tuesday. Ryan received the Academic Excellence Award for being the boy with the best grades in his class. Jared received a certificate of achievement for exceptional accomplishment in completing the 1st grade. Adam received a Silver Award from the President's Educational Awards Program--equivalent to being on the Honor Roll, or having an A- average. The certificate and accompanying letter are signed by President Obama.


Not to be left out, Dallin got in on the next photo.


They are good kids, and I love them. They do drive me crazy at times--particularly when their daddy is 5000 miles away and can't help--but they are good kids. I am proud of them, not just for doing well in school, but for learning and growing and especially for trying hard to be nice and do what is right.

As usual, my emotions about summer vacation are mixed. I am glad to have a change in the routine. It will be so nice to let Jared sleep as long as he needs/wants to, for instance, instead of getting him up grumpy most mornings. It will also be nice to not have to track, help with, or nag about homework for a few months. On the other hand, I'm not yet mentally prepared for the lack of routine, or for keeping the kids entertained and busy all summer. I realize it is summer vacation and that, theoretically, they should be able to keep themselves entertained--and be happy for the chance! But I am a realist. I know it just won't happen, unless I leave them to their own devices--and those devices would be the TV, the Wii, and the computer, way too many hours of the day. So I'm trying to figure out some reasonable limits, as well as a plan for chores.

We did get an every day pool pass this summer, so that should help some with the entertaining. Adam will be doing swim team again, as well as finishing up baseball season. Jared is just starting his six-week-long coach pitch baseball season. Ryan will probably be reading all summer, at least until soccer season starts. All the boys are enrolled in the summer reading program at the library. I hope I can keep them in books they want to read. (Suggestions are welcome, especially fantasy for preteen boys.) Jeff will have a few weeks off, then start teaching the second summer session. We hope to squeeze in a camping trip or two. I'll be competing in weightlifting at the Utah Summer Games, and trying to keep up with everything else. Phew! Come August, I'm sure I'll be ready for the routine of school again. :-)

P.S. Thank you to those who donated to the boys' Walk-a-thon fundraiser for their elementary school. Adam got $103 in pledges, which was the most in his 6th grade class, earning him an Ipod Shuffle. He is thrilled!