This was a very big week for our family with the end of the school year.
Rachel finished 6th grade and heads to a new school next year for 7th grade. She was overjoyed this week to hear she made the Wind Ensemble with her tuba for next year. This is the top band usually reserved for 8th graders. She was one of five 7th graders who made that band. Her hours of practice and her love of music are paying off. She decided to continue lessons through the summer to make sure she is not behind the ball when Fall comes. Her other plans for the summer include Girl's camp next week and babysitting whenever she can.
Alyson "graduated" from 4th grade Friday. They had a special ceremony and she received a stack of certificates for her accomplishments. She is a very hard worker and deserved the recognition. Alyson is really excited to move on to Intermediate School next Fall. This marks a turning point in our family where we will have three children in three separate schools. I feel for Dave having to keep up with the carpooling.
Matthew loved his class this year; he had an awesome teacher. He was excited to go to school on the last day and have his yearbook signed by his class. He was a little disappointed when he realized he would miss the "signing" party while he attended Alyson's graduation program. He quickly got over it. He will be busy next week with Cub Scout twilight camp each day for the whole week. Dave is chaperoning each day. From what I hear from other parents, Dave and Matthew will be exhausted every day and will have no problem going to sleep at night. (Yea, for me too!)
As I look at my kids and all they are doing with their lives, I am reminded of something I learned from General Conference this last April: Elder M. Russell Ballard has taught us the importance of the Savior's admonition to "behold your little ones" when he said: "Notice that He didn't say 'glance at them' or 'casually observe them' or 'occasionally take a look in their general direction'. He said behold them...that means we should embrace them with our eyes and with our hearts; we should see and appreciate them for who they really are. (taken from "Become as a Little Child" by Jean A. Stevens, April 2011 General Conference)
Dave and I have three awesome kids. I need to notice them more, watch them and learn from them. I need to be more like them is their ability to love, forgive, and be humble...even on those days when I want to pull my hair out!