back to school

Summer is officially over, but you couldn't tell by the temperature in Florida.

BACK. TO. SCHOOL.

And I'm soooo happy about it. It was a long summer, it really wasn't, just felt like it to me. Now the long nights of playing outside have led to homework and making lunches and having lengthy discussions with Rachael on what she should wear to school. These conversations with her are probably THE MOST frustrating ones I have ever had with my daughter. Not kidding !!

Erin started 3rd grade out on a good note. He seems to have a nice teacher, at least 4 days into it and I am still impressed, and I do reserve the right to re-visit the teacher situation as the year goes on.

Rachael started her middle school 6th grade year too. First year that I didn't walk her into school, first year she hasn't worn uniforms, first year she can wear flip flops to school, first year of switching classes, first year of needing to be accountable for her actions. And the most important first of all ... THE FIRST YEAR OF EDLINE ... I love Edline, it is an on-line-stalk-your-students grading system. Everything Rachael does in class, every grade is posted on line. LOVE EDLINE !! She is doing pretty good so far, she is enjoying middle school and looking forward to middle school sports!!

Like normal, we were in a huge hurry .... So I didn't even take a second to check to see if the kids had their eyes open ! ooopppsss ....

Don't they look good? Even Trevor wanted to get in on the action. That kid doesn't like to miss any of the spotlight!

this is gonna be a long one :)

On Wednesday night Kasey graduated from High School. It was a beautiful ceremony, a bit long for Trevor, after all there were 505 students, but we all enjoyed the night and now we now have a college freshman in our family.

And this is a picture of Trevor holding the rose he was going to give to his sister. This was how it looked before the 1st of 505 names were called. Around name 200, he started picking off the petals one by one. It wasn't quite so pretty when he gave them to her afterwards. Good thing we teach our kids that it isn't the gift, but the thought that counts.

And yesterday was Rachael's last day of 5th grade, last day of elementary school, and last day at the only school she has ever gone to. After 6 years at this school, she made lifetime friends, had some very caring and wonderful teachers and said goodbye to a school that has made her feel safe and confident. She had a rough day yesterday. She cried .... ok, no she bawled !! And I cried too !!

And here is the 5th grade clap out .... Rachael's class is 1st coming down the hall. Her friend, Kara grabbed me for a hug because her Mom couldn't make it and she was a little more than emotional. The next little girl is Rachael and she walks right into my camera. You can't miss her!

And these are were her teachers this year !! They both wrote nearly the same thing in her yearbook, "Rachael, you are a wonderful student with a great personality. I will miss your smile everyday, but remember .... that smile can't get you out of everything! Work Hard!"

Yup, she uses that smile all the time to her benefit ... smart kid.

It was Erin's last day of 2nd grade. He was happy and for him it was summertime ..... nothing more to say on that subject.

During dinner before Kasey's graduation we were doing to graduation math. Kasey will graduate from college in the year 2013. Rachael will graduation from high school in the year 2016, Erin will graduate in the year 2019 and here is what scares me the most, Trevor will graduate in the year 2025 !!

SO LET THE SUMMER BEGIN !!

the big graduation ....

Today is the day! A little after 7 pm, Kasey will be a high school graduate!

No more high schooler. She is a soon to be college girl. An exciting time for her, although I don't think she is anywhere close to realizing how hard it is going to be. But she is 17 and yup, she knows it all. Not completely shocking, I think most teenager parents will agree with me on that.

I'll get some pictures posted tomorrow. We have dinner tomorrow and then off to the SunDome for the ceremony.

Can I just tell you that I can't believe the high school is big enough to need the Sundome. I mean, I know the school is huge, but I graduated on my high school football field.

grandparents breakfast.

Last Friday was Grandparents Breakfast as school. We are very lucky that Pappy spends a great deal of time in Tampa and loves to come to breakfast with the kids. This was Pappy's 6th annual Grandparents Breakfast. And, sadly, it is Rachael's last. Next year my little girl will be a 6th grader in Junior High School. But, Pappy, you are in luck. Erin still has a few left!

Pappy was a little late this year, but it all worked out. Rachael even gave him directions to the school and didn't get him lost! Here are some pictures of the big day. Rachael said she always gets sad when Pappy brings her to school because she misses him! oohhhhhh......so sweet. But Pappy knows how to make her smile, a little bribery goes a long way!

How cute are they in the "Spirit Friday" T-shirts ..

Who doesn't love Flat Stanley??

I have the entire family running around with this paper doll called Flat Stanley. There used to be a time when you had to mail Flat Stanley, but the world wide web allows for Flat Stanley to be e-mailed. Little E is doing a 1st grade geography project, "Where in the world is Flat Stanley". We are truly enjoying it. FS has been everywhere. He has been on a Southwest Jet Cockpit(Thanks Dewey), A Delta Jet Cockpit (Pappy is the best), All over New England (Nanny Rocks) and Times Square in NY (Thanks Suz). He went to a St. Patty's Day parade and put on a Sheriff's cruiser (2 Thumbs up Papa). He is an addicting little guy!

Anyone else want Flat Stanley? He is just an e-mail away ....