Last Day of First Grade!

It's here... SUMMER!

Today is Max's last day of 1st grade.  What a great year he had, too!  As is typical of Max, he was a bit emotional about it being the last day.  We did the usual things... showered, got dressed, took "last day" pics but then also threw in a few other fun things like last minute visiting with Grandma and Grandpa who were visiting from Texas and an early morning breakfast run to The Donut Haus.

Max has grown in so many ways this year.   He has made many new friends.  He learned all about what being at school for a full day includes.  He mastered the "shaky monkey bars", as he calls them.  He got his tonsils out!  (remember???)  He advanced in reading and math and thoroughly enjoyed school.  (thank you, Mrs. Clark!)  He is just a really well-rounded, smart, fun, kind boy... if I do say so myself.

And while it has been a wonderful year in 1st grade we are looking forward to summer... days filled with swimming and tennis and camp and baseball and friends.  Cheers to a great school year and a fun kick off to the summer season!  Here's hoping it doesn't blow by too quickly...

Enjoy the photos of Max on the first day of 1st grade and again on the last...  He grew 2.5" since August! Wowsa!

(choosing his breakfast at The Donut Haus)

Career Day at Dennis!

Last week was Career Week at Max's school.  On Friday the kids were encouraged to dress in something to show what they wanted to be when they grew up.  Two years running now Max has wanted to be a tennis player.  (fine by me... so easy!)

Here are a few pics I snapped out back before heading off to school...

Other choices he considered were a baseball player and a swimmer.  It was a hot day though so tennis beat out baseball due to the "uniform" and as for swimming well, wearing his Speedo just didn't seem like a viable option for school so...

Cub Scouts Cross Over Ceremony | May 12, 2012

This weekend Max got to participate in his Cub Scout Pack's crossing over ceremony.  The 5 boys in his den had accomplished their requirements and were crossing over from Tiger status to Wolf.

The weekend kicked off with lots of games and fun and ended with a  camp out at Warren County (i.e. Armco) Park.  From 9am on Saturday through 9am Sunday Max and Chris were knee deep (literally) in creek water, relay races, regatta racing, campfires and crazy boys.  Although they did take a 90 minute break in the afternoon so Max could play in his baseball game.

At 7pm on Saturday the Pack held the ceremony for the boys to "cross over" to another group.  And cross over they did.  A bridge was constructed by the older kids, with parental help, and as part of the ceremony the boys went over it one by one.  Max's neckerchief went from orange to yellow and he was very proud.

This was his first real camping experience and he absolutely loved it.  If you ask him his favorite part was the creek.  (we really need to clear our back yard of all the crappy weeds because we have a creek he could play in daily!)  I received many text and video updates throughout the weekend showing me all the fun he was having.  Pretty sure naps are in order today though... for both Max and Chris!

Here are a few pics I got when I went for the ceremony.  Not great but pics nonetheless...

First Grade Spring Music Program

Last week we got to watch Max perform with some of the other first grade classes in a musical program at the school.  Remember the ones in preschool?  Specifically then one where he decided he was too embarrassed to sing so he marched off to one side of the stage and kicked the drum?  Well luckily he has matured since then and this time he was thrilled to be on stage.  

The class had been practicing their songs (and dances!) for months.  It was fun to see it come together.  I giggled the entire time and I'm not sure why.  Sure it was silly and a bit cheesy but I think I thought it was so funny just because Max was loving every minute.  He nailed those dance moves, too!  Of course.  ;)  What a fun night.  

Teacher Appreciation Week is going on at school right now and as one of the room moms I collected hand-written notes from the kids in class and stuffed them into a pretty keepsake box for Mrs. Clark.  Max's letter is below.  Completely written by him and heart-felt.  I had to ask if Mrs. Clark was a bit down on herself or something because he was sincere in adding that she is "young" and "pretty" (preety) in his note.  He really loves her and she has made it such a great year for him.  Hoping to have the same kind of experience for Max next year in second grade.

Summer starts for us in 11 short days.  Am I ready???