School's Out For Summer

School is officially out and our end of the year looked a little different than anticipated but it was special in it's own way and was one we'll never forget.

Last Thursday Griffin's teacher hosted individual "show and tell" sessions at her house where kids got to bring a few pieces of their work that they were extra proud of to show her, she presented them with their end-of-the-year awards and she even had balloons for them.  It was sweet and special and personal and quiet and I 100% teared up.

All three of my kids have had Mrs. McKeller for first grade and y'all... she is INCREDIBLE!  She's intuitive and thoughtful and just plain amazing.  We're so sad that the "magic first grade year" ended the way it did but Mrs. McKeller went above and beyond during distance learning and still managed to make it a great quarter for the kids.

Look at how much she grew up this year!!!

We went to school yesterday to turn in Mason's books and papers and pick up a few things from his classroom and he was SO EXCITED to get to see his teachers.  We ADORE them (I taught both of their kids during some of my first years of teaching!) and Mason was so sad to "miss out" on a quarter with them because they're both so much fun. 

THIS KID WORKED HAAAARD this year and we are so proud of everything that he accomplished!  Fourth grade here he comes!

I MEAN!  Just when I think he can't get any cuter he goes and gets those front teeth :) 

Last Friday we had a really special surprise visit when all three of Luke's teachers showed up to present him with the Kingdom Life award.  This is a character-based award that, as one of his teachers said, isn't something that you earn but is a reflection of how he lives his life.

Typically, this award is presented at a year awards ceremony and the two students from each grade would get called to the stage to receive their award and while there wasn't an assembly this year it was SO SWEET because all of his teachers got to speak directly to Luke, talk about why he was chosen and it was just really special.  

When we went to school yesterday to turn in his books and pick up his things from his classroom his teachers presented him with his 5th grade diploma and academic awards.  It was SO SWEET that they wanted to make it special for the 5th graders.  FOREVER grateful to these ladies for their influence and amazing leadership.

Y'all!!!  Every I feel like one kid really grows and changes and this was most definitely Luke's year.  Middle school HERE HE COMES!

And because it's his last year of elementary school you know I had to...

BE STILL MY HEART!

Despite the circumstances I really have nothing but great things to say about this school year.  My kids have grown academically, socially and spiritually... they've made and maintained awesome friendships, overcome challenges and learned A LOT.  

I can't believe that this was the last year for them to all be on the same "campus".... from this point forward we'll always have two in one school and one in another (i.e. two in elementary and one in middle, etc.).

 HAPPY SUMMER, friends!!!