Last Day of School, 2017-2018

After fifth grade graduation, half of the fifth graders left (for good - SOB!), while half returned to school for the final week. I will let you guess which camp these two school-loving nerds fell in.  

They totally went back, as did George.  

I may have mentioned one or a thousand times, but the duo's group of five sweet friends are being split up. These five girls are going to four different schools next year. They have been the sweetest and most supportive group of girls, and we definitely plan to stay in touch.  

On the last day of school, Skip and I talked the administration into letting us bring in a Chick-fil-A for a final farewell lunch.  We had a good final visit, realizing that we are going to miss their friends as much as they will.  

After lunch, I followed the girls out onto the playground. Grace, the rule follower, was concerned, until I asked, "It's your last day ever... what are they going to do to you?"  

After recess (the last one they will ever have), they filed back into school to watch a movie. Grace made me promise to come to their classroom to pick them up that afternoon.  When I did, I found that they had blue stained teeth from cookie cake icing.  So.. there's that. The photo below clearly reveals who had cookie and who did not.  

These guys are just the best, and we are really going to miss them all. 

These girls have been through thick and thin... disappointing grades, sporting events, field trips, science olympiad, elections, the occasional drama, and hundreds of lunches.  

Their last hug broke my heart.  

This lady... my girls will NEVER forget her.  There are some teary eyes in this photo... along with blue teeth.  :)

And this lady... we only had her for a year, but she is really special.  

Lauren and Grace wrung every bit of achievement out of fifth grade.  

This lady is leaving along with us, and we wish her the absolute best. She has worked so hard and devoted so much of herself to others, and we hope that she will take some time for herself and for her family.  

As I have literally said too many times to count, we just love our school so much. The only downside to our school is that it ends at 5th grade, and we didn't realize how traumatic that would be until this year. It's been a GREAT six years, and we are so excited to see what the next three years of middle school will bring.  

Fifth Grade Graduation

After a very short and exciting year and after celebrating for a week solid, the time came for Lauren and Grace to graduate fifth grade and leave their elementary school. 

Their principal is retiring this summer, and the girls have had their teachers for the past three years. Those factors added up to a weepy graduation ceremony, with their teacher crying on the bus ride to the graduation venue.  "After three years, these are my kids," she said. Our girls feel the same way... they are full of love for their teachers.  

Grace and Lauren had a fantastic year. As I watched them proceed through the processional, medals jingling, we 1) realized why we were so tired, what with all of the events they participated in over the past year and 2) were so incredibly proud of their hard work and effort. Over Christmas break, they chose to study for their science olympiad events, and Lauren chose to study her spelling words for hours and hours. That work translated into some hard-earned medals.  

We were also thrilled for their friends. The 2018 fifth grade graduates were a highly accomplished group of students.  

As President, Lauren was called on to make some introductory remarks and to introduce a special guest speaker. When she became emotional during the ceremony, we were a little concerned about her ability to continue, but she took the microphone and spoke evenly, never missing a word.  

Grace was recognized for serving on the Safety Patrol Team, Track Team, and Science Olympiad Team. She was also awarded a medal for being an honor student.  

Lauren was recognized for being an Office Aide and for serving on the Science Olympiad team and track teams. She was also recognized for being a spelling bee winner, for being a Global Scholar, and she received the President's award.  

Grace and Lauren both have had wonderful experiences at school and have enjoyed having good relationships with their friends and teachers. They were both natural candidates for the citizenship award, along with many of their fellow classmates. This student-nominated and faculty-voted award went to Lauren. While we are so proud of her, we know that this was a very close vote, with many votes going to Grace and her fellow classmates.  

After some tears and celebration of accomplishments, it was time to receive the certificates. 

Did I mention the grandparents were bursting with pride?  

Cousin Lexie, a recent graduate herself, joined us as well.  

Hanging out with their super smart and super sweet friends.  

The "diplomas". 

Lauren really bonded with her teacher this year, and she is going to miss her so much.  

Grace's wonderful teacher has become like family to them after spending three years with her, and they genuinely love her. Lauren hopes to return to her classroom as a student teacher.  As Mrs. L said in Lauren's yearbook, "If you decide not to become a teacher, I will look forward to voting for you as President."  

We finally pulled ourselves away from the graduation to have a celebratory lunch at Chez FonFon. Naturally, this was Grace and Lauren's choice, and they both decided to be French for an afternoon.  

Since the duo are heading to middle school on the other side of our city, we felt that mobile phones were finally in order. We had been hearing for two years about how "everyone" had them to which I responded, "That's great. You'll have endless people from whom you can borrow a phone to call me, if needed."  

They were surprised. And thrilled.  

They earned them.  

William George performed perfectly in the role of "proud brother". He has had so much fun with the duo's classmates this year, and he counts many of the fifth grade guys as friends. He is going to miss seeing the fifth grade class at school. While he would never admit it, I could tell he was very proud of his sisters for being two highly decorated graduates.  

 

We are proud, too. Grace and Lauren, we are proud of your work, your determination and for your drive to learn and do your best. Above all we are proud of your kindness and generosity.  

We love you, and we are proud of you - today and always.