end of school

The end of the school year was busy with plenty of parties, events, and ceremonies!  Tyler and Natalie both made Principal's List again (straight A's).

Here they are with their teachers.  Tyler with Mrs. Ferber (who was usually hard to find in her classroom since she was the same size or shorter than most of her 6th graders)!

Natalie with Ms. Bolding:

There was a 6th grade celebration (not a graduation), but I won't bore anyone with the 5 minute long "dance" which was really just kids walking around.  There were a couple nice speeches and a sweet slideshow.  Tyler with his 6th grade best friend Blaine. 

Here is Tyler on his first day of Kindergarten and his last day of 6th grade!

It's off to Junior High for Tyler and 3 kids in 3 different schools for me next year!

20th anniversary!

We celebrated our 20th anniversary!  Our vacation to England last month was our main gift to each other, but I made a slideshow for Kevin as well.  It was fun looking back through all the photos and memories! We have been so blessed!  Enjoy watching us age 20 years in 3 minutes!

chorus and drama

Natalie was part of the school Chorus and Drama clubs this year (if you were in drama, you were required to be part of chorus).  She had several other performances with Chorus, but the drama club worked all year on their play.  I didn't video, since I was told that there would be a copy provided.  But the file they sent was recorded in high definition and enormous so it's only about half the show. Sad lesson learned...always do your own video! 

It was an original play written by the drama club teacher and was called Peace by Piece.  It was segments about peace and had a 1970's vibe to it.  It was very clever and colorful and fun.  Natalie was a peacenik.

Drama teacher Mrs. Goldberg:

Chorus teacher Mrs. Trafficante (she is also the General Music teacher that both she and Tyler had):

mother's day

My kids know by now that one of the things I really want each Mother's Day is a picture of me with them.  They didn't even give me any grief this year (even though it looks like it).  It was a very bright, sunny morning and we were in a hurry to get out the door for church.  And the color coordination was by accident!

Also, the elementary school hosted a Mother/Daughter Tea the weekend before that Natalie and I attended.  I'm glad at least one of my kids loves to have their picture taken!

piano recital

We all survived another piano recital!  I honestly think I get more nervous than my kids do!

Natalie (almost 10) is now in Level 5.

 Tyler (12) is now in Level 6.

Their piano teacher also had them play "Don't Stop Believing" as part of a quartet. These kids were AMAZING, especially considering they were ages 9,10,11,12, had only received their music a few weeks before, and had only practiced together a few times!