A New View

A great way to end the school year is to pack up the mini and head North to Traverse City, and that's just what we did.  I shed many tears as the children said goodbye to friends and their teachers, saying farewell to yet, another year of school.

Traffic was light, and we cruised our way up.  The children were tucked in tight, surrounded by mountains of stuffed animals and blankets.  Limiting them has proven to bring unnecessary tears, so the rule is, you bring it, you are in charge of it.  With the room we have, it's fine if they bring an armful of comfort items!  There was a time when traveling was torture, now the kids do pretty darn well, as long as I have an abundance of snacks, and movies they make the ride enjoyable.  

A few weeks before our trip my Dad and Mom told us we were doing something for Mom's Birthday.  A Birthday Surprise.  Charlotte, Alex, and I conversed over  the many options that we could be doing.  I kind of panicked because they would not crack or tell me what was going on.  My inner planner was freaking out. What do the kids need for this surprise?  AHHH!!  My Dad assured me I needed nothing above what I usually bring.  My mind was running rampant at the possibilities.  

The surprise was amazing.  It was breathtaking and gorgeous.  I didn't need anything extra, and everyone enjoyed it immensely, the children still talk about it almost daily! 

We went on HELICOPTER rides around TC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The chopper fit four people total (including pilot) so we split up and each got a fabulous ride around the city.  The views from up that high are magnificent.  The water was crystal clear, the trees a deep emerald green, the vineyards littered with budding grape trees.  Words can not express how grateful we all were to my parents for taking us on this incredible adventure! 

Here are a few pictures from Tom, my Mom, and I's trip in the sky:

 The water was so clear we even spotted a shipwreck as seen in the next three pics!

Pictures while waiting for our turns:

 The weather, clearly, was amazing, sunny and not too hot.  The whole experience was one for the memory books!!

The rest of the time we spent as a family, grilling and having a bonfire, taking a trip to an infamous Rock Shop, and just being around each other.  My children slept great, ate a ton, and had a truly wonderful time!  

Happy Birthday Mom! 

June 5th marked the end of the 2014-2015 school year.  I cried.  I always cry.  I cry because my babies are growing.  I cry because of the teachers we have been blessed with yet again will no longer be a part of their lives.  I cry because another year has gone by.  Most importantly, I cry because I'm proud of my little people.  Proud of their growth and accomplishments during the year.  Proud of the people they are becoming.  Sigh.  End of the school year is a tough moment!

They lucked out and got a half day on Friday.  We did not go until June 18th, like last year.  The beginning of June dismissal was refreshing and welcomed by all.

Violette has grown so much over the last year.  I can say that about all the children, but Kindergarten really is a huge year.  She entered kindergarten, unsure and nervous, she leaves, confident and sure footed in learning.  She was a leader, a listener and always on the receiving end of "happy notes" from the teacher.  Violette made many friends and a social little girl!

Beginning of the year:

 End of the year:

Max had an over all good 1st grade year.  We had one phone call home from the teacher at the beginning of the year (just a heads up that Max was making over students laugh when they were supposed to be quiet) and that was all.  He excelled in Math and greatly improved in reading.  Max loved gym class and has a knack for sports.  He was challenged and learning a lot over the year.  He joined a peer to peer mentoring program and helped out special needs students an hour each week!!  I was very proud he wanted to do this and it seemed to be beneficial for all the students involved!  Max also earned several Leadership Awards for his willingness to go above and beyond in the classroom.  

Beginning of the year:

End of the year:

Noelle wrapped up her 3rd grade year as well.  She has stated it was her favorite year so far.  She has become a very studious student, who is learning and finding herself during the year.  She has learned a lot about friendships and hard lessons on being made fun of and how to ignore those with less than the best of intentions.  She is a bit of a loner, and her stories about sitting on the bench, alone, during recess bring tears to my eyes, but she is ok being alone.  She choses not to play a grade wide game of tag, she would rather get lost in a book.  Hearing that she is confident being by herself helps, but as a Mom I just want to sit next to her and hold her hand.  

Beginning of the year:

 End of the year:

It was so nice ending school at the beginning of June, as it should be.  Last year's dismissal of June 18th was ridiculous!  

After their half day, I picked them up, and we headed home so we could drive up to gorgeous Traverse City to celebrate my Mom's birthday!  More in the next post about our amazing adventure up there....