First Grade Ends

Today was the last day of First Grade for Lily.

It was a half day and Darin stayed home to celebrate with her.

(aka go to the pool together, ride bikes and make steak on the grill)

I was lucky enough to go on the

Class Field Trip and join in on the End of the Year Party last week.

Lily has grown this year in so many ways.

I will share a snippet of what she can do now that she could not do a year ago :

jump rope effortlessly, while singing silly songs

and impressing others

read chapter books with expression silently to herself

hula hoop from her neck down and back up

 give to others

(including children in Guatamala)

Irish Dance

assert herself appropriately, when necessary

complete 50 math problems correctly in 3 minutes

ride a big bike, no training wheels

show self control

make new friends

spell big words, like shampoo

get ready for school in the morning with no assistance

write legibly

fall in love with her teacher.

Here is her self portrait at 7 years old.

Pretty darn good, if you ask me.

I am so proud of Lily.

My girl is growing into herself.

She is making good choices, out in the world, without me.

The whole year was a big deal.

For our family, it was moments of tension

trying to get it all done and keep

(the free spirit, unfocused, and lovable)

Lily on track.

So, I am also going to put it out there and

say I am proud of our family too.

Lily's success is our success.

And now that it is over, I can say

"she did it!"

and then secretly to you 3 readers

I am going to say...

"Darin, Charlotte, and I made it too!"

There were heated evenings with not enough time

and spelling tests to be had.

Monday mornings coming too fast with no groceries for lunches.

A juggle of schedules to get me volunteering in the classroom, Charlotte cared for, and someone to meet Lily at the bus stop.

And all the business you Reader's already know about this.

So...summer has just arrived.

I am thrilled to not make lunches, do homework,

or have schedules for the next few months

until we start up again.

This weekend is Dance Recital.

Here's a preview from class the other night

when the costumes came in.

"Viva Las Vegas"

Eat it up.

No videos allowed at recital.