Last day of school!

Nathan's official last day of school was yesterday, since we didn't make him go today.  They've been doing nothing for over a week now, and it was early release anyway, so he chose to start summer early!  I can't believe how much he's changed since the beginning of 7th grade!  Contacts, braces, and just an overall growth!

Nathan gives two thumbs up for the end of school and start of summer, which I'm sure will change once we're a week into it and "bored".

Madison hasn't changed too much this year!  Of course we have to take a picture with Max...

She's always had the same answer for summer - halfway excited and halfway sad that school is out!  She is a social girl and loves seeing her friends every day.

This was last year on the last day of school (quarantine in the apartment), and now (with a weird picture angle because it's been pouring rain)!  Crazy what a year can do.  One thing is for sure....next on our agenda is clothes shopping for the kid who has outgrown everything!

I promised them CiCi's pizza for the last day of school since we never ever eat there!  Happy summer....and I'll try not to think about the fact that it's Madison's last year of highschool and Nathan's last year of junior high coming up in a few short months!

Milkshakes and putt-putt!

Nathan has been wanting to do something fun with a friend lately, so we made today that day!  He invited Matias to hang out for a few hours today.  Started off the afternoon by visiting Madison at Chick-fil-A to get cookies 'n' cream milkshakes!  We headed over to Strike and Reel to go bowling, but there was a 2-hour wait, so we ended up going to Adventure Landing for some putt-putt.  They had a great time together, and we got lucky that it never rained on us while we were out!

I miss the days of taking cute pictures like this, so as a little throwback to the toddler days, I forced them onto this turtle!  Surprisingly, they cooperated.  :)

They had a fun afternoon together.  It already feels like the beginning of summer...only a few more days!

Spring concert...

Nathan had his spring concert tonight, and he did great.  They have really improved and advanced since the last time I saw them perform, and it was fun hearing all the new songs!

Nathan got an award for finishing his Breezin' Thru Theory work this year!

This was a weird year with Covid, and concerts were weird with limited audience, but he had a great time and improved so much with his tenor saxophone!  He's hoping to go back to alto sax next year, and will hopefully get the results soon.

Senior banquet...

We went to the senior banquet for church tonight at Ten50 BBQ.  Madison has a couple of good senior friends at church as well (it's been a rough week for her saying goodbye to everyone)!  We had dinner, dessert, awards, a card magician and a sweet slideshow of the graduates!

Nathan was forced in this picture to prove he was there!  Plus, Katya loves Nathan and wanted him in the picture!

Sweet friends!  Sad we're losing two in the youth group, but hopefully they will all stay in touch.

Spring concert...

Madison had her spring concert last night, and they did amazing.  It was a little on the sad side though.  It was dedicated to the seniors and they all came up front while everyone played the school song (and I'm crying because I'm too emotional and I'm thinking of Madison next year)!  Madison was sad because she is having to say goodbye to her favorite student teachers tomorrow, and her best friend in band is a senior and will be graduating.  An emotional night for sure!  She has really grown close to these student teachers and really bonded with them this year.

Something happened and she wasn't able to get a picture with Zach, so she got one today at school before he left.

Band has always been time-consuming and stressful, but she said the other day, "I can't imagine not having band in my life."  It's the people for her!  She loves the relationships she's built through this experience.  I can't believe she only has one more year left.  It doesn't seem possible.

Mother's Day...

I had such a great Mother's Day.  The kids and Michael made me breakfast, we went to church, then we took Gaga out to lunch at Niki's Italian Bistro!

We came home for some lazy-on-the-couch reading time, then I went for a long walk with Michael.  Afterwards, we went to Nico's for Mexican food and sat out on the patio!  It's definitely not Mi Cocina, but I didn't feel like driving far or waiting forever for a table.  Trying to figure out who would take the selfie and at what angle was quite a task!

Afterwards, I opened presents.  They got me cards, chocolate, lotion, candles, roses, and a HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE for next week!

Also, Madison stayed up all night making the sweetest gift for me.  It was a jar full of funny memories and things she loves about me!  SO sweet.

I feel so blessed today!  I've got a mom and family who are always there for me and love me a ton, and they show it all the time (not just on days like today).  I'm SO beyond grateful that I'm a mom.  Madison and Nathan are the best, and the older they get, the more I enjoy our relationship together.  Being a mom can be hard work, but it is also the most rewarding and important work.  Happy Mother's Day!

Band Gala 2021...

Madison started off the day by having breakfast and getting her nails done with a friend - all inspired by her favorite place to work.  It might be a little hard to see, but her ring fingers have cow print!

She met her friend, Jheel, and they went to La Madeline for dinner before the band gala started!

Pictures with student teachers (who Madison ADORES and is super sad to say goodbye to after next week)!

All the clarinets in wind symphony plus the student teachers...

Madison with Jheel and Mr. Dixon...

Madison with Ruthie and Rylie...

After the gala, she went to McDonald's with Ruthie and Rylie to hang out and get an ice-cream!  She had such a fun night and really enjoyed everything.  I'm still having a hard time accepting this growing up thing though!  Only one more year of all this...trying hard not to dwell on that fact!

Twinkle, the egg....

For Madison's med-term class, they had to create a little home for their baby egg and carry it around with them for two days!  Twinkle got to meet some friends and Madison's favorite band director, Mr. Dixon!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Any excuse for a photo opportunity with Max, and Madison will take it!  This dog is a trooper.  Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Devo...

The kids had a devo tonight at church, and they had fun playing disc golf afterwards!  I sure love that they can drive themselves and go together.  It was a fun night for them!