The Last Lap...

The tradition at Timber Ridge Elementary is for the 5th graders to take a few laps around the track at the end of their last day of school. All of the other grades, from Pre-K through 4th grade, line the track. The 5th graders come out last and do their "run" around the track and give and receive congratulatory high-fives to everyone lining the track. They made 4 laps around the track (those last few were more walking than running). Only one boy had to be chased down by the gym teacher (but was actually finally caught by the music teacher!) Apparently, he wanted to stay ...

Amanda had some mixed feelings about leaving. After getting off the bus, she was a bit sad and said, "I never get to go there again." I then reminded her that she'll be there plenty of times next year with her 3 siblings who still attend school at Timber Ridge. She seemed quite relieved by that.

Above are a few pictures from the occasion!

Graduation Recognition

Huh? Yes, graduation for 5th graders. Hey, we don't plan it - we just show up and clap when we're told (sort of like Matthew). In a few years, we get to do it again with both Julia (another 5th grade graduation) and Matthew (kindergarten graduation). We'll have true anarchy when Amanda graduates from high school and Matthew from 5th grade (what if it's on the same night?!?)

Anyway, Tuesday night was "Graduation Recognition" night for the 5th Graders at Timber Ridge Elementary. This means that they do a presentation honoring the 5th graders. And, for a sizeable portion of the night we also honored the volunteers who helped with all the graduation-related activites for the 5th grade class. We also had 2 tornado warnings just to spice it up a bit. It was fun, once we went through 9 kids presenting their volunteer moms with flowers and gifts. And, of course, all 5th graders - especially the boys - dream of doing this in front of a few hundred people! In a 5th grade boy's world, co-ed square dancing in gym class is less painful than having to express anything towards his mom (especially in public!) Thankfully, 5th grade girls don't apparently suffer from this affliction ...yet.

It was fun, and only ran about an hour late. Here are a few pictures of Amanda and friends...