The Young and the Restless

Wrapping it up 

The school year has quickly come to an end. I still can't believe we've been here for 6 months already. Maddox's class performed in a Christmas program. I live for these things, they bring back such fond memories of my elementary school days before holidays became a four letter word in the public school system. As you can imagine, it was adorable.  

I spent two days straight baking Christmas goodies for neighbors and friends. Sometimes these boys "helped" me. Or in other words, they ate the chocolate chips like dog food.

And this girl grew up over night. They decorated the gym all fancy and had the teachers serve dinner to all the kids graduating from primary school. Such a fun idea and such a special night for her.  She was facetiming her friends all afternoon long trying to decide what to wear, how to do her hair, what shoes to wear, what jewelry went best, if she should wear mascara...it felt like she was getting ready for prom.  My favorite part was when she came home, we sat on her bed and talked about everything from the food she ordered to the boys that liked her and everything in between. Sometimes it makes me sad, like really sad, that she doesn't have a sister (actually, that's what she asked Santa for Christmas), but I love that we have such a close relationship and hopefully I can help fill that sister shaped hole in her heart.

I love our long drive way, it gives the boys plenty of room to burn all that pent up energy from rainy days.

This was the last day of school assembly, I loved the kapa haka songs they performed it seriously gave me goosebumps.  I love that they are exposed to such a beautiful culture, it's something they'll look back on with fond memories. It's a part of them now.  Not to mention, we are fully prepared for the next ward talent show when we return to the states. And that is the entire student body sitting there on the floor, I really love how small and intimate the school is.

This is Mrs. Dean. I loved her, Jayden loved her, and most importantly she loved Jayden.  Jayden knows how to turn on the charm, particularly with the grandmotherly figures. I think it's fair to say he was one of her favorites. One student from each class gets chosen at the end of the year to receive a certificate and $30 gift card and she chose him.  He bought roller blades.

I really love how all of the classrooms are covered with artwork.  I was sad she had already taken down her Christmas decorations, when I showed up for the parent teacher conference earlier in the week I felt like I had stepped into Santa's workshop. It made me wish I was a kid again and made me so grateful my kids have this experience here.

Unfortunately Maddox's teacher was sick the whole last week of school, but this is Mrs. Gray who teaches them on Wednesdays and is in the class helping out several days a week.  He'll also have the same teacher next year so there will be more photo ops in the future. It was hard for me to send him all day, but he absolutely loves it so I can't be sad anymore.

I'm so glad Kylie has made such great friends here. It was sad for her to say good bye (some tears were shed) because some of them were going to different intermediate schools and some of them were staying behind.  They combine all the grades so year 1/2 are in a class together, along with 3/4 and 5/6. I'm not entirely sure why and not entirely sure how it works, but Kylie's just glad her and Jayden are 2 years apart otherwise they would have been in the same class.  Kylie's class was buddy classes with Maddox's class and they were able to do so many things together, it helped make the transition to school easier for him.

This is Mr Lynch, Kylie was so embarrassed that I made her take a picture with him because he's a boy.

One of the cute year 5's that she became friends with.

They had a half day the last day of school and I sort of got a little depressed when the weather was rainy and freezing. Instead of going out and celebrating, the boys watched tv all afternoon while Kylie and her friends hung out. Besides a few cameo appearances in their home video as a Santa who died from eating poisonous soup, I mostly just laid on the couch. I told them I had a headache, but the truth was I was in a funk and I couldn't kick it.  That seasonal affective disorder is a real thing. I notice my mood is greatly influenced by the weather, I try not to let it get me down, but sometimes it does.  Thankfully the sun finally came out. The girls set up a spa for Judy and I and somewhere between the raspberries, shoulder massages, nail painting and Judy's laugh, I kicked that funk right square in the pants.  I'm determined to make this a good summer. Rain or shine.