Another Chapter Closed

June was a busy month and as it ended, another chapter closed. The kids and I finished another year of school. Next year Kirra will be in Grade 4, Jaret headed for Junior High with starting Grade 7, and I will begin a new role as Elementary Principal (JK-Gr 3). But, for now, we are just celebrating another year behind us, with summer ahead of us, and no one is thinking about school.

Jaret and Terry were really busy with finishing off another season of baseball. Between all the practices and games, it meant for lots of game play and some later nights. Jaret also was diligently studying for his Provincial Achievement Tests. I was so proud of him and how serious he took his studying. One day I had come home from work to see him sitting at the computer and discovered that he was reviewing study notes and completing exam banks in preparation. And his hard work paid off. He did well on all his exams. In fact, on his math he scored 100% on both parts. He definitely has his dad's math genes. The year ended with character awards which are always a highlight for me. Jaret got the Christ-like Character Award for Administration. I guess some of his mom's genes too; okay and maybe his dad's in there as well.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." ~Isaiah 41:10

Achieved his last Bible Medal - bittersweet moment.

Growing up and headed to the world of Junior High.

One unfortunate thing was that about a week before school ended, Jaret got tonsillitis. He was started on penicillin which helped get rid of the tonsillitis but little did we know that he was allergic. A week after he had been on penicillin (the last day of school during his Grade 6 celebration), Jaret broke out into hives all over his body. Poor guy - then began the constant Benadryl to help alleviate the itchiness from the hives and try to clear up the hives. Still seeing some after effects.

Kirra wrapped up another season of dance with her year-end recital. Her dancenastics and jazz groups did so well and I love seeing how it all comes together after a year of work and the progress they make. We celebrated by having some of the girls from her dancenastics class for sundaes. Kirra also finished some riding lessons and is looking forward to riding camp in July. Although, her last lesson was the last time to ride Magnum as we learned that the horse was moving - she was so sad to have to say good-bye and even asked if we could buy him so he could stay.

Kirra with her coach, Tasha and Magnum

Kirra received the Christ-like Character Award for Heart for God.
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man." ~Proverbs 3:3-4

Kirra with Julia - they make me laugh!

Just to add to the busyness, I also flew out for a day to Regina to celebrate Justine's Grade 12 Graduation. It was special to be there to celebrate with family.

Terry has learned how busy year-end is for me and so decided to take the kids camping so that I could finish off the year with some late nights and a quiet house. He ventured out to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with the kids to camp in the new camper. They spent two days at Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach waterslides. They had so much fun and went on each roller coaster as many times as they could. Even Kirra loved the roller coasters, even Aftershock which is one of the craziest roller coasters in North America that takes you through a cobra roll and inverted loop, forward and backward. In fact, Jaret said at one point you are hanging upside down and looking straight down before you plunge down. I described it as disgusting, just hearing him tell me about it but he didn't understand how I wouldn't find that awesome. I am so not good with rides so I was all good with Terry taking them on this adventure.

I flew into Seattle to meet up with them on the weekend and we enjoyed our Seattle time, despite the weather being cooler than we normally experience. We...
-took in two baseball games (two wins for the Mariner's)
-walked around Pike Place Market
-drank a few Starbucks (along with donuts and cookies for breakfast from the market)
-enjoyed seafood and more seafood (well, the boys did)
-ate at PF Chang's (Kirra would recommend the Beef & Broccoli and Jaret the Honey Chicken)
-took the ferry to Bremerton to tour the USS Turner Joy
-shopped at the American Girl store (well, the girls did - while the boys checked out the sports stores in the mall)
-attempted the Space Needle and Glass Museum but struck out on both due a special function happening
-enjoyed another Seattle trip!

From Seattle we drove back to Ravenwood where Terry and the kids had camped on the way out, and we stayed a night before making the long drive back to Calgary. It was my first night in the camper but it was a good first experience and was just enough to get me even more excited for more camping this summer. Although, I have been told that the next trip can't include any hotels and no eating at restaurants. More camping, real camping, is in the plans...just need to remember to buy a better can opener (at least we had one, Krista) and ensure there is sugar for Terry's coffee.

Bring on SUMMER!!