school's out, scream and shout!

Absolutely adorable.


That's what this little group of graduates was.
Their program was too cute.
I loved their songs.

And guess which very enthusiastic male child could be heard loud and clear over everyone else belting out the songs?
He was really gettin' his groove on up there.

Chris came to watch, too, and Austin was so excited for us to see it.
And before we left for the graduation, he warned me that I might cry.

I did love watching him and his sweet classmates, but there were no tears.
Only smiles. {And chuckles.}


But I did almost want to cry while watching his sweet expression as he listened to his teacher read her goodbye letter to the class.


Austin had a great first year of school.
We are really happy that he did so well and made so many friends.

And we are all just so relieved that he graduated.
Phew...crossed that gigantic hurdle ;)


As hard as it is for me to believe that Austin will soon be going to school ALL day, it is way harder to believe that I now have two middle schoolers.

As the last day of school approached, I felt like I had so much to say to them.
I am so proud of these two.
I had to write it down, so I wrote them some letters for the last day of school.
I wanted them to know how much I admire their amazing qualities including persistence, hard work, fun sense of humor, respect, and responsibility.

Near the end of the year, I got to go with Carlie on her last field trip to the Birds of Prey center.
It was a rainy day, but it was great.




She adored her last year of elementary.

And here she is with her teacher who is a big part of the reason.


I was planning on attending the exact same field trip to the exact same place the following week with Carson's class.

And I was happy to do it.
It's part of having twins.
And it was the LAST field trip.

But then Austin got sick the night before, and I had to stay home with him.
Carson was so disappointed.
(Love his little cotton-pickin' soul.)
So I promised him a "date" that night with just the two of us.

I can't say enough about how great that night was.
We've got to make these one-on-one times more of a priority!
Carson and I both loved the chance we had to talk (and listen).

I love that boy.
He is deep and sensitive and fun.

And he might have even spilled the beans about who he's crushin' on.
Might not.

But he definitely has good taste.

He had such a great school year, also.
And here he is with his fifth grade teacher.


Changes are a bit crazy sometimes, but we are all looking forward with anticipation to what the next chapter brings.

But first...SUMMER!!!
We welcome you with open arms!

I have already said the phrase, "Don't you just love summer?" enough times to drive them all crazy.

But, hey-

Don't you just love summer?