And we're done. Summer has begun

Summer started a little early for Mercer - he did not have any finals at the high school, so he did not go to school the last week... which worked out because he actually had to start training for his summer job that week!  But here is his picture for what would be the "last day of school" had he gone to school.  He had a good year -- getting pretty decent grades and completing his first college class.  

Izzy had her final days at the Sixth Grade Academy.  They don't do much of anything the last week school-wise.  Sounded like they had a movie day one day.  They had field day one day. They had yearbook signing (but she was out so much that she missed the yearbook photo and retake!)  She didn't seem to care that she wasn't in the yearbook and had fun showing me her friends.  She was not happy that there was a "Yonder Pouch" on the cover.  (This is the 1st year that they locked up phones at the school!)  She also had another cardio issue that the school nurse called us about -- low pulse pressure.  So, it was definitely NOT the best "last week," but.... SHE MADE IT. 

And - she did it with all As & Bs too.  We're proud of her for pulling that off in spite of all the days she missed school!  (Todd was able to take a couple of photos of her at the awards ceremony.)

It was, honestly, a tough tough school year for her.  (and tough for us juggling all of it too!)

Somehow, I made it as well -- I did not get sick surprisingly even though I basically pulled an all-nighter (or close to it) every other night with the additional class for KSU.  So, I MADE IT too!   

I get a couple of notes from parents or students each year. But this one - begrudgingly - I have to post and share. It was from a student who I had a hard time with - one of the few who are actually going to architecture college.  He failed my classes multiple times, but he kept signing up.  (And - has doubled-up a couple years in a row to make up what he didn't pass the 1st time.)  So I have had this student a lot more than a typical 3 year student - which is 6 classes.  I had him for at least 8 or 9 classes.   whew... it was hard.  But - he did it. He earned a career pathway completion diploma.  

I post this one because the "gift" was so unique (and delicious).  Cookies that his mom had custom made (depicting some of the buildings in the town where he's going to college) + wrote a heartfelt note. 

I am concerned about this particular student... he had such a struggle in my class and the engineering teacher's classes too.  I hope that he can make it through architecture school which is much, much harder.

Once again, we were required to go to graduation... all while grades were due.  I was a grading machine every day / every weekend in May (except for Mother's day).... between KSU that was due at the beginning of the month and MHS that was due at the end of the month... just pushed through.  

But this is why we do it.  That final toss of the cap.

Todd has been working like crazy too ALL of May and he will work like crazy into June as he has a big deadline going out. But, we squeezed in a little bit of fun as a family: we went to an Atlanta United soccer game.  

We enjoyed the game we went to last year, so we went again.  The thing about the team this year, though... they were on a 2 month losing streak. 

But the night we went, they broke the streak. We must have brought them good luck!  haha.

The next morning, at church, Mercer was "commissioned" with other students and chaperones for Mission trips taking place over the summer.  He went to a pool party with youth from the church too.  He went to a graduation party for a senior from youth... all on his own. Someone we don't know.  

It was a first for us for him to go somewhere with people we didn't know (he went to a different school - we know the kids that go to M's school in youth).  I am glad he's making friends with the high schoolers at church.  It was an important community of kids and friends in my own childhood.

AND the day after that - ON Memorial Day - he went to his 1st day as camp counselor.  He said all but 1 kid showed up. (We thought it would be light because it was a holiday. Nope)

He left super early (5:30ish) so he could go work out before work started at 7 am. That's why it's dark outside.   (um... that only lasted 1 day. He went in at normal time ~ 6:45 after that!)  

Isabella and I went to something unique that we've not done before -- we went to a dog's birthday party (but we didn't take our dog b/c she's not behaved well enough.) Technically, Isabella was too young b/c it was at a place called "drafty dane" (they serve drinks) but it was a private event -- and in the morning before the venue opened to the public.  

Nothing was being served except for licks and pup-cakes!  (we brought some home for our doggos to enjoy, thanks to the host, Christen, who invited us).  

I have gotten to know her over the last few years / we've been to her house and  Isabella loves her dogs.  Duh - she loves ALL dogs... especially Christen's mom's dog -- this gray & white mop which is standing on the table. She was my favorite, honestly... the mop look is SO CUTE! 

These 2 great danes who were sooo sweet -- weighed 150 lbs + 170 lbs each!  

Happy 14th birthday, Geoffrey!

I had 2 more days of work after Memorial Day. Meetings / packing up room / filling out some paperwork / etc.  Here is my room - all packed up.  Except I brought in a few things and left on the back table.  in early-to-mid June, I am leading a STEM camp for architecture for upper elementary students.  This is something new -- our department chair asked that we consider leading career camps for a week's worth of pay. I used to do this at SAE school and enjoyed it. (It was a lot of hard work, but generally fun) 

I still have an "end-of-year" document that I want to send out to my Advisory Committee members, but I think I'll work on that the week I'm at camp and back on campus.

My room doesn't look that different - just neater.  Tables & chairs may be moved to clean the floor at some point during the summer?  Hopefully!