End of school and beginning of summer

Welcome back! We have started the summer off by cleaning the house out. I mean basement, garage, cabinets, and drawers. It is big trash pick up here so we have had a deadline of Monday. I'm almost finished...thank goodness. But we have had some fun in there too. We got to meet Baby Charlie (the newest Potts' Family member.) We played at the park, we have been swimming, we have been reading and doing some school work, and all that in one week. The kids spent the first 2 days of summer break at Grandma's while I finished up my job at St. Matthews. The last day was very sad as it came to an end. But summer break here we are.

Today Caroline had a playdate with Lily. They went swimming and played at Lily's house. Here she is before she left looking so cute. She had the best time and can't wait to go back. Her and Lily have really become good friends since meeting last year in Kindergarten.

Nick played his last baseball game today. In the car on the way home he said, "I really like playing ball I don't want it to be over." I was afraid I wasn't going to hear those words this year and they were so sweet to my ears. He has started a little tennis clinic at the pool so that will fill his time nicely until fall ball. (these pictures are in order backwards)

Here is Nick with his statue after the game. Check out that smile.

Here he is up at bat for the 1st time of today's game. He hit it the first time in the outfield.

Here he is in the ceremonial photo shoot that he hates before we left the house. He is so not into getting his picture made right now. I'm showing the best shots.

I like this one. Yes he wears his sunglasses when playing the field because the sun hurts his eye.

Now to the end of school. The kids were both very sad to say goodbye to their teachers this year. Caroline cried herself to sleep for several days before school was over bc she isn't going to be with Mrs. A again next year.. Mrs. A made up for it by asking her if she would come back and help her set up her room before school starts. Caroline stayed after class everyday to help set up for the next day and whatever else Mrs. Armstrong needed done. They got very close this year.

This is Nick and Mrs. Speevack. This woman was my lifesaver this year. I don't know what I would have done without her and I am very sad Nick is not going to have her next year too. She hates to have her pic made, but she told Nick she would do anything for him. I truly believe she would too. For those of you that don't know it was a very tough year for Nick being diagnosed with dyslexia, add/adhd and Central Auditory Processing disorder. We would not have survived 1st grade if Nick had not had Mrs. Speevack to help him in class and out. She played a big role in the services Nick received and was a true advocate for my son. I can't put my emotions into words when it comes to this situation.

For the kids in my class I wanted to make something special they could always keep and that would remind them of a special day. I thought back to when my kids were in Kindergarten and what my most fond memory was...It hands down is the awards ceremony they have that honors each and every student for their strengths. So I decided to make picture frames with their picture in it receiving their awards and shaking Mr. Leffert's hand. They turned out so cool and I had many very thankful mom's. The kids liked them too, but they liked more that I got teary when I gave them to them and told the story that went with it. They liked my stories and I would tell one everyday.

Here are Nick and Caroline after they received their awards.

Here is Nick receiving his awards from Mrs. Beard the guidance counselor. He received a math, science, improved reader and junior achiever awards.

Here is Caroline receiving hers from Mrs. Beard. She received the academic excellence honor(the biggie), Accelerated REader, and the friend one (we can't remember the exact name of it)

I am so proud of both of them. They changed so much during 1st grade. Caroline has developed such a love for reading (just like her mother) and Nick had so much improvement in reading and writing I'm amazed. It was a hard year, but good one.

I think that is about all I have for you. I will try not to wait so long before posting again. I haven't taken many pictures yet this summer because we have been so busy cleaning. Now that it is finished I will.