From 6 to 6th

Look at this little fella about to experience his first day of kindergarten, for the second time. I remember he picked out his outfit, he was a little anxious, and I cried a bucket of tears.

He was six years old and I dropped him off at school I knew nothing about, didn't know a soul, and then I went home and imagined horrible things. You know because that's what moms do, we imagine the worst. 

In all my horrible scenarios I never saw this. 

A well adjusted child who would soar. 

And ask me how glad my neurotic fears never came true. Just ask me.

SO GLAD. 

Pierce finished out his fifth grade year with straight A honor roll.

He's also in gifted and talented, but he really doesn't care about that. He was most proud that he finished the mile first in all of the fifth grade classes. Priorities mom!

From 6 to the 6th grade. 

My neurotic mom heart is happy. 

Painfully Colonial

So there was this painful moment in time. You know when a mom tortured her son and made him wear a colonial costume, and OH MY WORD TOOK A PICTURE. 

Not like I have some sort of flair for the colonial life, it was all for a good cause. WE'VE been learning all about the Colonial people, what with their Blacksmiths and diseases. All this learning we've accomplished culminated in a little Colonial program. Seeing as I have learned as much as the kids I think I should have had a role, but whatever.

Check out this guy, a grown man who likes to make Colonial books! Takes all kinds...

Here he is! Tortured and embarrassed, but oh so cute!

They we sectioned into three groups, and Pierce was in the Gentry group.

His little group showed us some games the children may have played back in ol' 1700.

There were songs, readings, instruments, dancing, and lots of information shared. A really cute program.

Funny all the drama we had leading up to this night. He was just SURE he was going to be the only one wearing all the garb, and even talked about backing out. But in the end it all worked and of course he was not the only one in full dress.

And the icing on the cake was that his Neena and Papaw made a special trip just to see the program. In the end the painful colonial experience turned out pretty great.

Last run

Running, for the time being, has come to an end. 

Kids had their last race a little over a week ago. 

This what what they call a "fun run." Not sure what kind of lunatic calls any run "fun" but you know runners are crazy like that. Fun run means basically anyone can run it, you don't have to have a physical form filled out, and it really doesn't count for anything.

This also coincided with the marathon that THE REALLY CRAZY runners were running that day, so there were loads of kids and people everywhere.

Parents could run along side their kids, so Paul told Hope they would run it together.

I kept asking Paul, "are you sure you want to do this?" He was like, IT'S A 2K GRETCHEN I THINK I CAN MANAGE.

I got my timer

And my place.

First kid had already run in, but I saw Pierce shortly after.

He was in a battle.

He was either going to end the race in second or third.

He didn't have quite enough to pass, and ended his last race in third place. THIRD! I was really impressed.

So Hope and running club. It's been a battle.

She was the one who decided she wanted to try running club, but it wasn't long after joining that she regretted that decision. There were tears at many races, and even some begging to not have to do it. We always said the same thing, Hope you never have to run again, but you must finish out the commitment.

She joyfully ran this race, because she knew it was the end.

I screamed her through that finish line.

 I knew she must have been feeling relief.

And I'd imagine Paul was feeling relief too, even it was "only a 2k."

Once it was over, with a pizza slice in hand, she told me she actually enjoyed it, SO WHO KNOWS. It's a definite love/hate thing for her. Later she even said she may continue with running, so I guess the high at the end makes up for all the misery.

Pierce on the other hand loves all things running. When he crosses that finish line and literally is almost in tears and looks like he might hurl, I'm always sure he will tell me he wants to quit the whole running gig. Never. He loves it. I would imagine we will be watching him run for years to come.

Until next season....

5th & 3rd

Well that was a quick summer. 

But hello, what summer break is NOT fast. It's just the nature of the beast, and also getting OLD. "Where has the year gone??" Hello, how many times a day does old lady G say that? 

And then you really want to get old, well just have some children and literally you will always wonder, where have the years gone? Just get on Facebook at any given moment, and every mother since Eve is saying that. 

SO I WON'T SAY THAT TODAY. 

But um, our son is in 5th grade. Where have the years gone? 

Last Sunday was open house to find out who his teacher was, etc. He really had no preference who his teacher was this year, just wanted to remain in class with his friends. 

Hope on the other hand was hoping for Pierce's third grade teacher, and she did get her. But that only sort of outweighed the fact that her best friend wouldn't be with her this year. Sad face, she's at a different school this year. 

 But we've just tried to keep it positive. Her friend still lives in the area so they will still see each other.

And Pierce did get in a class with all his friends, so they both left feeling pretty pumped.

Last year was such a great year for Pierce, and prayerfully this is also a great year.

 Same goes for Hope, prayers for a great year. I always pray with them that they shine a light to those around them, and reflect Him.

So here we go, 5th and 3rd.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN.

Let's get it started

Last day of fourth and second grade. 

In the wise words of Alice Cooper, SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER! And well, we are pleased.


The last two days are always packed with activities, you know like field day and awards. Paul and I decided we would tag team and each take a kid, this time he got Hope. He doesn't bombard with pictures like I do, but he did get a picture of Hope and her bestie dressed alike, and they did NOT plan this.

Then I roll up to watch Pierce with my nerd alert camera strapped to my side, I bet he cringed when he saw me coming. I always tell them they will appreciate these pictures one day, MAYBE WHEN I'M DEAD.

But how sweet are these little stinky fourth graders.

Pierce takes ANY competition so serious.

He was getting frustrated that they weren't winning their little games.

So maybe it's that determination that explains these grades for the year.

Last day were awards for fourth grade.

 See that brown head with the massive amount of hair?

It was sweet to see him be recognized for his efforts.

He was embarrassed with all the pictures, but we are proud of him.

He ended up with Principal's Scholar, Physical Fitness achievement, Service on Campus, and Running Club recognition.

I always tell the kids, it doesn't matter if you make A's or C's, as long as you give it all you've got. The awards don't make you, but it's always nice to be acknowledged for your work.

But awards and fun aside, the kids days were made because of two special visitors through it all.

We have a jam packed summer ahead of us, SO LET'S GET IT STARTED.