Last Day of Junior High

Here he comes....

I can't believe that a whole school year has already passed!

He thinks that it was silly I insisted on taking pictures.

Mike thought it was silly too, but they indulged me and posed for a couple of quick shots.

I can't believe how big he is getting.

Just recently, he finally passed me up in the height department. It makes me sad that he is growing so fast, but I am truly proud of the person he is becoming!

I am soooo excited that he is home for the summer!!!!

Can you tell?

He did fantastic this year and I just got his report card and he earned a 3.88 GPA.

We are so proud of him!!

S.O.S. Kits

I can't believe that summer break is here already! Tomorrow is the last day of school for kids in our area. I am excited for the break, but sad at the same time that Kenneth is finishing up his final days of jr high. We have a tradition that we do something fun to celebrate the last day of school. Kenneth gets to pick the activity....I am not sure what that will be yet, I just know it includes going out to eat. I will have to post more details after tomorrow's adventure.

I wanted to do something fun this year for my young women too. After talking with the other leaders we came up with the idea of doing a "Summer of Service". We put together little kits that I will deliver to each young woman tomorrow as soon as school is out.
Thanks to Steph at www.somewhatsimple.com for allowing us to use the cute journal label!
And a big THANKS to my friend, Jessica, for all of her cute ideas!!!

We challenged them to do an act of service every day this summer. There is a journal included for them to record what they are doing each day. The letter explains why the other things were included in the kit. For example...."Remember, it is always KOOL to AID others."  

Plus, we wanted to congratulate them on finishing another year of school!

These were fun and really simple to make.

I love all the fun ideas that I found via Pinterest!

I am so excited to deliver these tomorrow!!

Final Band Concert of the Year

Kenneth played percussion in band again this year. He has come a long way in the last couple of years! They had the last concert of the school year tonight. It is so difficult to get decent pictures in the auditorium! He is standing in the back on the right side playing the timpani. He has enjoyed having Mr. Weed again this year for band!

 Standing in the back playing the bells for "And the Angels Called" which is a tribute song.

Standing in the back middle playing the snare drum. The guy to the right is his friend Zach Meng, who is a pretty off the wall, funny kid!

Kenneth after the concert with Mike.

First Day of School

I told Kenneth that I wanted a few pictures of him on his first day of school. Most of the pictures are of him standing by the door just staring....no real expression....not even a hint of a smile.

So then I told him to pose....and this is what I get...

Man, I sure love this kid! Life is much more entertaining with him around.

I can't believe that he started 9th grade. He is a freshman!!! Where has the time gone???

I am super excited that he gets to start Seminary this year.

He seems to like most of his teachers so far.

He was sad that he doesn't have any classes with his friends, but they do have the same lunch hour.

This trimester he has Band, Math, Science, Seminary, and English.

Annual Back To School Dinner

We have a fun tradition of a back to school dinner.

I let Kenneth pick the menu. This year he picked steak, spinach salad, mashed potatoes, and cooked carrots.

We get out the fancy China and decorate in school colors.

The purpose is to get together as a family and set some goals for the upcoming school year.

We each picked out goals in four different areas: education, physical, family, and spiritual.

We also decide on a personal theme for the year.

Mike decided his theme would be: Engage

I picked: Simplify

and Kenneth picked: Be Positive

I think this is a sign that they like the food.....