Carson and his best friend Graham signed up for the Solo Ensemble Competition this year. They practiced so much for months, with both of their teachers and just together. One Saturday morning they got up went to perform for one judge at 8am in Grand Rapids. I've honestly never seen Carson so motivated and pumped up about anything. He's never been this nervous and excited for any soccer game or sporting event. They played their duet then got some constructive feedback from the judge. Then we waited out in the hallway for their scores to come back. You can get a score ranging from 1-4 overall. 1's are the highest score and you get a medal with it. When the judge came out with their report and told them they recieved a 1, Carson yelled, "Bet! Let's Go!" (that's what the kids are saying now adays). He literally took off running to the medal table to collect his prize. He was SO happy. I'm so glad he is enjoying playing and is having so much fun with it. His hard work and determination paid off this time. Gosh I just love listening to him play.
Last year getting "thornappled" for Laney. Just tonight at dinner, Laney was talking alittle about next year and Evie came to the realization that Laney won't be at school with her anymore. She was so sad. My heart broke. She said she wants to still see Laney and her buddies in the hall. They wave to each other from opposite ends of the playground and they sit with each other on the bus. They'll never go to school together again. Oh this is going to be so hard for Evie! Having her sister at school with her made this year so much easier and comfortable for Evie. Laney gives Evie confidence and always looks out for her. Boo hoo hoo!!!!
Addie's birthday came rolling around and our main plan to meet up to party at Grandma and Grandpa Brang's house got cancelled because they were feeling sick. We really didn't have time to make it to Midland and back in a day because of Laney's soccer game, at least we wouldn't have had much time to spend there. They were so considerate to change plans spur of the moment and meet us half way at Pizza House for a special birthday dinner. We had so much fun that we decided to keep the party going! First we did some MSU shopping and then we headed to Potter Park Zoo. It was MAYBE going to rain, which is probably why the zoo was EMPTY. It could not have worked out better.
We got to watch the red pandas eating up close and got to have the zoo keeper all to ourselves.
As luck would have it, we got a front row seat to the lions and leopard getting to eat dinner. It was fascinating! And again, it was like our own private show!
It was an unplanned day that could not have went smoother. We all had the best time. Sometimes, it's fun not to have any plans! Happy birthday Addie girl!
Laney and her girl scout troup cleaning up the school! She's furthest on the left.
Evie's class was practicing writing letters and for a special project, got to invite 2 adult visitors to their classrooms to show them around and read to them. Evie chose her Dad and Grandma. (I got to be the special person for my kindergarten class that I taught the first half of the year). Evie counted down the days for this for weeks! She read to them, showed them her writing, gave them a classroom tour, then showed them around the playground (in the rain).
That was one happy girl that day.
Carson has progressed every week in track. He is working hard on those hurdles and is really impressive in the 70 meter dash! He enjoys this a lot more than cross country. He qualified for 7th grade conference finals later this week. He's the one jumping over the hurdle in the middle up top, and he's sprinting on the inside lane down below. I have so enjoyed watching him work so hard, he even asked to go to the track to practice on the weekend. Who is this kid?!
Our neighbor, Madison, just graduated high school. Makes me feel sick because when we moved in she was in 4th grade just like Laney is now, and that feels like yesterday. Madison had Mrs. Ebels back then, in 4th grade. Laney has the same teacher for 4th grade now, and Madison and the other grads got to come to school to visit their old teachers during the school day. Laney was so excited to see her show up in her class. You see the connection here and why this is hitting me hard?! This just can't be!
Cherry Cup 2022! Laney's team won the Traverse City Cherry Cup last year, it was so fun. They lost every game this year, but still so fun for the families. There's a lot to learn in losing. We had gorgeous weather and the best hotel this time around too! We stayed right in downtown Traverse and could walk everywhere.
Crazy girls in that freezing cold water!
Grandma and Grandpa Brang came to watch Laney again this year. Laney gets ALL the attention for the weekend and she LIVES it UP! We slipped off to Hoplot and Suttons Bay for shopping in between games.
Carson and Evie got to stay with Grandma and Grandpa for the weekend while we whisked Laney away. They went to the movies, went out to eat, did all the playing and puzzles, and lived it up all weekend as well. Even with all the losses, I'd say the weekend was a WIN!
Evie's class out searching for pill bugs.
Laney's class FINALLY got to take a fieldtrip for the first time in 2 and 1/2 years. They went to the zoo in Grand Rapids and I jumped on chaperoning her last elementary field trip. It was bright, sunny, and beautiful and her teacher gave me the best little group :-)
All this end of the year stuff is so fun and it's making me so incredibly sad. She's moving on and moving up. She's ready. I'm not.
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