Gearing up to wind down

We are in that end of school moment when the outside world screams summer, but no white space can be found on the family calendar for a dip in Waldon Pond, a trip to Kimball Farms for a scoop of homemade ice cream or a bike ride on the Minuteman Trail.  Instead we are in the midst of enjoying the culmination of a year's worth of progress in dance, sports, music, art and academics.  This week we will have attended one preschool singing concert, four birthday parties, one Girl Scout bridging ceremony, an Odyssey three day camp out (for those who haven't visited in a while, there is no affiliation to the Odyssey House in Salt Lake), one end of year swimming party for activity days, one lacrosse practice, two soccer games and one practice, two baseball games and one baseball practice, two end of year parties, one kindergarten workshop play group at our house, the second grade class play, two piano lessons and one piano concert, the beginning of art camp, one parent teacher conference, a teddy bear picnic, one neighborhood party to help put on, dinner for the Bishop's Family Home Evening that we provided, Annelise's birthday party for fifteen girls in our backyard and, four days later, Emilie's birthday party for twenty girls in our backyard (pray for good weather), and Jonathan's eighth birthday and Steve's birthday and Father's Day all on the same day -- on this day I will definitely have to pull out some fireworks, but not until after I teach the relief society lesson! Through all of this, Ezra just transitioned from crawling to walking. I'm not sure that this is good timing.

 

Today I accompanied Annelise to her bridging ceremony. She loved being a Daisy and now can't wait to be a Brownie. She had a great year with fantastic advisors. For me, it was one of those moments when you look at your child and realize that she has moved on to a different phase of life. She looked so grown up!  The event consisted of the Girl Scout pledge, each Daisy gazing in the mirror on the floor and crossing the bridge, multiple cupcakes swiped by each one of my children, several spilt lemonades, a bloody nose and Sophia refusing to move out of the girls group photo! My girls loved it! 

Yesterday Sophia and her fellow classmates presented their end of year singing concert. I finally got the straight version of all the songs that Sophia has been singing in the car, the tub and at the dinner table. (Diamond Jim really does have bubbles in his throat but he drinks the water not eats the soap.)

 

When Jonathan began lacrosse this year he was not exactly a fan of the game. He came home one day upset that some kid hit him with the stick. I was just as shocked. "Did you tell the coach?!?" was my response. Steve explained that it is part of the game. I realize that I have a way to go in my role as mother of an athlete.

                                                                   

Emilie left this morning for her three day Odyssey camp out near Plumb Island in Northern Mass. with the entire fourth grade. She couldn't have been more excited! Steve called and asked if it was quieter at home. I reminded him that she is not the noisy one. 

                     

Last Saturday we did find a moment to enjoy the unusual 90 degree weather. Steve blew up the water slide in our backyard for a dry run of Emilie and Annelise's parties. (What if fifteen six year olds showed up and there was a hole in the slide? My nightmare would be a reality!) In case there is any confusion, those are the plastic goggles that went with Jonathan's handyman dress up suit that Sophia is modishly wearing!