Last Day Of School

Derek rode his bike like he usually does

The rest of the kids at the bus stop in the morning

Derek coming home in the afternoon

Welcome home greeting from Lulu

Derek and neighbor Becca. They've known each other since they were newborns and they were in the same class this year, but they're at the age where they act like they hardly know each other.

The neighbors in the house next to the bus stop graciously allow the kids to store their bikes, scooters, and skateboards in their garage while the kids are at school so when the kids get off the bus they grab their wheels and take off towards home.

It was also the last day for their piano teacher Ms Nicole. She's taking the summer off before heading to college. She's been giving lessons to the boys for 6 months or so since the music store, where the boys used to take lessons, moved. She wrote the boys nice notes of encouragement. The boys really like her.

Wednesday May 26, 2010

It seems like only a couple months ago that the kids were lining up for the first day of school.

Derek's 5th Grade Graduation

Derek's teacher Ms Schrimsher

It wasn't long before the tears were flowing

Waiting for the kids to enter

All the parents snapping pictures as the kids parade in

Derek sitting with his class

Derek says he won't miss the principal Ms Schmidt. He says she talks to all the kids in the school like they're in kindergarten.

Derek will miss Ms Russo

After a retrospective slideshow the kids sang "Because You Loved Me" which sent all the parents reaching for their tissues

Derek got to pick where we went to eat afterwards

Derek shows off his iTunes graduation present

Tuesday May 25, 2010

We weren't really sure what a 5th grade graduation ceremony would involve, but they did a good job and it was a good experience. We're not sure we want our baby to grow up, but it helps that he seems ready and willing.

The last week of school was crazy. The kids were bouncing off the walls and Helen was melting down. I was trying to wind things down at work and finish up the planning for our road trip we were starting on Friday.

Derek's 5th Grade Pool Party

Thursday May 24, 2010

One of the perks of graduating from our elementary school is the big 5th grade pool party. Derek was so excited about it and he came home exhausted.

Adam's Tennis

Thursday May 24, 2010

These are a few quick photos from Adam's last tennis practice. This past Spring, in addition to hockey, he joined a group with some other 2nd graders for weekly tennis lessons. He seems to like tennis and we were proud that the instructor mentioned how she wished that all the kids were as well behaved as Adam. There were some wild boys in that group. If only you could beat other people's kids or at least make them run laps the whole time (sigh).

John

The boys with their babysitter John

Giving John a high school graduation card

Thursday May 24, 2010

During the school year Helen has to stay late at school from time to time. Usually it's just once a week and she only needs babysitting for 30 minutes or so. When Adam was still in daycare, Derek would have to take the daycare bus from his school back to the daycare. Once Adam started school we hated the idea of doing after school daycare for the little time that we needed it. Luckily, we've always been able to find a high school kid in the neighborhood to watch the boys for a little while until Helen gets home. The high school kids start their school day earlier so they get out earlier than the younger kids. It works out great.

This year our neighbor, John, was the babysitter for the boys and they just love him. John plays with them and brings over cool games and movies. It's so crazy to see all these kids that we've known since they were running around in diapers now babysitting our kids and going off to college.

Just Another Saturday With Kids

Early morning train ride to Piedmont Park for the Peachtree Jr Road Race

Pre-race check-in

Waiting around for the race to start

And they're off

And they're done

Adam comes over to tell us about the race

Post race snacks

Derek managed to navigate the post race commotion and find us

Adam had some difficulty finding us. You can see it in is expression.

Cool shirts

Heading to catch the train back home

Lunch at Chikfila

Adam had a hockey game after lunch. He and Ryan are exhausted afterwards.

Throw in a birthday party for one of Adam's friends to top things off

Derek got in on the action also

The host dad really got the soap suds going and the kids loved it

Bummer! The local sushi restaurant we go to had this sign up saying they went out of business. The owners have a son Derek's age and we have been going to the restaurant since Derek was very little.

Saturday May 22, 2010