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For the past two years, as head room mom, I've had to put together a scrapbook for the teacher. It was something that our PTO put on and we did it for Teacher Appreciation week. The PTO bought the binders and page protectors and we had to do the rest.
I really enjoyed it, even though it was a lot of work. I had to do 2 scrapbooks both years. This year, our PTO didn't do it for teacher appreciation. As the year was ending, I felt that I should still give my 3 teachers a book. I knew I would regret it in the summer if I didn't make a scrapbook for each of them. So, I sent 2 papers home to each child, there were 57 total between all 3 of their classes. It was very last minute, but I was so happy with how they turned out.
Here is the book I did for Ashton's teacher.
I had each child fill out these two papers
In the back of the book, I put photos from different parties and events from the year.
Hadleigh's teacher's scrapbook
Sawyer's teacher's scrapbook
On May 18th, the 5th grade band and middle band and chorus held a spring concert. The day before, the 4th grade played the recorders and the 5th grade band and middle school band and chorus held a concert for all of the elementary school and the middle school students. Parents were welcome to come and watch the daytime performance.
Here is my little percussion player.
The actual Spring Concert on the 18th.
On May 25th, the 5th grade held their annual hobby show. It's been going on for years and even when Jerry was in 5th grade. It's more of a collection show. They had to write speeches about their hobby/collection and they spoke in front of all of the other kids and parents/grandparents. It was so cute!
Ashton did his on Transformers. Here is part of his collection all set up.
Getting ready for his turn
The kids all did a great job! It was so cute!
Later that day, Ashton celebrated his birthday at school.
His birthday is in July, but the summer birthday kids get to celebrate in May. He wanted a giant chocolate chip cookie cake, but the bakery I went to doesn't make them anymore.
So, I saw these adorable "cookie monsters." I knew he would love them. I ordered 20 and they put them in a big box for me. I paid and took them out to my car.
As I was picking the box up to put it in the car, the bottom FELL out and the cookies fell into a heap on the parking lot! I about died! But, I had had a great morning, so I just realized it is what it is. I didn't cry or cuss, so I was proud of myself.
I went back in and explained what had happened. They made me more and didn't charge me!! That was so sweet! What wonderful customer service that grocery store gives.
Ashton was thrilled and the class loved them! I took them to the classroom so I could take a picture since it was his last birthday celebration ever.
On May 16th, our Little League held their Opening Day. We also had team and individual pictures that day. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. They started with a little parade and ended at the fields where they had pictures and then games.
I was in charge of the photos, because I'm on the Little League board. We had to move the photographers from where we normally take the photos, because it was in right field of one of the diamonds we were using. It was a last minute change, but it worked out. I think the new background turned out better because it showed a lot of greenery. The teams were all mostly on time, which was good for my schedule and for the most part we were ahead of schedule. We had one team that told his parents the wrong time, but other than that, the day seemed to go smoothly. I did miss my kids' games, which I was bummed about, but I did see both for a couple of plays.
Here they are during the parade.
Ashton during his game. His field was closest to me, so I saw a tiny bit of his game between team photos.
The Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade classes held their end of the year fun day on May 7th. I had to plan the activities for both Hadleigh's and Sawyer's classes. It was hard, especially because May is always so crazy busy with the end of the year stuff and sports. It didn't help that I was at the hospital the night before until pretty late seeing my grandfather for the last time. On top of that it decided to rain, and I didn't have much of a plan B. So, we winged it and everything worked out. It was very hard to be in two places at once and I spent those 2 hours bouncing back and forth, but I had quite a few moms there to help, thank goodness, so it all went well.
Hadleigh's day
Hadleigh doing a relay race (they had to face with a ball between their knees)
with a couple of friends
my hula hooping star
blowing bubbles
water balloon toss
snack time
waiting for the floam and bouncy balls to be handed out to everyone
Hadleigh's class had a lot of fun. I'm not super creative, but the kids had a blast and that is what matters. I even heard a few of them say "This was the best day ever!" In my mind, that means our mission was accomplished! Things don't have to be elaborate, super creative, or expensive to be fun.
Sawyer's Day
free play on the playground
I missed a lot of his day, so I don't have photos of the balloon toss or bubbles or hula hoops. My good friend took pictures for me though thank goodness.
Here he is being silly with his floam.
His class had so much fun! They were all laughing and so excited. It made all of the work worth it.
The following Friday, May 14th, was Ashton's Fun Day. It was also Kindergarten Roundup day for the incoming Kindergarten class, which meant the current Kindergarten class had the day off. Since I couldn't spend the entire day off with Sawyer, I decided to do something fun with him.
My friend Amy and I took the boys to Buddy's for lunch. They (and we) love that place!
being silly
Ashton's Day
This was Ashton's last fun day ever. Can you tell how sad I am that he's leaving elementary school and going to middle school? lol I think documenting the lasts are just as important as documenting the firsts in life.
It was so much easier just having one child's class to worry about. I could take all of the pictures I wanted to of him and didn't miss anything since I wasn't running back and forth between classes. lol
He's also a hula hooping star
water balloon toss
relay races
snack time
They had a great time. It's hard to believe that this is their last year of elementary school. It seems like their field day/picnic for Kindergarten was just last year. It's been amazing to watch this class grow before my eyes and I look forward to watching them grow throughout middle school and high school.
The Kindergarten class took their field trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo on May 4th. It was the first time that my name was picked out of the hat to be a chaperone. I wasn't chosen for Ashton's trip or Hadleigh's trip.
I was so excited to go! I love the zoo!
Here are both Kindergarten classes together, ready to go into the zoo.
My sweetie and his best bud hanging onto the letter "O"
The lions were sunning themselves
I think this was a leopard. He was yawning.
This jaguar was so interested in the kids. He was pacing and probably bored. I feel sorry for them for not having a ton of room to roam around. One of the boys sat on the ground and was spinning and the jaguar stopped and was so interested. I think he wanted to pounce! Thank goodness he couldn't get out.
The monkeys were so cute!
Otters
Lunchtime
Sawyer being silly
A Rhino
Sun Bears
this female sun bear had part of her jaw removed a few years ago, so her tongue hangs out.
On May 7th, my grandpa died from a sudden heart attack. It was very sudden, and he was fine before it. He does have heart disease and has had bypass surgeries in the past, but was doing fine. He actually did yard work that morning and went for lunch with my aunt and then around 2:30 he had his heart attack while at home with my grandma. My kids had a tough time with the news, but they are doing better now. We told them he is in heaven, and that made them feel better.
Here is a picture of my grandparents with my kids around Christmas time.
Then, on May 23rd, Jerry's grandpa died. He was starting to get dementia and had a cough that wouldn't go away. He went to the hospital the Saturday before and was told he only had weeks to live. He couldn't swallow, but I was never told an exact diagnosis.
He came home on Saturday the 22nd at around 3pm,with hospice care. We had my grandpa's graveside memorial that day.
That evening we stopped to visit
and left around 9. We got the call at 1:50am on Sunday that he had passed away.
Here is a picture of Jerry's grandpa and his wife with the kids.
We miss our grandpas a lot! I'm glad that we have photos and memories to look back on.
