One More Year Down

When another school year starts the end seems so far away, and then all of the sudden you wonder where the time has gone.  How is the school year already over?
Actually, how is the first month of summer almost over?

This was a new phase for the family--we had a middle schooler. 
Liam started sixth grade this year and I think he really liked it.  It was time of many new experiences.  He started riding the bus, which come with lots of garbage.  A boy that sat beside him died unexpectedly, which provided lots of conversation and understanding the life after this.  Learning to work a locker and having more freedom at school.
He worked his tail off to make the soccer team as a sixth grader as well.  Even though he had very little playing time, it seemed to be a great experience for him. It was nice to have after school sports.  I can finally use him as a short-period-of-time babysitter.  He hates it.  I love it.

After practice huddle.

Liam did exceptional in school and came out with probably the most awards given out or second most, for all sixth graders.  Six in total.  It is very important to him to make good grades.  I am grateful for his hard work but sometimes it consumes him and he cannot accept anything less.  I want him to know that it is okay to make a "B" every now and then.  He will still succeed.

Tipton loved fourth grade and his teacher.  I loved her too.  She understood Tipton and made personal notes on all his papers.  She was amazing.  It is such a blessing when you come across teachers like this.  Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with colon cancer about 6 weeks into the school year.  After Christmas she was unable to return and he had a sub for the rest of the year.  He did not like her so much and it made for a long second term.  He still stayed on top and did well. 

Tipton and Mrs. Roloff

This year he really dug into reading.  He is now on the fifth Harry Potter book.  When they pack their books with them just to read in the car on the way to church, you know they have officially become a book worm.  No complaints here!  He does great at comprehension and he's sometimes wise beyond his years.

Hyrum passed second grade.  He loves his friends and hates school.  Rarely can he remember anything he learned at school, even when we asked him each day.  He constantly forgot about homework or even would lose important papers.  Staying on him was very important.  I quickly learned making him do his homework as soon as he got home was worthless.  He needed to run and play and then come back to work after a couple of hours.  Everything is done quickly and messy but he still managed to do great in school. 

Hyrum and Mrs. Ryan

One week we were studying for the spelling bee in his class.  Very basic words that he should have mastered he misspelled every time we practiced.  Only to find out he won the spelling bee!  I guess he was determined to win.