the end of the school year

the end of the school year has been crazy busy (and fun!), so i thought i'd do a dedicated post about it. 

backing up to last week, on the 13th they held a graduation at ashford's preschool. they like to include all the kids even if they have another year of preschool before kindergarten (like ashford). i actually had to miss the mini ceremony because i was picking up my brother at the airport, but my neighbor martine sent me some cute pictures that she took. 

they differentiated the kids going to kindergarten with black gowns.

friday the 15th was azalea's school carnival. it was a lot of fun (and nearly free!) last year, so i was excited to go again. this was the day our visitors went to vancouver, so that worked out well. they had beautiful weather for it out on the playground/black top. our friends vanessa and ewan, and martine, bruce, and beatrice joined us. the kids had a blast playing all the games. they even had a petting zoo with the cutest animals - goats, bunnies, and even a kangaroo! i wanted to take him home :) 

monday the 18th there was a 1st grade gathering at webster park (about a half mile from us). it was a hot day for seattle (mid 80's), but everyone had fun. everyone brings blankets to sit on and food and this year they even had a food truck. it's been fun getting to know even more of the kids and parents this year. i'm eager to see who will be in her class next year. apparently i didn't take any pictures of this one. oops. 

yesterday there were two activities (are you tired yet? i am!). i have to say i'm especially thankful for my flexible, remote part time job that allows me to be available to attend all of these events. in the morning there was an awards assembly that all the students attended. every year each classroom gives out 2 principal awards and 2 humanitarian awards. the recipients are nominated by their peers. i got an email last week from azalea's teacher (well, the sub) letting me know azalea would be receiving an award. thatcher was able to go to the assembly at the community center with me. we did not tell azalea about the award or that we would be attending. it was so fun to surprise her. she skipped up to the front to receive her award. it was the cutest thing. we are so proud of her. it's nice to get these reminders that we are raising good humans (not that we doubt it, but it's still nice). 

the second activity for yesterday was track and field day in the afternoon. thatcher and i walked up to the school to hang out during it (as many families do). they don't really do competitions or ribbons like when i was in school, it was more choosing different activities to play. and popsicles - always popcicles :) ashford had fun playing with some of the younger siblings who were there. 

that brings us to today...the last day of schoo for both kidsl! i can't believe we are here! i thought kindergarten went fast for azalea, but this year felt 5x faster. i'm sure it will increase with every year. it's insane! at least ashford has another year before elementary school. that'll be a huge adjustment for sure. 

here is azalea on the first and last day of 1st grade:

and since we haven't had enough going on lately (wink wink)...we are leaving for portland for the weekend right after school gets out! ha!