It was painful for me. I started crying about it a year ago when I watched my friend's fifth grader graduate from elementary school. Maybe it's because Maya is my first baby to reach this milestone. Maybe it's because I can't believe I'm old enough to have a child in Jr. High...whatever the root of my emotions, they are real and I am dealing with them.
So this is how Maya ended her fifth grade year...
As Maya's fifth grade year came to a year an end, she had couple of fun field trips. One was to a wildlife conservatory.
And another to our local county park. It was fun to watch these kids do activities that build team work and confidence.
Going on these field trips aren't always easy for me. Finding child care for C and spending hours in the woods is not really my thing...why aren't their field trips to the mall? There is tons to be learned there! But in the end, I know it means the world to my kids so I go.
Our PTSA planned a super fun field day for the kids, too bad it was FREEZING!
Maya earned her citizenship award, which was no easy task. She had to do at lease 8 hours of community service. She had to get an 80% or better on the ACTUAL citizenship test and then write a five paragraph essay on what it means to be an American. I am so proud of her! This picture is so funny because no one is smiling. I took like six pictures and in every single one, Maya wasn't smiling.
Maya's teacher was AWESOME!!! We love him. He gave each student in his class a mini trophy and Maya got the "Most Sweet" award. When he started to present it he said "this is the sweetest person in the class, the one that everyone wants on their team..." and everyone yelled "MAYA!" It made my heart melt. He also wrote her a very nice letter. Maya struggles in Math and he worked so hard with her, he worked all year on pulling Maya out of her shell and he helped her in a way that we never could have. Thank heavens for good teachers! Bless you Mr. Rachoy!
Our school has this super cool tradition where the ENTIRE school comes out and makes a tunnel for the fifth graders to go through and slap everyone's hands. So Fun!
Then after school, I was on the planning committee for the "Fifth Grade Celebration". The kids walked to a nearby park and had a carnival for the rest of the day. The heavens held back wind and rain for that afternoon. It was a miracle!
These are Maya's Besties...Holland, Elsa, Breanna and Rachel
It was such a fun afternoon. I was so happy to be a part of it, and so grateful to my friend Rachel who watched C while she was packing up her house so that I could be there!
The younger siblings were invited (except Camden)...Eden was thrilled! Look at her rocking the Twister game!
Maya has so many friends that have second grade siblings. It was perfect because the siblings had a great time too, as far as they knew it was a celebration for them too!
Maya had fabulous fifth grade year. I am just as excited for her to start Jr. High as I am sad. I know she is ready, I'm the one that's not.
