I paid Libby to get Sarah back into her costumes and take some pics for the dance studio wall. I think they turned out pretty good--and then Libby could afford a swimsuit. Win win. The recital theme was School Days. Sarah's numbers were French Class and Glee Club. She was awesome--I think I said that in the original post. But really--she's getting to be quite the dancer!
2 years ago--I charged into my goal of 1 hike a week with a hike at Discovery Park. If you recall, we got lost. Like totally lost. We ended up at the Daybreak center asking for directions on how to get back to the other Visitor's center. It was a mess. I left my phone in the car. Yes...tears by the end.
This time, I needed to try it out as a hike for Girls Camp because one of the locations we were going to use was closed for construction. (Thank goodness one of the leaders went to scout it!). Anyway, this time I took Derek along (since he took many weeks off from work this summer). Libby was a sobbing mess again in the beginning. But she rallied in a big way. We had fun.
We always play games while we hike. First letter last letter. And 20 questions. But this time we also talked over what we would buy if we won the vaccine lottery.
Libby: A condo in downtown Seattle that I would rent out. Or a Toyota Camry. And then I would save some for college.
Sarah: I'd save it for college.
Ben: I'd buy a house in Bentonville AR. (Why you might ask? Well--the Hardies are moving to Bentonville AR. We found out this week and we are all in shock. Ben had cried himself to sleep 2 nights in a row.)
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| Look at this mess of trails. Can you blame me? It's confusing and the signage isn't very clear! |
I have a friend who celebrates their wedding anniversary as their "family birthday." So I've adopted this. Maren had the annual sleepover with the kids on the last day of school, so Derek and I went to Anthony's Beach Cafe and walked on Edmonds beach. Then we had a good night's sleep. Lovely.
On the actual day, June 21--we took the kids to Red Robin (thanks Christmas gift cards!). Then for a hike/walk in Marymoor park as I scope out Girls Camp locations. It was HOT (although it's gotten hotter since then.). Libby was a mess. She whined, then cried, then cried some more. Then was happy once we got to the playground. It's hard to be 13. And to have so many changes.
And that is all. No last day of school pictures. We dragged it across the finish line.
I got to be Blaze the Cheetah (aka wear the mascot costume) for the last day of school assembly video and for the award winners. That was hot and sweaty.
For 5th grade teachers---we had to get creative to send our kids off to middle school. We did a fun drive up and take pictures with your teacher. It was the first time I had seen some of my students in person.
The next night we did a virtual ceremony that included the "art walk" that I had hoped to do in person. The video turned out great though. I hope this becomes a 5th grade tradition. I will say the 5th grade Moving on Ceremony had numerous technical difficulties. I'm hopeful that we won't have to do that virtually again. It was only a one night turn around for the slide show of kids who came to get their certs and we couldn't get it to play right. Also, one of the teachers accidentally gave out her Panelist link. So there were several of her in the webinar. Luckily those kids kept their cameras off and were respectful. I was just so glad it was over!
On the last day I went to school for the teacher lunch and played my guitar for the teachers while Annie Bach sang her amazing parody of Jet Plane. I was really proud of myself--I got shaky. But I played and sang with her.
There was not a huge sigh of relief for me...but a turning my attention to upcoming YW stuff, Girls Camp, family vacation, the deep cleaning my house desperately needs, Maren's birthday,--and the loss of Grandma Susie.
It was a whirlwind week.
I did get the traditional pics of Sarah and Ben jumping into the MP Swim Club! Libby had not yet purchased a swim suit, so she couldn't join us until she earned enough money to buy one. She finally did--and as I type, they are swimming in our hotel pool on the way to Yellowstone!
This year the show had to go on! And the studio found the perfect outdoor venue. I mean, it was perfect for the choir concert, right? But who could have guessed it would be a day of dance and of record setting rainfall? The upside was that Sarah looked SO GOOD! She has really developed into a dancer! I love watching her. She was on the fence about next year as we got closer to next year--but now she has decided she is all in for next year. I hope I can figure out how to get her to the studio 2 nights a week...and still get Libby and Ben where they need to go. Just when I thought I couldn't get any busier??? We haven't registered yet. We will have to get things worked out for fall. I have offered Libby money to do a photo shoot with Sarah in both her costumes (as we weren't really in the stand around and take photos mood...you know?)
This week we couldn't go to the final match, as it was on a Wednesday night...our youth activity night. But SW secured the victory. The season, short and intense was overall a success. Shorewood ended with a 5-4 record. Here is Clark's write up from the Shoreline Area News: Shorewood Wrestling vs. Meadowdale.
They returned gear and did some awards after school on Thursday and DONE!
Now just one more week of school to get through.
As a 5th grade teacher (where we have to do a "Moving On" ceremony)--it's not a downhill slide. It's going to be busy! But I'm looking forward to the end of this year with all my heart!
Libby had a week that sparkled--like this video she made of herself that I found in our shared photos. I mean, really!
The big day was Tuesday. She went from school to track meet to drill tryouts to a (thankfully) virtual choir concert.
Her relay team won their race. She got the "Outstanding Musicianship" award for her choir at Einstein, and SHE MADE THE SW DRILL TEAM! She's pretty excited about all of it. It was a week of stress and dread for me as she tried out for Drill--I had been dancing my whole life and drill team was my greatest dream. I didn't make it and it was pretty crushing for me. But, I needn't have feared. She made it! Now I'm scared of what we've gotten ourselves into. They are (thankfully) evening rehearsals--Libby hates mornings (and she'll have seminary.). But she'll have to work hard during the school day because between sports practice and drill, she won't have much time for homework. Yikes. We think we will have her skip cross country this year so she can settle into school with just drill. But wrestling and track are her things...so we will see. Can we handle this level of busy? I'm going to have to really get carpooling going!
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| This and the pictures below were taken by a good friend of the Norton fam--Kristi Lin |
We had a week of celebration around here. Between Libby's banner day (see separate post) and Ben's birthday--it was a fun (BUSY) week.
I posted already about the Ben/Derek celebration we had a few weeks ago. So Ben was anxiously awaiting the rest of his festivities. Normally I'm not into kid parties, but the Sunnyside gang has provided so much fun for our kiddos this year, I wanted to do something to for them here. He had to have the (now) traditional sleepover with Jed and Rory. And on his actual birthday I made him a special dinner and cake.
I asked him last night after it was all over which he liked best. He couldn't decide. He liked it all!
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| The morning of his actual birthday, he started presents early! Maren brought over a huge bag of candy, a birthday balloon and some big hugs. He loved it! |
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| He facetimed with Mimi to open her gifts--the Lebron goojitzu and the Space Jam shirt (which he wore for at least 2 days in a row--he is obsessed with this movie, I hope it doesn't disappoint.) He also facetimed with Uncle Davey and the Brandalls later in the day to open their gifts. He really wanted to be sure everyone got to see him open his gifts. He wanted to be able to thank everyone. |
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| That night for dinner Ben chose salmon & rice, cucumbers, and the baseball cake. |
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| On Friday, Jed and Rory slept over. They gave Ben a pineapple squishmellow (add it to the collection--this guy is a collector!) and a goojitzoo. (Tazmanian devil, also from Space Jam.) |
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| Not sure if they got much sleep, but they had fun! |
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| The sunnyside party was just an hour and a half in the backyard. The kids and Clark played a dodgeball version called "Everybody's it," ate cupcakes and snacks and opened presents. Each kid got to fill a candy bag (thanks Maren!) to go. |
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| I'm so happy we got to celebrate this guy. Happy birthday Benny! 10 looks great on you :) |
Libby's first track meet was a HOT HOT day. I mean sizzling for Seattle, in May especially, but for any time!
We roasted in the sun, and I lost my glasses somehow in the swap for my sunglasses. But I loved every minute of watching the amazing running and jumping. Einstein posted this photo on their FB page. Libby grabbing the handoff on her way to a 1st or maybe 2nd place finish.
At practice the next day she had a PR in the 100 and was upgraded to the A relay team. I'm so excited for her.
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| She can't wait for Tuesday! |
We celebrated Derek and Ben's birthdays together last Sunday--even though Ben's birthday is the 10th of June. Usually we wait until Ben's birthday, because Derek doesn't care about his birthday. But this year I was too excited to wait. Because I got him a cameo video of his FAVORITE PERSON of all time, Stephen Tobolowsky. And the video is amazing. I figured I was paying for a 30 second Happy Birthday. But I got this. Basically a mini version of the Tobolowsky files podcast that Derek loves. He mentioned all the things that Derek loves--including his all time favorite episode of the podcast. Derek said it topped the scale I got him for his birthday when we were newlyweds. Victory! I think I saw a little tear as he listened.
It was an amazing day.
