3 Years of School Done Here

So we were able to get three years of school in at one place. The Columbus School District has been great! Here's how we ended this great year...We finished up with the Kindness Campaign I headed with the help of two other amazing gals. We did a kindness punch card challenge and gave out t-shirts, had a group from MSU come talk about the dangers of social media, harassment, bullying, etc., we had the Munchie Bus come and made tickets for all of the staff at the schools, updated the bulletin board and more. It was great to get involved and bring a smile to the kid's faces and get to know them better! I love the saying "Sprinkle kindness around like confetti." Because confetti sticks to everything and seems to multiply.

I finished up my second year at Kid's Club teaching preschool. It was a delight! The preschool friends were so special. The graduation was fun, we sang a few songs, did our ASL alphabet song, read a Pete the Cat book together, presented the kids with their diplomas and backpacks, and watched the slide show. I did pretty well keeping down most of the tears but have been really sentimental lately. I had some sweet feedback and got some nice gifts. I will miss teaching with Carol and working with Shannon. These ladies are the best and it's been a blessing getting to know them!

Sydnie finished her 3 year old preschool year. They had a fun party at the park to celebrate Daddy was able to go to. She loved Miss Taylyn, Miss Shannon, Miss Gloria and all her cute little classmates. They sure took care of her and gave her a great place to be!

 Lucy and Covey got to go on some field trips. Lucy got to visit Pompey's Pillar and Covey got to go to Norm's Island and the Audubon Center. Emma and Cal got to have band concerts. Emma's high school band played 3 songs - Colonel Bogey's March, Tesla's Dream and one more I can't remember. They sounded great! Small in number, big in sound. They also got Superior I ratings for their digital festival this year, way to go! Dave thought it was funny they had only 4 in choir...and half of them were tone deaf....yikes! They also have a studio band, and they played some awesome rock songs! Emma is sounding really good and it's fun to hear her progress.Callahan got to have a band concert also. They played Pirate's of the Carribean & Star Wars medleys that Cal's teacher put together. Mr. Chris Kapor is pretty awesome and the kids have loved their time in his band!

The kids got to do track and field day, and it was so nice! The weather was nasty as we woke up but ended up being beautiful! Cov loved the "big blob" high jump event most and Lucy loved the scooters. We had fun to talking to a bunch of community members here. There are some great people here and it is sad to be leaving them! We had lunch with Covey, as they always do a hot dog BBQ the principal does. That was fun. We also got to go on a tour of the new elementary school. Looks amazing! Glad that this initiative passed and to see our tax dollars doing good. Dave and I left to Kemmerer that afternoon, and Mark and Mayela (and Amber, too!) came to spend a couple days with the kids while we were gone.

Then, the last day of school arrived! We were gone on the kid's last day of school, as Dave had an interview in Wyo. Mark, Mayela & Amber came up to be with them. The kids gave their gifts to their teachers. Bath bombs and plaques of their favorite things about their teachers this year, got some awards (such good kids), yearbooks (except Emma’s, they didn’t come in yet, so they are going to mail it to her wherever we are whenever they get them), and all the supplies/work/art to bring home and go through. When they got home, they had corn dogs and fries, something that’s become somewhat of a tradition, then they all colored a giant summer poster we got, next did our new giant 27 foot slip and slide (Dave couldn’t resist...lol!), had some Chinese take out, and watched a movie and had popcorn before bed. They were kind of bummed about no friend last day of school party. But we will do it soon! Great way to start off summer.

On Saturday, they got ready, cleaned up, played on the slip and slide again, went on a bike ride and got some Italian sodas and then we made it home. That afternoon, we went to Billings to do a little shopping, got some dinner, and went home and played and talked. Sunday we went to church, then came home and hung out that afternoon. We made some beef barbacoa tacos/salad for dinner, went on a walk, did our Come, Follow Me lesson, and then video chatted with family. Monday was Memorial Day and we slept in, made some breakfast, talked about what we could do to honor our family and friends who have passed on, especially those who served in the military. We got ready, played outside, went on a walk, and went to Billings to go mini golfing, and did a laser maze. The kids loved this, and the adults got into it as well. We went over to Oscar Park and had a picnic. Then we watched Lucy dance for a fundraiser for homeless dogs. We went home and cooked up some steaks and sides and had a bbq at home. We played outside and sat on the porch chatting until too late.Tuesday was our last day together. We had to do lots of laundry and pack for our trip, Mayela helped a lot, and Mark helped out and played with the kids. That night, we went on a double date to the Montana Rib and Chop House, as Mark & Mayela’s anniversary was the next day and they were going to go alone but said it would be more fun to go together. We also went to Scheels and Mark got a new rifle and Mayela got some home décor. We had a fun night and they couldn’t believe the sunset on the drive home. We had snow cones per Ambers request to finish things off. The next morning we were off again.It has been a great school year, and we are grateful the kids have been able to do three years here in Columbus and able to finish the year off. The teachers and staff are all so great and the kids will look back on these years here with fondness. Though lots of our summer is unpredictable at this point, we are looking forward to soaking up every minute!