And just like that, our school year is over!
You guys, this year was a really good year for all of the Shull kiddos. Many years, I feel like we crawled to the finish line because the year was just hard for one (or more!) of my sweet kids. If you’re having one of those years, please know that this mama understands. Some years things just don’t work out well…whether it’s the other kids in the classroom, the learning, not connecting with certain teachers, grades, athletics, disabilities…whatever it is, some years are just freaking HARD. If you’re having one of those years, I am SO SORRY! Please know that we’ve had more of those years than the other. Just know, maybe next year will be different.
Here’s a little bit about each kiddo this last school year…
7th Grade was so much FUN! Kensington loved her classes, loved being a cheerleader, she loved finally being able to play team sports for her school (that doesn’t start until 7th grade here!). And what the what?! Kensington discovered basketball and was pretty darn good. Bahahaha! Who knew?! We are now more than halfway through middle school, and it hasn’t been nearly the horrific/awful/terrifying/drama-filled/nightmare so many told me to expect. I would say that last year was a growing year for K, but this year was a thriving year. I cannot believe that after today, she’ll once again be the big man on campus! Only one more year until high school, y’all!
Oh boy, last year, we crawled to that elementary school finish line because Smith was O-V-E-R it. This kid was ready for a more diverse schedule, challenging classes and INDEPENDENCE. 6th Grade was such a blessing for our boy! He was able to have control over his classes, he loved PE (he cannot wait for athletics next year!), his favorite class by a mile was orchestra, he went on some amazing field trips, met new friends and just was so HAPPY this year. I feel like Smith grew up and matured in every sense of the word this year!
Our 3rd Grade girl rocked it this year! Miss Ashby made some amazing friends and is now our social butterfly. Every day after school, she’s either hanging out with a friend or playing outside. This year, she learned how to ride her bike independently, scored her first goals in soccer and (thanks to the amazing dyslexia program!) had the best grades to date! She loved being the oldest sibling on campus who “took care” of making sure Mades got to class each morning. She was just sunshine. I pray that she finds the same joy next year too.
Well, 1st Grade was good to Mades 🙂 . Mades made some super sweet friends this year, LOVED her teacher (her teacher was the ‘friend’ she requested to sit by on the bus on the way to their zoo field trip! ha!), learned how to read really, really well, her handwriting is impeccable, she discovered her passion for drawing…it was just a sweet, sweet year for our precious fourth kiddo. I know that I’m going to blink and Kensington will be a senior and Mades will be in the 6th grade.
The summer season starts at 3:00 today! I’m so excited to share this time off with my kids because, as you can see on this very blog, THEY’RE GROWING UP WAY TOO FAST! Sigh. They were just all so small.
That’s it for my Friday! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I’ll be back here TOMORROW with a bonus post this week and then on Monday with more fun and MY BIGGEST GIVEAWAY so far this month! Speaking of which…
…I have two winners today!!! Congratulations to MARYLEE KELLER and to educator KRISTEN LEVANGIE! I emailed you both this morning! Please email me back as soon as possible to claim your prize!
Happy Friday, friends! I’ll see you here tomorrow 🙂 .
Jami says
Cutest kiddos and kindest giveaways! Hope you guys have the very best summer ◡̈
Ramona says
Happy last day of school! I’ve got 26 more days over here. 😩 Not that this teacher is counting or anything. 😉 Enjoy your summer.
Elspeth says
Happy summer vacation! Enjoy the last day of school!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Kristen LeVangie says
OMG yay! I saw I won on your post but I didn’t see your email this am.?? Wow best Friday ever!!!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yay! Check again please!!! Thank YOU for being in education!!!
Taylor says
Oh my word! I have followed your blog for years and your kiddos are so grown now! Tearing up for you! My 1 and 3 year old will stay this little forever right?!? 😭🤪
Mix and Match Mama says
Go snuggle them RIGHT NOW!
Kelly Dusseau says
I just realized my three boys are the same age as your three oldest – 7th, 6th, and 3rd. Time IS flying! Thank you for your positive posts and great recommendations! Always brings such a light to my mornings!
Margaret says
As a first grade teacher, I love that part about the handwriting!
SC says
Oh what a sweet post! They grow up so fast!!
Sheaffer says
HAPPY SUMMER, FRIEND!!!!!
Kelly says
So wonderful that all your kiddos had such great years! Walking through those hard years makes you all the more grateful for the good ones! Happy Summer, Shull Family! I hope it’s the best one yet:).
Melinda Bridge says
Your kids are growing so fast! My grandson will be in the eighth grade next year too, it seems like yesterday that he was in first grade. Once they hit middle school, it goes by so fast! Enjoy your summer😎😎
sandi says
We have nine school days left before our two seniors graduate. All the feels over here. I blinked and am the mom of a college freshman, two seniors and an eighth grader. Next year when the three bigs go off to college our family of six will a house of three. This has been a really good year for all four and that makes my momma heart happy. The years with a few struggles had me on my knees heading to the finish line. Glad that they all ended well this year.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh Sandi! I am sending you big hugs right now!!!!
Sarah says
I can’t believe how big your kids are getting! I started following your blog in 2017 around the time my first baby was born. Tonight she graduates from preschool and I am so sad about it! Soaking it up!
Colleen says
Your kids are absolutely gorgeous and so happy that had an amazing year. My kids are also following yours in that they are growing up WAY too fast. Do you have any recommendations or books you’ve read on how to low down time?!?!? I am desperately trying to find ways. Happy summer!
Lmp says
Wow, your encouragement about hard years was just what I needed. Thanks for sharing that 🙂
Do you have more info on the amazing dyslexia program? Or what the journey has looked like for your family? I’m sorry if I missed any info you’ve shared.
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s a program through our school district. I’m sure you school uses a similar program (if not the same one!). It’s been AMAZING for her!