End of the School Year

Making fondue smores at our camping party

I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. The entire school year just ended. I finished first grade, Hazel finished kindergarten, and Turner finished another year of preschool.

The last few weeks of school were pretty hectic. There were lots of parties and lots of activities. It was very fun.

One of the fun activities was Career Day at school. Dad came to volunteer that day, so he helped take Hazel's class around to visit all of the different careers they were showing. We saw a fire truck, a policeman, several construction vehicles, a refrigerated meals-on-wheels truck that we got to go inside (Brrr!), and even a tow truck that was painted just like 'Mater from the movie "Cars."

Hazel's kindergarten party

Dad had to leave before it was over, but Mom came by later and we all got to watch a helicopter land on the school soccer field! It was all very exciting, but I don't think Hazel or I have changed our minds about what we want to do when we grow up.

First graders went on our second trip of the year. We went to the Austin Nature Center, which was super fun. There were lots of birds and animals to learn about. I really like watching a show called "Wild Kratts," which is all about animals. So I was very interested. Mom came along and she had a lot of fun too.

Hazel on the slide
at her kindergarten party

There was also an awards ceremony at the end of the school year. I got the Technology Award, since I'm always helping my teachers with their computer problems. Hazel got the Most Dependable award. Dad wasn't so sure about that one because she was sick and missed a lot of school this year.

To wrap up the year, our classes celebrated at end of the year parties. Mine had a camping theme. We went around to each first grade classroom and did a different activity. The whole thing culminated at a pizza picnic outside. Mom was able to stop by to hang out for a bit before moving on to Hazel's party, which Mom helped organize.

Hazel and her friend at Kiddie Acres

Hazel's party was outside. Each class had a station, where they had three or four activities. Hazel's class had watermelon eating, tattoos, duck duck goose, and a sponge relay game. Other stations had more games, cotton candy and popsicles, and a huge inflatable water slide.

Meanwhile, Turner hung out at his friend's house, where they did all kinds of fun things outside, like played in a water table full of bubbles, and ate lots of yummy food.

Turner wrapped up his year of preschool with some new interests. He is really into math and writing. He's pretty amazing at all of it, but he gets very frustrated when he can't write letters perfectly. We know he'll figure it out if he just practices some more. We're proud of him.

Turner loved the airplanes at Kiddie Acres

On the last day of school, we celebrated by going to Kiddie Acres with some friends. Turner, Mitch and I rode every ride, including the ponies. It was a great way to start the summer!

Last weekend, Dad spent some extra time with Hazel and me while Mom and Turner went to a birthday party. Since the weather was so nice, we spent the time outside as much as possible. Dad took us to Mansfield Dam, where we could see how much the lakes had filled up the past few weeks from all the rain. He also took us to a place called Ski Shores on lake Austin, where Hazel and I played with some not-so-friendly swans.


Mom and I are really looking forward to the summer. Hazel is a little bummed about school being over.

Mom and Dad are really proud of how well we all did this year.  Now on to summer!