Year end wrap up

Today was the kids last day of school...This year seemed to go by incredibly fast...Actually I notice the older the kids get the faster time seems to go, it's crazy. I'm pretty happy to have them out for the summer...The girls are at the "I love babies" stage, so they are going to be a huge help with Zane the Pain.

I mean Russell tries to help out...But sometimes he just not big enough...
Ah well, it's the thought that counts right? lol

The boys finished school a few days ago...They get their report cards mailed out so I am still waiting on them...Austin must have done well because he made the Honor Roll again this year.

I'm really proud of him.

I have started going through the girls books they brought home...I love finding stuff like this...

And this really made my day :)

She is special because "Mom Luves Me"...awwww....

I have also come across their journals from school...hmmm...I have found some interesting passages in some of them...One of my daughters almost seems to have lived in another home! She goes on trips we have never been on, she does things we have not done...It's interesting. My other daughter spares no details when it comes to things Brad or I say or do...Damn it...It sucks to know that the kids teachers know waaay more about us than I would like them to! I can't wait for Brad to get down from camp tomorrow night to read through these journals, lol.

Today I went to the girls graduation ceremonies...I never take pictures in there because they all turn out crappy anyway...The lighting is bad and there are to many people, plus I was juggling both Russell and Zane alone, which was tough...I took this one of the girls hand drumming today...Neleah and Amy have both really taken an interest in it lately.

Neleah won some special awards, she got the "Outstanding Citizenship Award"...
And my favorite...
"Special Service Award"

She got this award for helping the little boy in her school who has Ds and Autism. The principal said that every morning, without fail, Neleah and another little girl would help this boy get off the school bus and find  his class...After school they help him back on.
And no one asked them to do this...And that's what makes it special.
I am very proud of Neleah, she has a beautiful heart.

During the ceremonies they brought the little boy up to the stage to accept an award...His workers stood beside him and gave the most beautiful speech about him...About all the wonderful things he can do and things he helps out with...I was fighting back tears as they said what a valuable role he has among the students and teachers...How much he means to them...And every one cheered and clapped.

This was a powerful moment for me...

I thought back on that first day finding out Russell had Down syndrome...By biggest fear being school...Sending him off to school to be teased and bullied and picked on...That was the only way I could picture school being like for him...
And there I was, sitting in the very school my son will go to...And the teachers, the ones who will teach Russell one day...Standing there beside that little boy and telling everyone how important he was, how valuable...How much he had to offer...And in that moment my heart found peace when it comes to Russell and school...Everything is going to be just fine.

And so now summer begins...And I know this crazy little guy is going to LOVE having his siblings home to entertain him :)