MES End of Year Awards Assembly

Every year the parents of the students of Monticello Elementary School have to sit through a lengthy assembly while all the athletic, scholastic and social awards are given out. It is NOT one of my favorite ways to spend an hour or two.  It seems as if every year, the same names get called over and over and over again and all the other kids sit there dejected because their name is never called. I especially hate the Field Day awards which seem endless. I wish they'd just give those out on Field Day. 

 I asked the boys if they would be sad if I didn't go this year. Charlie and Soren both asked why I wouldn't go. Charles told me he thought he had gotten a ribbon in Long Jump, so I resigned myself to the fact that I was going to GET to go. I did leave James home with Nina so I didn't have to wrangle him for the 1-2 hours.

This a panoramic shot of the student body of MES on the west bleachers. 

Unfortunately, enrollment keeps dipping and every year it seems smaller.

In fact, my boys did get their names called a number of times. Soren's awards were mostly scholastic. Charlie did in fact win 1st place in the Long Jump for 1st grade boys and got a blue ribbon. He also got a white ribbon for taking 3rd place in the obstacle course. He also earned scholastic certificates.

Charlie waiting for his award

Soren's turns

Towards the end of the assembly they announced the citizenship awards for each class. To my surprise and delight both of my boys were chosen for that award in each of their classes. It nearly brought me to tears. I told them as we headed home, that to me that was the best thing they could have won. Out of all the other awards scholastic and athletic, I was so happy with them for just being good boys, and being kind, friendly and helpful. It was a sweet Mom moment. 

Charlie with his citizenship award

With his Field Day ribbons

Soren with his Citizenship award

I ended up being really glad I went to the dreaded awards assembly. I rounded up my boys with all their stuff and we had a happy ride home on the last day of school. :)

Sugar Run 2015

Our elementary school's PTA and PE started the "Sugar Run" a couple of years ago. They do it the day after Halloween usually, but this year it was on Monday since Halloween was on Saturday. I had volunteered to help so I was there to see Charlie take 5th place in the first grade. I think he surprised himself and I know I was surprised that he did so well. Maybe he will take after some of his siblings and be a runner. Maybe he was just cold since he was only wearing shorts and it was chilly!

Soren was on a field trip and so his class wasn't there to participate. 

Here's Charlie with the other winners in his class.

Way to go Charlie!! That was awesome!

Here's Charlie running by…he just kept going and going. 

Here comes Charlie to the finish line...

Here's my cute little 1st grader, freezing to death before the race.

Sadie Completes her Personal Progress

Sadie had a goal to finish her Personal Progress as a Beehive. I asked her why so quickly and she just said she wanted to. She came sooooooo close, finishing it up just after her 14th birthday. I never had to push or prod or remind her to work on it. She is a very self-driven girl and once she decided she's doing something, she does it. We are very happy with her good choices and happy for her to be able to receive this award for all her hard work. She made a quilt and remodeled a skirt that was too short as a couple of her projects. Sometimes I was the thing that slowed her progress down, as she was waiting for me to help a bit with a project. 

She received her medallion in Sacrament Meeting today. She is a pretty amazing girl and we are happy she's ours!

Cambria's graduation photos and announcement

Cambria and Allie drove out to Dry Valley one day to take some photos for Cambria to use to make her graduation announcement. Those two girls often find adventure even when they're not looking for it. While scrambling around on the rocks in the photos below they found a nest of snakes. They are lucky they didn't 'find' it the hard way! I think they got some good pictures that share things about Cambria and about where she comes from.