End of the School Year-2012/2013

Matthew, Mrs. Smith, and Lucas on the last day of school.

School is over.  In some ways I'm happy about that. I love being home with the kids in the summer, and we always look forward to our summer vacations.  But, this year I'm a little sad, too.  It's the boys' last year at Northwood Elementary, and next year they'll be at the intermediate school.  Thankfully, Creekview is right around the corner from our house, but still.  New school, new teachers, new routine, new expectations....things that make me anxious.  We had a parent orientation a few weeks ago, which made me feel somewhat better.  

Matthew's last day of Fourth Grade.

Lucas's last day of Fourth Grade.  

For their last day of school, I hurried out of work to make it for the Fourth Grade Clap Out.  This is where the whole student body, teachers, and parents line the halls.  The fourth graders, in their homemade graduation caps, parade through the halls, as they are "clapped out" by everyone.  It's really fun to watch and be a part of.  There are tears {although I will say I didn't cry like I thought I would}, and lots of celebrating.  

Then, it was time for another "graduation".  Darragh, the last Hurst child, graduated from Fairbanks High School.  So proud of her!  She graduated with honors, and is planning on going to Defiance College to be a math teacher.  She's also playing soccer, and she is very talented at it.  We all showed up for her graduation ceremony, and then celebrated this past Sunday.  It was awesome, and I hope she enjoyed it.  It'll be strange with her gone away at college, but she'll love it.  

The entire Hurst Family.  

We are gearing up for our Disney vacation, with a stop along the way home at Surfside Beach, spending a few days with my parents, sisters, and their families.  The boys are finishing up their 4H projects, and preparing for Demo Day, in which they present their 4H demonstration to a panel of judges.  They are really enjoying 4H, and they are taking First Aid.  

I'm hoping for an awesome summer!

Garden Planting, Prom, and Treasure Island

So, since I haven't updated our family blog since March, I thought I'd give a little rundown on the last few weeks leading up to the school year.

We started a garden alongside our house.  Natalie has been instrumental in helping with it!  Every night, she goes out with Derrick and waters the plants and checks the garden.  We have zucchini, tomatoes, hot peppers, snap peas, and cucumbers growing in the garden.  We also added a few fresh herbs, like cilantro and basil.  She even helped Derrick haul the dirt around the house to add to the garden.  She's a good little helper!

Then, it was prom.  Darragh, Derrick's youngest sister and the baby of the family, had her senior prom in May.  Of course, we all showed up to take pictures and to see her and Brandt off to prom.  Natalie had to dress in her "prom" finest as well.  She insisted on wearing her sequined, ruffled dress and her new "magic amulet" beaded necklace.   Natalie has become quite attached to Darragh as of late, which is really cool to see.  I remember when Darragh used to pal around with me when we were first married-she was about Natalie's age then.

Finally, the boys finished the school year with their spring musical.  They performed an edited version of Treasure Island.  They chose to not try out for a part, but instead wanted to be part of the choir.  When the sheets came home for auditions, I had sort of wanted them to do it.  But, I'm glad in the end that they chose to be in the choir.  I'm very proud of them, and watching them perform is so fun!