End of Year Craziness

Maybe it's like childbirth. You have to forget how much it hurts in order to go through it again. Well, May doesn't hurt exactly--at least not physically--but it is so stinkin' crazy! We're going and going and going all the time. So let's see if I can catch up just a bit and maybe when school's out in a couple of weeks (yes--only two more weeks--that's 9 days, folks! Single digits!) I can actually post pictures again and have a complete thought to blog about.

What's been going on?

James earned his bear badge. John has a month to finish up his wolf.

With the end of the year, I guess Chris is our biggest finisher. Last Friday was the last day of seminary for the year. I think Chris missed a total of two days all year not counting when he was gone for the orchestra trip. He got an attendance award. I'm really proud of him for sticking with it all year. He had some really, really long days and he did it without *too* much complaint.

Chris went on a 4-day trip to Branson, MO with the orchestra. He had a really good time and took no pictures. Not a single one. Nor a single souvenir. Such a guy!

We went to his awards ceremony this week. He's ranked in the top 10 of the freshman class. In fact, three of the top 11 (there was a tie for 10th) are from our ward. How cool is that?

And...he started driver's ed. Ack! It's a bit nerve-racking at first, but he's improving every time.

James is in our elementary choir. We went to Sandy Lake last week where the choir earned a Division 1 rating. James had a lot of fun and was a real help to his chaperone (not me) and to a boy in his group with special needs. He's such a good kid.

John went on a field trip to the ballpark last week. He *loved* it.

And to add to all the craziness...they are doing renovations to our school building over the summer. So...we have to empty out our rooms. Everything must be packed. All instruments, books, stuff...everything. All furniture will be moved to the cafeteria and all boxes will be in the gym. By next Friday. Yes, we still have a week of school left AFTER our rooms must be emptied. I'll still have my laptop and projector--and I'm assuming my desk. Guess I should double check on that one.

So Richard and I are just trying to survive the last two weeks of school. We're all ready for some down time. Larry the dog is still Larry. He still goes a bit postal when he sees small dogs through the window and he still has bouts of "psycho doggie mode," but he's improving. Hopefully in the next year or so, we'll be able to invite people over again.

So, that's the roundup. I hope to have some pictures to post later on. But there. I've given a bit of news. It's almost like a Christmas family letter, isn't it?