Rosin up that bow...

 Growing up in Robinson, there was no question whether or not I would be part of the band. Everyone was in band - it's what we did - so as Radley approached 5th grade, I was interested to see what he would pick for his elective. They have the choice between art/music/theater (one each semester) or orchestra. 

He picked orchestra and I was THRILLED. Some of my greatest childhood memories live in that band hall and while his journey doesn't ever have to resemble mine or Ryan's, I'm glad that he will have a year of experiencing the journey of learning music with a cohort of friends!

He had his first orchestra concert and we were all eager to watch him show off his new skills. 

I tried to be chill and not take too many pictures, but clearly... 

He also tried to ignore us and not smile our way, but clearly.... 

The concert lasted 15 minutes as they showed off their newfound skills and all of those kids were nothing but smiles as we made our way out of the auditorium to sing our praises. 

As usual, we showed up big for those 15 minutes - I hope all my kids recognize how lucky they are to be loved so much. 

Sidenote: Ryan was home super sick and had to miss the big performance. PTL for videos!

My favorite part of the evening happened as we were walking out to go to dinner; Radley spotted his principal and wanted to say hello...

Rad: Hi, Mr. Symank

Mr. S: Hi Radley, great job...

Rad: Thank you...

Mr. S: Were you nervous?

Rad: A little...

Mr. S: Good - that means you care. 

I just love that. "Good - it means you care." 

One more thing checked off that "kids refuse to quit growing up" bucket list. I look at him and can't get over how big he is which is ironic, because this kid has lived BIG since day one. Big love, big laugh, big emotions, big joy, big nerves.... and yet here I am just wishing he could stay little. 

But honestly, I am grateful for the big he brings to every moment of our lives. I'm grateful for what we get to share as he gets big... and I can't wait for all the BIG things he'll keep teaching me along the way. 

And the Awards Goes to....

Another fun part of the end-of-year-madness includes annual awards for each grade. I appreciate the our school keeps each ceremony to one hour while still recognizing every single kid in each grade. They have it down to a science and I'm impressed every time. 

First up:

Emersyn King

A/B Honor Roll

Future Teacher Award

Radley King

A/B Honor Roll 

(poor kid, got one 89)

Excellence in Math

High Achievement in BOTH languages

Third Place Boy in number of laps run for the year 

(276 laps!!)

Landry King

Creative Problem Solver Award

It's such a fun way to celebrate their achievements and each kiddo leaves with a smile. My favorite part is watching their friends celebrate each other - I love when people lift each other up! 

And I couldn't be prouder to be their mom each and every day. 

Swim Mom...

Soccer mom.

Dance mom.

Art mom. 

Basketball mom.

Gymnastics mom.

and now...

SWIM MOM. 

Radley has finally ventured beyond the field and dove head first into a new sport and we are all loving the change of pace! His biggest cheerleaders have quickly adapted to their new role and can be heard shouting "KICK KICK KICK" and "STAY STRAIGHT" on the sidelines of that pool.

And y'all... Ryan may be loving this the most! I'm honestly here for any sport that allows me the opportunity to sit next to a pool... especially if the choice is between that and being IN the pool. I went to his practice the other day and nearly died just watching.... they swim NONstop. Like hundreds of yards. Back and forth... back and forth... back and forth. Feet never touching the ground. 

Y'all. Just no. 

He's already got a sweet crew of friends and support showing him the ropes and cheering him on and his sisters are there every literal step of the way. Hopefully next summer they will be joining him on this team because beyond the competition, this is fantastic exercise! 

(See the practice reflection above). 

So here's to a new adjective to add to the list of "mom"... my favorite and most treasured title of all!

The middle...

 In a few short months Radley will begin the sacred right of passage of middle school. I wasn't even a tiny bit prepared for how absolutely unprepared I am for this change. A few weeks ago he had "orchestra open house" so he could choose which instrument he would play. And y'all. 

I CRIED DURING A PROMO VIDEO FOR THE POSITIVE IMPACT CLASSICAL MUSIC HAS ON CHILDREN.

I mean. I know I'm a cried, but come. on.

But here we were... in this giant room filled with instruments and big kids and I just kept looking at my own big kid and was in complete denial of what this means. 

They just keep growing up!

Why is that even an option? Shouldn't they be forced to stop? I am 1000% positive that I lived at home for 1937 years (at least that's how long it felt for me to "grow up") (and not in some negative way, just in a "time has actually stopped and I will be 14 forever kind of way).

And here my kids are being full grown adults at the age of 10. 

Just WHY!?!?

And honestly, these tears I felt hot on my cheeks were more happy than sad. More proud than disheartened. Because I got to see him in his element. Surrounded by new things and new people and so eager to learn and make new friends. So confident to try something new. So ecstatic to experience what comes next. 

And then I cried some more, because in all of the mess and madness, I was just grateful that somewhere in my own fit throwing and losing it, I had shown him that he is wonderfully made, incredibly loved and absolutely capable of anything he wants to do. 

And then I cried again. 

 

Paint and Paws...

We had a busy weekend starting with an art show featuring an original painting by Emersyn. I am completely blown away not just by her talent but also with her confidence in pursing this dream of hers. She is in her element when she is creating and I just pray that we can cultivate her interests far into the future if that's what makes her happy.

I really want to sign up for art lessons with Ms. Lasagna, too! 

Of course the whole family attended and these siblings of her could not have been more proud!

And Ryan and I were equally amazed by our girl, too!

We walked around for a bit to look at all the entires and I was just obsessed with these art collages. We may have to try to recreate something like this during our summer vacation. Mine will look nothing like it's supposed to, but I'm pretty sure Emersyn will nail it!

Then we headed to school for the kids' annual Paw Print Festival. I was busy running around so Ryan was (politely) instructed to "take lots of pics like I would... make sure to get some of the kids playing..."

He took exactly the number of pictures I suggested. 

;)

Somehow Emersyn and Anna ended up running the kids' giveaway and I love this so much because 

1. They always ALWAYS buddy up

2. Anna doesn't go to CHE

3. These two can talk people into anything

I'm pretty much in denial that these big kids are going to 5th grade next year. I need them to be in kindergarten all over again!

Landry was so excited that this was "her" school this year... she just ran off with friends and I'd see her every once in a while as she came in and out for snacks and to tell me stories. 

I wasn't one of those girls who's dream growing up was to be a mom ... I wanted to be lots of things and I just figured I would be a mom. And having a mom that showed up to everything and for everyone was a bigger blessing than I could have realized as a kid. Being a mom is one of my biggest honors... being their mom and most definitely being "that" mom... I love seeing them in their elements with giant smiles and enjoying this life of being a kid. I love that Ryan comes along and helps however and whenever he can even though his work schedule isn't nearly as flexible. I love this front row seat into the life we've built and continue to build. I get so weepy at these events because as they are running around having the time of their lives.... I'm trying to soak it all in because it goes by so fast.

That kid on the left quickly became that big kid on the right... almost shoulder to shoulder with me... wearing the same size shoe as me... definitely smarter than me... and every bit as amazing as that teeny tiny kindergartener that he was just yesterday!

Photo finish...

After a night of celebrating friends, watching Harry Potter and playing lots of make believe - we had a full morning that included an official race for these three big kids. I have never in my life run an official long-distance race. These three are 10 and have run 4 or 5 each!

They've all known each other since they were babies. Caro and Radley see each other all the time but Davis lives in Franklin so when they get to see him it's a big celebration. I love that they can all pick up right where they leave off. They were getting in "race mode" while the little kids took off. 

And Emersyn opted for being live entertainment over running a mile. 

Landry ran... away from me... so she earned a spot right next to me on the grass while the first heat finished up. 

Kelly finished strong and probably beat whatever time I would have had!

Then these big kids lined up.

True story: I forgot that Caroline wasn't 10 yet so as we were pulling up, I got worried that we were going to miss her "heat". I told her that it would be fine and she could just run with the 10 year olds. Turns out the nine year olds were part of the "big kids" heat.

Caro: Zia?

Me: Yes...

Caro: Do I have to run with the big kids?

Me: Well, probably since that's your age bracket.

Caro: Man... I was really looking forward to beating all those little kids!

Davis was the first one to come around the corner - I think he finished under 9 minutes. 

Then we saw Radley and out of nowhere, Caro was right next to him... they both took off as fast as they could determined not to lose to the other. I'm honestly glad that I was behind them because I couldn't tell who finished first. 

They were both so proud of how hard they sprinted at the end. I took that as an opportunity to quote Coach Munson... "well, that just means you didn't run hard enough the entire time..."

Josh should be proud. 

Also none of them were out of breath and I'm not even sure how that's possible. I'm tired just typing this post. 

Santa Paws...

We have a long standing tradition of heading to Downtown Bryan for their annual Lights On! event. People from BCS gather around the square and wait for a very special guest to arrive to turn on the lights. Kids and parents are treated to musical performances by local choirs and bands and our crew got a front row seat to enjoy the festivities. 

Not pictured: Emersyn DIRECTING the kids sitting down in an attempt to get them to singalong. 

The big guy finally arrived to do the honors! In this situation one would assume that Elvis had just entered the room. Kids are screaming, crying, jumping up and down to get his attention, begging for a high five and a piece of candy. Chaos ensues as Santa walks away... 

We obviously couldn't leave without a picture in our shorts, skirts and Santa shirts because, well.. it's Texas and still hot outside. We actually almost missed the celebration, Emersyn had stayed home sick all day but rallied in the afternoon and begged to still go. 

Turns out she was just feeling the power of children's Motrin and crashed halfway through dinner. Luckily Ryan got off work in time to come pick her up and put her to bed early. The rest of us enjoyed some not-so-good-for-you but delicious Mexican food before heading home. 

The next morning these two headed to their school with me for the annual Paws to the Pavement! I love that our school hosts a free event for the community. Any and everyone can register for free and shirts are free for all the kids - it's such an incredible way to encourage getting out as a family!

As I watched Landry I was immediately taken back to being the littlest of three. All the "big kids" knew who she was and she just thought that was the most awesome thing ever. I did, too... I mean...

Of course I made them pose for too many pictures and they clearly loved every second of it... 

and then they all lined up for the big 1K event... 

taking the race VERY seriously... 

and speeding by me lightening fast. I mean, look at the hair. 

Rad told me he kept his pace slow since he was also going to run the 5K. 

 I don't actually know if Landry ran or giggled more. 

But she was pretty precious to watch. 

And only a little out of breath at the end. 

We had a great Saturday morning with friends and came home with a new shiny medal and lots of fun memories!