Last Day of School 2025!

 

Hi Friends!  Today is our last day of school here.  It is Diana's last day of Junior Year and Eva's last day of 5th grade.

 

You know what that means.  It is time for the obligatory chalk board photos of course ;)

 Diana described this year as the hardest year of her life...and yet, the best year of her life.  She overcame a heartbreak...major heartbreak...life changing for her.  She was a warrior dealing with a newly diagnosed disability...and she proved all the doubters wrong and ended up with a stellar GPA and high honors for all quarters but one.  Her course load was rigorous including 1 AP class and 1 Honors class.  Next year, she is doing even more!  She joined varsity cheer and thrived.  It was so fun to observe all of her hard work from the sidelines and more importantly, the joy that the sport and team brought her.  She has come so far and we are so proud and happy for her!

 

 

 Eva described this year as funny, somewhat challenging and fun.  She said she knows she will cry really hard today because she loves her class so much and feels they are so close.  It is funny, because I had the same exact experience in 5th grade.  It must be the age. She was blessed with finding her best friend this year...right in her class...and we are thrilled that the school put them together next year.  They are so good for each other!  She overcame a major challenge that affected our whole family...one that involved fear and harassment but we are thankful for a wonderful school system and police force that helped protect us. It wasn't an easy year but we were proud of how Eva conducted herself and never changed her kind ways.  We always tell her never to change...well maybe when she is talking back and extra grumpy but hey...happens to the best of us ;) So proud of this little lady!

 

 

 May this summer bring dreams...fun and lots of wonderful memories my loves! XOXO

 

Hello Monday (June 17, 2024)

 

Hi Friends and Happy Monday! I am here with Sarah and we are sharing about our weekends.  Hope you will join us!  This is a very extra special Hello Monday because SARAH met my stepson ZACH at the US Open this past weekend. What a small world! That is the beauty and magic of blogging- she recognized him from my blog and went right up to him and I am so glad she did!  She emailed me and he called me and I saw the magic of this community one more time- just love it!

Anyway...back to our weekend....here we go....

 

 

Friday

 

It was the last day of school and time for the obligatory front steps pics

 

 

Last day of Sophomore Year- I can't believe it- Diana pulled off honors even though this last semester was the most challenging and sad and stressful for her- we are so proud of her grit

 

 

 

Last day of 4th Grade and last day ever at Golden Brook- not too emotional- geesh!!!

 

 

and later, Rob and I joined the rest of the 4th grade parents for the beautiful tradition of "Clap Out"

 

 

The 4th grade marches through the school and hands flowers to their teachers who made the greatest impact and then they continue the march outside through all of the parents- so so many tears my friends!  Check it out.....

Meanwhile, up at the high school, Diana gifted her favorite teacher a tiara and sash because she says he is "sassy"- they had such a great relationship and he pushed her which is exactly what she needed!  

When the kids got out of school, Eva had her little end-of-school-year party...loaded them up on Chic Fil A food and then they swam for hours- even when it rained!  A couple of the moms stayed with me and we enjoyed a cocktail while catching up.  So glad the girls had so much fun :)

That night, Diana worked and Rob and I ran to the store to get food needed for the weekend.  After that? Yup crashed pretty early- so wiped out physically AND emotionally!

Saturday

We were up bright and early and I got Eva and Rob packed for softball. They took off for the tournament and I got Diana to dance.  I prepped some food for Father's Day and then when I picked Diana up, we headed up to Barrington for the first softball game of the weekend.  It was a rough weekend for this team but always love watching this game!

After the first game, Diana and I headed back for Caden's graduation party.  We were invited early to meet the famous Chef, Chef Nick, from Hell's Kitchen.  He and his company catered the party and he was WONDERFUL- so great with people-entertaining and the food was just amazing!

Rob met us there for a bit and then headed out to play with his band at another graduation party in town.

Kary took care of Eva for us and spoiled the girls on the way home from softball...

Diana then headed to a sleepover party.  I got Eva showered and we crashed.

Sunday

 

Rob and Eva were off to softball again.  I headed to mass and then picked up Diana and brought her to work.  Then it was time to prep for Father's Day.  We were hosting the fam with a BBQ- it was a day of great food- laughs and our main entertainment- Baby Sylvie of course! :)

 

That's a wrap!  What were you all up to?

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Friday Favorites and the End of 8th Grade and Middle School for Diana

 

Happy Friday Friends!  SO GLAD WE MADE IT!  Not only made it through the week BUT made it through the school year- can I get an Amen????  CONGRATS MAMAs!!!  (and Dads of course too but let's be real...Dads aren't reading this blog)

 

So grateful for this amazing school year for my kids- again I will say it- it is a true privilege to raise them and a gift to watch them grow...I just get excited being the supportive spectator :)  How about you?

 

Sharing a few faves from our CRAZY WEEK!  Linking up HERE

Night of Student Excellence

Diana was invited to this awards ceremony and we were excited to learn there that she won 1st place in the PTA Essay Contest.  The topic was Social Media.  The students were asked, "Do you think life would be easier without social media?  Do you think that social media has more of a positive or negative influence on teenagers?"

Diana wrote about social media being overall positive in society but having more of a negative impact on teenagers.  She talked about the pressure on girls her age to be perfect and what negatives can come from interacting via social media.  She did a nice job- we were impressed especially with her maturity during some pretty challenging years.  

 

We were all there to support her and celebrate :)

8th Grade Promotion Ceremony

and then on Wednesday night, she "graduated" from Middle School/8th grade.  We enjoyed the lovely ceremony in the high school gym.  It was surreal....I did a side by side earlier that day...check it out...where did the last 13 years go?  WOW

and then in the high school gym...

Rob got to represent the school board and make a speech- completely choked us up!

and he got to give Diana her promotion certificate

Afterwards, it was all about the obligatory pics- side note: each family is only given four tickets- would've loved to have my parents there but when they conceded, Ally asked if she could attend and Diana was happy to have her sissy there

and Eva found Mrs Q- her Kindergarten teacher!

Yesterday was her official last day of school and YES I will be making them take the chalk board pics until they graduate from high school :)  Today the 8th graders are doing a "senior skip day"...too funny...but even the teachers told them not to come in today...so they are all headed to Canobie Lake Park (local amusement park)...sometimes I wish I was in 8th grade again ;)

Eva's Last Day of School AND Last Day of 2nd Grade!

This pic is from Step Up Day on Wednesday...she was ready to rock it...she kills me in the shades...ha!  She came home so excited because she got a wonderful teacher and some of her best gal pals will be in her class....a great group of kids which is what we pray for right?  She will miss Ms. Gilbert but so happy we got to experience the magic of her teaching!  (Chalk Board Pics coming on Monday- she is still sleeping right now) ;)

Zoe

This has been a BIG week for us all around.  Zoe got a major promotion and is moving to North Carolina....she and Zach did a road trip down there and he will be flying back.  They will continue a long distance relationship for now but the plan is for him to move down there next year...mixed emotions for sure....so happy for her and them but will be sad to not see Zach as much...but we give them wings so they can fly and that is what they are doing...doesn't mean it won't be heart wrenching...they were so cute texting me pics along their way...

FAVE MEME of the Week!

That's a wrap!  Hope you have a great weekend celebrating your favorite Dads!