Milestones

I think this last month of school lasted approximately 50 million years, but as of this afternoon, school is out for the summer!  Finally!  

Maddie and one of her best friends, Emily, at their 5th grade graduation ceremony.  On to 6th grade and Junior high!  

Maddie and her amazing, wonderful, fantastic teacher, Mr. Rees.  

Maddie and Tess in the front lobby of Maddie's school.  We are done with elementary school for two years, and then Tess will begin Kindergarten.  Sheesh.  I feel like I'll have children in school for forever...

Maia is now a high school freshman!!!  What the crap?!?!?!  How did this happen?!?!?!  

Maia showing me how excited she is for high school.  My girl actually LIKED junior high!  Can you believe that?!?!  She's a remarkable kid.  Just like her sisters.  

Tess is thrilled that her sisters will be home every day for several weeks.  They began summer break together by watching some "American Ninja Warrior".  We are all big fans of that show, despite the fact that I cannot do even one pull-up.  :)

After school, Maddie had her last belt test before she tests for her Black belt in December (hopefully!).  She passed with flying colors.  I am incredibly proud of her and how far she's come in just under three years.  Wow!  

Warming up...

Kickin'!

One-step sparring, where there are specific fighting sequences that they memorize.  Maddie is the one kicking her leg up. 

Receiving her danbo belt from Master Angie Lee.  

Proud of their new belts!  

Maddie with her new belt and her proud little sister.

Tess wanted to show me that she is strong like Maddie.  :)

After the belt test, we celebrated the end of school with a meal at Casa Mia, one of the girls' favorite restaurants.  Maddie always gets a cheese pizza, Maia always gets a pepperoni and bacon pizza, and Tess inhaled a bunch of spaghetti.  

My almost-14-year-old.

When Maddie began Taekwondo in July 2014, she asked if we could go to Baskin Robbins whenever she earned a new belt.  And so a tradition was born...

Welcome, summer!  We are all SO excited that you have arrived!