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Happy 4th of July!

Z's 5th Grade Graduation

Z has finished elementary school!  In Sioux Falls, middle school starts with 6th grade, and that's where he'll be headed in the fall.  We have been so impressed with the Spanish Immersion progam in Sioux Falls, and so happy with Z's experience there.  He's had wonderful, caring teachers, he's made great friends, and now he's bilingual!

At his graduation he received an award/certificate for being on the student leadership council, as well as a certificate for finishing elementary school.  We're very proud of him!

Z's 5th grade class

Goofing around with James and Jackson.

Z and Ethan.

Z and Meena as los lobos.

Z and Avery.

Z and Sam.

Z started a club at school this year called "Pandas=Orcas" so his graduation present was this t-shirt.  Underneath the picture it says, "They adapted to the sea."

A Poem

"Do or Do Not"

Do or do not,

There is no try.

From the depths of the earth,

Or the high, high sky,

There is no try.

By Eden Hitchcock

Inspired by Yoda

First Day/Last Day

Today is the last day of school, and, for Z, the last day of elementary school.  Wow.  Not quite sure what to make of that.

First day of school -- Z in 5th grade, Eden in 1st grade

Last day of school -- Z in 5th grade, Eden in 1st grade

And . . . first day of kindergarten.  Six years ago!

All these kids are so big now!

Habitat for Humanity

The principal of Z and Eden's school started a non-profit called Project Warm-up.  Volunteers make hundreds of fleece blankets each year and they're given to anyone who needs them.  In particular, they're given as house-warming presents whenever a family moves into a new home in Sioux Falls built by Habitat for Humanity.  The kids at school help out each year by making a lot of the blankets, and this year Principal Vik invited members of the Student Council to come with her to various home openings with Habitat for Humanity.  Z got the opportunity to go just last week, and he had a great time.  The family moving into the new house was Ethiopian, and they had prepared a bunch of Ethiopian food for all the volunteers.  Principal Vik sent me this picture of Z and told me he tried ALL the food and was the only one of the kids who did so.  He told me the food was delicious!  We're very proud of him!

The Weather is Warm!