Go Taylee!!!

An invitation came home from the middle school, inviting me to an awards assembly.

It said that Taylee would be receiving one or more awards from her teacher(s).

I asked Taylee if she knew what the award was for and she didn't, but she hoped it was for excellent work in art class.


It was explained to us, that each teacher got to pick one boy and one girl, from ALL of their classes (in each subject area), to receive these awards. Many of the teachers said it was a VERY difficult decision and that many were deserving.

Taylee was one of the first ones called up, by the principal and received a certificate for "Excellent Attendance"...not perfect, because of one tardy.
And if you ask Taylee about that tardy, she'll tell you a story of injustice and trickery.

I was proud of her for near-perfect attendance, but wondered if she would receive the recognition that she was really looking for.

Then an art teacher went up to announce her choices.... not Taylee.
Awww, bummer.
Oh well, you can't win them all.

Then another teacher went up to announce his choices. He too was an art teacher. What?! There are 2 art teachers?

He said, "Of all my students, these 2 students worked extra hard and did what ever crazy or strange assignment I gave them. I'll let ladies go first. Girl..... Taylee Smullin!"

Yay! I was so happy for her.
Caught in the moment and caught off guard, I stumbled and bumbled to get my camera turned back on, just in time for her to walk back to her seat.

As she sat back down in her seat, she turned to me, I gave her a thumbs up and she responded with a thumbs up and a HUGE smile.
I knew she was super excited, because she doesn't usually emote in public and sometimes doesn't even acknowledge I'm there. :)

Congratulations Taylee!

I'm very proud of you!

Track Meet

In Rylee's words:

"Last Friday, was the last track meet of the season. We were against Lewis & Clark and Lowell Scott Middle Schools. The events I competed in were discus, long jump, 100 meter and 800 meter.

Some friends; Kirsten Forrester, Justine Jewell, me and Melissa Brown.
This wasn't the best meet for me. The long jump went ok. I usually average 12 ft 10 in, this meet my highest was 10ft. There were students measuring the jumps and the line judge wasn't always fair.

I jumped a total of 3 times and my mark was off, so I scratched twice....so she said (line judge).

This was my first time doing the 800 meter, the coaches asked me to do it the day before, so I was scared. There were a lot of girls in this event. It was really crowded. We had to be divided up into two groups for two different starting places.

My good friend Melissa was also competing in this race.

The 800 meter is two laps around the track. I was given the task to do it in 1:20 per lap. I got caught at the last 50 behind two girls.....

and then my friend Melissa passed me!

I ran it in 2:54.7 and that's good for it being my first time, but because Melissa passed me, she gets to go to districts. I'm sooo mad! Not at Melissa, but because I got boxed in by the opposing team."

This was a rough meet for Rylee. She came home VERY disappointed and in tears. She really wanted to go to districts. Guess this was a "character building" meet for her. :)

Music Festival

In preparation for the upcoming Music Festival, Rylee's school choir put on a practice performance for family and friends.

Rylee is in the back row middle, to the right, in green.

They sounded great.
Next, the orchestra played. They sounded AWESOME!!!

It seems their teacher has a passion for orchestra... and it shows.

UPDATE: Music festival was this week. Rylee said their judges had nothing but good things to say to their choir. She was excited and confident about their performance.

Middle School

I can't believe it... I have TWO kids going to middle school this year!

About 2 weeks before school started, we went to Heritage Middle School for registration. Taylee registered for 6th grade and Rylee for 8th.

After dropping a chunk of cash in the cafeteria for; agendas, PE uniforms, yearbooks, classes and an activity card, we went to find the girl's lockers. Rylee was bummed to find out she, once again, had a BOTTOM locker....3rd year in a row. Taylee discovered she had a TOP locker. Rylee was so jealous. :)

I practiced with Taylee on how the locker combination worked. After some trial and error, she figured it out. Next, we walked through her schedule going from class to class. I wanted her to get a feel for the school and to have success finding her classes that first day.

Rylee being the experienced 8th grader, felt no need to walk through her classes, but found friends in the hallway to hang out with.

Ready or not.... here they come!

Track Meet

Rylee joined Heritage's track team this year. Her first meet was last Friday. She participated in hurdles and long jump. We are proud of her efforts and hard work.

Many family members where there to cheer her on. She was almost too cool to acknowledge our presence...but secretly I think she appreciated having us there.

Before

After