Is it summer yet?

"The years teach much that the days never knew. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

I know I have said it before, but in terms of my kids, time just goes by too quickly for my liking.

Another school year is now in our past. There is both a lot we will miss and a lot we will not miss. We will miss our friends, we will miss great teachers, we will miss structure. We will relish a little more sleep, a little more play, and a little more time together as a family.

We had no post about Matthew's Birthday,May 16th, but it was a good one...even though it was on a Sunday. He is excited to try mountain biking this summer with his birthday present.

I also meant to post about our sad, time-consuming and somewhat disgusting experience when Bella ate chocolate that Brynna had hidden under the upstairs couch last sunday. I didn't have time because I was too busy cleaning the carpets, floors, stuffed animals, etc.

Brynna also had a dance recital this past week in which she was a "child". She has a lot of fun with ballet.

The dance festival is always an experience. This year Aubrey did not have to be at school, so she went over to the field very early and saved us a place. Lane and I showed up about 45 minutes early and socialized with all our good friends, excited to see our kids groove to the loud tunes. We particularly wanted to get some video of Brynna doing the monkey dance, and Matthew actually dancing with a girl...since this may be our only chance at blackmail for a while. Right as the fifth grade filed onto the field a pretty, statuesque and tan woman come up from the back of the crowd and stood right in the very front...in a very tall way. Did I mention she was tall? ( As a disclaimer I have nothing inherently against the tall...I am somewhat tall myself...just when people blessed with tallness are standing at their full height directly in front of dancing 5th graders...). She was politely asked to sit down...only to make things worse...due to her very fashionable jeans coming, well I would guess at least half way down her derier as she now squatted in the front row. A good many dads in our general vacinity noticably felt compelled to look the opposite direction of their dancers with confused looks and red faces. Aubrey was fascinated that she was so tan all the way...well you know. I found it slightly humorous and have found myself smiling to myself as I think back on the whole thing. Classic dance festival.

I looked for Matthew only to see that he was way way in the back facing the opposite direction of the parents. I thought they might switch sides, but after the first song was over and no switching of sides occurred, I sent Aubrey with the camera to the other side of the play ground. Quite the difficult task. She got about three seconds of footage and then they did switch sides, of course. When she got back to where we were, we got about 3 more seconds of footage. Brynna was substantially far away from us and I kept losing her when the monkeys ran...monkeys can run fast. Emily danced great but was so far in the back that seeing her was next to impossible. I am sure that none of my children's dancing abilities was related to their being in the back...it just couldn't be. Anyway not a load of memorable dance festival footage. I did find the second graders dance to be particularly inspiring as there was the most adorable little girl , without a leg, that danced with joy and excellance to two very difficult and "jumpy" dances. She was one of the best dancers there and I was glad they put her in the front. She really was an inspiration to me.

Emily also had NOVA graduation and 6th grade graduation. I cannot believe that she goes to Junior High this coming year. The 6th grade graduation was touching. I think they try to make you cry singing that tribute to the parents...as if you aren't already emotional thinking about your little baby going off --even more-- into the real world.

Aubrey finished up ninth grade and is excited to start Highschool. She is thinking of teaching singing lessons this summer and is simply glad to not have to do anymore math for 2 months. She leaves for Tennesee in a little over a week for a little adventure with her aunt.

Brynna got to have a pancake breakfast this morning and cried because she will miss her teacher. She loves school, and although she is looking forward to not having to wake up early, will miss her friends, school, and Mrs. Dajany.

We have no great vacations planned but hope to get away for a couple weekends during the summer. Perhaps it might warm up at some point. I will get to head to San Francisco in the middle of August for the much anticipated birth of a new grandson.

Although I resist it at times, life always continues with change and growth and more change and growth.