A New Era

We are taking a short hiatus from the blog catch up quest (is it insurmountable? we choose not to think about it too hard!) to deliver some timely (relatively speaking) content. 

Two weeks ago, we wrapped up the 2021-22 school year and ended a golden era in the Vanneste household. Fiona is now a middle schooler! Take a minute to let that sink in. My tiny baby who was born yesterday will be in middle school this fall. And with that transition, we cease to be a one school family. Next year, there were be two wildly different schedules. Like Fiona's bus will pick up about 90 minutes before Q and D's bus ... and she will be home from school before 3pm. How will that work? That's a problem for September!

The next time the three of them will be in the same school will be when Dec starts high school and Fiona is a senior. We will not take a minute to let that sink in. In fact, that topic will be dead to us! A senior. I can't even!

Back to this school year ... we ended on a high note. The kids were all very ready for summer break but all three had great years. 

Fiona had the best 5th grade teacher who pushed her and kept building the math confidence that was lost in the Great Distance Learning Adventure. It was so awesome to have her proudly produce math tests from her bag, anxious to show us her success! Reading continues to be her passion and we just got a letter that she will be in both Accelerated Reading and Accelerated Language Arts in sixth grade. She's super excited.

Quinn had the same teacher that F had in 4th grade ... and quite honestly all Vs and Mrs. M hope she goes for the three-peat when Mr. D hits 4th grade. She is awesome. So awesome that she inspired Quinn to be an avid reader (in school) this year. Let's repeat: Quinn Willingly Read 10 Books On Her Own Time. Now granted, it was a bit of a competition (and we know that motivates a girl!), her bestie was all in, and there was a party as a reward at the end. But still. Quinn did it. Happily. She had a great year and cannot wait for 5th grade. 

Declan lived his very best life in 2nd grade. All is buddies were in his class. He had Mr. P (same amazing teacher as Q had in 2nd) who is the best. Mr. P both embraced D's silly side and saw everything he is capable of (he's smart. just ask him. also, he's not humble ... ). When we went to D's spring conference, he showed us the worksheet that Dec and his buddy AB were working on together and it was easily 4th grade level math. The boys didn't fully comprehend it on the first pass, but Mr. P was helping them through it because he knew they could get it. He also opened the "secret" library for Dec and he has ripped his way through the entire Harry Potter series (book 7 was finished today). 

The school year ended with a "clap out" for the graduating 5th graders and Q and D were excited to celebrate their sister's transition. We are thankful for an awesome year for all and the return [mostly] of a normal school year!