{team photos}

I took some quick photos of Liv's soccer team right before their final game....

{Jaxon's 5th Grade Graduation}

I can't believe Jaxon is headed for middle school this fall!  He has had a great time at LES, even after leaving all of his buddies at Waterford at the end of 3rd grade.  He has been fortunate to be surrounded by some really great friends who are just....plain....awesome.
The school had a great graduation program one night and then some class/grade awards were given the last day.  Jaxon had an awesome year with all A's and B's.  Mrs. Roth was a fantastic teacher.  And now, just as Jaxon is leaving, Isabella will start kindergarten.   3 kids in 3 different schools next school year!
Here's my handsome little man.  I am proud of him---smart, kind, and still cuddly :)

Jaxon's BFF, Dominic:

last time at his desk:

Mrs. Roth:

goodbye elementary school!

{Olivia is 14!}

Holy crap.  I can't even believe that my 1st born is 14 years old!  Time has gone by so fast, as it seems like just yesterday that I was meeting this beautiful baby girl into the world.  It has been so fun watching her grown and be a part of her accomplishments and exciting experiences.  She is one sassy, smart and beautiful girl!
Olivia's actual birthday fell on the same day as her soccer tournament.  It was actually an awesome day for her because her team won the championship!  We celebrated with a delicious breakfast, and a fun dinner to Olive Garden (iphone pics will soon be added) and finished off with a yummy chocolate birthday cake.
On the last day of school, I picked up Olivia and 2 friends and stayed in Reston for the night.  We started off with dinner at Chipotle (Liv's favorite) and then some shopping, more birthday cake, and swimming!
So fun....
breakfast with JB:



I can't even explain how excited Izzy was....

{CaRnIvAl}

its so exciting that a carnival comes to our very own little town of Lovettsville!  We watched them arrive, build the rides, and for 3 days, we passed by as the carnival was in full action.  And then, finally, it was our turn.  Isabella was excited beyond words and Olivia and Jaxon both found their friends to get dizzy with.
It was sooooo fun!

{SmArTy-PaNtS}

We are constantly impressed with Olivia and her fortitude with schoolwork.  She treats every assignment and test as though the grade will be highlighted on her collage application.  There are many nights when Sabe and I have gone to bed and Olivia is still up doing homework.  We don't take it for granted that she is this dedicated and so hard-working.  She is awesome and we really are so proud of her!
The end of the school year brings a lot of fun activities and achievements.  It also tends to make me brag a little bit too.  We received a special invitation to Harmony Middle School's first 8th grade Awards Ceremony.  We were so pleased when Olivia's name was called for not one, but two awards!  She received  the award for top 8th grade student in French 2 (here we come, Paris!)  There are 6 English classes in each of the 3 "teams" in 8th grade, and she was given the Exemplary Award for her team.  Woohoo!  Way to go, Olivia.
Sabe takes credit for her foreign language skills and I'll go ahead and take credit for that English one :)

And this is the awesome, new high school Liv will be attending next year!

isn't the scenery beautiful?

Ice cream afterwards:

Olivia brought home some of her artwork and it was so fun to see what she has been working on.  She has always been such a great artist--hope she always loves it!

self-portrait

This poster was chosen and enlarged for the display: