Last day of school!

Whew...it's a been a whirlwind few days! The kids had their last day of school on Friday. Both the elementary school and middle school had picnics. Ashlyn's school has a long standing tradition of doing a picnic in the front lawn of the school on the last day. It was super crowded, and I thought doing it out on the back field would have been better, but a tradition is a tradition, so we jammed in with all the others. I was just glad that Tom went to school at 7:30 a.m. to put a blanket out to save a spot for us. (We were given that tip last year!) :-)
I thought this was a neat tradition...they ring a big school bell that has hung over the entrance to the school since the 1940's to symbolize the end of the year! All the kids cheered as the bell chimed!

Remember a few weeks ago when Kyle didn't make jazz band? Well, today Ashlyn had her first "Horse Show" and once again we got to experience the 'agony of defeat.' (I do have a happy ending to Kyle's story though!) She placed last in her class, (3 out of 3) in the beginner level. It was one of those life lessons where we talked about "Having pride in doing your best" and "It's not about winning but the experience", etc... Luckily she quickly overcame her disappointment which was good since I was the amateur photographer for the event and didn't have much time for condolences. I felt for her though since we actually thought she did well, but such is life...you win some and you lose some.

As the photographer, it was fun to see all the riders and horses performing. Here are a few hightlights...

Ashlyn and Chummie...2nd place in Horsemanship and 3rd place in riding... Demonstrating a sitting trot on the lunge line...
Cutie Megan from Level 4 with her 1st and 2nd place ribbons!
I don't know this little girl's name but don't her blue eyes just light up the picture?! She got a 1st and 3rd place in Level 3.
This girl is showing the "jumping position."
Little Jesse in 1st grade earns a 1st and 2nd place ribbon in the Level 2 class. It was a fun day for all the girls!

Afterwards Ashlyn and her friend Caitlyn are getting to have a sleepover tonight! We took them to "Build-A-Bear" after the show and then out to dinner!

Stuffing the bears...

Fluffing the bears...

Oops...Ashlyn's animal is actually a kitty...I'm not being very observant today!

Caitlyn's final bride bear!

Ashlyn's final kitty all dolled up with outfits and accessories!

The rest of the sleepover is still unfolding as I type. The girls are in the basement watching a movie and munching on popcorn! What a pefect ending to a fun day!

Lastly, one bit of good news...remember my comment above on how Kyle didn't make jazz band a few weeks ago? Well, a funny thing happened the other day! The orchestra and band kids all joined up for a party in the band room. During the party kids could play instruments just for fun. Kyle picked up a guitar and started playing not realizing anyone was listening to him. A few moments later out of the corner of his eye he saw the band director watching. A day later she approached him and said if he was still interested there would be a space for him in jazz band next year! How neat that once she heard him play outside a 30 sec. audition she saw some of his strengths! If only the judge in the horse arena could watch again! hee hee :-)