The One Where Bri Leaves Elemetary School

June 27, 2018

A date that will go down in the history of our family. At 12:08 today, Bri officially became an alumni of Highlands School.

After six long, hard-working, and satisfying years at the elementary school around the corner, Bri officially left school. It is hard to believe she entered school as a timid kindergartner six years ago. Those six years flew by...and now she leaves as a more self-assured and confident (and smart) fifth grader.

We are going to miss those days of walking to school up the street.

Memories fill the mind of

Monster Mashes
Science Fairs
Friday Morning Meeting Assemblies
Chorus Concerts
Recorder Practices
Art Show Nights


A wealth of wonderful memories that we will hold dear forever.

Congratulations Bri on closing the chapter of one adventure and beginning a new chapter in your life.

The One With Bri's Last Spotlight

One of the annual traditions at Highlands School is that the students in each grade present a monthly spotlight at the Friday meeting. The idea is to have a class or grade make a presentation, performance, or play to the others that is related to a theme or event for the month.

Bri has put on five of these in the past, and I have had the chance to see most. I can still remember her speaking in kindergarten in a voice only a ghost could hear. However, these days her voice is much more boisterous.

It was hard to believe, but the last of these spotlights occurred today. In a bittersweet moment, her grade presented a series of speeches, poems, and reflections about Memorial Day (which is this Monday).

As I watched her classmates, many of whom I got to know, take spotlight stage for the last time, it was remarkable, wonderful, and sad (in a good way) to see how far they have come. It truly was amazing.

I looked there one last time and made a memory. Bri has grown up a lot. She has more poise. She is more confident....even if she spoke with a thin whisper one last time today.

What wonderful memories. That you, Bri, for all of the spotlights!

The One With The Science Fair

This past week, Bri and Kiff had their science fairs at school. What an amazing experience. It is the first time that either of them participated in a science fair and it definitely harkened back to an earlier time in my own life when I loved science fairs. I can still remember those fifth through eighth grade science fairs that dominated my life.


Bri decided to answer the question "How do lungs work?" She and Emmie made a poster complete with a diagram, as well as tips on lung health and words to know. She make a take home book, a coloring sheet, and even had a model lung made out of a plastic water jug that showed how the lungs worked.

Kiff's science fair was "How do stars form?" Although he had to be coaxed a little bit more to do it, he had fun. He and I put together a display that showed how stars form, the different size stars, and the life cycle of a star. It included a chart will real pictures and his pictures. Along with this we made styrofoam models of a blue giant, medium start, and red dwarf.


Overall, Bri said it was "fun, cool, neat, love projects"

Kiff said, "Liked it."

I am sure they cannot wait until next year.

The One With The Bash

Yesterday was the annual after school bash at Bri and Kiff's school. It was a ton of fun.

Unlike most years, when we were participants, we volunteered to help this time.  It was plenty of work but a lot of fun.

Tons of people came. There was plenty to do, lots of music, opportunities to talk, and plenty of time on the playground.

Emmie was in charge of getting some of the food, so we started early in the morning. By the time the events and cleanup for over, it was quite time.

It was a great day and an excellent way to get back to school. It was great to see so many people volunteer to make the bash fun for their children and their families.