16

JR turned 16 yesterday.

He went to dinner with his friends (without us) and to the Astros game (also without us).

He would only have his "birthday cake" picture taken with Chloe.

Although Kyle tried his best to be in it.

And then we got to clean up this "happy birthday" this  morning.

Then this afternoon he got his driver's license. 

Eeeek! 

Color Run

When we started planning 5th grade graduation one of the first things I thought we'd get rid of was the "color run".  They had started it last year, so I figured it wasn't a big enough tradition for the kids to care about.

It's always so blazing hot and miserable to be outside at the end of May, I thought the kids wouldn't even notice if we got rid of it.

Turns out it was the thing my own kids wanted to most (of course it was). 

They started out Thursday morning doing a drone picture with the 3rd-5th graders. 

Then we all showed up in the afternoon to do the color run.  I put another mom in charge of the run and she definitely "ran" with it.  There was even a professional DJ. 

The kids started off "clean".

But that didn't last long

Each grade was a different color.  I think 3rd grade was green and they definitely were heavy handed.

I did my best to stay out of the color.  

And as you can imagine, most of the 5th graders had a slight green tint to them at graduation the next day! 

5th Grade Party

As if Tuesday wasn't busy enough with the talent show, Tuesday after school was the 5th grade party. 

It started at school with a caravan to the Forest Club.

Reed's car

Kyle's car

This was one of the "cars"

Photo-op with the SBMS bear (their mascot next year). 

One of our moms owns a bakery. Just look at this cake (and the 150 cookies)! 

The kids swam, ate, had cotton candy, played basketball, played on the tennis courts, showed off their tricks on the diving board, and took pictures at the photo booth. 

As my kids said "it was so much fun, I thought it was going to be boring, but it was a blast."

 I don't have photo booth pictures of my own kids, but I do have one of me. 

My Last Talent Show

As I have been telling everybody my "reign of tyranny" over the talent show for the last 4 years has come to an end. 

I'm proud of how far the talent show has come, and I'm happy to leave it behind. 

When I took it over it was for 3rd-5th graders and there were about 20 "playground" acts.  (Playground acts are routines made up on the playground during recess.) 

Tuesday we had 34 kindergarten-2nd grade acts and 37 3rd-5th grade acts, all which try their hardest to outdo each other. 

We had 3 dogs, a dancing robot, 2 groups glow in the dark, a hoverboard, basketball trick shots, more flips than you can count, plus 45 5th graders in a 3 1/2 minute grand finale that I've been working on during their recess since spring break (and I still need a video of it).

Kyle was one of the stage managers and Reed was one of the hosts.  I don't have many pictures because I was running around like a crazy person (like I always do) but it was a great way to go out on top!  My parents and Jason both came to support us all in our last show. 

Reed hosting

I still don't even have a picture of Reed's act.  He was in a group with another boy and 2 girls all dressed up in 80's gear.  They sang "Livin' on a Prayer"

Kyle and Sean dressed up like babies and did a routine to "Baby One More Time"

Some of my 5th grade finale boys.  They all had coordinating t-shirts.

Reed's ending pose in the finale

A picture to document the official end of the Ingersoll talent show years. 

3 Banquets in 3 Days

JR has had quite the busy banquet weekend.

Friday night was the Fine Arts Banquet.  It's known as the most fun party of the year and it's for all the kids who participate in a fine art (band, choir, drill team, theater, orchestra...)

JR said it was "more fun than homecoming" when we picked him up from his afterparty.

This was the only picture I was able to get of him that night on the way to the event.

Then Saturday morning was the theater banquet.  They serve breakfast and call it a brunch-quet; everyone wears their pajamas. It was really cute and I'm glad they do it that way.

JR won best freshman

and was also inducted into their thespian troupe. 

Then Sunday night was the choir banquet.  I got an email that we (his parents) should come since he was winning an award.  Of course I just assumed he'd be winning best freshman in choir too.  

JR did not win best freshman in choir, or even most outstanding in his class.

He did, however, win most talkative and class clown. 

Great Pics

Baseball season may be over, but I was so excited when one of our neighbors gave us these great pictures she took of Reed.

I just love them!

I'd say this one was taken right after a strikeout! 

Speaking of baseball season being over.  Reed played in a tennis tournament at our club yesterday and we were laughing that the 2 boys that ended up in the finals are the ones that just came back to tennis after taking baseball season off! 

Reed was the runner-up, but he played some great tennis (finishing up the tournament in the rain)!

NKOTB

I'm staying about one day ahead of doing everything I need to get done these days.  

My talent show is on Tuesday and we have 5th grade graduation on Friday. 

 But even though I should have been home writing a script for the talent show hosts, I went to see The New Kids on the Block Wednesday night.

My sorority sister, Meredith, and I went and had the best time.  Jason got us 9th row tickets, and even though we didn't get to touch any of them, Donnie was super close to us (and he's the best New Kid!)

• 

I'm so glad I took the time out of a busy May to go relive our youth!

On the Road Again

JR's choir had their pop show Saturday night.  It was supposed to be Friday and Saturday, but since school was cancelled it became a 1 night show.

The theme was "Legends" and we were really excited when JR auditioned and was picked to sing a solo as a freshman.

I couldn't have been more proud of him, and loved every second of his act. 

They also sang Bohemian Rhapsody as a full choir (which was awesome) and Sweet Caroline as the freshman boys (which was adorable)

Pictures of Sweet Caroline

It was a great show!