VA Beach 2019 & 50th-51st Anniversaries

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SUPER quick trip to the beach in between lax tourney and swim team was all we could squeeze in this summer.   At least we got there earlier than expected.  Andrew's team only played two games in Williamburg.  They forfeited the last game because the kids were mostly 8th grades and our team mostly 4th-5th, with a few 3rd graders.  The size differential was just not safe.  Poorly registered tournament, no doubt.  

Always sporting our Fairview gear.

 

Our adorning suite rooms with 2 queens and a pull-out sofa turned out to be two rooms each with 1 king, 8 floors apart.  But whatever. 

Then we were off to the mountains to celebrate Mom and Dad's 50th anniversary in 51st style.  First things first with grandparents...cool whip straight down the throat!

Grateful they all three love the driving range for much longer than you'd expect!

Matthew was ALL ears as Robert encouraged Mom and Dad to tell stories about their early days together.  

Laura sweetly toasted how, growing with two older brothers, she had always wished for a sister and how grateful she was to have finally gotten the best one she could have ever prayed for when Dad found Mom:-)  

 Sarah and Abby sang and played Drew and Ellie Holcomb's, "What would I do without you".

Taking after their Dad, the kids wrote a toast to Dody and Granddaddy virtually on their own.  They had minimal editing help to rearrange things better, but other than that, it was all them! 

A collage from my Grandmommy and Granddaddy's 50th birthday celebration at the Greenbrief many years ago.  

 All of the grands...

 The original crew...

 Who'd have thought this fellow would eventually end up with more boys than girls?!?

Meet 1 - City (unscored)

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And so it begins!  Our first meet of the season, at City (unscored) was a huge success.  Kids were as excited as always and swam great!  Will be an interesting season with 11 (bottom of the age group), 8 (top) and 6 (top when swimming 6, but bottom of the barrel when competing 7-8). 

Unseasonably in the 70's, it was actually cold, especially timing in the second half getting drenched from the starts and finishes. 

Only 6 but ready to go with the 7-8's!

Room for improvement with his backstroke start, but looking alright for 6.

Far lane, Margaret's substantial finish.

Our roomies this week, Owen and Holden (and Elizabeth) are here nearly two weeks from Pittsburg and they are all in!

LOL, Margaret's next finish.  Can you see her lead??

Meg's 50-free win - TIGHT race with Emily!

Meg's relay fly, but her individual event is just one second off of the Fairview 8 and under record.  The girl came up with a goal for this summer!  

She's at 19 seconds, the record is 18.  

She told me her goal was 13 seconds - I love a goal and a good challenge, but we'll adjust as we go:-)

Last Week of School & 5th Grade Graduation

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The last week of school was FULL!
With swim team already in full swing and events at school every day and/or evening, it was all I could do to keep up, amidst two part-time jobs, one being brand new territory.

Because there was nothing else going on, the Talent Show was the last week of school, conveniently conflicting with swim team, lax practice and Frozen rehearsal. But they both really wanted to perform, so we could dared not discourage that. 

Not the current favorite or most challenging piece, but well done.

Only 5th grade boy who chose to participate, so that was lovely.  

 

 
Little Man wanted nothing more than his extra-big jump to be in slow-mo.  

 Michigan 5 years ago---looks just a tiny bit like Matthew, huh?!

 Matthew, sizing up the church group at King Family Vineyard Polo.

 Last day of school, just 4 years ago.  Absolutely nothing has changed....nothing.

Our June 10 memory.

Fridays at Fairview!

The last morning meeting pep rally of the year, and of Ms. Molinaro's tenure.  The 3rd grade girls were just a little bit into it.  

Lunch with Grandma!

 Field Trip to UVA - Scavenger Hunt!

 How lucky to grow up in a University Town.

 Last day of school / Graduation Day, finally here.  
Such very mixed emotions.


 Processional...with a girl!  Apparently, tragic.
 






 After Ms. Molinaro's lengthy speech, the recognitions began.  Can't remember what this one actually was---oopps!

 

Academic excellence, for those earning a 3.75 or greater.

 In addition to Academic Excellence, Andrew claimed the History award for both his enthusiasm and grades throughout the year as well as his blowing the top off of the SOL.


Their final songs---well done, Piper.  Well done.  

"You Can Count on Me"
and Woodbrook School Song, for the last time.

Grandma was here for a variety of activities this week and Dody and Granddaddy actually swung through for graduation on their way to the mountains, too!

 The usual suspects

  

Margaret and Colleen, after their awards ceremony.

Walking out of Woodbrook for the very last time with all three of them as students.  This marked the one and only year ever they will all three be at the same school.




The Grand Finale to the big day??  The most disgusting molar tooth pulling you've ever heard.   ICKY sound, but all in hysterics. 

This was the end of a spectacular day for you---your 5^th grade graduation from Woodbrook Elementary School.  You were so handsome and so incredibly well deserving of your nice awards…The academic excellence award for having a 3.75+ GPA and the Virginia Studies Award for consistently testing well and nailing the History SOL. 

You’ve had an amazing career at Woodbrook, Andrew!  You’ve learned so very much and been a joy for your teachers.  We are humbled and proud of your time there and how you’ve carried yourself, handled tough situations, and kept your eye on the goal-to learn and grow.

You are precious and you are loved.