The 2nd Half

What an incredible school year! As unbelievable as it may seem, I (Mom) am now retired, J is an eighth grader, and M is a Junior. The 2nd half of our school year was full of happy adventures and amazing progress. Both kids earned straight A's. M applied, auditioned for and was accepted into a college-level music program which she will attend her final two years of High School. J literally grew about 6 inches! Other highlights include:

A surprise birthday party for one of M's BFFs

February trip to Williamsburg to see family and to attend a good friend's baptism

Mementos of Mom's retirement

Volt

A quick three-day getaway in April to College Station, TX for Mom & Dad

The National Gallery of Art

Temple Trips

Sushi

Priest/Laurel dinner party

Extremely successful Spring Track & Field season

Lady M Passed the Test!

Okay, it was no surprise that she aced her driver's exam! This girl can do anything!!

Last Spring, M decided to apply and audition for an Advanced Music Studies program about 20 minutes away. She was accepted! The only snag was that the school district doesn't provide transportation. So, being the determined young lady that she is, M took on extra piano students to earn money for a car. She also took every chance to drive so that she could get in the required 60 hours of practice. And she earned her Young Womanhood Recognition and a prerequisite for getting her license. She saved and saved, drove and drove, and worked really, really hard to reached her goals. A gazillion kudos to this amazing lady!

Her 2006 Scion xA gets great gas milage, and M has informed me that she likes it better than my Prius or her father's Accord. She will continue to teach 4 students each week (plus her brother on occasion) to earn money to pay for gas.