Graduation Day (5th grade, that is)

The house is still, at least for a few moments. The three big kids tumbled into the car this morning, headed to their last full day of school, with lighter backpacks and gift-wrapped packages for their teachers. Esther still sleeps upstairs, subconsciously thankful for a quiet house and no early morning routine. The rest of the day welcomes a whirlwind of sorts, with end of year parties and baseball practices and a friend staying for the weekend, the biggest event being Branson's fifth grade promotion in a couple of hours. Standing tall in his dress clothes in our kitchen this morning, wolfing down several pieces of cinnamon toast, he looked like a young man.  A handsome one at that (Cm'on, I'm his mom). Corbin just said this morning, "Can you believe he's through with elementary school?"
No.
But it's a good transition.
And easier for me to see him leave Tanglewood, because he simply doesn't fit in the desks anymore.

Branson and his good friend yesterday - is this backdrop adorable or what?!

Yesterday at an awards reception, each fifth grader presented their parents with a book of stories they'd penned. Here's Bran's essay on how he views Corbin and me. It's humorous now, and sweet. And I imagine a few years from now it'll be even more so.

My Parents

The people I love most in the world are my parents. I love my parents because they provide for me and keep me safe (and the other half of it is that they give me candy.)
My dad is an even-tempered, intelligent person. He always likes to have fun with my three siblings and me. He likes to jump on the trampoline with me and bounce me where my body is in the trampoline but over the net.
My mom is always pushing me to my goals and to do better in school. She is always on her laptop doing... I really don't know! Maybe when she tells me and my little sister Esther (known as the loudest living creature on earth) to go to a different room, she may be watching YouTube, eating Starburst, and drinking Starbucks, instead of doing her Bible study! That's a good way to burn 30 minutes. All I know is she is very gracious and patient with us.
Both of my parents are very awesome and I am very grateful. Well, it's always like that, for both of my parents.

Happy 5th graduation, Branson. We love you with our whole hearts.