End of 2009-2010 School Year

Strangely, our last day of school was on a Monday. This caused many raised eyebrows, but since it was the last day of school, nobody really cared.

I got up early on Monday, determined to end the year right. In fact, I got up even before my dad, and I was ready to go at 7:40, while my dad, Benjamin, and Luke were still eating breakfast.

Once I finally got to Holy Cross (yes, I was early), my class and I started cleaning out our desks and lockers, the dreaded task that faces students once a year.

After our book bags were stuffed to their absolute limit with books, notebooks, pencil cases, and papers, Mr. Albertin put in a Three Stooges, one of his favorite shows.

Next, we headed across the street to Lions Park, where we played on the playground, tennis courts, basketball court, and baseball field for two hours. All of us were growing a bit bored (Jessica even claimed that she would rather be doing schoolwork than stay at Lions Park), so we walked back to Holy Cross for the cookout.

The cookout tradition started about five years ago, and it's always a great way to end the year. The whole school eats hot dogs, chips, and a dessert outside on the playground or in the field. This year, we went over to the preschool playground, and lunch was followed by an epic, intense pine cone war. We all went back inside scathed and scarred, but it was a really fun time.

At last, we headed to the church for perhaps the most anticipated yet unexciting event of the school year. The end-of-year chapel service.

After the short chapel service, we sat through the award ceremonies.

Not only are you bored out of your mind, but your hands grow numb from clapping, and towards the end of the ceremony, the award-winners hardly get any applause at all.

For me, the only exciting occurrence was when I won three awards, Honor Roll, National Physical Fitness Award, and Spelling Bee Recognition. The most unexpected award I won was the National Physical Fitness Award. I didn't think I did exceptionally well in PE. Apparently Mr. Schroeder, my PE teacher, thought so.

Finally, after our librarian handed out awards for AR winners (a third grade student broke the school AR points record with 1,500 points), we were released.

I had previously invited my friend Meron to participate in our end-of-school year tradition of going to Atz's, a delicious ice cream shop near Holy Cross. We said goodbye to friends, and then headed to Atz's.

Several other friends join us for this ice cream tradition, including Parker, Joseph, Madison, and their families. It's a fun but somewhat hectic time (for the moms).

I ordered a plain old chocolate shake (Not just any shake, though. An Atz's shake, which is two huge glasses filled to the brim with rich, thick chocolaty goodness.) Ben had a peanut butter sundae, Meron had a cherry sundae, Luke got vanilla ice cream smothered in whipped cream, and Jacob and David shared an Oreo split.

As always, we had an excellent end-of-year celebration.

It's summer!