Growing Up

Nick and his dudes
Is Craig pushing them down somehow?

My boys, dressed as twins and didn't even plan it!

Mallory and her friends and teachers

Mallory and her closest friends.

So late in posting these photos, the kids have been done with their school year for at least 2 weeks already. They both had really good years, Mallory won the President's Award for having a 3.9 GPA and Nick finished out the year with awesome grades. It's been a transition year for them being in a new school and meeting new people, but we're so proud of how they've handled themselves this year and done so well.

As much as Mallory tries to deny it, I think she looks a lot like me!! Sorry, little one! heehee...

Our Honor Student

Congratulations to our Mallory who was inducted into the National Jr. Honor Society last night. She's worked very hard throughout her school years so far, this accomplishment is her reward. We're extremely proud of our wonderful girl!

Smart Kids!

A post about the kids, the real reason most of you even read this blog!~ Congrats to Mallory and Nicholas who received outstanding report cards for this first quarter of the school year! Mallory has continued her streak of A's through Jr. High, proving that the transition maybe wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. And Nicholas completed this first quarter at his new school, with A's & B's, landing himself on the Honor Roll for the first time! (4th grade is the start of letter grades, thus Honor Roll.)

We are extremely proud of both of our smart little critters and wish them continued success for the remainder of the year!

Graduations - Part 2

So, the last post is entitled Graduations because Mallory also graduated from the 6th grade. I have to brag a bit about my smart daughter, who's made it all the way through Elementary school with all A's and 1B. Getting the first B of her life was pretty hard on her because her expectations for herself are so high, but she worked really hard and the next grading quarter she pulled her math score back to an A. Its that kind of effort that I'm so proud of. Her straight A years are great, but I think its the efforts we make in life to succeed that count the most sometimes. Getting that B brought out her determination and problem solving skills. She really did what she needed to do to get it done. That's our Mal, she gets it done!

At the end of every year, awards and medals are given out. She received an award in Math and a medal for being on the Distinguished Principals honor roll. Cheers to Mal and even though you're in Jr. High now, you'll always be my baby girl!

Student of the Month!

In all of the weekend commotion, I forgot to mention that Mallory was named student of the month at school. I think they recognize one boy and one girl who have demonstrated the qualities it takes to be a leader, both academically and socially. So - Wonderful Job Mallory! You are a great little girl and we're always so proud of you!

For her efforts she gets a certificate from the school and a dinner out.

Harvard Girl

Some of you may know that Mallory has aspirations of going to Harvard. My little girl! How proud we all would be if she gets into such a prestigious school. Of course, we are proud of her no matter what school she will attend, but Harvard?! Her back-up is Yale, equally impressive.

I really don't know where this has come from, since birth, both her & Nicholas have been Penn State babies. And since the age of 4 she's wanted to be a doctor. The specialty has changed slightly from year to year, but always a doctor. No dreams of being a fairy princess, ballerina or ice skater for her. At this point in time its a pediatrician or a general practice physician.

Its also a good thing that Harvard has recently announced some changes in tuition policies. Kids with a family income of $60k or less go for free!! while that probably won't be us, they've also announced a tuition cap of no more than 10% of income for families in the next income bracket.

My Tennis Girl

Mallory has been in tennis lessons for about 2 months now and she just started another session this Saturday. Coach Ranger is a great guy, he's really good with his students and for some reason he likes to say "Rock-n-Roll" when the kids answer his tennis quiz questions correctly. Sounds unusual at first, but it grows on you.