Ladd Photos

Aliciana was on-hand most the day to help at the Fun Run and take photos. The boys looked exhausted running all those laps.

Connor ran 56 laps (3.5 miles) and Gavin ran 73 laps (4.56 miles)!

The first graders performed a collection of classic Disney tunes for their annual performance. Connor even had a small speaking part between two of the songs.

The fourth grade kids started off by playing 3 songs on their recorders. Then they did a play with lots of songs about the gold rush, called “Gold Dust or Bust”.

Rockin’ the recorder:

A few songs from their play:

My wife was awarded Turtleback’s Volunteer of the year at the Friday Flag assembly. Her friend CJ made sure she was at school, by saying she had some tax documents she needed Aliciana to review after the assembly. So, Aliciana was surprised when she got the award.

I also got videos of the kids doing their class cheers during the assembly:

The 4th graders have been studying the gold rush this year, and had a fun end-of-year celebration. They got to pan for “gold” and go on wagon rides. Gavin got thrown in jail for gold theft, but it was a case of mistaken identity.

It’s hard to believe another school year is almost over. The 4th graders celebrated with crazy game, snacks, and a water balloon toss.

Snacks and crazy party games to celebrate the end of 1st grade.

Gavin has Mrs Leslie this year and Connor has Mrs Brokaw. I’m sure we’ll have another great school year!

Connor won the special “character pillar” award for Trustworthiness for his class, and was awarded it during the Flag Friday ceremony.

It happened to also be “Dress Like A Pirate” spirit day for 4th and 5th grade, which explains Gavin’s fashion choice.

This year, Gavin was living his MLB dreams dressed as Mike Trout.

Connor was representing Hogwarts as Harry Potter. His buddy Helena was Voldemort, so I imagine they spent all day dueling.

After only 3 months of once-a-week classes, the band was ready to put on their first concert. They sounded great!

Some of the songs they performed:

Poor Connor was sick and had to miss the run. I stayed home with him so Aliciana could still go help, and take a few photos of Gavin sweating. I still don’t understand how Fun and Run can go together.

Thank you to all the family and friends who donated to the boys! Turtleback Elementary raised a lot of money to fund their science programs and technology improvements.

Gavin wrapped up his clarinet career with his final performance of the year. I think the band really improved since their first concert.

Connor’s performance took us all around the globe this year. The kids dressed up in the cultural attire of their ancestors and sang songs from around the world.

It feels like just yesterday that we were dropping off our little “Bub” Gavin at kindergarten. But he’s not so little anymore and is ready to go conquer Oak Valley Middle School.

We couldn’t be more proud of Gavin. He got a Presidential Outstanding Academics award, a Reading Olympics Silver award (for reading 5000 pages and running 75 miles), and was discharged from Safety Patrol as a Staff Sergeant.

Most importantly, Gavin is a good kid with a big heart, who is trying his hardest everyday to grow into an amazing human.

We love you Gavin! Congratulations!