High School Fun

Last week was the 'last' Spirit Week for Emily as a Senior at WHS. Every morning the Seniors gather (as early as 4:30am) to rally themselves to be the most spirited class in the school.
Monday: Army
Tuesday: Hippy
Wednesday: Nerd
Thursday: Celebrity
Friday: Unity (School colors)

Emily went all out this year! Going out with a bang!

Backpack Emily joined by Alex Map and Dora Julian

Emily even participated and danced in the Senior Skit! 

Hannah went to her first high school dance.. a Sadie's Dance... a prize given to the best themed costumes.

The Three Good Fairies

Mary & Burt; Tourists; Insurance Guy; Baseball Fanatics and the Three Fairies

Some of Hannah's freshman classmates

I wasn't very involved in high school until my Senior year, being the true introvert as I am. Emily is taking my lead but Hannah has a head start!  Both had a great time at their respective schools.

Hannah's Promotion

FCS doesn't have an 8th grade graduation because they have a high school. Instead they have an 8th grade promotion ceremony.

It was a beautiful ceremony honoring and celebrating the students' achievements.

It has been an incredible two years at FCS. She adjusted quite well to her new school and made some great friendships.

Dr. Tricia Meyer handing Hannah her promotion certificate.

We had many come to witness this momentous occasion for Hannah.

We made some great big heads to make sure she can find us in the audience!

The Sams (Uncle Kenny, Auntie Matthea and cousins Marissa and Timothy)

Goong Goong and Popo

Mah Mah and Yeh Yeh

The Okazaki Family (Auntie Calina, Uncle Ken and cousins Daniel, Joshua and Zachy)

Auntie Hilda and Uncle Park

The Ngs (Auntie Carolyn, Priscilla and Cory)

Danika Park

Mr. Michael and Rachel Yee

I sent a special invitation to Hannah's former teachers from KHA because they played an important part of her academic life. These four teachers also taught Hannah's KHA classmates who came with her to FCS.
From KHA: Mrs. Elaine Choy (Kindergarten & 1st Grade); Mrs. Allender (2nd grade); Mrs. Hinton (4th Grade & 5th Grade); Mrs. Hansen (6th Grade)

Jadon, Mrs. Hinton, Isaac, Mrs. Allender, Mrs. Hansen, Michelle and Mrs. Choy

Hannah thrived at FCS so instead of joining her sister at WHS for high school, she wanted to stay at FCS to continue her high school education. So we will have 2 kids at two different high schools.

Hannah also received the President's Education Gold Award - maintain an average 3.5 GPA or higher and score in the 85 percentile or greater in English or math on a nationally recognized test

Sound Of Music FCS Style

I'm a little behind on recapping school highlights. Hannah was in her first high school musical production as a junior higher.

She played a nun novice or a postulant, in FCS's production of The Sound of Music.

There were five performances and we went to every single one bringing many supporting friends and family.

Stephanie Louie and Letitia Chinn

The Santos Family already attend FCS.

The Lee Family

Uncle Don & Auntie Cheryl

Grandpa & Grandma Ow along with the Okazakis and Ngs

Grandma Ma and the Sams

Mrs Raboca (with her daughter Daniel portraying Louisa von Trapp) and teacher extraordinaire, Elaine Choy

The Wong Gals

Hannah loved the experience especially being with her besties: Michelle, Olivia and Janet.

Even though her role was very very small, we were thankful she enjoyed being in a musical and that so many loved ones came to see it. It was an excellent production and we look forward to 2020 for the next one!

First Day of School x 2

FINALLY! School has started! Well actually school has just started for one of my girls. The other one started two weeks ago.

Hannah started at a new school. We didn't want to leave KHA but knew that God was in control. Long story-short, KHA temporarily suspended their middle school due to low enrollment so we moved her to FCS this year. Their school year starts mid-August so Hannah had to cut her summer short unfortunately. She literally had two months of summer vacation: June 15 - August 15.

She's smiling here but on the inside she was a wreck!

We were still able to go on an Ow Family trip to Seattle and Vancouver in June (a first since 2002 which was the last time all my siblings and parents traveled together) and our annual stay in Monterey at Matthew's boss' vacation home.

Hannah's summer consisted of:
- Making many DIY videos
- Vlogging our Monterey trip
- Working on summer homework: a pre-algebra review workbook assigned by me
- Reading 2 novels as summer reading homework assigned by FCS

After school on the first day of school was all smiles.

Hannah's transition to her new school even with three former KHA classmates, was tough the first week but as the weeks went by her anxiety lessened. We are thankful for the kind and understanding support of the FCS teachers and administration.

Emily started school today! A sophmore at WHS! She got an extra two weeks of sleeping in and staying in her pjs!

My sophomore is almost as tall as me.. just little under an inch.

Emily had a heavy load her first year in high school and did well so I let her relax for the summer. I thought she would have a boring summer but apparently she was quite busy..

Emily's summer consisted of:
- One week away at Hume Lake Christian Camp
- Five days of volunteering at Resonate Church's Turn It Up Summer Program; she was on the Food team and completed 23 hours of community service
- Completed the online driver's ed course and passed the written DMV test so now she has her learner's permit! YIKES!
- Bunny-sat for five days
- Created our Monterey vacation home video (Matthew says now he can retire)
- Read 37 books

Emily has all but one of her classes with Rachel (left) again!

The years go by so quickly.. ten years ago..

First Day of Kindergarten for Emily - 2006

Change is never easy. I don't like it. I don't look forward to it and I don't ever look for it. I don't get bored and antsy. Starting at a new school was hard for me as a parent who has been volunteering/working at the same school for the last 10 years. But life needs change or you get complacent. Change helps you grow and at 50 I think I'm ready to grow! LOL!