Last Day of 8th & 10th Grade

 As another school year comes to a close, we're celebrating some big milestones in our family!

Middle school has officially come to an end as Madden graduated from 8th grade. To say we're sad would be far from the truth—after three years, Madden was definitely ready to move on. Honestly, I think he was ready to leave back in November!

Like most boys his age, middle school had its fair share of ups and downs, but it was also a time of tremendous growth. He made a great group of new friends, matured so much over the past three years, and, for the most part, was an average student. Most of his teachers absolutely loved him (minus his two history teachers! 😂). The staff all seemed to know Madden—whether for good or not-so-good reasons—but I think they'd all agree his charm usually won them over.

Madden is incredibly excited to start high school this fall, and we truly believe it's where he'll thrive—socially for sure, and hopefully academically too! We can't wait to watch this next chapter unfold.

Skylar also had an incredible year at Carlsbad High School. She absolutely crushed 10th grade, earning straight A's both semesters and finishing the year with an impressive 4.33 GPA thanks to her AP coursework. We couldn't be prouder of how hard she worked.

Outside the classroom, she was living her best life with her amazing group of friends. She also made the difficult decision to step away from dance after 13 years and take a chance by trying out for the Carlsbad Cheer team. She made the team, and we haven't seen her this happy in a long time. Jake and I are so excited to spend our Friday nights cheering her on from the stands at every football game.

We truly can't wait to have both kids back on the same campus again. Here's to new beginnings, exciting adventures, and an unforgettable year ahead!

Buds since first grade.  Can't believe how much they have grown.

Madden and Noah.

Madden and his dear friend Addie.

Cooper, Kason, Ian, Madden, William and Hudson.

Madden and his buddy Sharbel.

All the boys with their favorite teacher Mr. Rai.

Noah, Madden, Nico and Joey.

Grad night Madden and his buddies went to a big bash that a handful of girls were throwing.  They didn't want to go but ending up having a blast.

First Day of 10th & 8th Grade

 Another school year has officially begun! Today was the first day of 10th grade for Skylar and 8th grade for Madden — and I’m still trying to wrap my head around how quickly time is flying. It feels like just yesterday they were walking into elementary school with backpacks almost bigger than they were.

Skylar was so excited to be back with all her friends and to no longer be the youngest ones on campus. She’s already looking forward to everything this year has in store and seems so much more confident stepping into her sophomore year.

This year marks Madden’s last year in middle school, which is hard to believe. Next year, both kids will be at the same school again — high school! It’s a little surreal to think about, but also really special. 

Last Day of 7th & 9th Grade

 Another school year in the books!

    7th grade definitely had its ups and downs for Madden. He made a great group of new friends and we even got a few sweet notes from teachers saying he was a pleasure to have in class — though they also mentioned he might be just a little too chatty. 😅 Academically, it wasn’t quite the year we had hoped for. We tried to help him build better study habits, but let’s just say... that often led to more battles than breakthroughs. We're really hoping 8th grade brings a bit more focus and fewer struggles in that department.

    On the upside, he had a major growth spurt this year — it feels like he’s grown inches overnight — and we’re curious to see if that continues into next year!

Skylar’s first year of high school was a major success! She did an amazing job with her grades and study habits — we never had to remind her to prepare for a quiz or test. All her hard work paid off with straight A’s! She was also a total social butterfly, always out and about with friends. There were weekends where we’d drop her off at school on Friday and barely see her again until Sunday!

She loved being part of the school dance team and is excited for another year representing her school in that way. Next year will definitely come with more challenges, but we have no doubt Skylar is ready to take them on.

First Day of 9th & 7th Grade

 Well we are finally here...High School! It's hard to believe that Skylar is a 9th grader in High School but she is.  She is at Carlsbad High with all her great friends. I know she said the first day was a bit overwhelming which is to be expected but she is so far loving it.  She is doing yearbook and dance team and seems to enjoy the rest of her classes as well.  We are so excited for her and for these next four years as we know its going to be such a blast. 

Madden is back to AOMS and is no longer the babies on campus.  He sadly left ASB this year and decided to take his talents to art, so we will see how that goes.  I think we got a bit lucky with his schedule as he doesn't have many close friends in his classes because he is known to be a bit chatty when surrounded by friends.  We are very much looking forward to what his 7th grade year has in store for him. 

Here are a couple pictures from high school registration.  Skylar was so nervous to get her schedule.

8th and 6th Grade Class Photos

 Madden 6th Grade

Skylar 8th Grade

6th Grade Camp

 Madden headed off to 6th grade camp for a week of outdoor activities, hikes and fun with his friends.  Unfortunately, 6th grade camp was not Madden's jam.  By day two he was trying to get the heck out of there by telling the nurse he had a seizure.  Luckily we talk him into staying which I don't think he was too thrilled about.  

When I picked him up the first words out of his mouth, "That was the worst week of my life!"  From his thin bed mattress, his bunk mate, his activity group, the food, the hikes and all the safety talk, it was hard to find something that Madden did like about it...haha!  Being his first time away from home for an extended period of time we are proud that he stuck it out miserable or not.

Eating breakfast in the cafeteria.

Learning about climbing the rock wall.

Making candles.

Hanging with activity group.

First Day of 8th and 6th Grade

After a two year back the kids are finally back in the same school.  Hard to believe Madden is starting his middle school journey while Skylar is almost done with hers.  I'm thrilled that they are back together and to make it even sweeter Madden decided to join ASB with Skylar so they even have two class periods together.  How much they interact in ASB is still to be determined but I hoping they enjoy being together.  I'm looking forward to seeing the new friendships Madden makes as Skylar as made so many great new friends during her time there.  

Madden with his middle school carpool buddies.

Year 3 and probably they last year carpooling together.  Crazy to see how much they have grown since 6th grade.

Last Day of 5th/7th Grade - June 2023

Skylar had a great 7th year.  If you ask her, she didn't love it. Didn't like having lunch with the 6th graders and hated her english class, but she survived and got straight A (well almost...for some reason got a B in Dance PE).  Hard to believe she only had one more year of middle school.

End of era.  After 8 years at Poinsettia we no longer have a child in elementary school.  Excited for the start of Madden's next journey.

Walking to the last day of elementary school.

How it started.........................How it ended

 

First Day of 7th & 5th Grade

 Pretty much at a lost for words on this one.  No clue how we have a 7th grader and 5th grader.  Can't believe we are on our last year of elementary school.  Kids seemed really happy with their classes and teachers.  Madden got Mr. Castro, which is the teacher he really wanted and he has his best buddies, Ian and Cooper in class with him.  Skylar wasn't thrilled with her english teacher but was happy with the rest.  She is doing ASB as her elective again this year which we were happy about.  Here's to another year of school for our two lovies.

Ruling the school this year!!