Caitlin is officially a Middle Schooler now!
5th grade graduation was a long drawn out experience. The teachers said something special about EVERY kid (sometimes telling stories to go with it), which took a long time.
When it was Caitlin's turn, Mr Schwaninger said that she was definitely her own person. He said that there is the world's way of doing things, and then there is Caitlin's way of doing things. He said she is not afraid to be herself or be different and he admired that. Then he said "from one weirdo to another, never stop being yourself". Some of the Mom's were upset about this and talked to me afterward. But I wasn't upset and neither was Caitlin, infact, she thought it was pretty awesome that he said that and I thought that he really understood her. They were obviously comfortable enough with each other for him to say that and I appreciate him knowing her that well and being able to convey the message to her in a way she understood, even if the other Mom's didn't. She is very excited about 6th grade, but even more excited for summer at this point.

For the first weekend of summer I told her she could invite a friend and we would do something special since we are not going to have a summer "vacation" this year. She picked her friend Olivia who was on the swim team with her a few years back and then we lost touch with. Well, with the redistricting of schools, she ended up coming to our school this year and will be in Cait's middle school, so they have become good friends! We went to Splash Universe in Dundee, and went to the Toledo Zoo on Sunday. They had a blast! They are so good together, they didn't have any pouty times, or I don't want to be with you times. They even went to sleep between 10 and 10:30 both nights! It was an awesome time, we hope to take Olivia somewhere else with us this summer too, maybe up north to go tubing 

We both signed up for the reading club at the libarary and Caitlin is really into it! She even signed up for some of the programs there. They have a glow party, which she opted to do instead of a camp out with her old girl scout leader. She also signed up for a game night and a book club type afternoon where they discuss a book and have pizza. She is excited that she is in the Teen group now and gets the good prizes and activities instead of the "lame" crafts. She already has 7 1/2 hours on her log since June 1st.  She earned 5 raffle tickets so far and put 4 in for the Nook Color and 1 in for the Campout Goodies. I have 2 books on mine (ours is different, for every 5 books you read, you put your name in a drawing for prizes).

Caitlin and I are signing up for a Girl Scout encampment in July, which is a weekend camporee! The girls are doing Astronomy stuff Friday night (and have the opportunity to design their own badge) and earning two different wildlife badges on Saturday (Cait's are the Trailblazers and Animal Helper badges). The leaders are attending enrichment classes while there. Oh, for those of you who don't know...I am officially the leader for the White Lake Middle School 6th grade Cadette's. Panic time!!!! Caitlin's old leader decided not to continue and said her daughter wasn't going to do scouts in 6th grade because it is not cool! Of course, now that I picked it up, she says her daughter wants to do it. Caitlin is not very excited about that since her daughter is one of the bullies. Unfortunately I can't refuse any girls! Right now I have 4 for sure, 7 possibles, PLUS they said there may be 11 from the other two schools coming in! So I could have anywhere from 4 to 22+! 4 sounds good to me! heehee

Caitlin may decide not to do Little Mermaid at the theater, she is not sure if she wants to give up Saturdays for the next two months. They changed the time to 2-5 instead of 3-6 because some parents were complaining. 2-5 is worse! I suggested 9-12 or 6-9! Not something else in the middle of the day!  Plus, we are a little strapped for cash after the new mattress and new well tank, so it will not bother me if she decided to skip it, that is $155 we can use elsewhere.

Summer is starting and Caitlin is at her first day of camp. Hope you all have a day as great as hers will be!