Pandas Softball

We had two girls playing on the school softball team this year - Jas as a senior, and Jordyn as one of two grade nine rookies.

It's always fun to have a sister on the team!

Softball is great - so fun to watch and it's a short season too, with crazy weather so you never know if games/practices will be cancelled or carry on as scheduled.

Let's look at Jordyn . . .

Batting in a tournament - she hits it . . .

. . . and runs. 
She's gotten to be a really good little hitter.  From her first game of the season when her bat was just shaking with her nerves, to her final hit of the season, which was a most magnificent slam out to center field {too bad it got caught!} - she has improved greatly!

Waiting on third to run home.

Jordy usually played backcatch . . .

. . . or right field.  She got her share of people out in both places.

Great season Jordyn - looking forward to three more years of watching you!

Now to look at Jasmine . . .

. . . on deck.

Jas usually played pitcher or shortstop.  Pitching was her favourite until that hit in the face which made her a little wary for awhile {check that out here}.

Running the bases.  She got a couple of home runs during the season, unfortunately I wasn't at any of those games!

We had seven senior players this year - a good strong team.  Lots of fun!!!

Our team, right before their final game in their final tournament.  They were playing for the gold in the league championships!

And unfortunately, we won silver by literally inches.  Our tying run was called out at home, and our winning run was on third.  Twas a heartbreaker, but such a great game and season!  Proud of you Pandas!!!

Lining up to get the silver medals.  Jas is #5, Jordyn is #7.

The silver medalists!


After this tournament, two girls from each team were selected to play in the All-Star Game.

Jas and Alyssa were chosen from the Pandas team.

This line up of girls made up the Western Team.  This was a fun game to watch!

Jas played backcatcher for a while - they kind of rotated positions.  The Western team started off strong and were well ahead for many innings.  But then the Eastern team slowly caught up and passed  us.  Luckily we had last bat and it was a good inning for us.

 

This is Jas running for home which gave us the tying run, and the winning run followed after.

And so the final score was . . .

. . . with the Western team winning!  Yay!!!

Thanks for a great season Pandas and coaches!!!

Jenna - The Little Mermaid

Jenna was Ariel in "The Little Mermaid" at the school assembly in May.  Each grade takes a turn performing at the monthly assembly, and it was the grade 2's turn.  The grade 5's were kind enough to help them out and they performed some beginning scenes of "The Little Mermaid".

Before the show - Ariel with a dolphin.

Ariel and Flounder and lots of bubbles.

 Then Ariel started singing "Part of Your World" - all by herself, in front of all those people!!!

Jenna has an absolutely beautiful voice!  And then the other students joined in with her, both with voices and instruments.

Look at that mermaid tail!

Great job Jenna/Ariel!!!

Now that took a lot of courage!



Jasmine Graduates

May 18, 2012 was the date of Jasmine's High School Graduation.

At 3:30pm her date Clayton picked her up.  They put on the wrist corsage and boutonniere and were ready to go off to celebrate their graduation.

They looked fabulous!!!

Let me backup six days before grad.  Jas got hit in the face while on the pitchers mound in their final game of a softball tournament.

This was her eye five days before grad.

This was grad day, just before Richelle got at the eye with the makeup (and special corrective cover-up we borrowed).

But wait!  There's another injury:
The grads had lots of activities planned on the evenings of grad week.  On Wednesday night they played night games around town.  Jas, in flipflops, cut the bottom of her foot while running down an alley.  It wasn't just a cut but a big blood blister all around it too.  She could hardly walk the next day, which was also "Grand March" practice, in grad shoes!
So our girl had a rough week before grad!

 

 

You'd never know she had a black eye.

So, they left our house and went to Clayton's house for a few pictures before heading off to the school for the group photo.

44 Graduands in this years class.

We were able to get a few outdoor photos outside the school as the sun peaked through for a while.

Then on to the Auditorium . . .

. . . to let the celebrations begin!

Under the star balloon arch.  We were on the decorating committee and decorated with lots of stars and other shiny things.

Rich and I with our beautiful Jasmine.

So we had photo time and then the delicious roast beef banquet.  Then a program that consisted of toasts and replies to teachers, parents, class president's remarks, class history and grad video.

Then we all made our way down to the TK Gym where the grads all got changed into their caps and gowns. 

In the change room with Lexie and Sara.

My sister was in the bleachers above the girls change room and was able to snap this photo of Jas before the Processional, just as she saw her extended family up in the bleachers.
That paper in her hand is her speech that she kept up her sleeve until she needed it.

The Gold Braids are for any students who achieved an 80% average in English 30-1, Social Studies 30-1, Pure Math 30 and two of Chem 30, Bio 30, Physics 30 or Math 31 (Calculus).  This is also the criteria for Valedictorian.  Jas took or is taking all of these classes and her average was 97%.  That is absolutely amazing to me!!!  Sure proud of you Jazzy!

And now for the Processional . . .

. . . and you may take your seats!

Our dazzling 2012 Grad!

Giving the Valedictory Speech

She did a wonderful job!!! 

(I was having troubles with my camera all evening - it would shut off right as I was taking the picture.  So unfortunately my only pictures of her giving her speech are fuzzy.)

Then the Grad Choir sang.

It was a cute song called "I'd Do It All Again" written by the mother of a grad.

(Jas is middle row, third from the right.)

Time to present the Diplomas.  Jas shaking the principles hand.  They read a little blurb out about future plans for every grad as they received their diploma.  They also announced individual subject awards that the students received.  Jas got the Math 30Pure Award (I guess 100% on the Provincial Diploma Exam helped with that!).

Once all the "Candidate for Graduation" Diplomas were handed out . . .

. . . they all moved their tassels to the other side of their cap.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Graduating Class of 2012!

Some other special awards were given now as well.  Jas received the Humanities Award and the Valedictorian Award.  Jasmine has really worked hard on her studies.  She sets up study schedules for herself and has the discipline to stick with her plan.  She has mentioned that she reads more novels during study time.  She'll study to a certain point and then reward herself and rest her brain by reading a bit of a novel.  Whatever her system is, sure seems to work!!!

With the formal ceremonies over, it was time for the Grand March.  The audience watched the Grad Video while the Grads were all getting changed back into their finery.  The March is alphabetical so Jaime and Jasmine were very last.

These pictures are fun - Jaime walking out with Jas waiting in the back.  Chelle taking a picture of Jaime.  Our other girls admiring cousin Jaime as Chelle gets ready to take a picture of Jas.

A picture of me taking a picture of Jas (how'd we manage that?).  Her train looked lovely as she walked.  And a picture of my brother-in-law taking a picture of Jas.

And the back view of Jas with her escorts.

With the formal ceremonies over, it was time for mingling and fun (not that the ceremonies were dull - they were very well done!  Perfect mix of laughter and seriousness.)

Our seven beautiful daughters!!!  We're so blessed!

Jasmine and Jaime with Gramma and Grampa.

Then we eventually made it back to the Auditorium where the banquet had been cleaned up.  It was now time for more pictures and dancing.

Jaime and Jasmine . . .

. . . and their dates, Johnny and Clayton.

 

The Daddy/Daughter dance - they were just having too much fun!!!

Dancing with her date.

 

Besties - Jas, Sara, Lexie - so pretty!

Erica, Lexie, Sara, Brooklyn, Jasmine - love the colours of their dresses!

And now, the Ladies in Red . . .

Erica, Hailey, Samara, Celine, Jasmine . . .

. . . and Tori and Kim!

A few more shots of Jas and Clayton and some decorations.

The giant 2012 that Rich and I painted the night before Grad.

Candid photos of all the Grads.

The bicycle built for two.

They don't hang around the dance for too long - everyone wants to go home and get into comfortable clothes (and shoes!) and head out to the Grad Party that lasts all night long and ends with breakfast.

 

Jas with her newest plaque.

 

(I'm getting better at photo editing!  In real life it does have her full name and school on it, but for the sake of anonymity in the blogging world, I got rid of it!)

And now for courage, Jasmine, as you leave home and pursue your future plans and follow the paths that are meant for you.  And courage to us left at home who don't want to adjust to life without you  here and your cheerfulness, daily school stories, humour, kindness, chauffeuring abilities, willingness to help and your steadfast example.  But we will survive - it's all part of the plan!

And we'll wrap this up with a little photo collage I made . . .