Heinz Family Part 2!

Another school year in the books! This time we’re celebrating the end of 5th, 7th, and 9th grade—and with that, the close of our Mike Miller Elementary school chapter.

Bodhi didn’t seem sad to leave elementary behind—he’s ready for what’s next. He’s got a full summer ahead of him too, with soccer tournaments, weightlifting, open road training for cross country, and wrestling camp all on the schedule. This kid is going to stay busy, and honestly, I think he prefers it that way.

Noah wrapped up 7th grade with his signature calm energy. While he wasn’t overly excited or disappointed about the school year ending, he was pretty bummed when the ESD track meet got rained out. Thankfully, his team won the grade-wide kickball tournament, which helped ease the sting. We’re super proud of him for being invited to take high school algebra this fall and he has a school trip to Washington DC and NYC coming up in a few days! His summer is shaping up to include open road training, water skiing, and—of course—hours on his bike with friends.

Willow finished 9th grade, and we’d be lying if we said it was her favorite year. Between a less-than-enjoyable school experience and elbow surgery late in the semester, it was a tough finish. We were all hoping she’d be back to her usual activities sooner, but healing has taken longer than expected. Still, she’s staying busy and pushing forward with determination. Her summer includes babysitting, working, dance open gyms, and helping from the boat during water ski practices while she continues to recover. We’re crossing our fingers that summer brings a little more joy and light her way.

Each of our kids is walking a different path, but all of them are moving forward—and that’s what matters. We’re proud of the way they’ve handled the ups, downs, wins, and setbacks. Bring on the sunshine, the late nights, the carpool chaos, and a house that never quite seems quiet with a pile of shoes outside the garage door!

Well, it happened. We blinked—and just like that, our little guy is officially a kindergarten graduate!

Leo wrapped up his first year of school with the sweetest little graduation celebration at Roncalli Primary. There were songs and a mini play where Leo had a speaking part as the letter E (he nailed it!)

While Leo is still very much our anxious, nervous, and shy boy, we are beyond proud of how much he’s grown. He made new friends, tackled new challenges, and finished the year excelling at so many things. He surprised us more than once with his curiosity, his courage to try new activities, and the little bits of independence that slowly emerged over the months.

We absolutely loved Miss Shoemaker and the entire team at Roncalli Primary. Their care, patience, and love for their students made all the difference. Blake and I look back at the decision to send Leo to Roncalli instead of the larger public school system, and we know we made the right choice for him. The smaller class sizes, the nurturing environment—it’s been everything we hoped for and more.

So here we are—kindergarten complete, summer on the horizon, and a first grader in the house this fall. We’re so proud of you, Leo!

There’s something magical—and a little chaotic—about the last few weeks of school. The days are packed with end-of-year activities, field trips, special events, and just enough routine to hold everything together. For kindergarteners, it feels like the grand finale of an already exciting year. And for Leo, it’s been a whirlwind!

Leo’s school has early release every Wednesday, which has opened up some fun mid-week adventures. This past Wednesday brought very high temps. Naturally, we leaned into the heat while we had it, and Leo and Theo had a full-blown pool day on the back patio. Watching them just be little boys—soaked, silly, and free—defines summer’s unofficial kickoff.

But the highlight of Leo’s week might just have been a very special celebration for a very special teacher. After 40 incredible years, Leo’s kindergarten PE teacher, Mr. Dosch, is retiring. Known and loved by the whole community, Mr. Dosch isn’t just a teacher—he’s a legend. He also happens to be a cousin to both Marge and Mel, which makes him family in more ways than one.

To honor him, the school declared a “Dress Like Dosch Day,” and Leo took the assignment seriously. With a little help from Cousin Jill, Leo showed up looking like a mini Mr. Dosch.

This weekend also brought cousin time! And Leo got to spend lots of time exploring the halls of Blake’s old house school during a cousin’s graduation.

As we wrap up this season of Leo’s kindergarten year, we’re reminded how fleeting these moments are and how fast the school year has gone.

Today we celebrate a big milestone—Bodhi, is graduating from Mike Miller Elementary! It’s hard to believe our time at this elementary school is coming to an end. We’ve had three kids pass through these hallways, and we’ve truly loved the journey. The staff, the principals, the teachers—each one has left a lasting impact on our kids and on us as parents.

Bodhi started kindergarten in 2020, a year unlike any other. His first school experience was cut short due to COVID, and his 1st grade year was full of change—no school programs, spaced-out desks, plastic partitions, masks, and no parents allowed in the classrooms. It wasn’t until 3rd grade that things started to feel normal again. That year, Bodhi found a great group of friends, and in 4th grade, he discovered his love for soccer—something he threw himself into every recess.

This final year, 5th grade, has truly been the best one yet. He was placed with the perfect teacher for him, Mrs. Maple, and supported by Mrs. Gauer. And of course, we can’t say enough about Mr. Goehring, who has been the ideal principal for a spirited kid like Bodhi (who may or may not have made a few visits to the principal’s office).

We’re so grateful for this school and the memories it’s given our family. As Bodhi moves on to middle school, we carry those memories—and a lot of appreciation—with us.

It’s officially Maycember—that wild, wonderful time of year that feels like December, but with sunscreen instead of snow gear. 😅

Our calendar is packed with programs, soccer tournaments, games, practices (times two for Leo and Bodhi!), and track meets for Noah. It’s a constant whirlwind… and honestly? We’re loving it.

The kids are thriving. It’s so fun watching them light up doing what they love, and seeing their hard work and joy in every event makes all the hustle feel worth it. Add to that the huge gift of Blake being able to slow down at work and really be present—it’s made everything feel more doable and way more meaningful.

Even Mother’s Day was classic Maycember: we spent it at a soccer tournament in Sioux Falls—but it was full of laughter, cheering, and family time, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Leo was a fish and spent his free time in the pool while the other kids hung with soccer teammates and siblings. We snuck away to do some shopping and ate at all of our Sioux Falls favorites.

Here’s to the chaos, the car snacks, the muddy cleats, and the memories. 💛⚽🏃‍♂️🌸

It has been so exciting watching Noah find another sport that he enjoys, and we didn’t know just how much he would excel at it. He’s been running indoors at Northern meets and enjoys running the 55 m, relays, and the 800. He did run the 1600 for his first meet and decided he would keep distance for cross country meets. The relay team is chasing a few records, and it’s fun to watch just how competitive these great boys get!

Easter this year was a little more solemn than previous years. Blake’s uncle, and the kids’ great uncle, Jerry, passed away unexpectedly on Good Friday. This was heartbreaking but we were able to come together as a family and celebrate Easter together before attending the visitation and funeral.

With Grandma Ket’s house almost empty, Easter dinner and the egg hunt happened at our home. The older kids hid so many eggs and everyone had so much fun finding candy and little prizes.

This year was definitely different and we were all in shock, but it was wonderful to spend the day together.

Last week was our first time going to the Roncalli Ball and it was such a fun night out! We met our friends Sarah, and Scott, and got to sit at a table with our friends Megan and Ryan. Everyone was dressed up and looking sharp, all for a good cause—raising money for Leo’s school system. Good food, great company, and a fun way to support something important to us. Already looking forward to next year! 💙✨

Blake’s 41st birthday was a little more chill than last year’s party vacations, but still full of the good stuff. He worked most of the day, and we celebrated with a carb-heavy dinner to fuel up Noah for his track meet the next day. Finished it off with some Dairy Queen Blizzards because… birthday. 🎉 Not a wild one, but definitely a sweet one.

Last week marked a significant step in Willow’s recovery journey after her wrestling injury in December. After a successful surgery with Dr.Volmerk in Sioux Falls to repair her UCL in her elbow, she’s now on the road to recovery. The surgery itself went smoothly, and Willow was in high spirits going into the procedure, ready to take on the challenge ahead.

However, coming out of anesthesia was a different experience. The pain and emotions overwhelmed her, but the support from family and friends helped her through those tough moments. Every text and phone call that came in made her feel incredibly loved and supported during this difficult time.

The ride home from Sioux Falls was grueling, as expected, but we are thankful that this part of the journey is behind us. While the road to recovery is still long, Willow is staying positive and focused on healing. We’re grateful for the care she received and the unwavering support from those around us. Here’s to a smooth recovery and brighter days ahead!

Here’s a few pictures of Willow with many of her special friends that stopped by last week to brighten her recovery.