Box Tent

The many uses of a box:

1) a slide for the stairs - I vetoed this 

2) fort with a door

3) tent for one

Memorial Day Camping at the Beach

I'm going to let the pictures speak for themselves.

Relay Race

On Friday, A ran on a relay team from her school to represent the 1st grade girls. She ran the third leg of the race and did an absolutely wonderful job at her first big meet. Her team took 3rd place out of 12 teams, and they all had fun.

 Here she is waiting for the baton to come.

Here she is with her teammates.

You can watch her too!

Mother's Day Tea

The first grade classes at A's school put on Mother's Day teas in May. Yesterday A gave me an award - the Best Scrabble Player Ever, wrote a report about me, sang two songs, performed two short plays, and gave me a booklet and picture frame she made. What a wonderful way to make me feel special!

Dozer Days

My in-laws took the kids to Dozer Days last weekend. It was kind of drizzly, but there were still a lot of people there to get their turn on the bulldozer. The kids enjoyed the experience and the cotton candy they had too.

 

Awana Awards Night

The kids had their Awana awards night in early May. JD completed his first year of Cubbies, and A completed her second  year of Sparks. Nicely done, guys!

Happy birthday, J

My husband celebrated another birthday. 

A picked out a book and movie for him to enjoy. JD picked out a Nerf gun.

Happy birthday, J!

Mercury Paper Mache

A's class has been studying the solar system, and we had the fun project of making a paper mache planet of Mercury. I'm glad J got to join in the fun. The plastic picnic table cloth came in handy that week.

 The final touch, after letting it hang from our ceiling light for a few day, was a good coat of glow in the dark paint. Standing on the table was a highlight for sure.

Here are a few of the questions I have been asked this week:

A: Is Mercury near the sun?
A: What planet is farthest from the sun?
A: Does the sun move around the earth?
A: How many planets have rings?
A: What planets are mostly made of gas?
A: What is the temperature at Mars?

I was reminded that I didn't really pay too much attention in school during the solar system unit.

Trip to the Zoo

We ventured to the zoo in April in honor of Packy the elephant's 50th birthday. 

Personally I don't think he looks a day over 40.

 We enjoyed the rest of the zoo as well, of course. Anything to climb on is always a highlight.

 JD was really excited to find out that I had a map of the zoo. Once he discovered this, he insisted on holding it, pulling it out to figure out where we were, and then help us decide where to go next. We've been to the zoo so many times, a map really isn't necessary - or so I thought. I love that he enjoyed navigating our little group. I'm a lover of maps myself. Maybe he got it from me.

 A definite highlight of our trip was feeding the lorakeets. 

A was able to get quite a few to drink out of her cup.

Happy Easter

Soccer

A is playing soccer this spring for the first time. There are 6 boys and 3 girls on her team. She did a great job and had lots of fun!

Spring Break

We started off our Spring Break with a sleepover with A's friend V. The girls seemed to have a lot of fun, and we dyed our eggs while she was with us.

 I love playing in the garden.  It's a bit early yet, but I did plant a few flowers. I was inspired by a picture in a magazine. I think they're cute. I hope they last.

 A went to her cousin's birthday party. I thought she looked so cute all dressed up.

We went to the Oregon Coast and stayed one night at Rockaway Beach. We took the kids to our favorite candy store in Seaside.

 We were blessed with a reprieve from the rain, and it was even sunny for most of the afternoon. It was still pretty windy and cold, but the kids enjoyed getting in the sand. We brought Charlie along for his first away vacation with us.  Despite some car-sickness, he was a fun companion to have along. He seemed to love the beach as much as the kids.

3rd place

A earned 3rd place this week in a coloring contest with all of the 1st grade students at her school. 

Nicely done, A!

Mini-Knights Cheer Camp

A participated in a one-day cheer camp last weekend. Then on Tuesday evening, she and the other girls got to perform at the boys' basketball game. A and her cousin, A, along with over 50 girls performed. They had a great time, and we just may see more of her counting to 8.

Snow Day

It seems like every year in January our snow-deprived city freaks out because of a few inches of snow. This year was no exception. I believe there were three inches total. It's nice for all of us though. We rarely use the snow gear. Plus, J was off of work that day, so we got a little extra time with him. The kids braved the elements and made their first-ever snow cat (you noticed the tail, didn't you?).

We also drove up into the hills to find some serious snow.

All in all, not a bad way to spend a Wednesday.

A Season of Programs

We have finished the season of programs galore, but I have to admit that I loved them and am a bit sad that they are over. Thank goodness for videos. Maybe you'll enjoy them as much as I have.

JD chose to be a donkey. One of the ears fell off during the program.  But did that deter him? Absolutely not. He just kept singing and singing.

 

A  told a joke: What was the Pilgrims' favorite music? . . . . . Plymouth Rock. Get it?

A learns verses at her school. I loved capturing her reciting them. It's her genuineness that I love the most, I think. I hope that you never lose your enthusiasm for memorizing God's Word, sweet girl!