Spelling Bee

Andrew participated in his first spelling bee this spring. All the students in the district from grades 3-8 could take an optional written spelling test. Those that were the best spellers from each grade at each school were selected to compete in a district-wide spelling bee. Andrew was selected along with one other third grader to represent our school for the 3rd grade. They went to another school and participated in a written and an oral spelling bee. They had about 60 third graders participating. They gave them 25 words that they had to spell in the written test. The winner of the written test then went on to participate in a county spelling bee. After the written exam, they had a traditional oral spelling bee. Andrew had never participated in one of these. He was not expecting an oral exam, only the written one. He did well. He made it to the third round, which is where most of the students were eliminated. One of his words was loose, and the one he messed up was committed. I can't remember the middle word though, since it was a couple of months ago. He was really disappointed in himself. He thought he should have done better. We were really proud of him. He is such a good student. We can't wait for the next opportunity.

The 25 words they had to spell were: glaciers, caprice, endurance, mistletoe, merely, cologne, calculus, palate, couscous, density, analysis, epic, ancient, graphics, gambit, cordial, broccoli, sheriff, petite, inaudible, bane, affable, khaki, cholesterol, and gazebo.

Orthodontics R Us

Andrew has started the long road of orthodontics. He had been recommended to get a consult after his last cleaning and check up. The orthodontist said that Andrew needed an expander in the roof of his mouth (just like his mother had), so that they could widen his upper jaw. The hope was that it would eliminate his overbite in the front and the cross bite in the back. The plan is to have the expander for 6-8 months and then he will get braces in a couple of years when he has more of his permanent teeth. Andrew has been a champion with his expander so far. He is very responsible about it. He doesn't try to eat things that he shouldn't, he brushes well, and carries around the tools that help him clean it out if food gets stuck up there. Way to go Andrew!

Swim Lessons 2010

Andrew and Marin were not happy to learn that I had enrolled them in another round of swim lessons. They are both good swimmers, but they need to work on getting their strokes correct. They also need to learn how to dive. Andrew continued to do really well in his class. He finally got the concept of diving down and just needs to work on his form although he did do a really painful belly flop on one of his tries. Marin was promoted from her initial class after the first session. She did well in her new class as well. The teacher commented, "I can see why they moved her up to this class." Marin still doesn't quite get the head first part of diving, but she is working on it. She is a very pretty, graceful swimmer, just like her mother or so I am told.

Fun with Kyle

The kids have been playing with Kyle a lot this spring and summer. They have gone to Oaks park, the regular park, swimming, and lots of other fun stuff. Here is a sampling of some of their activities.

Spring/Summer Scout Activities

Andrew continues to really enjoy scouts. He is pretty motivated to pass off requirements and earn segments for his uniform. We went out to Horning's Hideout for the Scout Fishing Derby. Andrew did not want to keep the fish, which was a requirement. He would much prefer to catch and release so that he didn't have to gut and clean the fish. Fortunately, Grandpa Norm went along and took care of all the gross parts. Marin and I went around looking at all the peacocks and peahens that are found out there.

Andrew also participated in a conservation activity, working toward the World Conservation Badge. They learned about Ivy and Blackberries that are invasive species. They pulled some out. They also weeded and dug up root balls of blackberry bushes to get rid of them. It was funny to watch him doing yard work, even though he hated every minute of it.

Andrew went to scout camp this past week. They went to Camp Discovery out on Scouter Mountain. The consensus by the boys that had been to camp last year was that Camp Ireland was much better. They liked the site better, the staff better, and the activities better last year. I think they enjoyed themselves this year too. They participated in archery, BB guns, leather crafts, scavenger hunts, maps and orienteering, an obstacle course, and various other activities. I went one of the days. They were pretty well behaved and had a good day. I happened to be there on one of the two BB days. They made me demonstrate how to hold the gun (I am anti-gun, any gun). Andrew earned his pro shooter award. He got 5 shots within the bullseye. His first shot was dead center of the page. I guess he has a great eye, just like his sharp shooter father.

Portland Play and Battle of the Books

Andrew participated in the Portland Play this year. It is a 3rd grade play put on about the history of Portland. The kids practice for a couple of months, try out for parts and really put a lot of hard work into it. They learn many songs and memorize most of their lines (except for the narrators). Andrew tried out and got two parts, narrator and hippie. He took learning the songs and his lines very seriously. He had to sing a solo in the song "Blowin' in the Wind" by Bob Dylan. He was surprised when I knew the words to the song--I think he thought it was written specifically for the play, which many of the songs were. It was well rehearsed and came off beautifully. Andrew did an outstanding job. We couldn't be more pleased with how well he does at everything he tries.

Andrew also got to participate in Battle of the Books this year. This is an event put on by the librarian. It is a much-anticipated event every year. The 3-5th graders are allowed to participate. The third graders have a list of about 15-20 books that they need to read. The 4th and 5th graders have their own list, with some overlap. Participation is optional. Those who want to participate form teams. Andrew's team was the Smarties. They had Kestrel, Kristin, Savannah, Kimberly, and Andrew on their team. The name was very appropiate. They strategically divided the list up so that each of the books was read by at least one person. Andrew read almost all of the books. At the Battle of the Books, there is a buzzer system that is used in a quiz show format, similar to Jeopardy. They are asked questions, buzz in, and if they are the first, they give their answer as a team. Andrew answered almost every question for his team. It was kind of a joke among all the parents in the audience, since he was taking it very seriously. At the end, Andrew's team prevailed. They were the winners and lived up to their team name. It was very exciting. The kids all picked up the list for next year's books at the end. Andrew and Kestrel have decided to form their own team this year. They have already divvied up the list and are working on it as we speak. I guess there are worse things than being a bookworm, smarty pants.

Spring School Activities

This spring brought lots of activities at the school as well. They did the Run for the Arts program again. Each child gets pledges from friends, family and neighbors. They have 30 minutes to run a 1/4 mile loop around the blacktop. For each lap, they get their card marked. Then they get points awarded for how many laps combined with how many pledges. Each of the kids did well enough to earn the requisite 30 points to be awarded their Run for the Arts T-shirt. I believe Andrew ran 11 laps and Marin did 9 laps, but it might be more than that. I helped while Andrew's class was running so I got some pictures of him but I didn't help when Marin's class did it so there are no photos of her.

The kids also participated in the Spring Music Program. The Kindergarten-2 graders were one night and the 3-5th graders were another night. Each grade got to sing 2-3 songs. Both of the kids did well. They dressed up and sang their little hearts out. We are so proud of them.

Easter 2010

Easter came quick this year. It was here before I knew it and was ready for it. We didn't get around to dyeing eggs until the night before Easter. Our ward didn't do an egg hunt and the weather didn't cooperate for an outside hunt. The kids had to settle for a hunt around the house, which they were perfectly happy with. We spent Easter Sunday at Kevin's parents' house. It was also conference Sunday, so we watched conference and had a delicious Easter meal. It was a very relaxed day. The kids got to play in Grandma's jetted tub together while the adults relaxed and took turns watching them. We had a good mix of thinking about Jesus and doing the secular stuff that the kids like to do for it.

Art Show 2010

Every year, the school puts on an art show schoolwide. The kids love to see the halls of the school decorated with the art projects that they have done throughout the year. It is fun to go and take pictures of all the creations by these artist kids. Andrew was a little shy about his artwork. Marin proudly showed hers off. They made some beautiful things and I will be anxious to showcase them when they finally come home.