Art Show 2009

Every year, the school has an art show to showcase the different projects that the kids have done throughout the year. Our school sponsors Artists in Residence that come and help different grades with different mediums. Each child has three or more of their art projects displayed. Andrew went in protest. You can tell by the sour look on his face that he was not happy to be there. I think they did a fabulous job with their art projects and I am glad that their school still supports the arts. In addition, there were kids reading poetry that they had written, musicians playing their instruments, and snacks in the cafeteria. It is always a very well-organized event at the school that raises money for future art projects.

Daisy Girl Scout Investiture Meeting

Marin had her investiture meeting for Daisy Scouts. It was very cute ceremony. Each girl got her World pin and her Daisy scout pin. They also got the center of the daisy badge for learning their pledge. Marin was very excited about the ceremony. They also sang their song and showed us some of their rituals that they do at each meeting. Marin seems to really enjoy scouting so far and her leaders are really fabulous.

Pinewood Derby

Andrew competed in his first ever Pinewood Derby. He and Grandpa Norm worked on his car the weekend before the race. Thank Heavens for Grandpa because I wouldn't have had the foggiest idea how to make a car. Kevin was out of town for the actual race and Grandpa got to stand in and make some final, last minute adjustments. The dads apparently get pretty involved with making the cars. There were some very elaborate cars that I am pretty sure were not crafted by cubscouts. There was even one that looked like a Smartcar. Needless to say, Andrew took second place in the whole Derby. We are very proud of him and his car. Thanks Grandpa!! Great job Andrew!!

Goodnight Moon

Marin's class and the other kindergarten class went to see Goodnight Moon at the children's theater. Of course, I chaperoned. I forgot the camera though. We had a group of four kids and two adults. It was really easy to watch them. The play was really cute. It was their first production of the play outside of rehearsal. The kids really loved it. They blew bubbles at one part and there was a cross-dressing cow that jumped over the moon. The kids got a kick out of that. Marin asked me how come a man was playing Clarabelle the cow. I just dodged that. We had a lot of fun and I feel really lucky that I am able to go on my kids' fieldtrips.

Andrew's School Presentation

Andrew had to do his first class presentation for second grade. He chose to do it on Parrots. We focused on parrots in general and then compared parakeets vs. macaws, which represented the smallest and the biggest of the parrot species. Andrew did a fantastic job presenting. He was the first one to go and set the bar very high. His teacher seemed very impressed with his effort. He learned a lot, as did I. Andrew's teacher is the blond lady and the student teacher that helps in their class is the one holding his poster boards for him while he explains his information.

Marin's 6th Birthday

Marin turned six the first day of this month. She has been planning her birthday for quite a while now. She chose to go to Skamania Lodge again, instead of having a party with her friends. We go up to Skamania on Friday night for their gourmet buffet. Marin loves the shrimp cocktail and the chocolate covered strawberries. Those are her two favorites. Then we spend the night and go swimming several times and play in the hot tub. This year we did not take a hike since the weather was a little uncooperative. We did play in the outdoor hot tub as well as the indoor one, but going back and forth between the two was a little chilly. I try to get Marin to go in the sauna but she says it's too hot to stay in for more than a minute or so. It is a beautiful setting to spend celebrating Marin's birthday. We are so proud of who she is. She is a very sensitive, kind-hearted little girl who brings a smile to everyone she meets. She loves to learn and write letters to her mom and dad. She loves her big brother and wishes that he shared the same affection for her. I can't believe it's been six years since she was born. Our little baby. We opened presents on Sunday, her actual birthday. Grandma Harker made Marin's requested meal--macaroni and cheese--homemade of course. Marin also requested a Marin cake. She had wanted me to draw a picture of her on the cake but I got a picture of her scanned onto a fondant-like substance and then decorated the rest of the cake. She had a strawberry cake with strawberry filling. She loved it.

Blue and Gold Dinner

It has taken me a while to get back to posting. Things have been busy. Andrew had his first Blue and Gold Scouting Dinner. The theme was America's ABCs. The boys each had to bring a dessert that represented the theme. Andrew brought cupcakes decorated with various patriotic themes--some flags, some with blue and gold, some with red, white and blue fireworks, etc. He brought 2 dozen of them and won the award for the most plentiful dessert. The boys played some games and we had a dinner. It was a fun evening. At the end, the boys received their pinewood derby cars. It is weird to think of Andrew doing all of these things that seem like they are for older boys. I guess I have to accept that he is growing up.