CAMP GRISSOM 2008

This years Camp Grissom went "Hawiian style" and was held in Texas with all the usual faces as well as some new ones. Word of mouth from past years events created such a buzz that this years event was expanded to include friends and co-workers.
There were numerous events to keep the campers occupied that included the Hula Hoop ho-down and the bubble blowing brigade.
There were also team events that pitted friends & loved ones against each other such as the water balloon toss and the spoon water relay.


We were awarded prizes for all sorts of things including the best decorated flip-flops and hats.




















It was such a wonderful day filled with crafts, playing, eatting, and making new friends because let's face it, that's what camp is all about right? We even finished off the festivities with a mentos and soda extravaganza to thrill the crowd. We can't wait for next year!

Well, he did it! And did it with GUSTO!

We attended Deven's 6th grade graduation/achievement ceremony this week and were pleasantly surprised at his awards. Ok, well, honestly, it was more like totally caught off guard & floored!
The video camera started to give the low battery warning 10 min into the program so we shut it off so we were sure to catch that critical name call and hand shake moment. We weren't too worried because although he's been doing much better recently, he's a struggling student with C's and D's. So now we were taping just the announcing of the award and then shut it off quickly (to save the battery) if there was not a chance that it would be for him.
So then they start with "These children put heart into practicing hard to be the best that they can be. They pay attention to detail and are willing to spend the time needed to get it right..." "Oh Please" Harv and I roll our eyes and give a collective "Phfffffffffft, yeah right, save the battery." "DEVEN DEARING" What the??? Did he say??? We were scrambling to get the photo. Wow!! We did have time to compose ourselves (and have cameras at the ready) when he was awarded "Perfect Attendance" because we knew that was coming as I was at the pizza party for all the "Perfect Kids" (Sierra included) the day before, but the rest of the evening we were content to turn off the camera and politely clap for other peoples kids and their writing awards, math awards, etc. In fact when they got to the honor roll we thought we should change the batteries in the digital camera so we wouldn't miss the big moment coming up next when (you guessed it) "DEVEN DEARING" Was that??? You're Kidding??? Oh my God! Our Son?? OUR SON!!! AAAAAAHHHHH!!! "Way to go baby!!!" Deven was just as floored as we were.

It's finally over!

The last day of school was Thursday June 5th. Woo Hoo!!
The last month of school is always crammed with all the end of the year field trips and class parties as well as all the last minute things that have been put off or just plain forgot about till the end. And with 2 kids I have to do double duty! It's been getting progressively harder to split my time between Sierra's and Deven's classes and I have had to miss one's field trip or party due to being at the other's. Well enough of my woes and on to the year end round up.
Sierra ended the 4th grade with a bang! She received 3 certificates at their awards ceremony for:
*Serving on the Student Council
*Perfect Attendance (this included a trip to the local pizza parlor for a party)
*HONOR ROLL!!!!!! (all A's and B's)



That's My Girl!!! Way to go Si Si!!!!!

Mission San Buena Ventura

This time it was Sierra's turn to do a Mission project. She decided to go with the more traditional "cardboard" construction rather than the "gingerbread" approach that Deven took 2 years ago. (Thank God) She did however choose the same Mission that Deven chose previously in hopes that since the real one was down by our friends in Southern CA. that we will be able to visit it (and them) over the summer.
Sierra (and I) worked really hard on it and it turned out great.
The Mission San Buena Ventura has since been demolished and parts are being used to cover the ground in our garden to keep the weeds from growing. Who knew this project would be educational as well as environmentally friendly.

One of Deven's last big school projects was to make a model of an Egyptian pyramid. They learned allot about ancient civilizations such as how they lived, the goods they traded, and obviously, how they dealt with their dead. They also learned a bit about hieroglyphics (Spelling?)