Art Camp

Grace has decided that when she grows up she wants to be an elementary school art teacher.  So she was very happy to hear that she was going to go to art camp this summer.  I think that she did some wonderful art and she had a great time doing it.

Here is her drawing of the kangaroo that she is holding.  I think that she did a great job.

A good start to her future desired career.

Highland Camping

 During the end of June each year a local Mennonite campground holds a fundraising BBQ.  We try to camp during that weekend and then attend the BBQ.

 Last year it rained during the weekend.  This year it just rained many of the days before.  So the weather was nice, but everything was soggy and wet.  The kids loved it!

 We hiked to the pond,

 where the kids found feathers,

 and got to spend some time on the dock.

 We also hiked along some wooded trails.

 Bikes were brought along.  Grace is able to ride on almost any surface now, but Glen still can't.  So we brought our bikes to the basketball court and the kids had a great time going around and around and around.  I am so glad that I had a book on CD that I could listen to while they zoomed around me.

 Evening smores by the campfire, in front of our tent.

As we got ready for bed it was starting to get dark, and we began to see fireflies in the field next to us.  So Grace, Glen and I ran and chased fireflies in the dusk in the field.  What fun!  I think it was the first time the kids ever went on a firefly chase.

What a great weekend.  Already planning our next camping adventure!

Summer Fun

 It has been a busy summer around here between art camp, swimming lessons, and so much other activities.

 But we got a lot of outside play done.  We had an indoor breakfast picnic while watching The Good Dinosaur.

 LOTS of swinging!

 Many trips to the library.

And vacation Bible school at church.  Our friend Braylon joined us for VBS.

It has been a good summer so far.  A few more weeks to get some more fun packed in!

Bug Hunt

 The Monday after school was out the local university's arboretum had a program for children.  It was called a Big Bug Hunt.

 When we got there the kids were able to make "stick bugs"  They were given a stick and some pipe cleaners and they used the pipe cleaners to make legs for the stick and that was the bug that they were able to take home.

 However, on our bug hunt each child was given a magnifying glass and we were sent on our way around the trails.

 To search on the ground...

 In the bushes...

 In the flowers...

 And all around to find big bugs,

 little bugs,

 any bugs at all.

 In addition to bugs we also found a turtle at the edge of the pond.

 We also found a family of ducks in the pond.

The kids loved exploring nature.

Grace's Last Day

On June 10th Grace successfully finished her kindergarten year.  She ended with great grades in each subject, but being a reading teacher I am most focused on her reading.  She ended above grade level in English and even higher in Spanish!

Here is one picture that I was able to get of Grace's class as they celebrated July 4th early.

This has been a fantastic year.  Grace has learned so much academically but even more so she has grown as a person and learned a lot of social lessons.  And these two ladies are the ones that helped us through it all.

Mrs. Correa was Grace's Spanish teacher (she had her for half a day they worked on Science, Social Studies and Reading.)

Mrs. Blosser was Grace's English teacher (She had her for half a day they worked on Math, and Reading.)

 At the end of the year, Grace was awarded the Awesome Artist award.  For creativity and artistic expression.  This is perfect for the girl who leaving kindergarten has decided that she wants to grow up to be an art teacher at Smithland Elementary school when she grows up.

Good bye Kindergarten!

Hello First Grade!