Harper's Ferry June 12, 2021

A family trip to Harper's Ferry.

Glen was loving the hike because it was right by the river so there was a lot of mud and water to dig and play in.

One place that is close by that I have always wanted to go to was Harper's Ferry.  I don't know why, I have always just heard that it is a pretty place.  

Well I found out that it is a national park.  And Grace had a free pass to enter all national parks due to being in 5th grade (usually it is for 4th graders, but they added in 5th this year because most of the parks were closed for part of the year due to Covid).

So Matt, Grace, Glen, and I drove up to Harper's Ferry and decided to explore.

We went to the visitors center where we were able to get a shuttle bus to where the hikes are located.

We were all ready to explore.

On our hike we saw lots of deer.

And the deer came really close.  It was a really neat place to hike and so close to the river.

After we were done hiking and exploring we went back to the visitors center to turn in the junior ranger packets that the kids did and get sworn in a junior rangers at this park.

We then drove a little bit away from the visitors center to try out another hike.  This hike told a story about one of the many Civil War battles that happened in this area.  There were descriptions, charts, and maps on the signs telling what happened each day as you hiked around the field.  It was really interesting.

The typical image in the backseat of the car as we come home from hikes.  They were so worn out.
 

Grace's Graduation from 5th Grade June 9, 2021

It has been a weird last two years.  Grace's fourth grade year we were sent home in March to begin virtual learning due to this Covid pandemic.

Then her 5th grade year began completely virtual.  She only was able to get back into school to see her friends and teachers in person around April.

Her teachers stayed with her for both 4th grade and for 5th grade.  So the kids knew the teachers well and the teachers also knew the kids well and they did not have to try to get to know each other through a computer screen (which can be done, but it is hard).

The other good thing about Grace's class is that most of these kids have been with each other since kindergarten.  So relationships were already there and they are strong.

So we made it to the end of 5th grade.  Grace and her classmates walked out of the school, up to the track and did a lap around the track to classmates, students, parents, and other family cheering them on.

It was a windy day and their mortarboard hats wanted to fly off.

But it was a beautiful day, and a great way to say good bye to 5th grade.  Here Grace is with one of her good friends, Wesley.

Good bye 5th grade, Hello 6th grade and Middle School!
 

Horseback Riding June 7, 2021

Grace was supposed to go horseback riding with the girl scouts in May, however the weekend that they chose was rainy and too muddy for a trail ride.

So on June 7th Grace finally got to go on a trail ride.  She loved her horse, whose name was Charlie Brown (notice that Grace is wearing a Snoopy T-Shirt).  We did not know about Charlie Brown ahead of time, the shirt was just a wonderful coincidence.

She went on an hour long trail ride and had the best time.  Now of course she wants a horse!
 

"Camping" May 19, 2021

 Grace and Samantha decided to have some fun with the camping gear that we left out in the yard to dry out.  They at one point had pillows, a fan, and a radio set up in this tent.  It was a great play area for the day.

Crossing Over May 6, 2021

This is Grace's third year in cub scouts.  Grace started as a bear, then a webelo, and now an arrow of light.

This is also Glen's third year in cub scouts.  Glen started as a tiger, then a wolf, and now a bear.

At this event Glen got many of his advancement badges, and belt loops to show all of his work that he did during his time as a bear rank.

At this event, Grace ended her time as a cub scout, arrow of light.

Matt put Grace's arrow of light pin on her uniform.  He struggled getting it on (a little), but it all got done in the end.

Then Grace got to cross over the bridge, and be welcomed into Scouts BSA (her new leaders were there to shake her hand and welcome her into the organization).  Grace also got an arrow with a sun behind it.  The sun has her name on it and the arrow has tape markings on it to show what she has done during her cub scout time.  It was a great item to show many memories.

I am proud of our new webelo and also of our new scout.  I can not wait to see where this takes them both.

 

Back To School April 26, 2021

 

Grace and Glen had their first day of in person school.  Grace is in 5th grade and Glen is in 3rd.  

They enjoyed virtual school.  They really enjoyed being able to play with Mamaw and Papaw's dog and Grandma and Grandpa's cats.  However, they love being back in the classroom with their teachers and their friends.

Puzzle April 25, 2021

 Grace and Glen got a Toy Story puzzle as a birthday present from their friend Braylon.  Here Grace finally finished it.  She was so proud.