Final Soccer Tournament (for the season) in Cincinnati

We headed to Cincinnati, Ohio over Memorial Day weekend for our final soccer tournament of the spring season. We usually go to one bigger "away" tournament each year. The previous 2 years we went to Chattanooga, so we decided to go somewhere new this year.

It was hot, but we had a nice time and we didn't not have to play in the rain or mud! Most amazing for this season of soccer for sure.

We started off strong with 2 great wins, then had a loss which didn't really affect our standings, but lost on Monday morning in the semi-finals which put us out of the tournament. It was very disappointing and of course I won't go on and on about the horrible officiating that changed the events of the game...... Anyway, it was a good way to end our season and have fun, too.

What a great group of boys

White House Revolution 98!


Christian in the first game on Saturday afternoon

Christian's typical "position" at least once per game.... good grief!

A little pushing going on here!

Julianna and one of her best buddies, Cayman at the pool

The boys were given some time in the pool - they loved to rough house with Coach Matt

Julianna and Logan, one of her favorite buddies on the team!

Looks like a serious pow-wow!

More soccer

Can't leave her out

All my recent blogs involve the 2 big kids...

Just didn't want to pass up my silly little 3 year old!!

Man, we need to get to the dentist, even if we don't have insurance!

So silly

The most precious smile - we see it all the time

Julianna and her special friend, Leah

Awards Day & End of School

You know, I'm aware that all parents think that their children are the cutest and the funniest and the smartest, etc. And to each, they are...

However, this is MY blog so I can brag on my kids as much as I want to... so here we go (again!):

We were invited to Awards Day at the school. Below, you will see Rebecca with the awards she was presented. Since you can't read each of the certificates, I'll outline it for you:

* All A Honor Roll (she maintained an A in each class of hers all year long)
* Perfect Attendance (the first year for this, but very cool)
* Highest Grade Average in her class for Spelling
* Highest Grade Average in her class for Math
* Highest Grade Average in her class for Social Studies
* A certificate for her 1st place in the County Art Fair
* A certificate for her Best of Show Honorable Mention at the County Art Fair
* A ribbon for Special Recognition for Participation in the Duke TIP (Talen Identification Program - based on her state wide scores)

So as you can see, we are very proud of her!

We were also invited to Christian's Award Day (they hold each grade levels separately). Here is what Christian received:

* A/B Honor Roll throughout the year (however his final report card averaged all A's for his subjects which was a HUGE accomplishment)
* Perfect Attendance (a first for him, too)
* Citizenship Award - this is the Highest honor a student can receive -one boy and one girl is selected from each class by the teacher - this is a character award
* Certificate for participating in the County Spelling Bee
* Certificate for WINNING the County Spelling Bee
* Certificate for his AR Reading points
* Certificate for his Writing Assessment (something all 5th graders do and is graded on a 1-6 scale. Christian got a 5 on his which indicates a STRONG paper)
* A ribbon for Special Recognition for Participation in the Duke TIP (Talen Identification Program - based on his state wide scores)

Again, you can see we're VERY PROUD of our smart kiddos!

Silly, I know, but even I got an award. Rebecca's teacher, Mrs. Henderson, had a pre-Awards Ceremony ceremony for every kid in her class and gave them each some type of an award. She gave out 2 VIP (Very Important Parent) award and I got one. :-)

Christian with Mrs. Gay - his Spelling and Language Arts teacher

Christian & Mrs. Keel - his homeroom teacher and Science & Social Studies

Christian with Mrs. King - his Reading and Math teacher

Christian & Rebecca with Mrs. Pinson & Ms. Kim - the librarians, some of our favorite people at GES

Rebecca with Mrs. Henderson. She was the perfect teacher for Rebecca this year!

In Loving Memory Of.......

Yes, that's right..... my camera..... My Canon Power Shot A520 4.0 Mega Pixel Baby....

She had a good life, though. She served her master well.

We knew she was getting on up in years, but that did not make her passing any less of a shock or any easier.

I told Matthew that me without a camera was like him without a phone.... that made my mourning clearer to him.

As hard as it would be to replace her, it was necessary. We have done so and you will meet our newest family member in due time, but this blog is to honor my Canon Power shot...

Below, these are the first three pictures she took... (actually, not really but I'll explain below)

Matthew actually gave me my birthday present early so I could have it on Halloween that year. I was so excited. We went Trick or Treating around our neighborhood with our small group from church. We had so much fun - and I got some great pictures. That evening, after the kids were in bed, I was looking through my pictures on the camera (this was my first digital camera) and accidentally formated the card, which I didn't know what that meant until I realized all my pictures were GONE.

I cried and cried (remember I was 38 1/2 weeks pregnant, too). I was so upset with myself. The next morning was my birthday and Matthew got up super early, woke up the kids and had them put their costumes back on for pictures for me. You can see from the pictures they look half asleep and their costumes weren't 100% but it was a very sweet gesture and worked. Then of course we had to get the good ole prego pictures of me, too)

Below, are the three last pictures she ever took.

My brother Justin had called me about making some washer toss boards and I pulled one down and took these pictures for him so he could see how ours were made. Never would I have known these would represent the end of her dear life.

Her final picture is IMG_6110... wow, 6110 pictures and/or video. Canon, you will be missed!!!

Field Day

This year, the 5th graders got to have a "real" field day. By "real", I mean similar to what I had growing up - you know, softball throw, three legged race, sack race, 100 meter race, etc. They took the kids to a local park in Springfield that has a new nice running track and did the Field Day there. I went as a parent volunteer and ended up running the 200 meter race. Fortunately, a Mom that was following Christian's group of students was willing to take some pictures for me, so these are all from her.

(Rebecca had a Field Day at school too, which I helped with, but I was helping with the football toss and there wasn't a parent with their group so I didn't get pictures of that day for her. But to brag, her class WON first place in the kickball tournament. For some reason, that is a HUGE deal to the 4th graders at Greenbrier Elementary!! Even Christian was impressed!)

Hoola Hoop contest

Sack race


3 Legged Race with Eric

They actually won - they figured out that if they put their arms around each other (which most of the other teams didn't want to do), they could go faster!

Long Jump (Uncle Justin, I took a video but it's sideways so maybe I can show you later and you can tell us if there's any potential there!!!)

Christian's homeroom class - good group of kids!

Tug of war by classes (they may be the SMARTEST class, but they are definitely not the strongest!!!) :-)

Spelling Bee CHAMPION!!!!!

Christian has always been an excellent speller. In first grade, his teacher quickly noticed it and began to give him extra challenge words. His average in spelling is usually 100 or 101!

He won his class spelling bee which meant he got to compete in the school spelling bee. He won the school spelling bee, which meant he got to compete in the County Spelling Bee.

There were about 18 4th & 5th graders who competed in the County Spelling Bee. We studied for the Bee, but if you've read any of my previous blog posts, you'll see that he was also very busy with his Wax Museum project and the 4-H Clover Bowl. I told Christian that I just hoped he wouldn't get out in the first round... :-)

He didn't and he continued to spell words correctly until it was him and one ot

her boy. Christian spelled his word correctly (gardenia). Then the boy misspelled his word (guage). Then Christian had to spell one other word correctly and he would win. He was given the word "gazpacho." He spelled it with an "s" which was wrong, so it started over again with this boy. Christian spelled his next word correctly (gemstone), then the boy misspelled his word (genealogy) and Christian was given "generate." He spelled it correctly and WON the county spelling be. We were so excited for him. The neatest thing about the evening was that 2 of his 3 teachers were there to watch it and saw him win and were so proud of him.

They messed up on the medal so he got his certificate and we should get his medal in the mail in the next week or so. The lighting in the building is bad but I posted the pictures I got so you can see.

Also, for whatever reason, the county is not sending the winners on to the next level. I don't now if it's a money thing or what, but we're fine with that.

See how he's pulling his shirt? He's nervous!

Down to the final two boys

Christian receiving his first place medal

Christian with his certificate

The celebrity host (who I can't remember who it was) asked him a couple of questions and I missed it on the video but this is the tale end and it's cute!

5th Grade Wax Museum

The fifth graders at GES have come up with a very creative way to have the students do a history report and make a little money on the side. Each 5th grader is allowed to choose who they want to do a report on and they are to study their life, make a board about them, come up with a costume and write a 1-2 minute report to present.

Then at the school, they will become wax and the other grades will come by and give them coins to "come alive" and give their presentation. The money raised will go to the 5th grade teachers to use for computers, etc. The last I heard, they raised over $960 this year. That amount will be higher because during the day they did this, there was a tornado warning and they had to do the drill and so the 1st grade class didn't come through so they actually did an encore presentation the next week for the kindergarteners and first graders!!!

Christian was Jonathan Edwards. He (and his Dad) did a great job and they both learned a lot about this famous American preacher. Here are some pictures of him and then some of his friends from school. I thought you might enjoy seeing them, too. At the bottom, you'll see his presentation. If you have a minute, please take the time to watch it. You'll be proud of him, too!

Christian as Jonathan Edwards

Christian during his presentation at school

Babe Ruth & Hank Aaron

Ruth Handler - the creator of Barbie dolls

Muhammad Ali

Queen Elizabeth

Alvin C York

Martha Washington

Ronald Rea

gan

Sakajowia

Neil Armstrong

One of the Wright brothers - we couldn't find the other one!

Christian giving his presentation as Jonathan Edwards