Pic-nic at the Ball Park

Grandma and Grandpa (my parents) joined us at the ball park for one of Steve L.'s baseball games this week. It's hard to beat gorgeous weather, great, watermelon and pizza and a nail biting baseball game right behind right field!

A Couple of Firsts by Noreen

Thursday night I experienced two exciting "firsts." The first, "first" was attending my first Governing School Board meeting for Whitney's charter high school. I was elected by the Board as their newest member and after being officially voted in, was able to participate in voting on various school related items. We also got a sneak peek at the exciting direction the school is taking in the coming year. It was invigorating to be involved in such discussions and having a real vote in the direction of the school. Anyone who really knows me knows I'm passionate about education, so being on the Governing Board is an exciting opportunity that I am grateful for.

My second "first" was trying my first sushi. Brooke, you'll be so proud! The Governing Board has a sushi tradition, taking turns bringing a tray to the meetings. As the tray was passed to me in the middle of a financial discussion, with lots of spread sheet handouts, I cautiously took a roll between two fingers. I tried not to look like I was trying sushi for the first time while making eye contact with the school director to show him I was following the April financial report. The sushi was delicious, so thankfully I was spared the embarrassment of pulling faces or dashing for the nearest garbage can in front of everyone. I'm grateful to be a thirty-something mom that is still enjoying experiencing "firsts."

Issue 50

Spring on the Farm

We celebrated spring with a trip to Wheeler Farm to see all the baby animals. Nothing says spring like baby chicks and goats!

A wagon ride around the farm

The goslings were our favorite.

Cute kids!

More cute kids!

A 1st Class President

A red-letter week for Steve L.! He passed his Boy Scout Board of Review and officially earned his 1st class rank. He won't receive the award until June's Court of Honor, but he's excited just the same. He was also set apart as the Deacon's Quorum President on Sunday and recently made the Senior Patrol Leader for his troop. We are excited for the leadership opportunities he has and know he will learn a lot as he fulfills his duties. Way to go Steve!

Issue 49

Another Goliath Conquered!

After many months of hard work, Steve L. passed his 1st class Scouting 100 meter swim test. For weeks we went to the rec center pool at 6:00 am so he could work on his goal and then he worked for weeks with a private teacher until he could go the distance! His teary eyed mom couldn't be more proud.

Crazy Robot by Ellie age 4

Dad was out of town all last week. When Ellie brought me this picture for the blog I was afraid she was going to say it was a picture of me. Thankfully she told me it was a crazy robot instead.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Our new garden grow boxes that Steve built.

Steve's parents helped us fill our boxes with a special mixture for our above ground garden. Thanks a million!

Ready for planting!

Issue 48

Soccer by Janey

I play soccer because it's one of my favorite sports. I like that it gets me exercise. Go Silver Sharks!

Soccer by Daniel

Soccer is a really fun sport. I like being a defender best. So far I haven't scored a goal this season. Times have been pretty hard. The last game the score was 11-0, but we lost. The team that we lost to, my best friend was on. I am number 2 on my team. My team is called the Green Virus, and our team color is lime green.

Baseball Update

So far our team the Giants is undefeated. One game we tied and still need to finish it later. I like playing in the field best.

Just Because

-Too cute not to post

School Service and Carnival by Whitney

Whitney is at a school dance tonight, having ballroom dance instruction in preparation for next month's Feast and Ball at school. On Saturday the high school hosted a fundraiser for the Lilly White Orphanage in Kenya. The student body is raising money to buy solar panels for the orphanage so they can have electricity and tuition to send the older orphans to high school. They started the day doing a service scavenger hunt in the community for donations. Whitney's group did lots of yard work. Then everyone returned to the high school for a fundraising lunch, car wash and carnival. Janey cleaned up at the cake walk and they all enjoyed the games and slides. Whitney ran the Pin-the-tail event and mom sold tickets all afternoon. I loved seeing the money roll-in for the orphanage all afternoon. The student body raised a few thousand dollars to send to Kenya.