Weekend Update

Y'all, I know May has arrived because our days are getting busier each week, including weekends, trying to fit everything in. We kicked off Friday by having a picnic at the park for dinner and then spending some quality playground time.

We had an impromptu visit with out of town family Saturday morning before heading off to watch George's baseball game. The Mets had a great game, and George was 3/3 at bat. 

Baseball 4-28-18 from Cathi Lindsey on Vimeo.

After the game, we had a quick lunch, showered and went to a birthday party for a gentleman from church. The trio were on their best behavior, although they kind of kept wondering where the bounce house and/or entertainment was. This may have been their first non-relative adult birthday party.

After the party, we came home, and Lauren, Grace and George just played for a while. All the good behavior caught up with them, and they were ready to unwind. They showered early and settled in for some down time, but our super nice neighbors invited us over to watch a movie outside. Naturally, the trio were super on board with that so they put on their robes, and we went next door for a viewing of The Showman. Saturday night was beautiful, and it was the perfect ending to a busy day.

So adorable

Nix Cinema from Cathi Lindsey on Vimeo.

The next morning we had a special church service celebrating Confirmation Sunday. Grace and Lauren have completed confirmation class, and I will post a separate update on that soon.

After church (and lunch) I had a meeting back at church, and the trio helped Skip with some much needed yard work. Later, we had a "work day" at the trio's school from 5-7pm. So we took our work gloves, rolled up our sleeves and got to work.  

Overall, we had a busy but really good weekend. 

How was your weekend? 

Scout Sunday

A few weeks ago, George's Boy Scout troop participated in Scout Sunday at a local church. They presented flag, recited their oath and prayed. George has enjoyed his troop and all of its activities this past year.

Weekend Update

This past weekend our little town held its annual spring festival. George's Cub Scout troop presented the flags during the opening ceremony. Following the introductory remarks, we spent a couple of hours at the carnival, where the trio rode a few rides. 

We had a quick lunch at home, picked up my mom and then went to George's baseball game. He had a good game (3/3 for getting on base), and he made some excellent plays in the field. 

The girls served as acolytes Sunday so we went to the traditional service. Because we were going to "big church," George came down dressed in his blazer and hat, and he talked Skip into wearing a similar look. Sadly, Skip doesn't own a Fedora, so he was unable to completely replicate the look.  

After church we had tacos at home, and then the girls went on a field trip with their confirmation class. Their trip was to Surge, a local trampoline park, and George is definitely keeping score because he commented on the fact that they have recently been to two trampoline parks without him, for different field trips. 

"Why are all my field trips about ART?!" he wanted to know.  

We explained that fifth grade is a really special year, much like kindergarten was extra special for him last year.  

Overall, the weekend was fantastic, and we are officially winding down the last few weeks of school. 

Magnolia Festival 2018 from Cathi Lindsey on Vimeo.

"A" School Celebration

The trio's school had some really exciting news a few weeks ago. County-wide, their school was one of only three to receive an "A" for their performance on standardized testing. This is a smaller school, and over the past three years, many resources have been removed and/or diverted to other schools. Needless to say, everyone was thrilled to receive such favorable results in spite of diminished resources.  

To celebrate, our school had popcorn and a movie one Friday afternoon, following by a dance party in the gym. Plus, their principal gave them the following Monday off. Granted, that day was scheduled as a professional development day, but the cheers from students was thunderous.  

Congratulations to such an awesome group!  

Fifth Grade Field Trips

Grace and Lauren have been having so much fun over the last few weeks. Their classes have had so many field trips, thanks to a grant for which their principal applied. Recently, their classes dressed up and went to see the symphony. The guys wore dress shirts and ties, and the girls wore dresses, jewelry and heels. They were such a great looking group, and they enjoyed the orchestra.  

The next field trip was a little more casual. They packed a lunch and went to see a college basketball game. This was timed right after the girls' basketball season ended, and they had so much fun seeing the college girls play.  

From week to week, they are having so much fun, and this is definitely going down as the best year ever.  

A Story by Grace

The School of Fish
by Grace Linsey

Okay, so there was one time that I was a little fish and I was excited for school. Everyday I watched the fish head. I wanted to go so badly and I asked my mom if I could go to school and she said I was too young for school.

Oh, have I introduced myself to you? My name is Aqua.

One day my mom said, "Aqua, you know your birthday is coming up."

My birthday is October 3rd. "I know, " I said.

"We were wondering, since you are turning five... we were wondering if you wanted to go to school."

And I said, "YES!" :) "And I want school shopping gifts for my birthday and some Expo markers and pens."

"Okay, sweetie."

I ran to my room and jumped in my bed until mom and dad called me downstairs. When I got downstairs, I thought I had gotten in trouble for jumping on the bed but when I got downstairs, they said, "Who's ready to go to school?"

"ME!!!! Wait, what about my presents?"

"We have them at school."

"What are we waiting for? Let's GO!"

When we got to the school, it was really cool. But the school name is hard to pronounce. It is Piraputanga Elementary School. When I got there, they told me my teachers name: Mrs. Coral. She was very nice to me that day, and I L-O-V-E love school. And I am so happy I am finally at school.

The End

Author's Note:
I am Grace, the author of this story. You all are probably wondering why I wrote this story. I am here to tell  you why. So I have a sister who loves school, and she is very fascinated about all the stuff that has to do with school. If you are like me and am thankful that we are able to go to school but aren't as crazy about it, that is fine. If you have not met my sister, then you have no idea what I am talking about. She has a classroom in our basement and made characters up for the class. Now I might have exaggerated a little about my sister but she was a little like this fish. She was waiting so long to go to kindergarten, but didn't only want school supplies for her birthday, didn't get signed up for kindergarten on her birthday.

The point of this story is always be happy you get to go to school.
...........................................................................................................................................................

Gracie, I love the point - or moral - of your story. ~ Mom

Track Meet 2018

A few weeks ago, the duo had try outs for the track team at their school. Lauren qualified for the relay, the 200 and the 800. Gracie was a second or two behind Lauren and was slated for first alternate. They both trained over spring break, and Lauren had self-imposed "two-a-days" beginning on Monday. When she asked to have three-a-days on Tuesday, we drew the line. She is small but mighty, and she is very determined.  

Lauren had some good finishes, earning second in the 200, second in the 800 and helping her team with second in the relay. There were so many solid finishes from the entire team, and the girls ended up winning second in their division, while the boys earned third. Watching them run is so much fun because they genuinely love it, and they have worked so hard.  

Ready

"MOVE!!! You're in my LANE!!!"

Lauren was a little angry that the lane violation cost her a couple of seconds during her leg of the race. However, this is how it goes sometimes, and mistakes happen. 

"The pass"

Lauren grabs second place

Gracie led their friends in several cheers throughout the day. This is such a sweet group of girls! 

#1 Cheer Squad/alternates EVER

This was a great way for the girls to close out their track experience at their elementary school, and we are going to miss these good times.  

Track Meet 2018 from Cathi Lindsey on Vimeo.

100 Days of School

This school year has flown by so quickly. It's like we blinked the first day back in January and now are counting down the last few weeks. 

Last week I found the pics from George's "100 Days of School" celebration. George happily wore glasses, a flannel shirt and a sweater, but he drew the line at putting grey coloring in his hair. His teacher had an app that aged the class's little faces. Although this kind of gives us the willies, here it is: 

The trio checked out for doctor's appointments that day so George decided to have his "100 snacks" for an after dinner treat.  

Although dressing up as a geriatric is open to the entire school, our two fifth graders declined. 

Speaking of, those two fifth graders have 34 days of elementary school remaining.  

[SOB] 

Biking at Oak Mountain State Park

When we decided to stay home over spring break, we had planned to take a few day trips to explore and see some things that we maybe take for granted. Because the weather wasn't terribly cooperative and because we just ended up being busy, we actually only ended up taking a single trip that week. It was so worth it!  

Skip loaded all five of our bikes, and we went to one of our state parks. We had gorgeous weather, conditions were perfect, and the location was not particularly crowded.  We had a picnic at the very top of the park, with a stunning view, and then we spent the afternoon biking around the park. Whenever they wanted, we let the trio stop to play on the playground.

This trip was the perfect ending to our spring break.