Dillon's Fifth Grade Camp

This year, Daddy got to go with Dillon to Fifth Grade Camp.  He got it easy because they did not have to do much but keep an eye on the kids.  In 2 days, they get to do a lot of fun activities.  They did knot tying, painting, a ropes course, dissecting owl pellets, and free time to play anything such as dodge ball in a pit, human foosball, basketball, football, and more.    

His favorite activity was when he was roped up.  He would run at the same time as his group who was pulling the rope in the opposite direction.  This would pull him up in the air about 20 feet.  

Unfortunately, camp was only one night.  When Dillon got home he went up to his room and refused to talk about it because he didn't want to leave.  He was having so much fun that he was unhappy to be home.

Carson's Pacific Science Center Field Trip

Daddy was able to go on Carson's field trip to the Pacific Science Center.  They all go to watch an IMAX movie on the white bear.  

His favorite part was a station where you build a "helicopter" then put it over a fan to see how high you can make it go. 

Unfortunately, it's a long drive so they don't get a lot of time there.

Mom got a job!

 It all began with substituting.  I started only subbing at the elementary school last year so my schedule would match the kids'.  This year I tried subbing at the middle school and high school.  I ended up covering an English class at the middle school for a couple of weeks and really enjoyed it.  Then, starting the end of January, I got to cover a math teacher's maternity leave at the high school for 3 months.  The more I worked, the better I felt.  Sitting at home wasn't good for me.  

I enjoyed it so much that I was telling the assistant principal to let me know if ANYTHING was opening.  Including part time, which actually would be ideal.  They knew it was super unlikely and, since I was ready to start working, put in a good word for me in another town.  That town is another one with only one high school.  They actually contacted me asking me to apply.  It's 45 minutes away so it was a no go.  

A job opened at the middle school.  I wasn't sure about applying.  It was the MIDDLE school and I really enjoy high school.  Eventually the math teachers at the high school and Daddy convinced me to go for it.  I applied and the poor middle school principal had pretty much everyone at the high school leaning on him to hire me.  

A while after the interview I still hadn't heard anything.  That obviously made me nervous, especially with the whole high school team rooting for me.  Then I randomly get a call.  "Don't go doing anything crazy like applying to other schools" they were in the process of contacting my references and verifying past employment etc.  So a couple weeks later I knew I was going to be working full time again come September!  

I specifically told them that I was ONLY interested in teaching the 8th graders and that I really wanted the advanced class.  They obliged so my schedule only included those levels.  

I'm definitely nervous but also really excited to be working again. 

Easter!

Easter seemed to come extra fast this year. We followed tradition and boiled and colored eggs.  We made way more than we would eat, simply because the kids like to dye them.  

 This Easter the kiddos got boogie boards for this summer's beach trip. They were super excited right off, since they couldn't use them yet.  They stuffed plastic eggs with candy and then hunt for those.  They can find WAY more that way.  This year there were some pretty tough ones.  There were multiple times they had to ask for hints.  My favorite was one on the fence behind the utility trailer that Carson walked by multiple times.

Later we went up to Grandma and Papa H's house for dinner with the extended family. 

Carson's 2nd Grade Performance

This year the second grade team organized for the kids to do a musical performance.  They made their costumes, learned multiple songs and dance moves for each.  Each class performed their own but they also performed together.  We enjoyed watching it and Carson had a great time on stage.  He did seem a little nervous up there, he was fun to watch and came home all smiles.  Here's a snippet. 

Carson and his best friend Kailey.  She lives in our neighborhood and they're constantly going back and forth between houses. 

Carson's award!

 It's always awesome when your kid is recognized for being amazing.  The recipients are chosen by their teachers.  Carson was selected for the compass award.  It is given for students who set ab example, work hard academically.  They set an example behaviorally, are good friends and leaders in the classroom. 

Flag football for Dillon and Carson

It's flag football season.  They run a little mini league, five games, just Sunday mornings.  Daddy was hoping to coach Carson since the coach plays quarterback, but they had an overabundance of volunteers so he coached Dillon's team.  I remembered team pictures this time!

 I didn't take pictures during most of the season.  They were playing games at the same time, kitty corner from each other so I was bouncing between games a lot. These pictures are all from their last games.  Dillon and Carson both got touch downs, Dillon would've had two but he stopped running a foot away from the end zone thinking his flag had been pulled... it hadn't.  When he realized it and went to step in he accidentally stepped out of bounds instead.

 Carson't touchdown run.

 Both boys were actually getting really good at pulling flags!

 Dillon alternated the quarterback position with another kid on the team.  It was good to have two kids that could fill the position so they could each have turns trying to catch and run. 

 The "almost" touch down was when he was playing quarterback, none of his guys were getting open so he decided to run for it.

Carson's coach definitely wasn't great about getting the ball to all the different players, there were two boys in particular he had a tendency to give the ball to.  It was frustrating to watch as a parent, but Carson definitely had a good time!