Cub Scouts: Pinewood Derby, Day Camp

This year was Brennan's last Pinewood Derby race. He went with a slab of bacon for his design. 

He won more races than he lost (that's always good) and got 2nd place for the Webelos. It was the same night as Dallin's Open House, so I missed the first half. 

We've been working really hard on passing things off, and he got a ton of awards at the last pack meeting before summer. 

The first week of summer was Cub Scout Day Camp in the field behind our church. I think they had about 120 boys.

Tyler was Brennan's den chief. He had a nice small group, and they were all great kids. The only issue he had was half the boys in his group had food allergies. Brennan fit right in. 

This was Levi's first year at camp, and he loved it! In fact he thought 1 week was just way too short. He came home happy and excited every day!

 I was glad they were able to go together one year. 

I volunteered one day, and it was so fun! I taught the science class about butterflies. I taught a little lesson, they made and ate an edible life cycle, and then we played a game. It was a hot week, and the camp leaders wisely decided to move 3 of the stations inside our church. 

They made walking sticks, airplanes, toothbrush robots, pizza, and mechanical hands. Plus of course the shooting range is always a hit. We love day camp! 

Dave and I left Thursday to go to my nephew's wedding in Utah, so the rest of these pictures were taken by my friend Marilyn. Thank you Marilyn! On Friday evening, the families joined them for the BBQ, skits and awards. I just loved the camp leaders this year! They were so upbeat, friendly, and super nice. They'll be doing it next year, too. Yay!

 It was a great start to the summer!

Thanks for watching out for my family, Keeps!

The last month of school, 2017

It's amazing how many activities get crammed into the end of the school year! Especially when you have kids at 4 different schools! It makes life extra busy and hectic, but it's fun too! The band played at several events, including the high school open house.

Tyler made pineapple salsa for the Spanish class salsa competition. So naturally, he wore his Mexican wig and drew on a mustache. Spencer walked around to all his classes with us. 

It was good salsa!

Brennan went there straight from Cub Scouts, and he was hungry! He enjoyed eating ALL the salsas!

Chloe just goes to pet the animals in the ag department. 

Brennan participated in his first Battle of the Books. He only read half the books, and his team didn't win, but he had a lot of fun, and it inspired him to read more BOB books this year!

Dallin enjoyed having band with his cousin Peter last year.

Dave was out of town for his sister's wedding, but the rest of us went to the band concert. 

Spencer played bassoon in concert band last year. 

This was the last concert with their previous band teacher, Mr. Galvan, who has since moved to the middle schools. Their new band teacher does not require them to wear tuxes for the their concerts. 

Chloe and I went to a few field trips. Brennan's class went to the beach. 

Levi's class also went to the beach. They went to the aquarium, played at the park, and flew kites and played in the sand. Chloe loved it!

Dallin finished another perfect year (straight A's!) and of course got into all his projects. 

He got several awards, and it's so funny to see the difference between the 1st grade and middle school awards assemblies!

Chloe's last day of preschool!

Her graduation marked the end of an era. We've been taking our kids to this preschool since 2004! Brennan and Levi went for the cookies (which they've always served after the graduation), but they didn't have cookies this year! They were pretty disappointed, so we made cookies when we got home. 

Last day of school for Levi and Brennan!

They both really liked their teachers! Brennan's teacher, Ms. Rodriguez, was the GATE teacher, and she did a great job working with Brennan's ADHD, helping him with his specific needs, and appreciating his creativity and sense of humor. We were originally worried about Levi being in a kinder/1st combo, but Mrs. Goldbach did such a great job, and it was a such a good group of kids, that it worked out just fine. We were thrilled when Chloe got her as a teacher this year!

Spencer and Tyler came home from their last day of school with a car full of instruments to practice over the summer. 

Their previous band teacher told them they'd have to march with the melaphone (Tyler had never played brass before, and Spencer wanted to play baritone sax), so they took them home to practice over the summer. Luckily their new band teacher let them play whatever they wanted!

Then they went around and collected all the instruments in our house (except the piano and ukulele), and this is what they came up with!