Happy Memorial Day!

Traditionally Memorial Day is a day for us to relax and spend time together as a family. But, as Dave reminded us during Family Home Evening, it's more than that . . . it's a time for us to think about all the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom! Today we have thought a lot about Grandpa. Every Memorial Day his family has a reunion at the old homestead in Holden, Utah. Unfortunately, our little family has never been able to attend. I liked thinking today that Grandpa was having his reunion on the other side -- able to see his parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters who have also passed on -- his brother Leslie in particular who was killed in the Korean War. We are so grateful for the freedom we are blessed with!

For the last 3 years Dave has participated in the Saguarita Lake Triathalon on Memorial Day. He did it again -- even though his time is tight these days with his many responsibilities. Way to go Dad!!



Emma spent the afternoon running an ice cream and cookie stand with Caitlynn. They both made $17 -- not bad!






Hope it was a nice day for all of you, too!

Friday Field Trip

When I ask the kids what they think of when they think of "summer", they all included "Friday Field Trips" -- a day we look forward to all week when we will go exploring and find something new and fun to see. Today we went to see a fairly new museum in Tucson called "The Mini Time Machine" house of miniatures. It was a pretty cool place, though we were in and out in 1 1/2 hours. There were literally hundreds of miniature displays from around the world. I can't imagine making such intricate pieces! We got to search for a fairy who was hiding in 5 different places throughout the museum -- the kids found them all, and as a reward they were given miniature erasers -- fun touch!

book of the week

We're following our summer tradition introduced by Aunt Cristin a few summers ago . . . book of the week. Yesterday we read "Dogs Don't Wear Sneakers" and made fun animal clothespin magnets. Initially I had intended to read "An Animal Strike at the Zoo . .. it's True", but misplaced it and had to think of a quick alternative. It worked out well. Another fun option would be to have the kids draw their own funny and imaginative animals, but the kids were set on the clothespin animals so we just closed our eyes to imagine funny animals.

You Know It's Summer When . . .

You can stay out at the park until 8 pm! We have had ABNORMALLY cool days this week -- like in the 80s! That is crazy for Tucson in May, but we're loving every minute of it! We checked out a new park by our library, and it was a blast!

Summer Centers

This summer we're trying a center rotation to stop our brains from going "mushy." We spend 15 minutes at each center every morning.

Writer's Workshop - creative writing and illustrating

Reading Center with or without ear phones in our comfy corner.

Math Workbooks (not a favorite of a certain someone).

Mom's Depot (one on one time -- speech with Sarah, phonics with Briant, and Big Words with Emma and Bennett)

High on the montain top

We escaped the 101 degree weather by going up to Mt. Lemmon for our ward camp out this weekend. My favorite part of the camp out was the 70 degree weather and hearing the wind blowing through the pine trees. Dave enjoyed seeing a horny toad on our hike to "Lookout Rock." Emma's favorite memory of the camp out was a pine cone war with the boys. Bennett loved making spears with his pocket knife and capturing the girls. Briant loved playing with "Snakey" his new stuffed snake that Emma bought him from her class store. Sarah loved playing in the tent -- a portable house!

Aawwwoooo !!

Bennett completed all the requirements for his cub scout wolf badge! He gave us a GREAT howl at pack meeting when he was presented with his awards! Bennett is looking forward to working hard on his scouting over the summer and attending cub day camp in two weeks.

HAPPY SUMMER!

For our first day of summer vacation we celebrated with new flip flops.

And these are our awesome teachers.

Mrs.Gorden

Mrs.Allen

and Ms.Jensen

The kids all had a great year academically as well, and were spotlighted at the end of year awards assembly.

Briant was recognized for good citizenship and music!

Bennett earned music and top reading counts point for 2nd grade!

Emma was awarded the music award, Miler 125 miles, and the academic award for creative writing.

. . . And this is how Sarah felt about sitting for 2 hours of assemblies . . . at least she was among friends.

Thorn in my Kraken

On Tuesday, May 18th the school held GEM Night. Emma and Bennett were both invited to read aloud their original stories. Emma's was titled "Thorn in My Foot" about the time a Mesquite thorn went through her foot while running in her flip flops (OUCH!). Bennett's was a story about a battle between a Minotaur and a Kraken with a lot of surprise twists and turns. They both are such great writers and they did a great job!!

guest post

hello, my name is Spiky ( I'm a gerbil). do not tell my masters I'm doing this.
dfjhktjhl. How do You use thIs thing? Anyway here's my picturE

I've finally escaped and hopefully successful this time. Oh, don't even remind me of dfhgejhfgdk laSt timE. one of master benNett's friends had left the top off my cage. around midnight I escaped in those wet thing's called baby wipes our something. then I got bOred so I went down the hall and inTo the pLace where humans do their buSineSs. to my surprise, sitting on the little round bowl was bEnnett. when he saw me he screamed like a little girl. he pulled up his pants and ran out to my oldest master's room. they chased afTer me. I ran into master emMa's bedroom (she was snoring like a hippo).aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
they goooooooooooottttttttttt mmmmmmmmmmmeeeeeeeeee cznm,. bnm, hold on spik...........................Oh sorry I guessed spiky escaped
how hilarious

almost a full dog!

and today Emma came home with this!

The third temple in AZ

On Thursday we were able to go to the Gila Valley temple open house. This makes 3 temples in Arizona. The Gila Valley is over 2 hours away from us, so we're still in the Mesa temple district. It was such a wonderful experience! The children felt so happy and peaceful, and we were able to identify the Holy Ghost for them. Now they understand a little better why Dave and I like to go to the temple often.

Anyone want to play?

Emma's class was assigned to make Nim's island board games. Here's what she created --

Just in case Emma gets lost

After school Emma walked in wearing this fun "dog collar".
Her class is reading a book about dogs and everyone made these.

A big girl

Sarah is such a big girl. She is learning to sit on the toilet
and earned a Little People toy for filling up her sticker chart. Way to go!

Mighty or not so mighty?

Our attempts at a "mighty" picture.









Well, the kids finally convinced me to start a family blog. I think it will be a fun summer project for us. So check in from time to time to see what we're up to this summer.