Life Skills Summer

School is out for the summer! The kids have had another great year at their school.

Madison has loved being in third grade (especially because she had Mrs. Bruner). Mrs. Bruner has made an extra effort this year to help Maddie grow and has kept her on her toes. Mads thinks Mrs. Bruner is so nice and has loved going to her classroom everyday. I have let Marcia know she can retire now, both my kids have had her. I'm glad I have had a good relationship with her teacher.

Just a few scans
from his gift.

Korbin has enjoyed his 5th grade year in Mrs. Wagner's classroom. She was a good match for him. She gives her students space to grow but still keeps them in line. Korbin's favorite memory of 5th grade is going to Snow Basin. Mrs. Wagner gave each of her students a gift, an album with pictures she had taken thru out the year. It's a nice keepsake of all the fun he's had this school this year.




I'm off for the summer too. It's been a great year but I'm sooo glad it's over and I can stay home and just hang out with the kids. They're growing up so fast. My team at Orion is awesome! We had so much fun! I couldn't have asked for better friends to work with. Next year there will be some big changes again in the classroom but I'm sure we'll still manage to squeeze in the fun.



The Team:
Mary and Sue - if you need a good laugh you don't have to look farther than these two!
Nichole- a great leader,teacher and mentor. She just amazes me!
AJ- engaged, newly graduated soon to be teacher. The kids just love him! He's a riot.
Laurin- She's just Laurin! A great person and best of all a fabulous friend! She's now the attendance secretary. We miss her :(


Jason doesn't get the summer off but has two weeks off this summer to come and play with us. Hopefully he can get to work early in the morning and get off early enough he can come home and have extra time to hang out with us this summer.

Now... for our Life Skills Summer!
We've told the kids this summer will be full of learning life skills. Hopefully by the end of the summer the kids will have learned basic cooking skills, do their chores without whining or prompts all the time and best of all learn to do their own laundry! It won't be all work all the time, we'll throw in some fun activities. Lagoon, a month of swimming lessons, Merit badges, Pinterest activities, Mesa Verde, vacations and more.

We kicked off our summer 2012 with a treats+movie day yesterday! 

Belated gift

Another late birthday gift from aunt Sio. This time it was Korbin's turn.

Korbin was thrilled to open up his new Ipod this week, he guessed/knew what he was getting! Months ago when my sister and I talked about the birthday gifts she wanted to get the kiddos we came to an agreement that whatever she picked, it would have to be the same gift for both kids(or at least very similar). So far he's really enjoyed his new IPod and doesn't use it like crazy but in moderation. Phew, I was a little worried about that but thankfully it's been great. The best part is Jason can keep track of apps and has set up parental control thru his Apple account and IPad. Our kids sure love their Aunt Sio, and Jas and I love to tease her.

Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts

Korbin attended his last pack meeting a few days after his 11th birthday.  It's been exciting for him to be finished being a cub and moving into Boy Scouts! We've been anticipating and looking forward to this change for a little bit. Scout camp, snow caves, merit badges and over nighters await him.

Our wards Cub-master (our friend JD) did a great job acknowledging Korbin's achievements and kept everything short and simple (just how we like it). Korbin did the ceremony of the crossing of the bridge which marks his completion of Cub Scouting and the beginning of becoming a Boy Scout. The others scouts were there to welcome him. 

He's been to a few meetings with his new patrol and so far he thinks it's great. Last night we attended his first Court of Honor. It happened to be someone's Eagle Court of Honor. It was very nicely done. Starting with an Eagle Court of Honor gave Korbin a boost about being an Eagle scout someday. I couldn't have asked for a better way for him to begin his scouting trail. We have awesome leaders that I hope stick around for a while. 

I gave Korbin a pep talk about what I want him to receive someday. 1) Eagle 2) On My Honor Award. No pressure! 
Korbin knows we'll support him and help him become an Eagle scout but it's up to him to get the stuff done, we won't do it for him. Since last night he's been all for it, I hope it stays that way for at least a few years. Last night,all Eagle scouts in the audience were invited to join in the Eagles nest, you could see pride in those who got up and moved. I want for Korbin to have that same look someday.  

Soccer!

A few shots of the kids playing soccer. 

Cold Weather

A while ago, I had a brillant idea one day to meet the kids after school and take them to the park. I thought it was warm enough to go. I called my friend Malinda and talked her into coming with me, I vaguely remember her mentioning it was going to be cold.
I assumed the kids would be thrilled over my idea once we meet them. They weren't jumping for joy with my idea but agreed to go to the park and have some fun. I don't recall our visit lasting long, it was cold. However we got a cute picture of them together on our walk back home so in my opinion it was worth it! Even thru the shivers they have great smiles. Dang cute kids!!!

Choir

Korbin joined the choir at his school. He enjoyed it! He learned some fun songs and there was a little performance at the end. He did a great job singing. At least I'm assuming he was singing, his lips were moving so that was good enough for me. ;)

Korbin's 11th Birthday

Korbin had great 11th birthday! He opened a lot of fun gifts and picked his favorite dinner and dessert. He's easily pleased. Lego's, video games, Nerf guns and a little cash equals one happy camper in this young man. 

Since Korbin's birthday landed on a weeknight we waited until the weekend to take Korbin and a few friends to Toads for some fun activities. 

They had a good time!