Phil & Aly are here!

Zoe & Emily stayed at my parents' house last night and then they went with my mom today to pick up Phil & Aly from the airport!  The kids had a super fun day with their cousins today and they are looking forward to 5 weeks with them!  Matt picked up Zach & Noah after work to go fishing and they ate dinner at McDonald's.  The rest of the kids went swimming at the pool after Emily got her hair cut.  It was not a warm evening, but I guess my kids don't need to wait for warm weather to swim.  I was surprised that Phil & Aly were up for swimming.  We went back to my parents' house to play Phase 10.  Emily, Eleanor & Kate watched most of "Treasure Buddies".  I love fun-filled summer days!  Pictures will be posted soon.  :-)

Pool Time!

I signed the kids up for swimming lessons this morning.  Then we went shopping for bathing suits for Zoe & Emily.  Emily found her bathing suit at the 2nd store we went to and Zoe found hers at the 4th store.  We spent a few hours at the pool this afternoon.  The kids were determined to go swimming on the 1st day of the pool being open!  Even on a cool day.  It was actually sunnier and warmer than I thought it would be.  The water was still COLD, though.  Nevertheless, the kids had a blast! 

Artwork by Eleanor...

Father's Day

Are these not the cutest bags that Emily & Eleanor made at Activity Days?

Emily's gift to Matt...

Eleanor's gift to Matt is on the right.  Noah went out to get a rock to decorate after he saw the other rocks.

Matt is always asking the kids if they want a stick or a rock for their birthdays, so the kids added a stick to the rock gifts. :-)

We took a few pictures before we left for church.

Zoe & Emily thought it was hysterical when Matt & I were sternly telling the younger kids to get in the car and then without missing a beat, we put on our smiling faces for the camera.

The young women made edible gifts for the Dads yesterday and then they handed them out today during Priesthood. Matt started a new diet today, so he passed on the treats.

Matt suggested a pot roast for dinner at my parents' house and he got it. The kids & I made place mats for Matt & my Dad.

 I hope Matt, my Dad, Steve & all the wonderful Dads I know had a great Father's Day!

Champions!

We lost our game this morning, so most of us thought the season was over and we were the runners-up. Not so. We played 1 more game since we hadn't lost 2 games in the playoffs yet.

This put a wrench in my plans for the afternoon. I was going to go over to the Daigle's with Kate for Lauren's birthday party, but I ended up sending Kate with a friend instead. This was fine with Kate since she wanted to go to the party without me anyway.

Both games were intense. We lost the first game by 1 run and we won the final game by 1 run!

After the game, shirts were signed

Pictures were taken

Awards were given

And we ate yummy pizza!

Great job Emily, Eleanor & all of the Rosen's!
The Lady Bucks won their game today, too! They are now the Class C State Champions!

Summer Fun & Middle School Grades

Zach woke up missing his 1st grade teacher, Ms. Muraukas.  It sunk in this morning that he is on summer vacation and he won't be in Ms. M's class anymore.  Here is his last note that he brought home yesterday from Ms. M.

Zoe, Emily & Eleanor went hiking in Blue Hill today with Belle, Daisy, Anna, Ryder, Pat, Jen, Patrick, Eleanor & Mo.  They ate lunch at Curtis Cove and some of the kids went for a swim.  They also caught hermit crabs.  They had a great time!

Zach, Kate, Noah & I went to the park.  After lunch, the kids sprayed each other with the hose.  Then they watched "Alvin & the chipmunks Chipwrecked" and a few episodes of "Dino Dan".  Then we met up with the older girls at Pat's house to swim and have a BBQ.  Yay for heated pools.  :-)

Now the kids and Matt are watching Alvin & the chipmunks since the older girls were gone when we watched it this afternoon.

More Zach artwork...

Emily's last trimester grades...
Math ~ 90 (B)
Language Arts ~ 93 (A)
Science ~ 95 (A)
Social Studies ~ 96 (A)
Phys Ed ~ 100 (A)
Music ~ 95 (A)
Health ~ 98 (A)
Reading ~ 92 (B)

Emily's grades went up in most of her classes.  Great last trimester, Emily!

Zoe's last trimester grades...
Math ~ 99 (A)
Language Arts ~ 98 (A)
Social Studies ~ 100! (A)
Science ~ 95 (A)
Phys Ed ~ 100 (A)
Health ~ 99 (A)

Zoe did extra credit in all the classes that she could.  She wanted to get all 100s, but what she ended up with is pretty awesome!  Great work, Zoe!

Last Day of School

This morning, Kate told Noah to shut his mouth.  I told her that wasn't a nice thing to say and that I didn't want her saying it anymore.  So she turned to Noah and said, "Zip it!"  

The kids had a half day of school today.  Zoe hurt her finger playing Ga-ga.  Have you ever heard of Ga-ga?  I first heard about it a few weeks ago when Zoe told me that she was asked to teach a few of the teachers how to play it.  Zoe & another boy went for the ball today and she now has a bruised, swollen finger.

Summer vacation started at noon time!  We celebrated at the park!  I now have a 2nd grader...

 4th grader...

 6th grader...

 Kindergartener!...

and 8th grader who doesn't like her picture taken.

Zoe & Emily went over to Caitlin & Cassidy's house after the park.  The rest of the kids came home to soak each other with the hose.  Then we watched the newest version of "Charlotte's Web".  Zach read Charlotte's Web with his class this year and then he missed his field trip to the theater to watch the movie because he was sick.  We had fun eating popcorn while watching the movie, just like at the theater.  :-) 

Here are a few pictures from Zach's art pile...

Last Day of School Eve

Many papers and art projects came home today!  They are sitting in a pile, waiting to be sorted. 

Here is a painting called "Birds" by Emily.

Eleanor had fun in the planetarium that was set up in her gym today.

We had our last pack meeting tonight for the year.  Brother Battaline did a fun scavenger hunt with the scouts!  Then we were going to say a BIG thank you to Anne for all of her work in cub scouts over the years and we were going to thank Rob for being the webelos leader this past year, but they never made it to the activity.  Here is why...


Bangor Daily News
TRENTON, Maine — A small pickup truck struck the propane tank area of an Island Explorer bus late Wednesday afternoon on Route 3, causing police to halt traffic on the busy road, according to a Hancock County sheriff’s deputy.
The buses are powered by propane.
Traffic was not being allowed on or off Mount Desert Island.
Firefighters were trying to make sure the bus’ propane tank did not explode.
The accident occurred near where Route 230 enters Route 3.

 They were stuck on the island, so we ended up having the goodbye party without them.  We did get to say goodbye to the Pavloff family.  They have 3 boys who have been in our scouting program and they are moving next month.  The Boy Scouts were going to have a court of honor after the scavenger hunt, but that didn't happen either.

I just took this picture of Zoe & Noah.  Noah doesn't like to sleep and Zoe is waiting to switch her laundry.

Zoe is quite good at the rubiks cube.

Field Trip Drama

Emily and the other 5th graders spent the day hiking in Acadia National Park.  According to Emily, 2 girls fainted due to lack of water.  Emily was in a group with her friends, Ansley and Daisy, so she had a great day!  She was worn out when she got home, though!

Zach and the other 1st graders went to Fort Knox.  Matt called me this afternoon to see if Zach was okay.  I had no idea why he was asking me this question.  Then he told me that he had read on the internet about a 7 year old boy from Bucksport who fell at Fort Knox during a field trip. 

 7-year-old boy taken to hospital after 15-foot fall at Fort Knox

By Dylan Martin, Special to the BDN

Posted June 12, 2012, at 3:47 p.m.
Last modified June 12, 2012, at 4:58 p.m.

PROSPECT, Maine — A 7-year-old boy from Bucksport was taken by LifeFlight to Eastern Maine Medical Center on Tuesday afternoon after he fell approximately 15 feet at Fort Knox while on a school field trip, police said.

While the first-grader was conscious after the fall, he suffered fractures in both arms and a laceration to his head, said Lt. Jason Trundy of the Waldo County Sheriff’s Department. The lieutenant also said the child lost some teeth.

“He was talking,” Bucksport School Department Superintendent James Boothby said. “He actually walked back to his teacher after he fell.”

The boy was on a field trip to Fort Knox with his first-grade class and two other classes from G.H. Jewett School, the superintendent said.

Deputy Darrin Moody of the Waldo County Sheriff’s Department went to Fort Knox just before 3 p.m., Trundy said. According to Moody’s report, the child was rolling down an unspecified hill and went over an embankment, where he then fell approximately 15 feet.

“Exactly where the chaperones were when the child rolled down the hill, I don’t know,” Trundy said.

Superintendent Boothby said “three teachers, a number of ed techs and some chaperones” attended the field trip and he had no indication of where they were when the child rolled down the hill.

CORRECTION:

An earlier version of this story reported that the child fell 20 feet, as originally reported by the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office. The child reportedly fell 15 feet.

When Matt got home, he questioned Zach about the boy and the accident.  It was a boy in Zach's class.  Zach saw him after the accident and Zach noticed that he had a bloody nose.  Zach admitted that other classmates were rolling down the hill.  Then he reluctantly admitted that he had rolled down the hill, too...once.  Matt has never liked bringing the kids to Fort Knox.  There are several places that are dangerous if you are not careful and are not paying attention.  Unfortunately, this boy rolled over one of those spots.

On a happier note, my Mom, Zoe, Emily, Eleanor & I went to see our Bucksport girls play in the Eastern Maine High School Softball Championship Game in Brewer.  They beat Calais 4-0! 

Sunburned

Emily brought home a school paper that told a bit about herself.  She plays sports and the saxophone.  Her favorite color is blue.  She loves to play outside and she loves to read.  Her favorite animal is a wolf.  She also loves gerbils.  :-)

It was another sunny day today and Zoe & I have sunburns to prove it.  Noah made me laugh this evening when he looked at me and said, "Whoa, your face is red!  You should have used sunscreen!"  Yes, very wise 3 1/2 year old, I should have!  Kate, Noah & I spent a few hours at the park before the kids got out of school.  We had a picnic and we played.  Kate made a new friend.  She is getting very good at meeting kids around her age in public places and playing with them.

Zoe had a fun day out on a schooner, then playing mini golf, and then ending the day with ice cream.  She got back to school at 4pm, so the kids & I went to the park after school while we waited for her.  We had a brief time at home for Emily & Eleanor to get ready for their softball game.  It was an intense playoff game that we won.  :-)  We go on to play in the championship game on Saturday! 

We came home to eat a late dinner and to have a late Family Home Evening.   

The good outweighed the bad

It was a tough church morning and it didn't get better until the sacrament song was playing in sacrament meeting.  At this point, Kate was in the quiet room.  She was mad because she wanted to sit by her Grammie, but Eleanor and Zach were sitting by her.  Kate decided she was ready to go back into  sacrament meeting when I told her she could sit by her Grammie next Sunday.  I also promised her that she could ride to "Grammie's house" in Grammie's car.  The rest of sacrament meeting was delightful.  I loved watching Noah sit reverently with his arms folded, his head bowed, and his eyes closed as he waited for the prayer.  Zoe looked angelic as she sat on the stand with her eyes closed during the passing of the sacrament.  She gave a great talk about serving at Special Olympics.  Noah was so relaxed during the talks that he fell asleep.

When my kids were wound up in the morning, I wondered if it would be a wild day in Primary.  It turned out to be a pretty reverent day!  I taught the Sunbeam class and I thought it went well (except for Kate turning into a grump and refusing to participate.  She always has a hard time when I teach.).  Later on, Noah informed me that our smile/frown activity was SO BORING!  I chose to ignore his comment since the way he said it was SO CUTE!  

   

My Wish Came True!

We enjoyed a beautiful sunny day.  :-)  It was in the 70's, so not as hot as I heard it would be.  It was perfect.


I had a stressful morning getting Zach to Finn's birthday party and deciding what to buy Finn, but it all worked out in the end.  It took Zach awhile to join in the birthday fun, but he had a great time once he did!  He loved drawing ninja people on the paper tablecloth.  There was pin the weapon on the ninja and a ninja pinata.  Don't forget the yummy pizza and cake!


We finally made it to a High School softball game!  Our girls won 5-0.  Yay!  They will play in the Eastern Maine Championship game on Tuesday.  :-)  Eleanor enjoyed spending some of her birthday money at the concession stand.

 She took Zach with her and rewarded his companionship.

 Life is GOOD!

It really stinks, though when you don't have birthday money and no one is sharing with you!

Emily had fun catching up with her friend, Tessa.

It was such a nice afternoon for a ball game.  :-)


Zoe & Matt spent the afternoon volunteering at Special Olympics.  We all met at my parents house for dinner.  We love Dad's new grill!

The time out bag of toys is full and we are now filling up a 2nd bag.  The kids have earned back toys here and there, but we need to dedicate a chunk of time soon for them to earn back what they want to keep.  The rest is going to Goodwill or the dump.

Wanted: Sunshine

This was the last full week of school, so today was the last Friday of the school year.  Only 3 1/2 school days left!

Every year, the youth in our stake help out with Special Olympics.  Matt & Zoe went to the parade this evening.  The opening ceremony ended up getting cancelled due to the rain.  Rain, rain GO AWAY!  I hear it is going to be in the 80's tomorrow and Sunday.  I hope so!

The rest of us went to hang out with my Mom.  Yummy food, Netflix, Phase 10 = Fun time! 

Go Lady Bucks

My Mom picked Zoe up this evening to go to the 1st Girls High School softball playoff game and then to dinner at the Harbor View.  We are #1 and the plan is to go undefeated all the way to the end of the state game.  I'm hoping to go to Saturday's game.


This is Zoe's last evening to have her school laptop at home.  She is already missing it!

Beach Party Lunch & Softball

Eleanor made this paper shirt in Art class to hang up during the beach party lunch.  Kate loved the shirt! 

The kids are encouraged to wear summer attire during the beach party lunch, such as flip flops and sunglasses.  There are special prizes and treats.  The kids at the Miles Lane school get serenaded by a steel drum band while they eat.  FUN!  At Zach's school (Jewett), the kids brought their beach towels and ate on the gym floor.


Matt took Zoe to Young Women's this evening.  Zach went with Matt to help him clean the church during Zoe's activity.  I hear that Zach worked hard and he was a HUGE help!  The rest of us went to Emily & Eleanor's 1st playoff softball game.  Out of 4 teams, our team is #1 and they won this evening.  Yay!  Now we don't play again until next Tuesday, so we get Saturday off.  :-) 

Dancing in the Rain

Eleanor had a concert at her school this morning. I didn't even think to invite my Dad or my Grandmother. Sorry! Eleanor and all of her 3rd grade classmates sang several songs.

 Zoe was sweet and she let Eleanor wear her scarf.  Zoe wanted to do Eleanor's hair, but Eleanor was not up for that.

Eleanor has beautiful hair.  I'm glad she wore it down.

We listened to the 4th graders play their recorders.  Then a 4th grade boy played a guitar while singing and a 4th grade girl sang with him.  They were good!  During Zoe & Emily's concert, Eleanor decided that she wants to play the guitar.  She loved the performance of these talented 4th graders!

Eleanor was super nervous while performing, but I could tell that she had fun singing the songs.  They were fun songs!  Mrs. Birmingham did a great job picking out songs both for this performance and for the Middle School performance!  Great job singing Eleanor!


Artwork is starting to come home.  Eleanor likes to use nicknames for herself...

3 letters are a lot easier to write than 7!


This artwork from Emily has been hanging up on our wall for awhile.

I still have papers to go through from last school year!  Not many, but still!
 
Most of the kids went outside after school.  We had a cloudy/rainy morning and then it alternated between sun and rain showers all afternoon.  The kids were happily playing in the sunshine and then it started to rain.  Did the kids run inside?  No, they danced and laughed.  It was a beautiful sight.



I did some book organizing in our bedroom today.  I created quite a mess.  Noah confirmed this when he walked in and said, "Holy cow! Look at the mess you made!"  :-)

Emily & Eleanor made it through softball practice this evening without any rain!  I was surprised!


Kate & I went with my Mom this evening to the Weathervane to eat dinner.  We had a delightful evening.  Kate scored some bubble bath soap at Walmart.  She is excited to use it tomorrow! 
We saw 2 rainbows while we were in the car.  The second one was so perfect!  It was bright and we could see the entire rainbow.  Beautiful!