Catching Up....Again

...I'm sensing a theme here. Clearly I can't manage blogging and taking classes at the same time. Sigh. I have so many topics to blog about now, I don't even know where to start. There's still most of our China trip, all the spring happenings around here, and other random thoughts I've had about Saudi Arabia lately, plus tutorials on the different kinds of palm trees, what are sand roses and why we have 4 different types of water in our house. We are leaving in seven days for our summer trip, and I just don't think I can make it all happen.

How about starting with a quick catchup on the last couple months....when I left you in April, the kids were starting their final trimester of school, I was starting Calculus for spring quarter and Steve was doing what he's always doing (work, golf, read, sleep, repeat).

Michael has been active in Boy Scouts since leaving Cub Scouts in February. We are so, so proud of him. He will be awarded a bronze medal for service hours, as well as advancing to his next rank of Tenderfoot at the Court of Honor this weekend. He's been working hard and is excited about attending his first ever sleep-away camp in a few weeks: Camp Daniel Boone in North Carolina. It's been an emotional month (mostly for mom) as elementary school draws to an end for him, with all kinds of activities to celebrate that milestone. He's had an amazing year - almost too good to be true (particularly on the heels of the train wreck that was 4th grade).

Jake is tearing it up in school too. He's reading a full year ahead of grade level and tops his class in math. He's also finishing up a successful cub scout year with a recent crossover into Bear rank. Jake played baseball again this spring and hopes to make the minor league team in the fall.

...Uh oh...this is sounding like a Christmas brag letter - Yuck! I'm sorry...enough of that! How about a pictorial synopsis instead?

The second grade sold lemonade at recess to raise funds for cancer awareness (they made over $600, at $.50/cup!). Jake was the financial manager for his team, i.e. head cashier. That's him in the blue shirt behind the table.

The 5th grade band concert was last night. Yay, no more nagging to practice the trombone! Seriously though, we're amazed how how far he's come in 9 months with that thing ( I mean that fine instrument).

There's not much explanation needed with this picture. I just think it shows how big he's getting. He enjoyed playing a lot this spring. He's never been much of a baseball loving guy, but in the absence of a good soccer or Tae Kwon Do program, he's had to make do. Steve did a fabulous job coaching the team and now has a new appreciation of coaches!

Michael was so proud to be awarded a pal slip (basically "I was caught doing something Great" type thing), and then even more proud to be selected as the best of the 5th grade, a Super Pal, for the week. Even better was how he earned it: he was the only one who understood how to do a very tricky math problem, and then went around the room explaining it to his classmates. Yay Michael!

Gotta throw in a couple Peaches pictures. She's 8 months old now, and using the dog door nearly all the time. We're going to experiment tonight with leaving her crate open tonight (so that I don't have to get up at 6am to relieve her on the weekend).

Our house boy is going to stay in our home while we're gone this summer to take care of her. She's looking a bit scruffy in this shot, but she has a beauty appointment scheduled for Saturday. We are very happy with her and Jake's health is still holding strong.

Michael had the audience in stitches as the show comedian for the variety show again this year. I have video posted here on Youtube if you are interested in watching it.

He chose Drama-Improv for one of his two electives in middle school. Doesn't that sound about right? We're really excited for him - he'll have a ball!

Scouts have made our life fairly busy this spring, whether it be Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts. Feeling the need to be a contributing member of the group, I volunteered to fill the Quartermaster position for the cubs. Steve has been going with Michael to Boy Scout meetings twice weekly, and helping out on an unofficial basis as needed. With Jake starting his 3rd year (Bear) of out 5 years in Cub Scouts, and Michael still 5 very difficult ranks away from Eagle in Boy Scouts, we have many years of scouting to look forward to.