South Dakota Here We Come!

It had been a few years since our last West trip, so the boys were itching to get back out there!  We headed to the great state of South Dakota for a little exploring.  At the end of our first day, we stopped in Sioux City, IA and saw the monument for Sgt. Floyd's grave.  He was the only man to die on the Lewis & Clark Expedition. 

We arrived at our hotel a little bit early after our second day of driving so we killed some time at Storybook Island and also did the Presidents Walk downtown Rapid City. 

I am the only one who enjoyed Storybook Island.  It's okay though...I just imagined that I still had enthusiastic preschoolers who enjoyed posing for pictures with all of the cute characters around the park.  The kids were kind enough to oblige for about 15 minutes or so. 

Let Summertime Begin

Scott turned 15 years old at the start of the summer.  We are so proud of him and can't believe we'll be talking about driving before too long.  

Kate knew that Scott's favorite dessert is a Texas Sheet cake, so she made this all by herself for him.  

Scott received car washing supplies for his birthday, and our plan worked out perfectly.  We had clean vehicles before nightfall!

Natalie didn't waste much time before she was back into studying during the summer.  She set goals for herself and got right to work. 

Kate is a baking/cooking machine!  She's even making dinners for us that she refuses to eat, but she likes the process of making it for us.  It's been great!

Natalie has been increasing her fruit & veggie intake, and had even more fun creating this...

Pickleball anyone?  Don't mess with the Grandpa & Grandma Doubles Team- as of now, they are undefeated!

The garden is really taking root.  Scott found a small piece of the field that hadn't been planted and came up with the idea to plant a garden there.  This is all new to us so a lot of experimenting is going on, but so far, so good.  The kids are pouring a lot of time into it.  

New garage sale friend for Scout!:)

Natalie enjoyed a hiking trip with the youth group.  

Scott's been working for the neighbors- rain or shine!:)

Kate and her buddy completed swim lessons together.

It's certainly been a busy, but fun summer so far!

So Long 7th Grade Party!

Natalie invited some of her closest buddies for an end of the year celebration/post-birthday party.  Such a fun group of gals!

"So long 7th Grade!"

Words to Remember

I'll let you know right from the start this will be a bragging post!  Scott, Natalie, and Kate each brought home several academic awards at the end of the school year.  A couple of different parents came up to me and told me that our kids, "Cleaned up" at awards night.  Scott, Natalie, & Kate all earned the ALL A Award and then several class awards.  We were proud parents!:)

Each subject teacher chooses one heart, mind, and soul award per class. Scott received one of each!  He was awarded the Mind Award for Bible class, the Heart Award for Science class, and the Soul Award for Spanish class!

Natalie received the Mind Award for Social Studies and P.E.  She also received the Cougar award which is awarded to one male and one female student per grade level.  I wasn't filming during this announcement so a teacher sent me what was read.  It was a compilation from many of her teachers...

*Detail oriented, kind to everyone, and dedicated to true knowledge, one of the sweetest, caring, well-rounded students I know. 

*She has the capability to better everyone around her and carries the light of Christ with her wherever she goes.  

*Always prepared, always on task.  Gives 100%, very competitive, pretty quiet. Model student-

sets the bar for every room she enters.  

 

*With an impeccable work ethic and a desire to bring the best out of herself (and others), teachers and coaches can count on HER finding success in all that she sets out to accomplish.  Grounded in her faith and character, she is beloved by her peers and teachers alike.  Her positive mindset and attitude is infectious and is a true blessing to experience.

 

*Incredibly kind and respectful to myself and her classmates, attentive and always putting her best foot forward to excel in class!

 

*Extremely respectful; quiet; so attentive and observant; discerning; wise; consistently diligent; quality work; doesn't volunteer every answer; on the more challenging questions, she likes to chime in with some unique perspectives; gets along well with all personality types; leads by example; has a meek and humble attitude but isn't a pushover

Kate received several subject awards (they are done differently in 4th grade), an "Eagerness" award, and also received the Cougar Award for her class! 

 

Here's what Kate's teacher read about Kate...

 

"The Cougar Award goes to a student who always shows respect, integrity, compassion, and excellence in every classroom. Since I'm new to GCA (the teacher), I had no idea what to expect coming into the classroom.

 

...The day came when we got the list of awards to present to the fourth graders, and there wasn't a doubt in my mind or second thought of who deserves this award. I believe if I asked my class to take a vote, we would all vote for the same person. I was saying the Heart Award, and people were whispering this student's name.  I was saying the Soul Award, and people were whispering this student's name.  I was saying the Mind Award and people were whispering this student's name. So without a doubt, I believe this student deserves it, and I believe my class would say she deserves it.  It has been an absolute honor to be part of this kiddo's learning experience.  She is respectful.  She is honest.  She is trustworthy.  She is valued.  She is compassionate, and she models the pursuit of excellence in all things for the glory of God.  I am proud to announce this year's Cougar Award goes to our class president, Kate."

 

We also nominated Kate’s teacher for an award and out of 300 entries throughout central Indiana, her teacher was chosen!  They surprised her during the awards program, and she won free pizza for a year.  :) 

Scott played for his final time at 8th Grade Graduation ceremony.  His peers voted him, "Most Likely to become the Donald Trump of this generation"   Ha!:)