Brooklyn - Break Away

Knoles Talent Show

What's for Breakfast?

This morning I asked Hallie what she would like for breakfast.  She requested little tortillas (corn) with cream cheese and Ranch and 'Batalion' dressing to dip it in, AND a 'Smoozie'! I made a really yummy, healthy 'smoozie', so at least she did receive some nutrition!

Happy 12 Birthday Abi!

In just these past five weeks, I've gone from 2 of my kids in Y.W.'s to 4 of my children in the Y.M./Y.W.'s program! Next year I'll have 4 official teenagers in the house! Crazy and fun!

Abi chose donuts for me to bring to her class.

Her class clapping and singing the birthday rap!

Abi and her teacher, Mrs. Helwig

Abi opening all of her cards & presents!

Check out this cute apron, and shave ice set!

In the evening, Abi had her end of year Children's Chorale party at Bear Paw.  She enjoyed pizza and had an especially fun time with Brooklyn, her friend Anna & Anna's sister.

Chase & Hallie

Later - after her actual birthday, we celebrated her turning 12 with some of her good friends.  They came to our house, played band hero, ate nachos, cake and ice cream and played the candy bar white elephant game! After hanging out at our house for a couple of hours they went to the Aqua Plex for a couple more hours and swam and raced down the water slides!

Megan Hansen, Abi, Alyssa McGuire, Brooklyn & Lauren James

D.A.R.E.

This has continued to be a very eventful day! The 5th graders have been enjoying the DARE program at their school.  It is now coming to an end and they had each 5th grader write an essay about something they have learned from this program.  They then had the opportunity to read their essays aloud in their individual classrooms.  The 'top two' essays from each class were selected to be read at their DARE graduation next Wednesday, the 19th.  Abi's essay was one of the two chosen from her classroom! She was absolutely elated and so was I! She has always claimed writing to be her worst subject - I told her now her worst subject was going to end up being one of her best! She was all smiles.

Study Program

In addition to Chase's school play and Brooklyn's field trip to the Grand Canyon, Kailan and Chase participated in the AZ Music Study Program today.  This school year they have been working very hard on 4 pieces to be judged.  They were challenging songs for them that they learned by memory.  After performing for the judge at NAU, they went to another room and took a written theory test.  I've been so nervous for them all day! I think I'm more relieved it is over than they are!  I am so proud of them and the progress they've made on the piano this past year! They are very excited to get all new music next week!

Busy 5th Graders!

Last Thursday Abi's 5th grade class performed their play that they had written themselves.  They did a really cute job.  The play was about the Revolutionary War.  Abi played the role of a Colonist as well as an Indian in the 2nd Act with the Boston Tea Party.

Each 5th grader was required to create an invention of their own.  Abi chose to create a Funtastic Soda Fountain.  She put several Mentos in the soda (this would cause the soda to erupt) and then she would quickly put the tubing/lid on the bottle and would fill up the cups!

Chase wants to create all types of cases with compartments for tent parts in order to ensure organization and quick tent set up.  He used a suitcase as well as cardboard to create this case.  They demonstrated their inventions at school on Tuesday.

Today was Chase's play called 'Name this American'.  Chase played the role of Gutzon Borglum.  He was the founder and sculptor of Mt. Rushmore.  His class also did a great job!