From Our Kitchen Table: June 2011

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Moab

We have been trying to get to Moab for a while this spring, but the wet, wet, wet, cold weather has been preventing us. So, we finally got there at the beginning of this week. Here are the few shots I manged to come away with. We also did some biking. Hadden did his first official single track mountain trail. He loved it and we (the parents) remembered how fun it is! Calla rode on one of those bikes that hooks to an adult seat post. She was a real trooper and didn’t fall off once, even in the rocky spots, which were very bumpy for her!

Off on a hike in Dead Horse Point.

It was quite a view!

Love it!

Windy is definitely an understatment! There were spots where the wind was actually moving Calla! Hadden, who doesn’t like sunglasses, had sand washed out of his eyes after this hike.

Bend in the Colorado River. Off to the left is the actual Point.

PEEK…

…A BOO!

At the Point.

We were literally being blown over at this point!

The next day we did some hiking in Arches. Here is The Organ. Hadden thought that was fun, since he loves the piano and wants to learn to play the organ some day.

Double O arch.

Under Double O.

Our only group shot. Ha!

Kindergarten Graduation

Some of you know and others will not be aware that we transferred Hadden to a new school at the end of January. He moved to the Thomas Edison Charter School, where he learned a great deal and was extremely happy! The school is very traditional and very academic. Hadden is a bright boy and needed different academic environment to succeed in. I cannot even begin to express how amazing the teachers, faculty and staff at this school are. We were SUPER worried about making this change for him, especially mid-year, but they welcomed him with open arms, caught him right up with his class, and challenged him to learn and apply himself in areas that were difficult for him. We are so proud of him!

Always serious about life, this kid is!

I pledge allegiance…

They learned a song entitled, I Am Ohana, from their recess monitor, Mrs. Meatonga. She is a cute, spunky 80-year-old, Hawaiian woman who is out on the playground with those kids every day. We are so thankful for her and the other dedicated staff at Thomas Edison! The song was all about how they are great kids, who can give kindness and love all around. It was beautiful! Here is Hadden poking his head up right before it starts.

Mrs. Larsen, his Teacher.

Mrs. Griffiths and Mrs. Peterson. They were both full-time “aides” in his class. They really were like 2 more teachers and were so great with the kids. They welcomed Hadden into their class and helped him to excel.

Each child got a personalized certificate for the year. Some were silly, some were funny, some were serious. Hadden got the Super Student award. They talked about how he came in the middle of the year and did his best and fit right in with his class and really applied himself to lean what they taught. His was the first certificate to be handed out because, it went along with…

The spelling bee champ award. We were stunned! Hadden is amazing at reading, great at math, super-inquisitive, and very intelligent. When he got to Thomas Edison, he really couldn’t spell. I’m not exaggerating. He hadn’t had any formal spelling at his other class and he didn’t know any rules of spelling. He obviously put in a lot of work to get to the point where he could win the spelling bee. We are so proud of his dedication and desire to learn!

Grandfather

My mother’s father, Clyde Harrison, passed away this May. We miss him already. He flew in WWII and was thus interred in a military cemetery in Ohio, about an hour from his home. The ceremony was very short and very respectful. They did a 21 gun salute and a flag folding and presentation, then a short private service. It really brought to my mind the sacrifices that our older generations have given for our country. My grandmother passed away 4 months after Calla was born, and I just know she was waiting for him. We love and miss you both!

Kindergarten Field Trip

I was able to go to Hadden’s school field trip to the American West Heritage Center. They learned all about life in 1917. Hadden loved it!

Milking the cow.

Petting the horse.

Churning the butter.

Washing the clothes.

Arizona

For Spring Break, we took the kids to Arizona. We had a great time!

Pedal Boat Rides on Grandma and Pabo’s Lake are a highlight of every day.

Fishing with Pabo.

Calla caught one!!!

Nice desert sunset.

Riding the carousel with Grandma.

I can’t believe how big this girl is getting!

Calla loved that all the flowers were in bloom!

Choir Spring Concert and Graduations

Ready to Sing! They both did a great job. It’s amazing how much more outgoing Calla has become through choir!

What in the world? Right before the concert started, Calla pulled this face.

Last day for Calla.

Congrats!

Cute Graduate!

Good work, Hadden!

Kid’s Garden

This year, we gave the kids one of our planter boxes off our patio for their own garden. They want to try selling at our local farmer’s market a few times, which means they have to do all the work themselves. They are trying mixed color carrots, spinach, and beans. I love teaching them where their food comes from and how to cultivate their plants. The rewards are great! They planted the last week in March, so we will give some growing updates later on.

Prepping the dirt.

Found a worm.

Planting carrots.

Covering the carrots.

Cheese!

Giving it a drink.

Soccer Stars

Chris gets the dad of the year award—for many reasons—but mostly for coaching both kids soccer teams this year. Both kids had tons of fun and even scored a few goals!