Bowling

I'm not sure I've said much (or anything) about Jessie and bowling. This summer she decided she wanted to participate in a summer bowling league--mostly, I believe, because of playing Wii Bowling.

Anyway, the way the league worked is that she was assigned to a team. Each Saturday, she would go and warm up, and then bowl three games as part of the team, with coaches there to help teach her how to do better. She also received a card that allowed her to bowl two free games each day for practice. Plus, it turns out the bowling alleys had cards for the summer that we could get for the kids that gave each of them a free game every day. Of course, those free games didn't include shoe rental. So, we ended up buying Jessie and Brennan each their own bowling shoes.

Anyway, Jessie did a lot of bowling, and learned a lot. Her coach ended up giving her a used 6-pound ball. But before long she was preferring to use an 8-pound ball. The coaches frequently told us how well she was doing for her experience level. Anyway, Saturday was the end-of-season party for the league. As it turns out, Jessie's team came in first place. Here she is with her trophy:


But that's not all. Jessie also had the high series among girls with a handicap, gaining her another trophy:


We're very proud of her hard work. Next week she'll be able to start a new league. I don't understand exactly how it works, but depending on how well she does, she can win scholarship money. She's very excited about this. Since the 6-pound ball wasn't heavy enough for her anymore, we did also buy her an 8-pound ball. She's very excited to pick it up tomorrow after school (the shop needed time to drill the holes, which will are measured for her hand. I guess as she grows they'll fill in the current holes and redrill new ones).

First Day of School

I'll join in the crowd of first day of school pictures.

Here's Jessie, all ready for fourth grade. Please note that that's a binder over her shoulder, not a bag. Her teacher is Ms. Danek for science and math (homeroom), and Ms. Houston for English and social studies.


And here's Brennan, heading off for second grade. His teacher this year is Ms. Rock. Keep in mind, his teacher last year was Ms. Schrock. Any guesses as to how often he'll say the wrong name? This is the first year Brennan's teacher isn't new to the school.

Too Many Cooks?

Not really, but I couldn't come up with a better title...

Dee & I spent all day yesterday painting and changing outlets and switches (the latter mostly actually done by one of the missionaries, who happens to be an electrician), and trying to replace light fixtures (the last bit is still ongoing, maybe worth a separate post), etc. We went to bed a little after midnight. So, this morning Dee wasn't really ready to make something for breakfast. She told Jessie and Brennan they could have whatever for breakfast, and Jessie said she wanted to make a coffee cake for breakfast. Dee got her a recipe and helped a tiny bit, but I guess for the most part she did it all herself. I'm looking forward to getting to try it out.

End of School

Wow, I didn't realize how long it had been since I had posted something...

And this one will be short. At the end of the school year, along with the usual good grade and attendance awards (well, not attendance for Brennan, since he gets sick more often), Jessie received an Outstanding Music Student award. These are given out to those with perfect grades in music who also do additional work. In Jessie's class, she spent most of the year writing her own songs and bringing them in to class. Not that she generally bothers to share these songs with us, mind you...

In fact, as the music teacher announced, Jessie had the most pluses (extra work marks) of any of the third grade students this year.

We are very proud of her for her initiative and hard work and good behavior. And we're also very proud of Brennan for all of his hard work and good behavior. It's hard to believe another school year is over, but I guess I don't really have much choice.

Brennan

Today is Brenna's 7th birthday. I don't have as many pictures of him on my work computer, so I might have to update this later. But here's some...

A couple of comments

I'm going to try and start putting up some posts about our vacation. I think I'll do a few posts, rather than one super long one that no one will ever finish reading. But first, there are a couple of things since we got home that I wanted to mention.

First, Monday night Brennan's team won their first baseball game of the season. They played very well, with a lot of hits and some very good defense. Brennan had two hits, and scored one run. He also stole second base one time. He played left field, and twice was able to hold runners to singles on long hits by getting quickly to the ball and making a good throw to second base.

Second, Jessie got the results this week of her reading TAKS test (the Texas assessment test used to determine whether they can go to the next grade). She got 100%. We're very proud of her hard work and study.

Pictures

Here's some pictures of Peter Rabbit and Jessie's music program.

Busy Day

Yesterday was a busy day for Jessie and Brennan.

Every year each first grade class does a production of a short Peter Rabbit play. Yesterday was the day of the performances--well, they had some "dress rehearsals" with audiences on Wednesday, but yesterday was the day families could come. Brennan had the part of Peter for his class. We went to the afternoon performance. He did a great job. He had all of his lines memorized, and he said them all loud enough to be heard. I'll try to get some pictures up later.

Then, yesterday evening was the 3rd grade music program. Each class writes a song for the group to perform. Then, at the end, they have the parents help write another one, and the third graders then sing it to a variety of different styles of music. Again, we thought Jessie did a great job (as well as all the other third graders). The only disappointment was that Jessie's class' song wasn't performed. All the songs are supposed to be school-spirit songs, and her class had written a song about the principal. But a few weeks ago the school got a new principal. Originally, the old principal was going to come for the program, but she couldn't make it, so they decided to keep the song for another time when she can be there.

Usually, the music teacher keeps the songs and uses them in other assemblies over the coming years. Of course, for similar reasons, Jessie's song isn't going to be one that is featured, I don't think... Oh, well. The songs they did do were very entertaining. And looking to the future, it's nice that when Brennan gets to third grade it won't be the same program, since all the songs are new every year...

I'll try to get some pictures up eventually, but since we'll be on vacation all next week, it might not be real soon...

Awards

OK, I meant to do this quite awhile ago, but there's a video I hope to eventually have on the blog connected with this story that I haven't had time to try to cut down to a small enough size to put on here yet. Plus there was the whole Christmas thing, and then going out of town...

But enough excuses. Hopefully I'll get several posts up this week. I want to split a few things up rather than have one huge monster post that no one would ever actually read.

Anyway, on the 17th of December they had a big assembly at the school. All we knew ahead of time was that it was for the whole school, and the Texas Commisioner of Education as well as media would be there. Needless to say, this led to curiosity. I went to see the assembly (Dee was at work). In addition to the aforementioned people, our State Senator and State Representative were there, as well as the district superintendent and the district board of trustees. Not to mention Rosy Greer and Neil Bush.

After a lot of introductions of all the above people, we were told the assembly was because one of the teachers at the school was being awarded a Milken National Educator Award. This is a $25,000 award to 80 teachers in the country each year. There are no nominations, so it is apparently always a surprise to the recipient. They then announced that the winner was Mrs. Calagna, Jessie's teacher last year.

Dee and I were impressed with her, and Jessie adored her, so that was very exciting. It's also exciting for Mrs. Calagna, as she is expecting her first child in April. So the extra $25,000 will certainly come in handy. If anyone is interested, there is a website for the award, and you can read Mrs. Calagna's biography, see some pictures, and there's also a video of excerpts of the assembly which includes a quick shot of most of Jessie's face (as well as a good shot of Jessie's current teacher).

But the fun doesn't stop there. Friday was the annual Winter Sing a Long. Again, all the students are together and sing songs from any holiday celebrated during winter that you've ever heard of, and perhaps some you haven't. As part of it, each grade has a song that they sing alone. But the biggest part (for whatever reason) is the third graders. Their song is "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer", and any of them who wish can dress up in a reindeer costume. After the whole grade sings, those who dressed up get to sing it again, and then everyone votes on the best costume and performance. Jessie came up with an elaborate costume that words can't do justice to, so here's a picture:

Here's a close-up of her sign, which again, she came up with completely on her own:

While she did get some competition from a boy dressed up as a reindeer wearing a Santa suit, in the end Jessie won, and was awarded the traditional necklace (if you click on the picture above, you'll see it). Inside reports (that agree with what I saw) is that the entire fourth grade voted for Jessie. In fact, some of the fourth grade boys were particularly enthusiastic in their support (hmm... maybe that should concern me....).

Just because, here's another picture, of Brennan sitting in the sleigh:

Jessie

Sorry this is a bit late...

Sunday was Jessie's 9th birthday. I'm really not sure how she got to be that old, but it seems to have happened. So here's a look back at her life... (Or at least the few portions I happen to have pictures of sitting on this computer at work...)

2 weeks old

5 months

9 months

1 Year

Still 1 year

OK, big jump to 5 years old

Swim Team (8 years old)

Sea World (8 years old)

9th birthday (in Grandma's dress, and holding the Webkinz Bluejay Brennan gave her)

9th Birthday

We're very grateful for having Jessie in our lives, and for all the joy and happiness she's given us for the last 9 years.

And to finish it off, a quote from Jessie yesterday. They asked how old Hans was (since it was his birthday). When I told them, Jessie said, "Wow! He's even older than you are, Dad, and after all, you're pretty old."

Snow!

OK, I know for some of you, this isn't quite as exciting, but for Jessie and Brennan, this is about as exciting as it gets. Last night, we had quite a nice little snowfall. It's all gone now, but they got to play a little last night and this morning, and we do have pictures...

And even for those of us who have had plenty of snow in our lives, it's more interesting when it's only once every few years. Although, it's snowed twice since we've lived here (they say it usually only happens once every 20 years or so), so now we'll never convince Jessie and Brennan not to expect it every year...

From Snow

Save the Polar Bears

Last night B was brushing his teeth. It was very late because of baseball practice, and so well past his bedtime. He came out to the living room (where everyone else was), toothbrush in hand, so that either my wife or I could take a turn, but instead of coming to us he ran over and turned off the kitchen light, and then the dining room light.

Me: "We don't have time to play around."

B: "But we have to turn off the lights to save the polar bears!"

Me: "Polar bears?"

B: "Yes, 'cause the ice will melt."

Movie Review: Alvin and the Chipmunks

This one will be fairly short. And I'll start out by mentioning for future reference that "J" will refer to my daughter, and "B" to my son from here on out. I'll guess I'll make it a clean sweep and go with "D" for my wife. If I think of better things, I might change it.

Anyway, Alvin and the Chipmunks isn't the greatest movie in the world, but it never meant to be, so that's OK. I thought it was pretty clever, and very entertaining. I think I enjoyed it more because I was watching it with an 8-year-old and a 6-year-old, but I do think I would have enjoyed it in any event.

The chipmunks are done very well, and are, of course, the highlight of the movie. I thought that the personalities came out well. I thought that more time could have been spent on developing the relationship between Dave and the photographer (never really picked up on her name). The villain was pretty much just a caricature, and so not very noteworthy.

The most important thing I can say about Alvin and the Chipmunks is that it was very enjoyable for my kids, and since that was it's main goal, I'd say it was a success. As a bonus, it was enjoyable enough for the adults that we don't dread having to watch it again, or listening to the endless quotes from it.