Another wrist

Kai's had some excitement going on. She heard a "pop" from her wrist/ thumb area while trying to hurry and get something out of the car (something they're not permitted to do during school) when her bracelet got caught on something and she pulled really hard.  Her thumb was swollen, so we thought it was that. The school nurse recommended that we get an x-ray.  The x-ray showed a small fracture at the very end of the radius, which is why it affected the thumb.  The urgent care referred us to a hand specialist because they weren't sure if it needed a cast, the brace was pretty good. However,  the specialist decided that 3 weeks in a cast would be best for proper healing.  This is the fourth broken wrist in our family- 3 by Austin. 

The doctor said, "I'm guessing you want a black cast?" Lol!

Sadly,  she won't be able to play in her final orchestra concert this week and was just recently made First Chair. So hopefully she gets that opportunity again next school year. She also was recently chosen as Student of the Month by her math teacher for the month of April. We were very surprised by this because she hasn't liked her math teacher very much this year. He hasn't always honored her 504 plan and geometry hasn't been her favorite. When we found out he was the one who nominated her, we were shocked! It turns out, he noticed how hard she has been trying and improving this whole school year and wanted to recognize her for that. I was touched that he recognized that and I know Kai was too. It seems they have a better relationship now. Thank you, Mr. Zirk!

Kai also had a clay pot selected to be entered into the Art Show two weeks ago. It was a very busy day, but I wanted to be sure to stop by to find it and take a picture of it with Kai. 

So proud of Kai! Kai's my only child not graduating from something this school year, but moving on to be an upperclassman!

Tiny Dragon

Before the Multi-Stake Western Dance

Mother's Day/Dad's Birthday

 It's funny writing this title since my dad's birthday was on Mother's Day this year. However, I am referring to the fact that Jason's birthday was the next day. I didn't actually get to talk to my dad and Mary Lou on Sunday because they were finishing up their cruise, though we texted and then Jason talked to them on his birthday, so that was good for everyone. 

Jason and I celebrated both of us on Friday night at the temple and then we went out for sushi afterward. It was so good!

On Sunday,  the talks were exceptionally good, as typical for Mother's day and the Primary children, all 12 of them, sang their hearts out.

We just got a new RS presidency last week because the previous RS president is now the Bishop's wife. For that reason, I didn't expect much from the Relief Society meeting,  but Esther had planned things as soon as she was called  and had quiche and fruit for us to enjoy after we listened to the testimonials of our previous president and a counselor. We each got a rose with a question on it for a conversation starter. The Young Women were with us, which was so fun, so we conversed with all the ladies. It was simple and so perfect. 

We zoomed with my mom and Jim,  had good conversation with our kids, and watched The Chosen. Jason made delicious fried rice with chicken and shrimp that was a hit with me and the kids, minus Erik, of course.  Kai made an extraordinary cake with fresh strawberry frosting.  

They got me some sweet cards and goodies,  plus a new bush for our yard. 

Victoria made the adorable picture collage with pressed flowers. 

It's an Arrowood Viburnum and will look so good for the grad party and beyond! I took this pic today and it looks like it needs to be watered...

One thing I have been enjoying with my kids lately is watching a show with them. We used to have Friday movie nights and watch a movie from Netflix,  either as a couple, or a family.  We kept getting busier and busier and were trying to finish watching Lost with Kai and Erik (Victoria and Austin lost interest). So we discontinued our Netflix movie delivery and finished that.  It's easier to fit in a 40 minute episode on a Friday or Saturday than a 2 hour movie.  At some point,  Victoria and I started watching Gilmore Girls when we could,  which has been so fun! Then Kai wanted me to start the new She-ra with her (those are 20 minute episodes) and Austin, Jason, and Erik wanted me to watch The Mandalorian with them. This has been one of the best things I could do to spend time with each of my family members.  We enjoy discussing the show,  relaxing for a short time after some very busy schedules, and just being together.  These times with them have really helped me to not be so overwhelmed with everything going on in my life.  I cherish these moments ✨️ 💖. 

Bright and early the next morning,  I gave Jason some apple gouda sausage to cook for himself for breakfast.  He says it was good! We have a pretty tight schedule on weekday mornings,  so there's not much time for big breakfasts, but he works from home on Mondays,  so he had a few extra minutes to make it. Though he still had a very busy work day- lots of online meetings!

A fun diversion was that our good friend Ryan Strum, his brother baptized Jason, happened to be coming to our area for work  and came right to our house after flying in. He was a little later than he thought,  but I got to see him for about 20 minutes after I got off work and before taking Kai to get her cast on (more on that next post). Jason got to visit with Ryan for almost 2 hours! Though we forgot to take pics. 

The only positive thing about Kai's cast yesterday afternoon is that she didn't have to go to work,  so we got to eat dinner together for Jason's birthday! I grilled some garlic pepper hamburgers with pepper jack cheese and made homemade fries and a salad. Kai made another cake (both of these were made one-handed, but I think with the actual cast on it's harder). 

47!

Victoria had to run off to dance after this. 

Jason's big gift was an air fryer. He got some candy and a balloon as well.  

We did our traditional birthday Beatles song and dance and then watched The Mandalorian.

Now Victoria says they can relax from being so good to us because Mother's Day and another parent birthday is over!

Senior Night

 I'm very happy that the initially scheduled senior night for Salem Women's Track was rescheduled from last Tuesday to this Tuesday.  Even though it was May 2, the weather was awful! Rain, wind, snow flurries, and uncomfortably low temps were expected. And the parents of the seniors were expected to stay at the meet until the end! 

Well,  someone got smart and actually canceled the whole meet! I was kind of surprised they flat-out canceled the whole meet that morning,  I mean,  those athletes are used to performing in all kinds of weather, but us parents weren't keen on the idea of being out in the cold for an extra amount of time!

We were also relieved that the whole meet was canceled because Victoria had been experiencing some really bad shin splints and extraordinarily tight calves. She had to take a little break from running the 400 and 200 and just focus on throwing disc for the previous two meets.

Of course, on Thursday,  she slashed her right hand on her spikes and had to get it wrapped,  so her throws at Saturday's invitational were not the 95+ feet she was hoping so she could earn her backpack and her name in the records book. Needless to say, she was very discouraged at the invitational on Saturday, not getting her new PR at a meet and not being able to run. She went into the Senior night meet on Tuesday still feeling discouraged because her hand was still wrapped. She was scheduled to run the 200, but for the JV because there are so many 200 runners. I felt discouraged for her. Why did they schedule her to run for JV on Senior Night?! 

As I was rushing to get to her meet to watch her throw, she called me to tell me that they had Varisty throw first for a change and that she had already thrown, and it wasn't good. She was bummed, I was bummed for her. I secured a spot on the bleachers to watch the runners for the rest of the time. The 200 is toward the end. Well, she nailed that 200 with a 29.11 PR in the first JV heat!

I was so happy she could get a little boost in confidence again.  Not long after,  the female senior parents were invited to come to the field. As we were waiting for the small "ceremony " of the side line poster of each senior to be unveiled, with flowers and cookies passed out and a picture of each girl with her parents, a small commotion was occurring. I watched as senior distance runner Jack strode over to Victoria with a huge smile on his face and a poster held high in his hands.  He was asking her to prom! (Now, Victoria knew it was going to happen at some point and kept telling me she was hearing things from her friends who knew when it was going to happen,  so I had been wondering the same thing. ) I instantly became a bubbling little school girl, gushing behind the "promposal ", but trying to keep my cool for my daughter's sake. I only took pictures from afar and from behind or to the side. Vicky's friends took the ones straight on and were so cute all rallying around them and supporting this exciting event. 

So, it turned out to be a pretty good meet after all! She came home with 3 posters, 2 bags of candy,  a Crumbl cookie,  and 2 bouquets of flowers! The next day, she learned she was named "Rock" of the meet for her race! (We're the Salem Rocks).  

There's another invitational this weekend and the cut on her hand has healed.  She's been throwing over 100 ft at practice,  so here's hoping she keeps it up!

The poster we put up.

"Promposal!"

See the play on words?

The poster made for her by her teammates. 

Seniors and coaches!

 

Salem Women's Track Team (one of the best in the state!)

5th Grade Field Trip

 The 5th graders in our district all get to go on a big 3-day field trip to one of the various outdoor educational adventure locations in the area. Austin missed his, due to it being the pandemic shutdown at the time, but he gets to go on the 8th-grade field trip to DC this week, plus a band field trip to Cleveland in 3 weeks, so I think that makes up for the miss. 

Erik's class hasn't gone on as many field trips as his siblings had, due to recovering from the pandemic times, and unfortunately, they didn't do the 3-day field trip, but at least they got to do an all-day one. I was able to chaperone and participate with him. It was a very long day and I've forgotten how different it is to work with a bunch of 5th graders, good and bad, but I really enjoyed being a part of this adventure with Erik and his classmates, teachers, and even his principal. It's only the second field trip they've had since second grade and one of the last hurrahs before the end of our elementary school years.

After the bus ride there, our group started out at the shelter-building station. They had to build a lean-to, cabin, or a teepee good enough for them to get in without it falling. They started with a teepee but decided a cabin would work best. They had a great time working together, even if there were snow flurries falling from the sky and some of us parents were pretty cold!

Erik, inside it after we covered it. 

Exploring the area!

We got to have lunch next. Erik and his buddies chose to eat outside, of course, but after I snapped a pic of them, I ate inside and watched them from the window so I could warm up! That's one of the perks of being with 5th graders. I couldn't have left my preschoolers outside without me there!

The sun came out for lunch, but it was still cold!!

We got to brave the cold some more while the group shot at the archery station. Erik kept shooting high but had pretty good form. I used to teach archery at "Wheel Chair" camp when I was a teen, but I must have forgotten everything I knew because I was awful this time!

The adults' turn to try!

The next station in the reptile house was a nice reprieve from the cold. The temperature was between 80 and 90 degrees and most everyone stripped off their coats, hats, and gloves, except for me. I kept all my stuff on for that hour so I could soak in the warmth! I felt like maybe I was cold-blooded too!

Aquatic turtle

Box turtle

Salamander

Albino Corn snake, just like Kai's.

Boa Constrictor

We were back outside after that, but it was at the fire-building station, so at least we had some heat nearby. They had to collect all the supplies to make a fire and then use flint and steel to start it. We got some small fires going, but it wasn't great. We were still allowed to roast marshmallows at the group fire at the end, so the kids were happy. 

I missed the pic of their little fire. I was trying to help them keep it going!

My friend took this of us eating our snack without me knowing, so I look pretty boring here!

Our last class was the mammal class. They learned about camouflage and the characteristics of some of the mammals whose fur and skulls were on display. They played a really fun camouflage tag game afterward and then we went to the petting farm to interact with all the furry animals there.

I got to help showcase the fur and was told to put it on my back like a cape!

Passing around another fur for them to touch.

The kids were kinda loud, so this llama wanted nothing to do with them!

Erik put his hat on this goat and I missed the good shot!

Feeding the horse.

Lazy pigs!

Dinner was in the cafeteria and was provided by the camp. This part was Erik's worry about the trip. Sure enough, the food wasn't anything he wanted to eat. It was fried chicken, seasoned fries (as opposed to fast food french fries), and corn. Plus, there was a little salad bar that made me very happy with the quinoa salad and fresh broccoli, cucumbers, and other good salad toppers. There was a pile of fresh fruit by the salad bar and a milk station that I thought Erik would enjoy. While he did grab an apple and tried the milk, he ended up just eating some of his leftover snacks from lunch. It was good for him to see how he could possibly manage when he's a little older and has to eat dinner away from home and without his family near. He'll be able to do it, even if he doesn't have extra snacks to eat. If he was hungry enough, he would have at least eaten the apple and had more milk. 

After a group photo and a little free play on the grass, it was time for the hour drive back. Since I drove there, Erik was able to come back with me, rather than going back on the bus. It allowed us to not have to go pick him up from the school, probably 15 minutes after I arrived home, since that's how far behind the bus was from me on the way there. I was glad we could get home and get warmed up! I really enjoyed spending this time with Erik and loved how happy he was to have me there.

The 3 fifth grade classes! Erik has one teacher, Austin had a different one, and Victoria had the other one! (Kai was at Gallimore for 5th grade).