A Graduate, a Spelling Whiz, and a Daredevil

Let's start with the Graduate: First of all, it is not really called a Graduation. It's a Promotion, but "The Graduate" sounds better than "The Promoted". Anyway, Sydney completed middle school and has been officially "promoted" to high school. I guess that makes Will and I (mostly Will) officially old. She was recognized along with others for being in the top 10 percent in her class. She worked very hard and we are proud of everything she has accomplished both in and out of school. Let's hope this strong work ethic continues through high school.




The Spelling Whiz: Liam has a knack for spelling. The kid can spell almost any word you throw at him. I think I shared in the last post that he was in the top three for first grade to compete at the school spelling bee. Well, after a very long day of track and field (which is not his cup of tea), swim practice, and a lovely rash that made him itch like crazy (from the chlorine in the pool), he managed to pull himself together and win first place. It was funny because one of his words to spell was "rash". It was a good ending to a not so good day for him.


The Daredevil: Aubree took swimming lessons the last two weeks and I can report that she is VERY comfortable in the water. While other kids were crying (some hysterically) into their mother's legs, mine was wading through the water with no regard as to whether mom was around or not. Everyday she walked by herself and checked in with the lifeguards, and jumped in the water. Last Friday they let the kids jump off the diving boards. Liam of course did not want to do it. It didn't even occur to me that they would let the little ones jump. So there I sat reading my book when one of the moms said, "Uh, you're daughter is about to jump off the diving board." WHAT!!! Sure enough, there she was, with a life jacket on of course jumping off into 12 feet deep water. She did it twice. Apparently she saw the older kids doing it and asked the lifeguards if she could too. Today they opened up the water slide for them. Liam loves the water slide (go figure). Aubree went down the slide as well, over and over again. In fact, the lifeguard going down with her finally got tired and took her back to the kiddie pool. She's an adventure seeker that one. I'm just not used to it, having the other two timid ones. Stinkin' Sydney won't even go out to the garage when it's dark out without turning on every porch light, the dog, one of the kids (Aubree usually cause she's so tough), and she leaves the door open (so she can get in quicker I guess when that monster is chasing her).

**I didn't get a picture of the Aub-ster because my camera was not charged, but I'm sure she'll be on that slide again and I'll be ready.

Major Fair Update!!

I can't believe it!! Sydney's pig won 4-H Grand Champion Hog, then went on to win Grand Champion overall at the Salinas Valley Fair. Another bonus, her cousin Brooke won weight champion in her class too. I had to work today, but I took my class to the fair. Syd was in class 11 (second to last). I left the fair to go back to school at 1:00 and she had not gone in yet. We estimated that she would probably go in around 2:00 (school gets out at 2:05). While I was at school I get a text that Brooke won weight champion. Then at around 2:00 I got another text that Syd was in and her pig got penned (that's a good thing). She won weight champ in her division. So, Brooke and Sydney both went in for champion drive for 4-H. I made it to the fair just in time to see them. Syd won and we were all so excited. Next FFA had to get judged to determine their grand and reserve hog. So the grand and reserve hog for 4-H competed with the grand and reserve hog from FFA for Grand Champion. Syd won it!! It was great and everyone was there. We got to take pictures with the judge. She got a big belt buckle and a nice duffle bag. Let's not forget the BIG purple ribbon and banner. It was a great day for all of us.