WE ARE HOME & WE ARE TIRED

We spend only 5 days in Washington. Seems a little crazy to drive 4 days to spend 5 days but we really made the most of it. We watched baseball games, we shopping at the mall to buy not one but two birthday presents for cousins. Had picnics and steak dinners. Cleaned out sheds and a garage. We played on the Slip and Slide and went to the Playground of Dreams. We to Red Robin and to Zips. We went to the batting cages and to the movies, twice. And we play lots and lots and lots of baseball and whiffleball. We packed in at least 2 weeks worth of activities in five short days. Then, we drove two 12 hour days to get home just after 11 pm so Daniel could make it to his first day of Sports Camp the next morning. Boy are we tired but boy did we have fun

Saying Goodbye to Jim

We traveled to Washington to spend some time with John's mom. We went to Jim's grave on Memorial day. His gravestone is not in yet but his name has been engraved in the Veteran's wall. Daniel always ask so many questions (must be his age) but a lot of his questions were pretty deep as we visted Jim's resting place. Hazel of course brought flags and flowers for his grave. The spirit there was just amazing. I know Daniel could feel it.

Kindergarten Graduation

May 20, 2009 Daniel DeKraay Rhode graduates Kindergarten from Augusta Ranch Elementary

Awards Received

• Diploma from Kindergarten


• Most Honest Award


• Perfect Attendance for First and Second Quarters


• Accelerated Reader Award


• At or Above Grade Level on Report Card for all Subjects


• Excellent on all behavior and work habit categories
  

Daniel was so excited when he received his Diploma
































Mrs. Mellow gave all of her students Awards. Daniel received the Most Honest Award. This is the perfect award for him because he is very truthful. She said that he would come up to turn in his work and say "This in not my best work." Or on the playground she always knew that she would get the truth when she would ask Daniel what happened in a specific situation. I am so proud of the choices he has made this year.
























Mrs. Mellow was Daniel's Kindergarten teacher. We could not have dreamt up a better teacher. She loved the kids so much but she also was very focused on making sure that her kids were learning as much as the full-day Kindergarteners. As far as I can tell she succeeded. She made school fun and Daniel told me that he wanted to be in Kindergarten again next year so he could have Mrs. Mellow again.































Mrs. Harmon was Daniel's Kindergarten Aide. She was very sweet and both Daniel and I really liked her. She always told me all the cute things Daniel would do in class or on the playground. I appreciated that she took the time to let me know all the sweet things he would do in class.

Kindergarten Musical

Today is Daniel's last day of Kindergarten and they performed a Kindergarten Musical. It was sooo cute. They each had a line to learn and then lots of songs and even a poem. Daniel's line was perfect for him, "I love coming to school because I'm curious." He performed it perfectly. Courtney videotaped the songs. Here are some of them.

Busy Saturday

I love fun, action-filled Saturdays but they wear me out especially in the 100+ weather. We started the day by putting up our swimming pool. I started out helping but it was so hot that John had to finish by himself. The directions said it would take an hour but it really took closer to three hours.

We didn't want to wait eight hours so we hopped in and used in as a wading pool while it filled up.

Then we went to Daniel's baseball game and then back in the pool filled up about halfway.

We went and borrowed Baby Kate again but whe wasn't a big fan of the pool filled up(Sorry Miss Sharisse).

She cried in John's arms, she cried in her floating car we bought her and even fussed a little in my arms. She did have some fun but not for long so we went inside and did a photo shoot. Boy did she look cute in her bikini.

Then, John and Daniel went to the High School Championship Baseball game in which Desert Ridge is playing. I wanted to go but I was just too worn out to go. I decided to stay home and relax and maybe even get some laundry done. I know with a pool I am going to be washing towel seven days a week.

Bedtime Stories with Mrs. Mellow

As her last gift to her Kindergarten students, Daniel's teacher Mrs. Mellow offered to come to each student home and read them a bedtime story. She arrived promptly at 8:30 with a variety of books in hand and Daniel took her to his room where she read him some bedtime books. She has been such a wonderful teacher. She has really gone above and beyond for her students.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all those women who make a change for good in others everyday. I know that Mother's Day can be hard on those who are not currently mothers. I waited almost 11 years to become a mother. But now I realize that Mother's day celebrates womenhood and the positive affect women can make on those around her if she chooses to do so.

We received our submittal date

We were a little disappointed a couple of weeks ago when we received our submittal date of September 21. That means they have 20 days from that date to accept or reject the dossier. If they accept they will send us a SDA appointment date so if everything goes right we will probably be travelling in Mid to late October. Just when school is teaching new concepts to Daniel and John and I both have to be at work. Oh well, we keep telling ourselves and each other that we are not incharge of our destiny but we will allow and trust our Heavenly Father who sees the big picture and knows what is best for us. It is easy to say but not so easy to convince our hearts and minds.