Springtime Activities

Springtime is actually one of the least busy times of our year.  I think that's why Mark and I love it so much!  The kids aren't in sports right now, so there's no running around to various events...just after-school weightlifting, piano lessons, and occasional softball games (which Ally attends as a manager for the high scool time).  Now that my spring graduate class is over (thank you, God)...I am almost feeling not overwhelmed right now!  More time to focus on springtime chores at home and actual intelligent, unrushed lesson planning!  (what is that?!) 

In early May I had the 8th graders planning a Middle School Day.  It was an afternoon of fun educational workshops/activities focused around a certain theme.  This year instead of adults planning it, I had the KIDS plan it.  Our theme was Brazilian culture.  The keynoter was the man in the middle of the picture, Dr. Mike Bottrell sharing his jiu jitsu techniques and ministry to Manaus, Brazil.  Jiu-jitsu is a highly disciplined leg wrestling form which is helping to discourage Brazilian kids to avoid drug (cocaine) use.  Mark just had to know what this 56-year-old man does to train for this intense sport, so here he is sharing some warm-up stretches (with Tanner C. on the right)!

Ally and 3 boys ran Brazilian games.  Ally put together a very impressive slide show to demonstrate the background and procedures of the games...

 ...then it was out to the athletic field for a rousing game of quimada!  (They also played another game and made Carnival masks.)

Guilherme and Davi came over from UW-Platteville to share about their lives in Brazil.  My family had the privilege of taking these young men back "home" to their dorms after school, and they were so polite and easy to talk to.  It was fun learning about life in Brazil, and Wynne didn't miss a beat in her conversation with Davi from the back seat!

A few days later, Mark and Cy were off to Wyalusing for the 6th grade outdoor ed. experience.  Here's Cy preparing to send Spencer off in a mean game of croquet!

 

 Parents/family night includes skits and cheers from each cabin group.  Cy was a part of Hunter and Logan's team of "Black Mambas" ssssssssss!  Their skit was Best Skit award for their upside-down-man.  I liked their cheer, too :)

Nate, Cy, Blake, Konner, & Spencer W.

 Mark helps with trails, orientation, games, and archery.  Oh, and building big campfires.  And probably a lot of other stuff (especially crowd control).  Two nights, three days, lots of fun, lots of laundry.  Tiring but rewarding!

Father and Son with a photo-bomb by Spencer

On Saturday, the girls and I took a quick trip up to the Henry Vilas Zoo before stopping into Kyle and Mary's apartment for his graduation from UW-Madison Law School!

Mandatory photos of the Prairie Dogs--always a good time!
Congratulations to Kyle on all of your hard work ... now we have a lawyer in the family!!

**

Sunday was the last day of Sunday School and also the 170th birthday of our church.  The kids did an interpretive dance to "All This Time" by Britt Nicole...

followed by 1st Grade Bible Presentations to Brady, Wynne, Bri, Kate, and Malaina.

(Somebody's just a little excited about getting a brand new Bible that she can read all by herself!!)

 Then it was time to recognize and encourage our 6th grade SS graduates:  Hanna, Maddy, and Cy.  Cy, as you can tell, really dressed up for the occasion.

 One last God Rods performance for the school year...

 ...and a historical re-enactment of the last 170 years at our church!  (Cy was Pastor Mark, Shae was 1950s girl...

 ...Paige was the first female pastor in the 80s....(or was it early 90s?)...

 ...and Wynne was a pioneer girl (whose silver strapped sandals are an anachronism.  Look it up - I'm an English teacher again, remember?).

 It was fun.  The scary thing is that most of those costumes are from my basement stash.

We are so blessed to be a part of this church family ... and of our great families and community/school!  Lots of good learning experiences for young and old.

 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.--Proverbs 1:5