My Smart Tarts

Alex and Leah both received awards at their school for excellent grades. Alex finished 7th grade with all A's and one B. Leah finished 5th grade with all A's. They get this from their mother, right?!
Next year, Leah will be switching schools to attend Gateway Academy, the gifted program here. It will challenge her and push her more than she has been. I am excited to see that and to see her grow.

I have to say that these two are self motivators. They do what they are supposed to do and have not yet missed assignments or projects. They plan ahead and succeed every time. I am very proud of them. They are a lot like me.
To not forget about Celeste, she too is amazing. She had a great year in 1st grade and worked very hard. I have to stay on top of her a little more than I had to at this age with the others, but she wants to learn and that is great! Here is her last hug with her beloved teacher:

Band Geek

Alex just finished his second year of band. He is my trumpet player- and he has gotten so much better this year. Not that he practices that much at home, but now he has band every day, so that is where he puts in his time. He had his Spring Concert a couple weeks ago. Here are some last shots of that.

I am looking forward to 8th grade band next year already!

Race for the Cure

Saturday the 18th was a long day. It started at 7am when we departed the house to head Downtown for the annual Susan Komen Race for the Cure, in honor of the many women in our lives who have been affected with Breast Cancer. So many women I love. I am always so weepy at the race. To see these women who are not beaten down by this disease, but celebrating overcoming the challenges placed before them by it. I am honored to be a part of it. I am honored to run or walk for those women I love:
My Grandmother
My Great-Aunt Norma
My Aunt Lori
My Cousin Jennifer
and my dear friend from college, Peggy, who lost her battle 5 years ago at 33 years old.
I did not get to run again this year, since Leah had the convention previously posted about an hour after the race would end. So, I chose to walk the 5K along with my mom, my children and Lori's family. It was so filling. It is a special day. Here are a few shots:

After the race, we headed to Leah's convention, then home to rest and let Lanie nap, then back for awards at the Convention, then to Lori's for a cookout! Whew! Dana was out of town, in DC, in case you were wondering why he wasn't helping me out!! Every year he misses out on this one, and next year, so will Alex, as he will be on the DC trip as an 8th grader...(thankfully I have a year to prepare myself for that!!)
I am hoping to run again next year, though with this many people in such a small place, it is difficult to really keep a pace. It is nice to participate with my family.

Invention Convention

When I was growing up, there was no "Invention Convention"- it was the "Science Fair"- and that was all we day. It was tedious and the work was a lot- but you HAD to do it in order to pass 6-8th grade. I remember doing some really lame work for those, but managed to always do great. At Leah's school, they do have the Science Fair, but they also do this other thing- where you have to "invent" something spectacular. You do the same 3D board and tons of work- even create a prototype, and then present it. She did just that, creating "THE STANDING SPOTTER".
The Standing Spotter (TM?!), is a contraption for tumblers, so that if an adult is not present to "spot" you, so you don't fall on your head or break any bones. It will spot you with a permanent arm and a movable one to flip your legs over. Intrigued?! Yes, yes you are! This was her idea. Her thoughts, her work, her everything. All I did was help with the glitter. And yes, this needed glitter! Purple, in fact!
The school judges loved it so much that she, along with a few others were chosen to represent their school downtown at a college for the Invention Convention Regional! Wahoo!!
She did amazing. Such poise in that girl. Such confidence in her creation. She wowed the judges, I am certain. Though she didn't win any awards, most went to recyclable ideas and earthy creations, she did spectacular. I am so proud of her. She is amazing.

It was a long day. She was pretty pooped, and a little disappointed, I am sure. But we were not. What an accomplishment, just to be chosen! Way to go, Leah!!

I love early summer!