The Fifth Grade Heads to Clear Creek

This is the most anticipated event for fifth grade. (In sixth grade, it's Space Camp.)

I was fortunate enough to be asked to go as one of the teachers/chaperones, and to drive Debbie Draper's Suburban loaded to the roof. That saved me the headache of going on the bus and afforded me the opportunity to listen to my scriptures for the 90-minute drive.

When we arrived, the caretaker told us that it had been -27 that morning, but fortunately they didn't expect any more sub-zero temps through our stay. It was 13 when we got off the bus, so we sent everyone to unpack in their cabins and get their snow gear on so they could play for a while. There was 5 feet of snow; the top 2 were pure powder. The boys immediately went to the snowbanks and broke out the sleds.

The other favorite activity of the boys was dodgeball. Griffin didn't want to get in the game, but he wanted to participate so he coached from the sidelines.

We decided we wanted to have our picture taken together on the first day rather than the last one, which we usually do. So from left to right, it's Debbie Draper, Tiffany Hone--and me!

After some play time, we decided to take them to the ropes course. (Unfortunately, the majority of it was under snow.) This is where they get to bury their teachers in snow. Since the school that went the week before us didn't allow their students to go in the snow (go figure), it was all untouched powder. The adults (the 3 teachers and a few dads) were given snowshoes to break the path. That is hard work!

Griffin was plain exhausted after the walk.

After we got back to the parking lot, it was the boys' turn to snowshoe. Griffin and I decided to go and break our own trail. Ellie and I had gone when she was there, but there wasn't nearly as much snow and the majority of it was packed, so it wasn't as difficult. Griffin probably made it 100 feet before having to take a rest, then deciding to turn around and be done.

Now it was time to build snow forts. The boys divided themselves into two groups with a prize of a king sized candy bar (per boy) on the line. This is "phase one" of Griffin's group. We called it "the hot tub."

After that part was finished, Griffin and his friends, Erik and Darrin, made themselves a security force to prevent any spies from the opposing team.

When they were both finished, we took pictures in them. Please excuse the goofy hair. Headbands aren't really conducive to keeping hair in the same place.

Here are the boys in the finished fort: the delicate arch, slide, tunnel, and hot tub.

That evening, after dinner, we broke out the karaoke (which failed miserably due to technical difficulties) and a movie (National Treasure) complete with popcorn, soda and movie snacks. When the movie was over, they returned to their cabins--to not sleep. Unfortunately, we can't go to bed until they are all asleep, so we were up to 1 waiting.

The next day, we spent some time going over the physical and chemical states of matter. (They hadn't done very well on their test.) This is Griffin and a few classmates illustrating the atoms in a solid.

Here they are as a liquid.

And finally, as a gas.

Then, it was time for more activities. This time they focused more on sledding.

The boys before they boarded the bus.

Since the rest of the pictures I have don't include either of us, I'll just include the last one with the three of us after 3 days. I had decided to take a shower (the "Executive Inn" cabin was nicely equipped with them) so I wasn't too freaked out by my appearance.

It was a great few days. I survived without ever being too cold, and Griffin had a great time as well. Bring on Space Camp!

December 23, 2010: Memories

Merry Christmas Adam! Memories from Christmas past.

September 24, 2010: The Lords and Ladies Masquerade Ball

This is something I WISH I had pictures from, but we were SO busy working that there was NO time for pictures. A friend of mine, Candace Bergquist, hosts two big fundraisers each year. First is the Princess Festival in the summer, where young girls can participate in fairy tale activities. The second is for adults: the Lords and Ladies Masquerade Ball. Both of these events benefit charities, so I told Candace my girls and I (and Cherise) would be willing to volunteer. She, in turn, said that after our "shift" of 2 hours, we could participate in the activities. We were really looking forward to it, but we were so slammed that we weren't able to stop working until there was about 45 minutes left in the night and all the food was gone. Still, it was worth it to be there and help out. We quickly switched into our outfits (we finally got to wear our masks!) and the girls had a good time walking around and dancing for a short time. I think we'll be back next year!

August 23, 2010: A New Job

After volunteering at the kids' elementary school for, well, 10 years now, I accepted a position as the ZAP teacher. This program was started at a different school and stands for "Zeros Aren't Permitted." Students who don't complete their homework come to the classroom during lunch recess and try to get it done so they can get the credit. I'm not quite sure what direction I'll be taking: if it's supposed to be a positive place or negative. It seems to me that the kids who will be in there are those who probably don't have a lot of support at home, so I think we'll make it a good place--but not particularly "fun."

I was also going to be an aide for the art teacher, but then was switched to work with the fifth grade in their "double dosing" program. This is where kids are re-taught the math and reading concepts they are struggling with.

So now my schedule will be 8 to 9:15 at Westmore, 9:30 to 10:45 at Rocky Mountain (yes, I still have that job), 11 to 12 at Westmore, 12:15 to 2 at Rocky Mountain, then 2:15 to 3:45 at Westmore. It look like I will also be helping with clubs on Wednesdays, so I won't get home until 5:30 and will head to Mutual at 6:45. I'm hoping that I can "endure to the end!"

August 17, 2010: Boating at Deer Creek with the Youth

As we were gathered together in BYC, talking about activities for the next Mutual, one of them jokingly said, "We should go boating!" The Bishop said, "You know, that would be fun." By the end of the meeting, we were planning on heading to Deer Creek that week! I've never been boating, so wasn't too sure what to do or plan. I left it to the "experts" in the ward and just planned on driving.

Well, it was a blast! The kids want to do it every year--and I'm thinking that's a great idea! (Of course, I don't have a boat so it wasn't too much work for me.) I must have taken a couple of hundred pictures, but I'll just include those relevant to the family.