It was absolutely gorgeous here today and reminded me of late Spring. Cameron even noticed that there was a lot of snow already gone from all that we had these last few days. Everyone took advantage of it and Cal was able to get a group together for basketball at the LYC. Doug and I took a 45 minute walk after he jogged, and Cam got the guinea pig cage cleaned without having to traipse through drifts of snow.
We also had time to clean the basement. Doug started at 9:30 this morning picking up and vacuuming. Cam, Meg and I joined after lunch. I organized and washed the bedding while they dusted. It looked very nice when we were done and thanks to Doug's hard work we were finished before 3 p.m.
Meg had a friend over this evening and my parents came down to play Trumpet and Hearts. Afterward we all watched parts of the Oscars. Mad Max won the majority of the awards at the beginning. I didn't even remember that was a movie this year. Cal was disappointed that Star Wars wasn't nominated for much. Doug used the time to work on the Darth Vader puzzle. Cam and I almost made it up to the end, but by 11 p.m we zonked out. It was a great way to end our winter break!!
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Saturday, February 27, 2016
State Qualifier Part 2
Cam participated in the team chess regional for Bethany Christian today. He, JJ, Kayden and a six grader all played very well. Cam won four of his five matches and beat some tough opponents. Cam was the #1 board and team leader. They competed in the 6th grade and under portion of the tournament.
I had been getting several updates from Doug throughout the day. To qualify for state they had to finish in the top ten out of the twenty-four teams registered. I knew from Doug that they had been in the 9th or 10th position most of the day. He said it would come down to the last round and he was right. Cam's team did not win a game at the end and finished with 2.5 points overall. This put them in a six way tie for 10th place. Chess has an elaborate set of rules for it's tie break system all of which came out in Bethany's favor. They had scored enough wins against ranked opponents to beat out the other five teams and earned the final spot in qualifying for the state tournament in March.
Doug and Cam were pretty happy when they called. From what they were told last year Bethany finished 23. Cam has really worked on his chess game this year and has a great coach. Proud of him for his accomplishments ~ now on to state!!!
I had been getting several updates from Doug throughout the day. To qualify for state they had to finish in the top ten out of the twenty-four teams registered. I knew from Doug that they had been in the 9th or 10th position most of the day. He said it would come down to the last round and he was right. Cam's team did not win a game at the end and finished with 2.5 points overall. This put them in a six way tie for 10th place. Chess has an elaborate set of rules for it's tie break system all of which came out in Bethany's favor. They had scored enough wins against ranked opponents to beat out the other five teams and earned the final spot in qualifying for the state tournament in March.
Doug and Cam were pretty happy when they called. From what they were told last year Bethany finished 23. Cam has really worked on his chess game this year and has a great coach. Proud of him for his accomplishments ~ now on to state!!!
Way to Step Up!
Tonight was senior night at the Wawasee basketball game. Cal planned on going and supporting his friends. I had mixed emotions about it all. He didn't, however, and left around 6:30 or so. The Wawasee game began as usual with the starters being introduced. I notice that a video of Cal was posted on Twitter by the athletic office. He had positioned himself at the end of the student line and was chest bumping and high fiving the seniors as they came through. He looked to be having a great time and the video of him with Jayce was priceless.
It was also Special Olympics Night where the students of Wawasee coach and ref a game between two Special Olympic adult teams. It has been successful in the past and everyone that has watched the games or participated has been appreciative of the students efforts. Tonight the leader of the student group came to the crowd and said that one of the teams was a player short and wanted to know if anyone would like to help out by playing. Cal was the first one up, raring to go. They had a uniform for him and shortly after he took the court I received several texts letting me know what he was doing.
By the end of the halftime exhibition I received video, pictures, and a lot of compliments from those in the crowd. They were so proud of him. Not only did he step up to help out, but he made some nice passes to his teammates and worked with them very well. The picture above is my favorite of the night. It shows how much fun he is really having. I was so proud of him and happy that others could see what an awesome young man he has grown up to be. By the time he and HM arrived at our house they could talk of nothing else. I was so afraid that senior night would be a challenge for him to get through, but in the end it turned out to be the highlight of the season. Couldn't ask for anything more.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Virtual Learning Day
Wawasee cancelled last night, but Bethany did not until this morning. They had sent several emails yesterday letting us know that it was a strong possibility that they would have a virtual learning day instead of a snow day if needed. Cam woke up at 9:30 to find out that his first assignment of the day was to make a cup of hot chocolate and get ready to learn with Mrs. H. He did have work to do in all of his classes except for computers and PE. Some revolved around reading and others on building sculptures in the snow. I had to listen to his new oboe piece and sign a sheet. He also had to take pictures of certain activities and video himself clapping the rhythm to his music. He finished and submitted everything by 3:30. When I asked him if he liked doing a snow day that way, he said, "Definitely!" What a great way to engage the students and keep their school year flowing.
Meg and Cal had a traditional snow day. Meg is more than ready to go back to school. We did get out to go to tennis tonight and had we know how back State Road 15 and Milford-Syracuse road were we would have never gone. The snow plows have seemed to ignore our part of the county, so once the seven inches started to melt they left it as slush. It then froze and now it is drifting. On one part of our drive Cameron asked if we were even on a road anymore.
We did make it safely to tennis. The roads in Warsaw were a lot better. We had dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings and then took US 30 to State Road 13 for the return trip. That was a lot better. Wawasee has a two hour delay already. Cameron does not have school as it was a scheduled day off. Can't envision having school tomorrow, but we will see what the morning brings.
Meg and Cal had a traditional snow day. Meg is more than ready to go back to school. We did get out to go to tennis tonight and had we know how back State Road 15 and Milford-Syracuse road were we would have never gone. The snow plows have seemed to ignore our part of the county, so once the seven inches started to melt they left it as slush. It then froze and now it is drifting. On one part of our drive Cameron asked if we were even on a road anymore.
We did make it safely to tennis. The roads in Warsaw were a lot better. We had dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings and then took US 30 to State Road 13 for the return trip. That was a lot better. Wawasee has a two hour delay already. Cameron does not have school as it was a scheduled day off. Can't envision having school tomorrow, but we will see what the morning brings.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Snow Day #1
We woke up this morning to find out that school had been cancelled for the day. They waited until 6:40 a.m. to call it, but it was definitely the right one. It started snowing at 7 a.m. and never stopped. Cameron did have school, but I emailed his teacher and the office to let them know that we wouldn't be bringing him. Our fear was that they would close early and it would be hazardous for me to drive back to Goshen. We were correct in our assumption as they decided to close at 1:30 this afternoon. Cam's teacher sent his homework via Haiku so he was able to catch up.
We spent all day indoors, but had a great time. We played Disney Scene It plus watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I also used some of the time to clean areas that I haven't had time to work on. By the time Doug got home I had organized two dresser drawers, cleaned out the fridge, cleaned the kitchen, picked up Cal's room and washed a load of towels.
Cam tried going outside when Cal was shoveling, but only made it 20 minutes. The wind was pretty fierce and he didn't like how it felt on his face. Doug's work closed early, so he was here by 3. He still worked at home, but did watch the movie with us. He shoveled at least twice tonight. Cal spent the day with HM. They met some friends to go sledding at the high school, ate lunch at Burger King and then went back to her house to build a snowman and hang out. Her parents invited him to dinner, but we asked him to be home by 7 as it was still light enough to drive and we didn't know how it would be after dark.
Brett called this afternoon. Bloomington did not have any snow, only rain. He was in line for his Mumps vaccination while I was talking to him. They have had five confirmed cases this semester and we couldn't find record of his booster shot. The doctor said it wouldn't hurt him to have another, so he joined the long line at the Union.
I wasn't quite ready for trimester three to start and today was a perfect way to help me get motivated. The nice part is that they have already called school off for tomorrow. Thus, I will have one more day to readjust to the last 13 weeks. The only negative is that Cal and I will have to reschedule our dentist appointments. I don't think he minded at all.
We spent all day indoors, but had a great time. We played Disney Scene It plus watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I also used some of the time to clean areas that I haven't had time to work on. By the time Doug got home I had organized two dresser drawers, cleaned out the fridge, cleaned the kitchen, picked up Cal's room and washed a load of towels.
Cam tried going outside when Cal was shoveling, but only made it 20 minutes. The wind was pretty fierce and he didn't like how it felt on his face. Doug's work closed early, so he was here by 3. He still worked at home, but did watch the movie with us. He shoveled at least twice tonight. Cal spent the day with HM. They met some friends to go sledding at the high school, ate lunch at Burger King and then went back to her house to build a snowman and hang out. Her parents invited him to dinner, but we asked him to be home by 7 as it was still light enough to drive and we didn't know how it would be after dark.
Brett called this afternoon. Bloomington did not have any snow, only rain. He was in line for his Mumps vaccination while I was talking to him. They have had five confirmed cases this semester and we couldn't find record of his booster shot. The doctor said it wouldn't hurt him to have another, so he joined the long line at the Union.
I wasn't quite ready for trimester three to start and today was a perfect way to help me get motivated. The nice part is that they have already called school off for tomorrow. Thus, I will have one more day to readjust to the last 13 weeks. The only negative is that Cal and I will have to reschedule our dentist appointments. I don't think he minded at all.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
The Quiet Before the Storm
Today was a teacher work day at school. We did not have any meetings which was nice. I was able to get a lot done and my classroom is prepared for the last trimester of the year. I have to be honest, however, I am not mentally prepared yet. I hope I catch a second wind before tomorrow comes. Meg and Kaitlin came over to Milford for awhile. They were hoping to see "T-Money", but he must have taken the afternoon off. Instead they visited with Mrs. Fiscus and Mr. Larson.
Kaitlin went home after Milford and Meg and I picked up Cameron. Everyone was exhausted once we got back. Doug and I took a walk when he got home and that helped. We then had dinner at Huntington's. There is a storm warning out for tomorrow, so we were glad to get out before it hits. I am hoping that it doesn't happen, but it sure looks imminent. We will see what tomorrow brings.
Kaitlin went home after Milford and Meg and I picked up Cameron. Everyone was exhausted once we got back. Doug and I took a walk when he got home and that helped. We then had dinner at Huntington's. There is a storm warning out for tomorrow, so we were glad to get out before it hits. I am hoping that it doesn't happen, but it sure looks imminent. We will see what tomorrow brings.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Snow MakeUp Day #2
Friday was the end of trimester 2 at Wawasee high school, so today was a snow makeup day. It is the first time that we have ever gotten it off. Since Tuesday is a teacher day Cal and Meg have a four day weekend. Meg and I made the most of it today as we went to lunch at Steak 'N Shake in Goshen and then spent the afternoon shopping. We had a lot of fun especially at Michaels and Kohls. Neither Meg nor I will try on reading glasses again or talk about it while I am drinking Diet Dr. Pepper. Needless to say half of my pop ended up on my steering wheel.
Meg found some capris that she needed for Spring and I bought a white sweatshirt that I had been looking for. From there we headed to Mrs. Meek's for piano. It has been nice the last two Mondays without school to drop Meg off for her lesson while I pick up Cameron. In another month Meg won't be able to take lessons because of tennis. We were a little early, but that worked out well. Mrs. Meek was ready for Cam when he got there.
After piano we picked Preston up in Milford and dropped Cam off to Mary for a night of chess at the River. Doug was home early, but I had to leave for the library board. Doug picked Cam up at the middle school and once Preston left he and Meg ran over to Kaitlin's. Once they got back, Cam said, "How many friends is Meg having over this weekend?"
Meg found some capris that she needed for Spring and I bought a white sweatshirt that I had been looking for. From there we headed to Mrs. Meek's for piano. It has been nice the last two Mondays without school to drop Meg off for her lesson while I pick up Cameron. In another month Meg won't be able to take lessons because of tennis. We were a little early, but that worked out well. Mrs. Meek was ready for Cam when he got there.
After piano we picked Preston up in Milford and dropped Cam off to Mary for a night of chess at the River. Doug was home early, but I had to leave for the library board. Doug picked Cam up at the middle school and once Preston left he and Meg ran over to Kaitlin's. Once they got back, Cam said, "How many friends is Meg having over this weekend?"
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