Several weeks ago was parent observation week at Anna’s ballet studio.  Kenny and I were so impressed with Anna’s progress this year.  She is such a hard worker and shows such determination and perseverance.  Her classes continue through mid-July, she has four weeks off, then the fall semester begins mid-August.  Anna, we’re so proud of you!  

Tie Dye PJ’s

Rest time Dress-Up

Anna & I had our picture taken in a flower truck at a Graduation party

Anna with her Sunday school small group and dear teacher, Miss Erika, who is moving away.  These girls love Erika and will miss her!

Kenny attended a Sales Force conference in San Francisco in April and I failed to include that in our April post.  Kenny loves conferences and always comes away having learned as much as he could.  He races between sessions catching the beginning of one and the end of another trying to absorb everything.  And they found some time for fun while there too – visiting the pier, eating great seafood, and catching a Giants game.  

Alcatraz Island

Pier 39 – known for its sea lions

Mother’s Day 2022

In May, Kenny and I had two different lunch dates.  Since he started working from home a couple of years ago, it’s been much easier to do this.  One day we grabbed lunch and then headed to Home Depot for sprinkler parts and a few plants.  Another day we picked up lunch and watched the Thunderbirds perform for the USAFA graduation.  

I had a great view of the Thunderbirds practicing the previous day while in the car pool line at school.   Beautiful snow-capped Pike’s Peak after our late May snow.

In early May, Anna’s fourth grade participated in Patriot Day at school – the culmination of a month-long project.  Each fourth grader chose a patriot that was an active participant in the Revolutionary War, then researched, wrote an outline and a five-paragraph paper, created a display board, found a costume, and wrote a short speech to deliver on Patriot Day.  This is the first student-led project Anna has done and is part of what marks the fourth-grade year at our school.  The guidelines were sent home and parents were asked to help the student as needed, but for the most part, students were expected to handle the project on their own.  

Anna did a great job and discovered the highs and lows of working on a long project over time.  Learning to make a plan and stick to it rather than procrastinating.  And how to persevere when it feels like you’ll never finish.  Kenny was a great help to Anna with her display board – listening to her ideas and helping her find a way to make them happen.  

Anna chose Patience Lovell Wright for her project  – a new name to all of us.  Patience was the first American sculptor and was also a spy in the Revolution.  She hid messages in the busts she created and shipped them to her sister, Rachel.  Anna painted a picture of the house Patience lived in and included a portrait she drew of Patience in art class.  

On Patriot Day the students not only presented to their class but also set up their boards in the atrium and created a Living Museum.  The students created a button for visitors to push and then the student would begin their speech.  Parents and other classes visited the museum and the students ended up saying their speeches many, many times.  The morning ended with a tea party and scones in the classroom.  

Anna’s 1st grade Titan Buddy listening to her speech.

Anna, we’re so proud of you and all you accomplished and learned with this project!