May Recap

May has been an interesting month of celebration and exhaustion. The kids have had a bunch of things at school to wrap up the end of the year: the SOTA Informance, strings concert, train trip, picnics, dance recitals, etc. We also enjoyed Farmer's market last week but amongst all this busyness is the looming decision of where we'll be a year from now. We have traveled quite a bit to Minnesota in the last month and have it narrowed down to Mankato and La Crosse; hopefully, we'll have an announcement soon. Until then, we take refugee in the simple daily activities of walking our neighbor's dog, bike rides, yard work and visiting with neighbors and friends. Hopefully, I will be blogging more regularly as the kids start their summer activities.

Ballet

SOTA Art

One of the many reasons I love SOTA: As I walk down the hall every day to pick up Therin, I love looking at the student's artwork. I love the textures, the vibrant colors and the imagination and creativity.

The banners here were made by Therin's class and repurposed in the hallway as curtains.



An Earth Day recycled sculpture, also made by Therin's class.



The other K/1 class made dragons and I just love looking at all of them.



This hallway is more inspiring and beautiful than any art museum I've been in yet. I have the students and staff to thank for that and always look forward to what they will do next.

Kya with Clare Stine

The wigwam

Travis' latest project with the kids.....




Needs some more sticks but they will continue to work on it.

Hawaii

The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort where we roughed it for the first three nights. Travis' presentation went well on treating Acute Cholecystitis.



The damage after stepping on a sea urchin. Travis grinned and beared it for the rest of the trip.



Jules and I on the beach.



Riding in back of the Mustang convertible on the way to dinner.



Dinner at Roy's: This alone was worth the trip.



Hiking Mt. Tantulus



Overlooking Diamond Head









The grass hut we stayed in the last two nights at M. Campground



Last stop: snorkeling in Hanauma Bay

Hosting Monica and Baby A's shower

I got the idea for this adorable banner on Etsy. I thought it turned out so cute! Monica took it to hang up in her nursery since they don't have much for decorations as of yet.....waiting to find out what sex Baby A is.





Found out it is possible to fit 15-20 people in my house and everyone could see Monica as she opened her gifts.



Monica and I.

Wrestling wrap up

Well, we finished the 2010-11 season on Saturday at a meet in Caledonia, MN. Practice has been over for two weeks but Therin was in fine form, crushing his competition (and they were very good wrestlers). Travis and I were a little shell shocked. Travis had taught Therin the 3/4 Nelson and Therin tried it in two of his matches but didn't have it quite tight enough. He finished the day in 1st with 2 pins and a win by a tech fall (16-0). It was impressive, a great way to end the season.



The tallest trophy yet. Grandma asked if we were going to need to build a shelf for Therin's trophies, at this rate, maybe a room!



Therin and his biggest fan. Kya is so supportive and proud of her brother. She enjoys going to his wrestling meets and never complains about the hours we spend at these tournaments. We all feel lucky she has such a great attitude about it!



After we got home, there was a package from the Cornell Coach, Mike Duroe, in the mailbox. I was so impressed and appreciative that he sent Therin the hat he promised and a note. It really makes an impression and motivates these little guys. I am excited to say the 2012 DIII Championships will be in La Crosse again next year; so, I'm hoping they put the clinic on again. We sent Coach Duroe a thank you note.



Therin finished the season 12-3 with 4 or 5 pins but as always we are most impressed with his hard working and humble attitude. Keep it up Bud!