bridging from daisies to brownies.

Cassidy is continuing with Girl Scouts at school this year and we recently had a bridging ceremony for the girls to move up to the next level. Cassidy moved up from Daisies to Brownies.

Before the bridging ceremony, the troop went to see The Secret Life of Pets to support some learning the girls were doing related to pets. This worked out perfectly since two of the three families got puppies this year!

After the movie, we found a bridge at the outdoor mall and we quickly went through the ceremony in the 100+ degree heat. At least the area was shaded. It so hard to do anything outside here in the summer!

Cassidy ready to walk across the bride in her Daisy vest.

Cassidy receiving her Brownie sash from me.

Cool sash!
With some work on Cassidy's part, the sash will be adorned with new patches, representing new skills she's gained, new things she's learned, and fun activities she's done. 

Proud mom and adorable daughter.

Welcome to Brownies, Cass!

The entire troop on the bridge.

back to school 2016.

As I've said before, we all appreciate the year-round school schedule here in Chandler, AZ. The kids get a 6-week break in the summer, which amounts to more than enough time off, especially with the excessive heat that we experience here. There's only so much swimming a person can do!

So, yeah, the kids started school on July 25th this year and they are looking forward to a great year.

double digits!

Lincoln turned ten last week. Ten. Double digits. How cool is that? He's become such a big kid, a young man. 

We celebrated his birthday with friends from school at one of the local public pools. The kids went from the slides, to the diving boards, to the lazy river, to the whirlpool and then did it all over again, stopping only when we made them to have pizza and brownies. It was a scorching 112 degrees (gotta love AZ!) so it makes sense that they wanted to be in the pool the whole time. 

Birthday brownies.

Bo, Colin, Ava, Lincoln, and Christopher.

 

A major theme for Linc's birthday gifts this year was "baseball". He got a new bat and is currently shopping for a catcher's glove and catcher's gear for himself. He's gonna need a new bag to haul all of this gear around, too!

Little sis and big bro holding the TeenyMates catchers that Cassidy got for Lincoln.
Super cute - Tigers and Diamondbacks catchers!

Linc chose to have his birthday dinner at Olive Garden.
As per usual, he chose a mint chocolate cake. 

Happy birthday, my sweet 10-year-old! 

Go Rockies (Little League Rockies, that is)!

Spring baseball has come to a close here in Chandler. Linc had a super fun season and played with a great group of boys. The Rockies ended their season with more losses than wins but they had a great run in the playoffs and most of all, they had fun. 

Some fun pics of Linc this season...

Loved watching him play catcher.

At bat.

High five from coach after making a run in.

...and he's safe!
(as he walks away looking like Pigpen)

Lip injury for the catcher. Ouch!

Love the excitement in the boys faces after a win.

Go Rockies!

Linc in back celebrating with his arms in the air.

End of school year celebrations.

The kids last day of school is tomorrow, May 24th.  Looking back, the school year has gone quickly and the kids have accomplished so much. To celebrate at school, they hold a "Celebration of Learning" to award students for their achievements.

The first graders put on a Reader's Theater, with each student reading a part in a short play. This allowed them to show off their reading skills!

Cassidy was the Narrator (the one with a star on her head) as she read from "The Three Little Elephants".

Cassidy (right) and her BFF, Alyssa.

Can you believe it? Cass had perfect attendance for the second half of the school year!

And she earned an award for her achievements in Reading throughout the school year.

The fourth graders put on a musical performance of songs they learned on the recorder this year. Check out one selection here: 

Lincoln earned three awards:
Principal's Award for maintaining all A's for the second half of the school year
Music achievement award
Perfect attendance for the entire school year

Linc celebrating with his buddies!

Girl Scout Daisy fun.

Cassidy recently completed her year as a Girl Scout Daisy. At one of the troop's year-end events, we went to As You Wish to paint pottery. Cassidy painted the adorable Daisy box that you can see below. At the end-of-year pool party, she painted the daisy picture frame. She's thrilled to have a couple of special items to remind her of her year as a Daisy.

Lincoln joined the troop as we painted pottery. Instead of doing a Daisy box, he found a cool football box to paint. Of course, he painted it in Lions colors. 

Cassidy at the last Daisy meeting of the year.

Cassidy receiving her membership star and final daisy patches!

Cassidy receiving her cookie rewards.
She earned a patch for her vest, a bandana, a pencil box, a journal (which she promptly started writing in), and the coveted stuffed cow (which she aptly named "Daisy").

Our final closing circle for the year.

Cassidy posing with her vest and cookie rewards.

Next year: on to Brownies! 

Happy Mother's Day 2016!

Granny was here visiting for Mother's Day this year. She had the pleasure of tagging along to lots of kids activities - baseball, dance, birthday book club, etc.  We did get out for a lovely brunch at San Tan Brewery in downtown Chandler. Thanks to Matt for taking us out for this nice meal on Mother's Day!

Matt, Barb (Granny), Linc, and Cass

Happy Mother's Day!

 

Lincoln, Julie, Cassidy, Barb (Granny)