Father's & Sons 2014

Eric and Jackson headed up to Mt. Charleston for the annual Father's and Sons campout. Upon arriving they discovered there were no fires allowed which put a damper on their plans for a dinner of hotdogs over an open fire and S'mores. But happily, someone else (or maybe Eric-I can't remember!) had a camping stove they used.

 

 

Of course there was playing:

 

And then sleeping:

 

 

Eric reported that this was probably the best Jackson had ever slept at a Father's and Sons campout. Apparently there were two different campsites and they ended up at one that was quieter which significantly helped with the sleeping.

 

The next morning after breakfast, Eric and Jackson headed out on a hike.

 

 

This is as far as Jackson would venture onto this suspended log. Thank goodness! I don't mind his somewhat cautious nature.

 

 

While the boys were gone the girls and I went out to dinner, went clothes shopping and then watched a movie. Enjoyable.

Rockin' The River

The highly anticipated 4th grade field trip to go rafting on the Colorado River happened during the first part of May. Eric really, really, really wanted to go but unfortunately so did a lot of other parents, so his name was not chosen (apparently there was a lottery of sorts, i.e. drawing names out of a hat).

 

On the bus:

 

 

Jackson was thrilled that his teacher let friends be in the same groups, and especially happy that he got to sit next to Carson on the bus. Apparently on a field trip earlier this year he had to sit next to a girl who slept the entire time.

 

They loaded the kids onto rafts by Hoover Dam and sent them on down the river. At this point in the tour the river captain/tour guide told the kids, "You better get your cameras out so you can take your dam (damn) pictures." Jackson found it equal parts shocking and amusing.

 

 

 

Apparently no one knows how these palm trees ended up at this particular spot:

 

 

Wildlife:

 

 

Look how totally cute:

 

 

It swelled my heart to see him taking selfies. I have trained him so well.

 

A chaperone ended up taking these for them:

 

 

After arriving back at the school:

 

 

They seemed to all have a great time, and no one was sunburned. Success!

Cheer Showcase - Megan

Megan had her cheer showcase in May. It was a chance for them to show all of us (parents) what they have been working on all year. As I mentioned, this started as an after school "club" but quickly turned into a serious team. In fact, it's so serious that they held tryouts all last week to determine who would get to be on the squad next year.

 

Friends:

 

 

Cheering pics:

 

 

Their coach was......intense. It would have been frightening to me, but luckily Meg wasn't at all bothered by it.

 

 

At the end each girl received a trophy:

 

 

And if you feel compelled to tell me not to post my kids names/school on my blog (and you can, I won't take offense), please know that posting personal info. like this doesn't bother me at all. I don't lose any sleep over it.

 

 

Video:

 

 

Sorry for the part sideways view. I can't change it!