Par-tay

Friday was Parker's 5th Grade Barbecue
(and my final official event of the school year!)
The PTA provided the food and set up the decoration & Photo Backdrops.

All the 5th graders gathered the last hour of school
for Food, photo's and Dancing!

It was CRAZY...but certainly FUN!

Parker with his friends Xander and Kyle

Parker's secret sign...DFTBA!
(This is a scan of a Polaroid so not good quality)Mrs. Holloway's 5th Grade ClassOnly a few days left of 5th Grade... and Elementary school for Parker (and me!)
It's strange to think that I'm not going to have any kids in Elementary.....
There's no way I'm THAT old!

They like me.... they REALLY like me!

Last Night was the award ceremony at Miranda's school. We received an invitation in the mail to let us know Miranda would be receiving an award, but weren't sure what it would be.
Miranda found out at school that she was receiving the Presidential Award of Excellence. That is an award given to students who maintained excellent grades for the year.
So that one we were expecting....
However, the other awards she received Miranda was not expecting. Each Teacher chose 2 students (boy and girl) to give a Department Award to.

She received one for Science from Mr. Hashimoto, one for World Geography from Mr. Farmintino and one for Choir from Dr. Miller.

Needless to say Miranda was shocked to receive them, but I have no doubt she earned every one. She is such a dedicated student and puts 110% into everything she does. The teachers can't help but like her (ok... I'm bragging a bit, but aren't I entitled?)
We're so proud of her!
It's crazy to think that she will be in High School next year. What an amazing young lady she is turning into.

Manila Mission Blog

We've started a blog to keep family and friends updated about my parent's mission to Manila, Philippines. Check it out anytime!
Manila Mission blog

All 4 One

Parker has had so many projects due this week.... Here's his latest that we worked on this week.
He had to create a musical instrument for class using objects from home.
His original idea was to have an elastic band stretched over two PVC pipes and twist it to make sound. Ok, not a bad idea, but we did a little demo of one and he wasn't too happy with the sound.

So I thought for a minute and suggested he use the drum he made in scouts a year or so ago (can you believe he still has it?)

Parker - "No Mom... then it's not like I made it"
Me - "But you did make it... just not recently"
Parker - "That doesn't count and besides just a drum is boring"
Me- "Well, what if you added a few things to it to make it like a one man band sort of thing"
Parker - "I don't know... like what?"

So then the brainstorming and rummaging began and a little glue gun, duct tape and elastic was put together and voila....
that is how the "All 4 One" came to be
Parker was again pretty pleased with his invention and couldn't wait to show it off at today. Thank goodness there's only a couple more weeks of school left.... I'm about project'd out!

Sink or float?

Parker had an assignment in art class to create something....anything out of a water jug.
He first had to come up with an idea and get it approved by the teacher.
Here is his original sketch
The teacher approved his idea and was anxious to see how he was going to get it from rolling over in the water. Originally, the assignment was to paper mache' the jug, but Parker wanted his boat to actually float so he paper mache'd the jug at school, then took it all off at home.

Parker knew exactly what he wanted to use for materials he just needed a little assistance with how to get it to work.

We cut the jug in half, (I cut out the wrong side according to the sketch) set the PVC pipes in place with florist clay.... but then what?
Then Ryan had a wild idea to use insulation foam to fill the inside with and set the pipes in place. This would also give it enough weight so it wouldn't roll over in the water.

Since I keep everything... I actually had some spray foam on hand and the project was well on it's way. After filling the jug with foam, we let it sit overnight to set up.
In the morning we awoke to a big surprise... the foam had crept up through the PVC pipes and created smoke! It was a little too much smoke for Parker's taste, so we cut it off and just kept the tips to attach later for smoke.

Parker got right to work painting and preparing the boat


(notice Gus and Sophie fighting in the background... he he)I helped out with the "wood" floor made out of paper, and we even added a railing all around the boat. (That was Parker's favorite part)
Soon it was finished and it looked amazing... even better than the original sketch if I do say so myself.

But now the moment of truth.... would it sink, or float????IT FLOATS!!!Parker was pretty happy with the way it turned out and I'm sure he got an excellent grade for all his hard work.

Paalam.....

...means Good Luck or Best Wishes or Farewell in Tagalog, the language spoken in the Philippines. So, all the family gathered for a barbecue to say Good Luck to my parents as they prepare to leave on their mission.
We even had authentic Filipino food brought in for the occasion! It was very delicious.
It was a wonderful day to just hang and visit with everyone...

Some of the family sang at their Farewell on Sunday.
All my siblings except Heather (who is pregnant and on bedrest in Washington and couldn't make it) sang. It was neat to all sing together again....We sounded better than Mo-Tab!!I don't think it's actually hit me yet that my parents are leaving for a whole year and a half. I'm sure next weekend when we take them to the MTC in Provo it will start feeling more real.
Paalam Mom and Dad.... I love you!

Be sure to check out the Manila Mission blog we created to keep everyone in the loop about their mission adventures!

Did you see it?

Just in case you forgot to watch or Tivo it.
Click Here to see Extreme Home Makeover - Las Vegas Edition

And be sure to watch carefully - don't blink
when the family comes home, we're all right behind the family!
Parker even gets a nice close-up!