Fieldtrip to Valley of Fire

Yesterday I chaperoned our annual 3rd grade fieldtrip to Valley of Fire and it was the best one out of all 6 years doing it! Typically, we'd take all 150 students with us, but this year they divided into 3 days of 2 classes each. What a difference - we're wondering WHY we never thought of that earlier...like 5 years ago! We took them first up to Overton to the Lost City Museum where they do a scavenger hunt-booklet we made up for them. With only 40 kids, they were able to ask questions and learn more than in the past.
Later on, we drive into the park where I begin my "humor" of pointing out a formation that looks like a "duck" and they all look for it. Of course, I'm just making it up, but low-and-behold, kids always say they spot it.
At Atlatl Rock, I take groups on a hike up and around the Petroglyph staircase rock and talk to them about how the rocks were formed, why they're red, etc. Really, I just make it all up - the parents crack up! I take them down the 'sand slide' where they surf down while their shoes get sunk in the sand. Fun fun.
Finally we take them on a hike through Mouse's Tank and tell them the legend. What fun they have climbing, hiking, exploring, and learning. The weather was great, the kids were perfect, the parents were really helpful, and the day went perfectly. It also makes a difference when you're going with 2 of your favorite teacher friends, too. We had a great day together! Didn't get back to school until 5pm...exhausted!

A Weekend Retreat

This weekend was our big YCL (Youth Camp Leaders) kick-off retreat for camp this summer and it was really fun. We had about 18 girls and 10 ladies up there hanging out, doing skits, working on upcoming projects, learning about 1st aid, playing 'get to know you' games, etc. We went to this awesome ranch/resort outside Cedar City which was incredible. The pool hall had an indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, pool table, ping pong table, big family room with 5 tables to eat/work around, a movie theater, arcade, and huge gourmet kitchen. It was on tons of land overlooking the little city and had several smaller 'house/cabins' on the compound. The girls were awesome - I'd never met 15 of them before and they were just a great group of girls. I'm excited to spend the next few months with them before camp. They'll have lots of opportunities to lead in different aspects of activities before and during camp - it's a really fun age to reach in the girls' camp world. I think they'll be incredible leaders this year and look forward to working with them!

Spring is in the Air

The sun is out, the temperatures are holding steady in the nice 60's, the students are getting restless, the plants are hollering for attention, and finally the sun is up past 6:00pm. YEP, spring is definitely in the air! It's been a while...

1. My brother finally made it down for Christmas last week (was snowed in in Portland over the holidays) so it was fun having him open his presents, having lots of family dinners, and having him help me with my computer woes.

2. I've been asked to be the YCL (Youth Camp Leader) for the 5th years at girls' camp this summer. There's lots involved with it, including weekly meetings and and upcoming retreat in Cedar this weekend. I'm very excited to have 2 great ladies with me - they will be awesome!

3. My nephew was baptized and we had a great family gathering for him. He's getting so dang tall!

4. I've moved my DVR upstairs to my loft where my elliptical machine is. The new deal is: anytime I watch a recorded show, I have to be exercising. So far so good - I've dropped 20 pounds (thanks to the oatmeal, too) and am preparing for a hike in Zion at the end of the month. (Angel's Landing...21 switchbacks...should be fun??) I'm also attempting to WALK HOME from work tomorrow with our art teacher... 4 miles!

5. I'm hoping to have my iTunes woes all taken care of tomorrow night when an Apple/Mac friend of mine helps me get it up and running again. Woo-hoo!

6. We're knee-deep in state testing right now and I get so fed up watching this "educational abuse" of these poor kids. What they're asked to do in one sitting is awful. I'd like to see a politician sit down and take the 5th grade test!

That's it - I'll be quiet about that one.
Happy Spring!