Rocket Man

Gerrit has a Tech Ed class in school and a couple of weeks ago each student put together a rocket kit. At home they had to paint the rocket and apply the decals. His ended up gold because that was the color we had left over in the garage from building a previous pinewood derby car. He said his is the only gold one. The majority painted theirs yellow. I think it looks nice, though. He was excited that the rocket is reusable. It is - if the parachute works!

They still haven't shot them off, though. There were no launchings last week because one student kept forgetting to take his/hers to school. Yesterday they did put the engines in the rockets, so maybe it will happen this week.

7th Grade Orchestra Program

Last evening Gerrit had his 7th grade orchestra program. All of the kids decided to go - mainly because they had never been to his school before. They said they will never go to one again. I think they were pretty much bored with the whole thing.

Gerrit's group played four nice selections. The young lady with the black hair is not a large 7th grader - she is a teacher.

When the 7th graders completed their portion they were joined by the other middle school grades for one song. The upper grade orchestra is called the Early-birds and they also did four numbers.

I enjoyed the program and am looking forward to the next one!

School Programs

Tuesday evening Nancy and I attended three school programs. First was Donovan's first grade class program, then Aleah's short fourth grade orchestra program, followed by Aleah's fourth grade class program. I think we were at the school for close to two hours.

Donovan's program was called "Moon Cake." They did a pretty good job for first graders. Donovan enjoyed himself.

There are four kids in fourth grade orchestra. Here is Aleah with the only boy and the teacher, Mr. Rue.

Aleah and the two other girls. All in fourth grade orchestra play the violin.

The fourth grade program was titled "The Cheese Stands Alone." I don't know if they do this one every year but Gerrit also had this program in fourth grade. They really did a good job on this play/musical and they had a great time. The premise is that the cheese likes the rat and is sort of derided and outcast by the others because of that. In the end they figure out they can be friends no matter who they are or what they look like. Besides, the rat is lactose intolerant!

Da Bridge

On May 16, Gerrit's class went on a field trip to the construction site of the new Liberty Memorial Bridge between Mandan and Bismarck. They were the first school kids to walk on the bridge. Gerrit said he'll be able to tell his grandkids that fact.

Nancy drove to transport some of the kids but she had Samantha and Donovan along and they were not allowed on the site, so they waited in the minivan. She sent the camera with Gerrit.

Goofing around before starting the tour. That boy's name is Sawyer. They are on the Mandan (west) side of the river.

Ya, this is a big piece of paper on the wall with a drawing of a bridge on it.

Looking east under the old bridge. That bridge will be demolished. It was first opened for traffic in 1922.

Under the new bridge, looking towards the west.

Walking up the approach to the bridge, on the west side.

One of the workers had taken concrete and made what looks like a lion's head on the approach to the old bridge.

Gerrit was surprised I knew this was an expansion joint. Yes, sometimes I amaze even myself. Just kidding! I'm pretty sure most people know what an expansion joint looks like.

They walked up fairly close to where they were pouring. The wet "blankets" are to keep the concrete moist while curing.

Another day at the zoo

Today was busy again but thankfully not quite as busy as yesterday. I don't think I could have taken another one like yesterday since I now admit I am sick. I have a terrible cold and don't feel very good. I was in denial that I feel horrible so that I could donate plasma tomorrow but I'd be lying if I answered the question "Are you feeling well and healthy today?" and that would be wrong so this week is a complete wash in donating plasma. I guess I better stay away from the YMCA too and just stick with walking and riding bike.

My first stop was at the video store where they gave me back our money for the movie that Bruce found. I did go on a walk with Barb this morning too-we pushed Sydney and Samantha in their strollers. It was a beautiful day. I left Samantha with Barb when I helped out with Donovan's field trip to the zoo. It was more enjoyable today. Probably because it wasn't so windy and I wasn't also watching Samantha and Kindergartners are just more excited about the zoo then third graders. The animals were also more active today. I got a really cute picture of a raccoon and a peacock that had all his feathers showing.

I got home about five minutes before the kids got off the bus. I helped them tye dye their t-shirts and they turned out nice. I kind of wish I would have done one for Samantha, Bruce and myself. We could all wear them when we're out together and look like we had some kind of club or something. Actually that would be a good thing to wear in crowds-easier to find each other.

We watched the American Idol finale tonight. The results will be tomorrow. I think the consensus at our house is that David Archuelta will win even though there are more David Cook fans in this house-he just didn't do as well as David A. I really wanted Michael Johns to take it all but he got booted out earlier-at least he'll be part of the show tomorrow night. I'll have to catch it when I get home from my Vacation Bible School meeting. I also have a MOMS Club business meeting (I suppose I should go since I haven't been to one since December) and then I'm eating lunch with Gerrit at school and Donovan has speech. I'm looking forward to Thursday since I don't have any plans during the school day and I hope it stays that way!! Friday is Donovan's Kindergarten program. I can't believe that I'll only have one more child in Kindergarten-they just grow up too fast! Three more days of school!

Mrs. Christensen

Obviously, I'm still going through my belongings and tossing large quantities. Tonight I found an old wallet that had the school picture of one of my grade school teachers at Bakker Elementary near Westfield, ND. It was pretty much a modern country school and is actually still going with one teacher and a few students.

Her name is Marjorie Christensen and she taught 3rd and 4th grades for sure and possibly 5th when the school went from four to three classrooms.

It's funny that the thing I remember most about her is her trotting (short steps sort of between a walk and a run) out to the road to get the mail. She held her arms across her chest when she did so - I assume to keep things in place.

My note on the back of the picture shows I was in 4th grade when she gave me this. That would be right around 30 years ago. I don't remember a whole lot else other than singing "La Cucaracha" in music. She was known as the strict teacher in school - that I do remember.

I believe she is still living. My internet searches show that she is living in a long term care center in the area. She lived in Hazelton while she taught school at Bakker.

Maybe some of my siblings can add other memories to the comments of this post . . .

First Days of School, part II (photos)

Yesterday and today we took photos of the kid's first days of school. As I think Nancy mentioned, today was Donovan's first day. We usually take pictures both at home on the front step and then again at school.

This is Donovan in his room last Thursday for "Back to School" night. We were able to visit each kid's room and then have a picnic hot dog supper outside. Here Donovan is unpacking his backpack.

This is Donovan today with his teacher on his first day of kindergarten. Both Donovan and the other little girl in the picture look a little apprehensive. The kindergarten teacher was hired only a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure as a little kid I thought my kindergarten teacher, Faye, was very nice and pretty - but I'm fairly positive she wasn't this cute. The important thing is that she is a good teacher to her students.

Out of curiosity, we Googled her name. We really wish we hadn't because of what we found out. Just kidding. Turns out she went to the University of Mary (we already knew that) and was big in track, namely in pole vault. She was the 2004 champion in the pole vault at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Annual Women's National Championships with a height of 12'6". That's high. She holds records at the University of Mary and in the DAC-10 Conference.

Aleah in her room on back to school night. That's her teacher with her back to me. Samantha is always a ham for the camera.

Aleah on her first day of 3rd grade with her new teacher. This is the same teacher Gerrit had last year for 4th grade. Gerrit liked her and I'm sure Aleah will too.

Here Gerrit is in his room on back to school night, with his 5th grade teacher. He was able to pick his own desk and he is writing his name to save his spot. He was excited to be able to sit across from Josh.

Posing for the camera at his desk on his first day of 5th grade. His teacher wasn't around at that time. She is also the assistant principal.

All the kids posing on the bench in front of the school on Monday.