Battle of the Books

Jane made her school's Battle of the Books team again this year!

They worked very hard and came in 1st place in the 1st round this year! (I think they finished bottom 3 last year.) Unfortunately they came in 3rd in the finals, much to Jane's chagrin. Still, I was very proud of them!

Way to go to this crew!

SM Winter Retreat and Spring Dance

Eleanor got to go to the Middle School Winter Retreat with Student Ministries again this year. We were unsure if she would be able to go the whole time because it falls during blackout week of the play, but thankfully the director let her go. She WAY overpacked. Giant duffle bag, full backpack (and not pictured, Rosie carrying her sleeping bag and pillow. And I had to convince her to leave a pillow at home because initially she was bringing two).

Girls hanging out while waiting for the busses:

7th grade girls!

Rosie saying bye!

Eleanor enlisting friends to help her carry her stuff.

The whole group:

The 7th grade girls won the skit competition, too! They won last year, as well:

Then Eleanor went to the spring dance at her middle school. She invited a couple friends over to get ready before - they did hair and got dressed, ate some pizza, and were off!

The Shoe

We have a golf course in town that has a 9 hole, par 3 course. Apparently if you play, kids can play free. Chris took Ben and Rosie the other day and they had a great time golfing!

Rosie barely missing a long putt:

Look at these smiles:

Now Jane wants to go!

Reflections

This year Ben, Rosie, and Jane participated in the Reflections contest. Ben entered the visual arts category again. He got first place for K-2 Primary Division at school and an honorable mention at Regionals:

Rosie entered in the dance category this year. She won first place for the K-2 Primary Division at her school and then won first place at Regionals! Her submission went to States this year - the first time one of the kids has gone to States!

Jane also entered in the dance category. She won first place for the 3-5 Intermediate Division at school and then won first place at Regionals, as well! Her submission also went on to States this year - we are so proud of these kiddos!

School awards:

Regional awards:

Their journey ended at States, but what a fun competition!

Kids, Cats, and K9s

Rosie and Ben had an event at school recently called Kids, Cats, and K9s. The second grade partnered with Heritage Humane Society to profile their animals up for adoption. Rosie got Chad, and Ben got Nellie. There were also some very funny animal names like Sherlock Bones and Furricane Jane. Anyway, it was a very cute event. There was a pig and several dogs there to visit with.

All the 2nd graders also came home with stuffed animals!

 It was a very short and sweet event.

W&M Women in sports and halftime game

Jane's basketball team was invited to play in the halftime game of a W&M women's basketball game. She was so excited. Right before the game they had a sports clinic for kids where they were able to try several different sports: field hockey, cheer, volleyball, dance, lacrosse, and soccer. They loved meeting all the women athletes:

Women in sports clinic:

Then Jane's team played in the halftime game. She got to do the jump ball. They were down several players so two younger sisters (including Rosie) got to dress out for the game just in case not enough girls showed up. Much to Rosie's chagrin, five girls were available. She still got to sit on the bench but didn't play.

They also loved getting on the jumbotron! Halftime clips:

 

And last but not least, and video of knockout from basketball practice. Rosie took on Jane and won for the first time. They're both good shooters: