End of the School year

Last Thursday we had a fun day at school. The kids had field day in the morning and the afternoon was for Elementary awards. My boys did quite well.

Alex, a first grader in the second grade received awards for attendance, good listening, reading, penmanship, spelling, good citizenship in the 2nd grade, and good citizenship in the school. The last award comes with a $2 bill.

Andy, a third grader, received the good citizenship in the school, good attendance, science, geography and history.

Alex also received special recognition for being a student of the quarter (1st quarter) in addition to being a student of the week in the local country newspaper.

I also received a gift for volunteering at the school. I don't know if I'll be volunteering next year, thinking I might go back to work in the fall.

School was out for the summer on Friday, after a community barbeque with our superintendent cooking the meat, the Oklahoma way (his homestate).

21 years old...and I'm feeling older

Friday, the daughter turned 21. Needless to say it makes me feel old, especially since she has two little boys of her own already. She had her first legal bloody mary for her birthday. She was talking about getting a tattoo but she's phobic about needles anyway. When we got her ears pierced at age 7, she thought she was done after just one ear. When she was in junior high a "friend" pierced her ear with a second hole, and yes it got infected. Melissa pitches a fit about having blood drawn, or she passes out. So the idea of her getting a tattoo would be kind of funny.
So for her birthday, tomorrow I'll take just her for lunch and then shopping for some music CDs she wants and she really, really needs new tennis shoes.

Just to give a heads up for family reading this, my parents wedding anniversary is on Wednesday.

Moths...phone lines and rain

The moths (or millers) have invaded. They aren't as bad as some years but bad enough. This morning I counted 21 just in the bathroom.
The phone lines aren't working so well today. I don't know if it is the RAIN or the cows messing with the boxes again.
That's right I said Rain.
It started raining yesterday about 3:45 (about time for the end of school) and it pretty much rained for hours. We are supposed to get more this afternoon and the sky over the mountains looks rainy. As much as I gripe about needing rain for the pasture, I really wish it wouldn't rain on the dirt roads.
And I picked up 5 Austrolorp pullet chicks and 5 Sicilian Buttercup straight run chicks yesterday morning.
And tomorrow I'm going to town to buy a new washer. The motor gave out on ours the other day. I think it is the hard water which wears out the machines so fast.
Hopefully tomorrow I can get some pictures of the irises which have started to bloom.

Mother's Day Wrap up

This year's Mother's Day began on Friday with the school's Parent's Day Tea (that's a lot of apostrophes) The program was called "We Haz Jazz". Andy, as a third grader, had his first speaking role. He was Lester Young. Alex, 2nd grader, was part of the chorus. The program was followed by an art show and refreshments.
Saturday we went to HD and I picked out the bulbs I wanted. Now to find someone to plant all 50 of them. We ended the day with supper at MIL.
Sunday, Peter cooked pancakes for breakfast. He also cooked a brisket on the grill for supper.
We also took some things to the auction (for Monday) and stopped for ice cream and some time at the playground.

Prom 2011

Instead of the average Midnight Fantasy or some such theme, our junior class went with an Oriental theme. Our art teacher did much of the artwork of Chinese words. There were paper plates, napkins and cups with Chinese words. Lots of white Christmas lights. The old gym looks so different when it's dressed up for Prom. The kids had the gym for 10 days to decorate and so the elementary had PE outside.
When we arrived there were pitchers of water on the table. Upon closer examination there were little goldfish swimming around in the pitchers. During Hell Night at sorority initiation, we had to swallow a live goldfish. Not really an experience I care to repeat.
After our meal of beef and broccoli, sushi (my fave of the night), noodles, egg roll and some type of chicken there was cake.
The senior class (of five students) uses this moment in time to deliver their "wills".
There was a number of athletic pass-ons, some clothing and perfume gifts. One student used his time to thank his grandparents for raising him. I thought that one was really sweet.
Peter and I left before the dancing started. The dance is really for the kids anyway. The dinner is by invite only. My date and I went as I'm currently on the school board.
This was probably my favorite prom, even over my own high school experiences.

Happy Anniversary...Not

Yesterday was the wedding anniversary, not really a great one. Peter and I had lunch at On the Border. Then last night I had a conference for the school board with BOCES. Got home and that...was...it. I did find a new dress for prom on Saturday night.
Broke down and had my hair colored professionally for a change with a cut. So I should look presentable for Saturday night.
Of course it is supposed to be cold and wet tomorrow night. We can really use the moisture but I'm seriously thinking sweatpants and sweater for the dinner. The grass in our pasture is about 1/2 inch tall right now. It needs to get in gear and grow. I went to the farm supply store to buy some grass bales for the horses. Came home with 10 chicks. They were only a dollar apiece for straight run.
We are having pot stickers for supper tonight.
I didn't get up to watch the royal wedding. I watched when Diana and Charles got married. I was in Arkansas with my great-aunt visiting my great-grandpa Petrey.

Spring Clean Up

Every year our Senior class at our little country school raises money to go on a Senior Trip and for a Senior Gift. Last year the Seniors went on an Alaskan cruise, stopping in Canadian ports along the way. The kids start earning the money as freshman. The freshman class this year has decided to earn their money by collecting and selling scrap metal. They have been to a number of homes collecting old wire fencing, t-posts, and other metals. They came to our place this last weekend and they worked hard gathering a trailer full of metal things that we don't want or don't need. It looks a little different here without the old lawn tractor, rolls of fencing and so on.
(Now if I can find someone to haul off the junked plywood. It makes good kindling for fires.) BTW, the school itself does not contribute financially to the senior trips, the money is all raised by the students. Once I put up the new pasture fence, I'll have another load of wire for the kids.