The Bloom Bunch

How cute is this? Chance has to take a fine arts class for school and this last month they've been working with clay. I found this sitting on my counter last night. The green beans are pretty realistic! Mike looked at it this morning and was like, "What?" I thought it was funny! Just as with all his other projects, it will sit on our dining room table for everyone to see and then later, he can decide what he wants to do with it!

Race and Rylie both decided to run for Haley Student Council for the 2010-2011 school year; Race for President and Rylie for Historian. Three other students were running against Race and five other students were running against Rylie. I asked Rylie if she wanted to try for Secretary - only 2 people were running in that race, but she said, "NO!" She LOVES taking pictures with the camera she received for Christmas and she really wanted this position. So, I made the kids sit down and write their speeches. When they finished them I helped them edit them. Then we worked on their posters. They were only allowed 3 each. I told the kids to come up with their own ideas and that I would help them put it together. They did an AMAZING job on both their speeches and the posters. Rylie wanted her posters to look like scrapbook pages and Race's poster were funny - just like him. I went to listen to them give their speech (in front of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes) and they did an awesome job. The next morning I dropped the kids off at school early so that they could hear the election results. THEY BOTH WON!! Rylie's teacher let her call me right away. She was soooo excited! Mike and I took them both Subway for lunch as a surprise. Kids all over the school came up to us to tell us that they had voted for Race and Rylie! Koodos to both Race and Rylie for a job well done!

In March, Rylie ran in the Chandler Hershey Track Meet. She ran against 50 girls from the city of Chandler and came in 2nd place which qualified her to participate in the state meet. So, on May 15th, we drove all the way to Glendale (over an hour north of us) to watch her run again! She did great! She came in 9th against 24 other girls. We are so proud of you Rylie - you did an awesome job!

Rylie participated in her 2nd piano recital on May 15th, 2010. She did a wonderful job - no mistakes!! She had been practicing her piece for over 2 months and had it memorized. She has the summer off and is already anticipating lessons when school starts back up in July!

Yea for me!! I actually received my AA degree in December, but the graduation ceremony wasn't held until May 14th, 2010. It was a fun, but VERY long night. We first had a cord ceremony in the library for all those with Education majors. Then we had a catered dinner. Then we hung out for a couple of hours, the graduates lined up, and finally walked. It took 5 hours! It was a very long night! I'm so grateful that I was able to accomplish this goal, even though it's late in my life. Now I'm off to NAU in the fall (just on CGCC's campus) to finish up my bachelors! Thanks Mike for the great graduation gift - a new laptop!!

Keaton went on his first date to the Mormon Prom. He and Kara Johnson went to the Olive Garden, to the dance, and then to see 'Iron Man 2." Keaton asked Kara to the dance by inflating balloons and then putting words slips in each balloon saying, "Kara will you go to the Mormon Prom with me?" Kara responded by giving him a giant cookie with the word yes on it. Keaton loved the cookie and wouldn't share with anyone!

Congratulations go out to Chance! He made the tennis team this last week. Woo-Hoo! How's that for never officially playing tennis before! He's excited and anxious to start the season. All four kids are playing a sport right now which keeps us busier than ever. Doing the yard work, painting the house, washing the clothes - who has time for that?? :-)