Oregon Trail Academy Winter Planner Ehibition

The kids had their second trimester exhibition night at school just before spring break. It's a fun event where parents are invited to the school to see what each class has been learning during each trimester. It's really neat to see all of the kids' projects.
Mac's class has been exploring and learning about Lewis and Clark's Expedition to the Northwest. They had a display set up that showed the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery's journey through student produced drawings/watercolors. It showed sights and landscapes that corp members may have seen in chronological order on their way from St, Louis to the Pacific Ocean. Below is Mac's drawing/watercolor picture of a Mandan earth lodge. He also worked on making a model of one with dirt, etc.

They also had displays of artifacts, arts and crafts, reports and other projects students completed as part of their own "Corps of Discovery" in class.

It was really cool to see how much Mac and his classmates learned about Lewis and Clark. They were all really into it!

Lilly's class has been learning about The Five Senses. They explored all the different ways that our senses help us function in the world and how we perceive our surroundings. They examined and discussed what it would be like to not have one of those senses and how it would affect our everyday lives. They also learned about different tools/instruments that can help people see, hear and touch. This really hit home with Lilly. She had been going through all her hearing tests/exams during this time, so she really related to how important your five senses are.
Lilly's class presented watercolor pictures of animals, that use their senses in different ways in the environment they live in. Lilly chose an elephant. She wrote "My elephant uses his sense of smell to find food." He is a very cute elephant!

They also had five tables set up in the classroom that allowed you to explore all of the five senses. This is Lilly's teacher helping her discover Touch...it was pretty neat. She wore a blindfold and felt different textures, etc.

All of the teachers, staff and students did a wonderful job! The kids are really thriving this year. I am so excited to see what they will be learning during the 3rd trimester!

Spring Break Fun! (part 2 of 2)

Army Day Spring Break 2011

Spring Break was busy around here. We didn't take a big trip anywhere, but we filled each day with fun activities! We kicked it off with a drive down to Veneta to visit with my side of the family. We had a great lunch and visit. We left from there and drove to Springfield and went to Splash! It's a really cool indoor water park. All of us swam and played till we were flat out exhausted. Our drive home that night was silent...because all 3 kiddo's were passed out.

Later in the week we had an "ARMY" day. Mac invited some of his buddies over and they hid and played in the wooded areas around our neighborhood. They had such a blast! I didn't see them all day with the exception of an occasional checkin' in and snack time! We will definitely be having many more Army days (:

We also skied and skied and skied some more. These are some pictures of Ski Bowl. It was a gorgeous day up there. The kids enjoyed the tow ropes and skiing down the mountain for sure!

I took Lilly and Peyton to Skate World one day too. I am not sure if they had more fun or if I did? I didn't have Griff with me, so I strapped on my roller blades and skated with them for 2 hours straight! It was a blast and really a great work out too. I even grooved with Lilly when they blasted the Justin Bieber songs she somehow knows... LOL. We ended the skating session with a cold soda and some cotton candy. YUM!

Griff spent his time getting into anything and everything and definitely enjoyed all the action, kids and activities that were happening all around him.

We decided to hold our weekly Girl Scout meeting even though a few gals would be missing. It was pretty exciting for them. We had a Clackamas County Deputy visit and talk about "respecting authority". Each week we talk about something that goes with our Daisy Petals that they are earning. Having him come out and talk about being respectful, obeying laws and being responsible was perfect! They all asked a lot of questions and had many, many comments!

Yep, it was a nice spring break. We also squeezed in 2 trips to the movie theater and had a few sleepovers too.

Spring Break Fun (part 1 of 2)

We had a great spring break. We visited family, went to an indoor water park, did some skiing, went to the movies twice, had sleep overs, went to sleep overs and even went to Skate World! We kept our schedule plenty full.
Here are videos of the kids skiing. Mac even skied down a Black Diamond run. (second video) Way to go kiddo!

I have a lot more photos to post and update you all on, but it's late and I am wore out...so I will catch up soon and get those pictures up! Ta-Ta for now (:

Weekend Fun!

Had a fun filled, busy weekend. We went skiing, swimming and I bunco'd it up with my Sandy Gals! The kids have been taking ski lessons at Ski Bowl, so we have been going up the mountain 3 - 4 times a week! It's been a lot of fun. Mac is already making the runs up the mountain and doing really well. Lilly is also doing great. She loves the tow rope. Pat will be taking her up the slope for a run soon.

This was Mac's second lesson/class. He really liked his instructor. Young "dude" with a lot of energy...
I am amazed at how fast the kids are picking this ski stuff up. It's so foriegn to me because I have never tried it...and I won't be anytime soon! I like snowmobiling and snowshoeing...that's about as much snow activity that this Texan gal needs (;
I know Pat is loving every second up there with his kiddo's. I just do a good job of cheering them on!

Had a blast with my Canby Bunco group. I really enjoyed having them all over. As you can see, we had a St. Patty's theme. Good times, Good times! A big thanks to Kristi and Danna for subbing. We had some sick gals that had to skip out.

Peyton's swim party was a lot fun. Griff wasn't crazy about the water, which surprised me because he usually likes it?? He was just dandy as long as he had the orange cones or a ball to play with... away from the water.

Anyhow, Mac and Lilly enjoyed it. In the picture below, Mac did one too many belly flops off the diving board...ouch! His tummy was RED...

Mac is getting good at flips off the board and making his Momma a bit nervous (;

Go Jason!

Eating some grub. Great party Lekberg's! Thanks for the invite.

SnOw DaYs!

We have had a few snow days and the kids have been more than happy to be out of school! They were out 2 days last week and so far 1 full day this week, with maybe another day out to go. We have been making the best of it. Spending time at the park, sledding a little, making a snow bunny...and chasing Griff. He enjoys the snow as much as the big kids do. The cold doesn't bother him at all.

The Boyz in the Hood- Tristen, Bradley and Mac

Sweet Reagan and Lilly

Griff eating the snow...

It's all been lots of fun, but I have to admit...I am ready for them to go back to school (:

Romp to Stomp Tahitian Ta-Ta's 2011

Romp to Stomp was an absolute blast! The weather for the race was perfect, the energy was just amazing and our team ROCKED! We had the best outfits by far and we were the #1 fundraiser team!!! Way to go Tahitian Ta-Ta's! We raised well over $3,000 and still counting! I want to thank all of our sponsors. You know who you are and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It's not to late to donate if you are still interested in it. Just click on the link- http://register.tubbsromptostomp.com/site/TR/Romp/General?team_id=2990&pg=team&fr_id=1134
Let's "STOMP OUT" breast cancer for good!

Grandpa Jack Potter

On Friday, we had a visit with Grandpa Jack. We have not seen him in a very long while, so the kids were very excited about his visit. I was getting ready to head out for Romp to Stomp and was going to be gone all weekend, so I was glad to get in a short visit with him! Pat and the kids were able to spend more time with him over the weekend. The kids enjoy all of his funny stories.
Thanks Dave and Kelly for bringing him by (: