Top Algebra Student

 Fulton Middle School has a Last Day of School "Celebration".  Awards are given for all sorts of things.  Teachers give awards for students with top scores in certain areas.  No surprise to us, but Brayden got Top Algebra Student.  Which, I must admit, makes me laugh.  ONLY because he had algebra as a 7th grader in Utah.  When we moved to Missouri they didn't have Geometry for 8th graders unless he went to the high school for the class.  We decided because he was adjusting to so many new things he could retake algebra.  His teacher told me it got to the point in class where she would say, "Brayden, I know you know the answer.  Let's have someone else give it a try."  The best part was the cheer leaders trying to get him to "tutor" them.  He's so shy.  He said no.

Nice smile he's got there eh?  I think he looks like he might be in pain.

I almost forgot....One award they give is from the Optimists Club to the Most Outstanding 8th Grader.  Teachers nominate students and then the club looks over the student's academic and leadership skills.  Brayden didn't win but was nominated.  He said it was an honor and made him feel awesome just to be nominated.

I'm Allergic to Missouri!

Really I am.  I break out in hives every other day or so.  I can't breathe.  My eyes water and my nose ears and throat itch like a dog with fleas.  Sometimes when I drive down the road I can breathe fine.  Then, I drive past a particularly green pasture or a grove of trees.  My nose stuff right up and I can't breathe. Really I'm not much surprised.  I was allergic to Utah, too and it isn't as green and lovely.  AND I should have known.  I was allergic to Missouri when I was here on my mission.  It didn't go away.

 Oh, the kids in my class try to take advantage of my condition by acting all concerned and well maybe you should call a sub Mrs. Barton.  The one who let us play computer games all day.

My Doc and I are getting to be good friends.  I take Allegra every morning benadryl every night...and when I break out in hives.  I have to spray steroids up my nose and put drops in my eyes.

The Doc had a good suggestion...local honey.  Seriously, local honey.  Apparently, if you ingest local honey you get to help yourself develop a tolerance to what ails you.  A teacher friend does it and says it works. No surprise when I mention my "idea" about honey to Lynn.  Mr. academia studied the phenomena in one of his medical (I can't recall the term) classes.

So, I guess I'm off to the farmer's market to find some local honey.  Who knew something so sweet could be so helpful.

Battle of the Bands

Brayden attends Fulton Middle School where he plays in the band.  This is his second year of playing the trumpet.  Band is a HUGE thing here in Fulton.  The have a band boosters club, go on a big trip every couple of years and play in MANY competitions.  I think they were the state champions in their division last year.  The band teacher teaches at the High School on Odd days and the Middle school on even days.  There is a 6th grade band, 7th and 8th, and High School.  Currently, Brayden sits 4th trumpet in the Middle school band.  Also, you may want to note, this is the only class Brayden gets in trouble for talking...to the girls....non stop.  Ahem.

Can you see  him?  He's the one in the black shirt.  Naw, seriously he's about dead center.

The Middle School and the High School are both Hornets.  We live in small town USA.  One High School, one Middle School, and three elementary schools.

Abby and the Spelling Bee

Abby in the first spelldown...

Nervously waiting.  She didn't win but did VERY well.

I am lucky to have the twins attend the school where I teach.  I get to watch my girls do things at school and don't have to leave work.  :)

St. Louis Gateway Arch

Looking up!

In the barrel shaped tram...scary!

The wind was blowing and made the arch sway.  Abby wasn't so happy about the swaying!

Busch Stadium..Home of the Cardinals.

Mississippi

I Found my Camera and Actually Downloaded...

The cake.

A real "MAN" lights his candles with a propane torch!

Unfortunately, the smoke detector DID NOT go off.  The kids were hoping it would.  :)

Lynn Turns the Big 40!

I've been accused of a lot of things.  Most of them true although I'll probably deny I had anything to do with them.  One I hear a lot is that I'm a cradle robber.  Yes, me.  I guess first of all I had to go on a mission to Oklahoma to learn to like cowboys (because before that I would rather puke than kiss one...)   AND then I had to realize younger may be better.

Lynn is exactly 18 months and two days younger than I am.  When I turned 40 he planned a big party for me and called old friends to make sure they called to harass me.  I thought there was NO WAY I could do anything like that for him.

I was wrong.  A little e-mail to the CVMA class of 2015 and he got enough attention alright.  One friend gave him plastic dinosaurs so he wouldn't be alone as a fossil.  (I like that one best...)  Ever since my b-day Abby has wanted to buy an old guy cane for her dad.  We came through on that one too.

However, we spent the evening of his birthday a "Battle of the Bands"  Listening to our little boy blow his horn.  To tell you the truth, I don't think Lynn would have liked anything more.  He's an amazing dad and sure loves, gets a kick out of, his kids.

Here's to 40 more!  (Maybe a few more than that too...)

Pictures coming as soon as I find my camera...