Last Days in 5th Grade

The last two days of school were very busy for Caiden. On Monday, I went with him and his class to Kanopolis Lake to hike around in Horse Thief Canyon. We had a great tour guide. She showed us some of the edible plants around including: yucca petals (did not know they were edible), sandplum bushes, blackberry bushes, and black willow tree bark (used for aspirin). We also got to hike up into a couple of caves.

Trying the yucca plant for the first time

We also went to the Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands. There, they learned about the wetlands ecosystem and they also got a chance to dissect owl pellets. Caiden didn't find very much in his besides a lot of jaw bones from little mice or rats. Some of the students found up to 6 skulls in their owl pellet! It was quite interesting!

I had never been to either place, so I was happy to have gone along!

On the last day of school, Caiden's class had 5th grade promotion. It's not really that big a deal, but the band played a few songs (they've come a long way this year), and they each got to walk across the stage to receive a certificate of completion at the Elementary School. There was also cake - a bonus! He's excited and a little nervous about jr. high. As smart and organized as he is, he will do just fine!

The cousins came!

We all have to say good-bye to Miss Krehbiel (middle front). After
three years of teaching this class, she's on to something new! She is
a fantastic teacher - some school will be lucky to have her!

It's a tradition for the 5th graders to send off balloons, then have a water fight with Mr. Fast. The weather didn't cooperate very well (it was only about 50 degrees), but they still had fun!

We're proud of you, Caiden. You have grown up so much this year and we look forward to seeing what the next few years bring!

Comments

Pre-Christmas Surprise

On Dec. 22, I woke up to Caiden not feeling well. In fact, he said he hadn't ever felt the kind of pain he was experiencing that morning. Reluctantly, I made an appointment. Long story, short - it was good he complained because he ended up having his appendix out that afternoon! It must have been at the very beginning stages and thankfully hadn't burst. So, we were in and out of the hospital by midnight that night. Maybe the worst part about the whole thing is that his wisdom teeth surgery had to be postponed since it was supposed to be the very next week. He'll go back to school minus an appendix, but still having his wisdom teeth until February 16! Pre-op Post-op

Mid-Summer Happenings

I'm trying to remember that I craved "slow and easy" days during the school year, and I feel like that's what I've had this summer. It has been refreshing to wake up in the morning and have a flexible to-do list; although I have to admit that some days do feel long. I suppose that helps me appreciate my teaching job! In not particular order, here's what we've been up to: Endless fixing and revamping in the shop: Digging up potatoes and pulling up a generous onion crop! Look at the size of that potato! The 4th of July fireworks were outdone by the sky this year! Enjoying my walks at sunset: Many, many green beans to can and pickle. Thanks to the girls for cleaning and stemming them! I had been keeping tabs on an Oriole nest near the garden, and one Sunday, I witnessed the "fly-away!" It was a noisy affair as the parents and babies kept calling back and forth. I almost can't get over the fact that I had time to stand and watch the whole affair

League Champs!!

Delaney and her teammates had an amazing volleyball season! They ended the season undefeated in the Wheat State League, and they only lost 2 matches overall. They had a notable win over Moundridge, 2 wins over Elyria, and THREE wins over Little River - all teams we have had trouble with in the past. They were so fun to watch, working as a team and developing throughout the season, and they ended as the league tournament champs. Thanks to Raechel Boese and Tara Churchill for their work with these ladies. What a fantastic way to end Delaney's middle school volleyball days! The immediate aftermath of a 3-set win over Elyria for the League Championship! A Team 8th Graders Team Selfie Coaches Churchill and Boese Scenes from the BIG win over Moundridge:

Days With the Duerksens

Search This Blog