VBS 2016

Well, summer is just about over, so I guess I had better update the blog (eek!). We had another busy summer. This year, I didn't even attempt to do homeschool units, but let the kids enjoy their day camps and friends and the pool as much as they could. June was our busiest month with two camps and Vacation Bible School. 

The theme for VBS this year was the Arctic. I lead Degen's group of rising-first graders. It was another great group of kids who worked hard every day to learn their Bible verses and participate. (Kyrie also attended VBS, but she was in the elementary program, so we didn't get the chance to see her.)

Each VBS the kids bring in money to support a mission cause (this year and last year they raised money for Kenya Kids Can, which helps provide meals for students). They did a great job!

Tiger Scout Degen

Degen enjoyed his first year of Tiger-Cub Scouts. He earned nearly all the Adventure belt loops he could, impressing his leaders. We ended our Cub Scout year with a campfire and s'mores. The boys performed skits and received their awards. Degen is excited to be a Bear Scout next year.

Degen's Dino-Mite Bowling Party

I made my cake-decorating tasks pretty easy this year and made this dinosaur cake using a toy dinosaur kit. I added a volcano and some jungle leaves going up the sides of the cake, and I think it turned out really well!

Degen had his party at a crazy-busy-loud bowling alley! Everyone seemed to have a good time, but I was too busy playing host and the kids were too busy bowling to stop for pictures until we got to our party room! We loved having our friends together for a few hours of bowling and arcade games! Thanks to our amazing friends for joining us to celebrate Degen's birthday! I have known most of these kids since they were in diapers, and it means so much to our family to have them in our lives today! 

Happy 7th Birthday, Degen!

We started the day off with the traditional birthday donut!

Our baby boy is growing up! He had an awesome 7th birthday filled with all the things he wanted to do, including: donuts, Chuck E. Cheese, a trampoline park, board games with Daddy, his choice for meals, UNO with the family, presents, cake AND gum! Yes, he is now 7 and can chew gum! This is something he has been waiting to do for years!

His first gift of the day was this gum-robot! 

After lunch, we went to a trampoline park!

Obstacle Course!

Degen & Kyrie showed off some of their gymnastics skills!

Degen's family cake!

Tiger Scout: Degen

Degen joined Tiger Scouts this year, and he really enjoys it. I am his adult helper, or Akela, and attend the meetings with him. His pack meets 1-2 times a month to work on earning an "adventure."  I have also added some of these adventures to our homeschool curriculum. He has earned about 5 belt loops at this point. He is really proud to be a Tiger Scout! 

I have become the unofficial photographer for the pack meetings. These photos are from our January meeting during which time the boys worked on an adventure about playing games.

The scouts had a tug-of-war with the leaders.

Winner!

Degen won the coloring contest at our local art & education store! He was very excited! The kids loved their bagful of art supplies & coloring books!

Lost Tooth #1

Hooray-hooray! After more than 2 years of waiting, Degen finally lost his first tooth! The tooth had been wiggly for a bit, and then while munching on a baguette at lunch, it got very loose. He had the tooth pulled by dinner! Our baby boy is growing up! 

Degen, age 6

Degen seemed to grow up this year, especially after he got his new glasses. He is at the in-between stage of still a little boy and also a big boy. He is just as active as his sister, mostly because he wants to do everything she does and hates when he is left out. These first photos are from this year's dance recital. Both kids started Tae Kwon Do this summer, and Degen started riding lessons this spring. He loves to be busy, just like sis! Degen continued Kindergarten curriculum this year, and he has officially been registered as a homeschool Kindergartner with our local school district for the 2015-16 school year. He is a good student, and our big goal is to get him reading before the end of the year. 

Degen Richard Aurelius

Kindergartner

Weight: 41 lbs.

Height: 3' 9"

Degen's Dance Recital: "The Enchanted Garden"

Less than two full days after our return from California, Degen had his dance recital. This year, he performed two dances in the same mini-show, "The Enchanted Garden." His first dance was a ballet number to "Singing in the Rain." Degen loves dance and had a great year of skill-building this year! 

Pre-show wait with his class

The cast of "The Enchanted Garden"

Degen's class pose, "Singing in the Rain"

 Degen's second performance was a hip-hop routine to "Rockin' Robin," which closed the show. This class had only 3 kids, and they totally rocked that stage. They got lots of applause and just did an amazing job. As the only boy in this dance, he got lots of compliments from many in the audience after the show. 

Both of these kids were in two dances together

As a parent, this is what makes any activity mean the most! 

Degen & his friend both danced ballet/tap together this year!