change/CHānj/ Noun: The act or instance of making or becoming different

Erin's post from last night tells the findings of the school board's decision.  We thought we were prepared for this decision....even thought WE thought this was maybe the best decision due to what we are facing.  However, when it came right down to it, we found that we were not prepared AT ALL.  This little school has been part of the community for several decades and, because it is what it is, we are like one close knit family.  From kindergarten on, the students look forward to being in fourth grade so THEY can have the graduation, DARE class, do the zip-line at the school forest, etc.  Yes, we all know there are advantages to going to a larger school....but there are also a LOT of advantages to having a small school as well.  As a mother, I see the academic advantages that lie before them.  However, also as a mom, I see the academic and personal advantages that come with a small school and they will certainly be missed a in a big way. 
Now comes the challenge to present this change to the kids in a way that will make them EXCITED and READY to face the new challenges.  The hard part is that because of this decision, there will be a few of the girls' closest friends that may not be making the move with them.  That is the part that has Erin just heartbroken.  Emily has taken this decision very matter-of-factly....on the outside.  They both knew that without this change, they may not have the opportunity of band, choir, etc. in middle school~so they know this was probably a necessary change.  However, they also see what they are losing right now. 
The next few weeks will be tough - but we can do this. 

Poy Sippi's Closed

Dad just got home from the school board meeting and... CLOSED Poy Sippi's closed! Almost all the kids in our class was saying "1 more year, 1 more year". And of course Em's asleep so she doesn't know anything about it. In tears, Erin.

Sixth Grade Camp

As part of our sixth grade curriculum, each year the students spend three days/two nights at a camp about an hour from school.  As part of the volunteer staff, I was able to chaperone the students for two days.  What an great experience for the kids!  They left their cabins for breakfast at about 7:30 and were not allowed to return to their cabin until 10:00 each night.  There were classes throughout the day that were held throughout the day with some free time throughout the days.  Some of the classes were:  Pond Scum, A-maze-ing Ants, Food Webs, Canoe, DNR presentation, Archery, Horseback Riding, Owl Pellets.  They also had an Olympics that was held on the last day along with different skits they needed to present, etc. 

 One of the most popular free time places was at the

carpet ball area.  Played with pool balls but no stick and

just a long narrow carpeted area.  The kids had a blast!

 The students learned about PH & acid levels in water.  Trevor was

asked to test the acid levels of the pond shown in the background.  It came

out very good and the students learned some of the reasons

why it did.  They also used nets & water tubs to look at

the creatures in the water/muck to help determine

if the water is healthy or not.

 Trevor and his friend out in the canoe for one of their classes.

Trevor went horseback riding the first time (I did as well!!).  The horses

were trail horses so it was very mild - Trevor thought he would liked

a little more excitement!

The music teacher was also out there and asked the kids to break into

groups and write a song that had to do with their camp experience.  Trevor

and one of the teammates added some choreography to the words as well.

This is the class that I found most interesting.  I'm anxious to hear

how the class time goes this week with the remainder of

this project. 

I hope they are able to continue this camp experience for those students coming up.  What a great way to experience a nontraditional classroom!

Lunch & Recess

For me it seems quite difficult to get a little one-on-one time with each one of the kids.  One way that I have tried to do it is to schedule time that I can come in to school and have lunch with each one individually.  Yesterday I had lunch with Emily & stayed for their recess.  Today was Parent Lunch at the Middle School so I ran into town to be with Trevor....a quick lunch before he and his friends literally RAN outside to have their 10 minutes of basketball before heading off to their next class!  What just melts my heart is that even at his age, he still gave me a hug before heading outside. 

 Erin's favorite part of recess:  the bars and the "magic carpet" bars

Erin & Emily picking dandelions with a friend to make chains. 

Before leaving the playground, a broken hearted kindergartner came up to ask if the dandelions are flowers or weeds.  A fourth grader had told her they were weeds.  How sad she looked when she found out they are really a weed.....   

A friend of the girls' brought me a bouquet of dandelions because...."I know you won't throw them away like my teacher does, Mrs. Carlson!"

If only they could stay sweet and innocent for always...... 

Upcoming changes being anticipated....

Due to the changes in the state budgets, there are some big changes that are being looked at for our local school district in order to save the money that is needed.  The big change may be the closing of our little local elementary school.  For those of us that love the little school, it is a very emotional change and it is sometimes hard to look at it from the standpoint that those in charge view it.  The verdict will be known by tomorrow night so we will sit and wait......PATIENTLY (or not??). 

There has also been a much desired change in the weather.....WE ACTUALLY HAVE SPRING!!  My family just does not understand how happy I am when I am mowing the lawn.  Ahhhh....but the beauty of a freshly mowed lawn, the landscaping projects that the kids and I worked so hard on last year coming to life again this year and the landscaping projects that were started last year and are waiting to be completed this year.  This is absolutely, without a doubt my favorite time of the year!

Trevor is off to Sixth Grade Camp for two nights and three days....horseback riding, canoeing, compass reading, etc.  I will be chaperoning during the day for two days.  I am anxious for more pictures....and, therefore, more scrapbooking pages to do.  And I promise to get them done before our next scrapbooking retreat!!

On Saturday I was pretty bummed with the death of my 14 year old washing machine.  The gentleman who sold us this washer in 1997 told me it would still be working like a top by the time our grandkids arrived.   I guess THAT didn't quite happen.  However, the silver lining is that we found a 5.0 cu ft top load washer - for nearly half price!!!!  And, let me tell you, I just LOVE how much laundry I can do in one load! 
The kids didn't understand my excitement of getting it delivered yesterday until they saw my HUGE stack of laundry diminish in size rapidly!!

Happy Mother's Day!

A sweet lady in our little meeting gave each of us a rose for Mother's Day.

In years past her husband always took the time to acknowledge

each mother on Mother's Day.  Since his passing a few years

ago, she has taken to doing this.  Such a sweet gesture. 

Erin and I just couldn't get together & keep our eyes open on the same picture!! 

Here is Erin, Josie and Emily sharing in a fun weekend together.

Josie and her brothers their Gma and Gpa in coming to WI Rapids

this weekend.  The girls don't often get together but when they

do they certainly have a grand time!  They are only 11 months apart in age

and they all love Gpa's animals!!

A Day on Grandpa's Farm

There is just so much to do out in the back at Grandpa's Farm!!  The kids had fun petting Gpa's pet donkey, Eeyore.  He is tame enough to come up to Gpa and lay his head on Gpa's shoulder!!  Then there was "Molly", a rabbit that was being delivered to a buyer.  This time, Gpa also had several goats that Emily enjoyed trying to feed as well as the chickens that she loves to help Gpa with!
Another attraction is the old hay mow.  I have never been up there but they just love climbing up the old ladder to get upstairs to their "hide-out".  I hope they never forget their precious memories of their times with Gma and Gpa.

Why do llamas spit?

"Llamas, like most members of the camelid family, sometimes spit saliva. This behavior may be done to show dominance towards other herd members, for fighting, or for defense."

About two years ago, we went on a field trip to a zoo that had a very friendly llama.  However, after too many hugs that day, she had had just about enough.  Trevor had walked by her a little too close for her so she turned and spit on him.....A LOT!  Poor Trevor....no one has ever let him forget it!
Now on Friday night, we were getting acquainted with Princess Daffodil and Trevor was trying to talk to the new mom very softly while walking slowly and quietly to get a hand on the new princess.  However, Mom did NOT want anyone else touching her new baby....and she made it very well known!! 
Trevor's immediate comment was...."NO MORE!"

There's (another) Llama in the Family!

Anyone who knows the Carlson family, knows that there could be any kind of new pet and any given time!!  Several years ago, Terry's dad came home from an animal sale with an unnamed llama.  This llama found a way out of the fence and ended up a few miles away.  After the newspaper article on her, a lady from town sent Mom and Dad a poem in which she named the llama "Lilly".  Thus, the name Lilly for her!  Much to their surprise, she had a baby llama almost a year later (the gestation period for a llama is about one year).  She ended up with the Lilac after Trevor was given the opportunity to name her.  After Lilac, along came Butterfly.  Just over one week ago, they came home to another baby.  After discussing a name for her, Trevor, Emily and Erin came up with Daffodil to continue with the flower theme.  Terry's little niece called Gma to check to see if there was a name & was a bit sad to find it was already named Daffodil but so sweetly asked if she could be Daffodil Princess ~ so sweet.  She is now named Princess Daffodil.  And, Kylie, she is so soft and walks just like a princess!! 

The Study of Chocolate

The 3rd grade class had a unit on the making of chocolate.  They learned the entire process from picking the cacao bean (later named "cocoa" after a misspelling), bagging it and sending it to the factory, roasting the beans, removing the shell and breaking the remaining part of the bean into little nibs.  From there the nibs are pressed to remove the cocoa powder and the chocolate liquor.  In their study they learned the chocolate used to be only eaten by the wealthy due to the lengthy process in making the chocolate causing the prices to be very high.  Thank goodness for Nestle we are all able to enjoy the occasional chocolate bar!! 
After this unit, they were asked to write up a description of their own chocolate bar, complete with the name and slogan!  It is so neat to watch each student come up with such unique ideas for their bars.  Emily chose to have hers titled the Extreme Bar (Catch some air with the Extreme Bar) while Erin named hers the Love Chocolate (You'll love the chocolate as much as it loves you!).  The bars needed to be 3D - which made the heart a challenge but Erin was able to make it work!