Spring School Trips 2013

Every May all the kids and I get to take class trips for school. The big news of this year is that Lucas went without a parent. This was his first time away without Aaron or me going along. Therefore, we have no pictures. But the report from Horsethief YMCA Camp was, "Fun." "It hailed on us." You never know what you are going to get in the Idaho mountains in May.

Brooklyn also went without a parent on her class trip. One of the greatest advantages of teaching at the same school where my kids attend is that I often am part of the faculty team for their trips. (Last year to Costa Rica was a PERFECT example of this perk.) This year though the Spanish teacher did not attend any of the exciting Jr High adventures. They floated the main Salmon river for a week in the fall, went to the McCall Outdoor Science School to study snowpack in the winter and headed to the desert for the Spring Trip. The main destinations were camping in Moab, Arches National Park and Mesa Verde, CO.

I did get to attend Ian's class trip to San Francisco. As a subject specific teacher I get some flexibility to choose which class I accompany during the annual spring trips. I chose the 5/6 class this year because I have never been on a school trip with Ian and I really wanted to go to San Francisco. It was a win-win. We had a great time touring science centers, and I lined up a trip to the ITVS headquarters so the kids could see the company that made the documentary The Revolutionary Optimists which we had been studying about all year long. We also went to a Giants baseball game, so really nothing could beat that for a group of 5th and 6th graders.

Ian and his teacher Robbie Prokop. Can you name that island?

Ian and me at the Giants game. We are now Giants fans. 

 

 "Flowers in her hair..." Name that tune.

With flowers in my hair we headed to Haight Ashbury for a little schooling on the roots of hippies.

AND the big bonus of the trip was that I visited Laurel's house in San Francisco for the first time in the 20 years she's lived there!

Science says that people will avoid drinking water that is clean if it appears to be contaminated. Ian isn't one to follow data. 

We ended the trip with the grand finale to all good travel, CHOCOLATE. Ghirardelli Square sundaes and milkshakes! Yum.

I love my job this time of year. :) And I love traveling with my kids.

Time Passing

I always find the time to finish my work. It's just my life that gets left behind. Let's get updated a bit shall we?

Everyone in my family is awesome. I know almost everyone in the world feels that way and if they don't it's sad. The greatest thing is that it's true, most people are awesome and everyone is correct that their family is amazing. However, this is the Williamsfam5 blog so my family gets to be the stars.

Aaron is super busy working as a realtor and guess what...BUSINESS IS GOOD! He has weathered a long drought in the business and I am impressed with his ability to continue forward in a career that doesn't always reward hard work. He is working with a team now and they are off to a powerful start. They have a cool looking website and Aaron has started a great blog. We are hopeful that the years he has endured will pay off in 2013! We checked out some Parade Homes over the past two weeks and he has written a bit about them. If you are into amazing mansions, you should go to Eagle, ID. It appears that's where the high rollers hang out.

I've been busy teaching, planting flowers, and babysitting Becky. Yesterday was a fun day in the backyard. While I planted, the kids ran through the sprinklers. It was pretty much a perfect way to spend a Monday afternoon.

 

I seem to post most of my doings on my other blog. It feels silly to repeat myself here.

 

Brooklyn continues to be more kind and easy to live with than expected as a 7th grade girl. I have a fair amount of exposure to Jr High students, since I teach them five days a week. She amazes me. I am so lucky to have such an inspiration and kind soul in my home. She is the one person in our family that is consistently positive, self sacrificing, and responsible. Three traits uncommon for Jr High and humanity in general.

 

Ian is full of personality and zest. This quarter his class is studing the decades of the 20th century. He was assigned the 1970s. Please enjoy the Williamsfam5 first and only Elvis impersonator.

He also has spent this quarter reading The Outsiders and considering if he is more like a Soc or a Greaser. After much thought he has determined he fits into neither category. He is his own man.

 

Lucas had a rough week last week. He has inherited my reactive personality and short fuse. I am so sorry. If there were any of my traits I would have liked to avoid carrying to my children it is this. Why couldn't he have gotten my green eyes instead? Foothills School has a strict and narrow policy for behavior in the lower grades and Lucas often finds himself outside of the bounds. We are looking for ways to change behavior without squashing self esteem. It's hard when you feel like the "bad kid" a lot of the time.

 

However, his accomplishments are many and we are going to make sure he knows that his good qualities far outweigh his short temper. Last week his class' book project was on display at Barnes and Noble. Here he is holding the book he wrote and illustrated.   

The Amazing Adventure of the Wolf  By Lucas Williams

"Once upon a time in the forest there lived a wolf. His name was Sharp Tooth. Sharp Tooth wanted to know why they were the only animal to have a temper. He talked to Hunter and he told him he needed to go talk with Dragon because Dragon is smart. When he reached Dragon he told him that he had a temper because hunter stabbed Sharp Tooth in his tail. Sharp Tooth finally understood why he has a temper."

 

Epilogue by Emily Williams:

If I ever find that hunter he'll have a mama bear to deal with.

 



 



Baptism day for Lucas and Kate

What can I say? Eight is great! Lucas is about a month older than Kate. Rachael is the only of my sisters in law that shared a pregnancy with me and I've always felt a special connection between these two. Since the Chandler family lives in Twin Falls now we don't get to see each other as much as we'd like. So we were all excited that they decided to come to Boise to baptize Kate. I immediately imposed upon the occation and suggested that Lucas also get baptized the same day. It was a very special day. Lucas is my baby, but it really does seem like these guys are still little. Look at these cute faces...

After the baptism we walked across the parking lot from the Cole Road chapel and took family pictures at the Boise Temple. Lucas particularly enjoyed tracing the letters engraved on the walls of the Temple.

He was blessed with a number of nice gifts to celebrate his special day, but he wouldn't let go of his new scriptures and journal. What a sweetheart.

 

I'll post more events of the Easter weekend and family fun, but this post is just for my special Kate and Lucas. We are so happy to be a part of their family.

It's Spring Break

It is tradition among the Williamsfam5 that on the first 70 degree day of the year we go to Fanci Freeze. I must set limits on our attendance at this favorite mom and pop burger and ice cream shop, so 70 degrees it is. We were lucky this year to have just two warmish days to begin our Spring Break off on a great note.

I should now post pictures of a fantastic trip to Seattle, but since I have none (as they are on Brooklyn and Aaron's phones), you will just have to take my word that Aaron and Brooklyn had a very fun daddy daughter road trip with Christopher and Emilie Eshbaugh. Complete with REI garage sale-ing and Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream. And the Space Needle was pretty cool too, so I hear.

The boys and I had our own sort of adventures right here in Boise. First, archery at Fort Boise.

 

Then a date night with just Mom and Lucas (Ian was sleeping over at a friend's house.) On the advice of his elder siblings, Lucas chose to go to Chuck a Rama for his date activity and proceeded to have 4 rounds to the all you can eat buffet. Totally entertaining.

 

Next, movie night in mom and dad's room and sleeping in dad's spot. Complete with Breakfast in Bed.

Ian rejoined us the next day and we proceeded with our mom and the boys weekend with more movie watching and major amounts of snuggling.

Then, Spring actually came! There is nothing more beautiful than tiny blooms amist the stillness of winter. Although the trees are still naked, we have color at our feet upon coming home these days.

Sometimes we still forget we are going to pray before we eat and although we try and fold our arms and close our eyes reverently, cheese makes prayer time a little unruly.

It snowed last night. We are half way through our two week break and the sun is shining and it is snowing anyway. That won't keep us from going to Camel's Back Park and making the most of the bright days though. Becky and Brenda joined us today for one of the most exciting park days we've had. They make everything a little more fun.

Brooklyn and Ian took it upon themselves to make sure Becky (Ian's charge) and Brenda (Brooklyn's charge) keep their momentum on the swings.

Aaron continues to be the coolest rock and roll, snowboarding, house selling, eclectic husband around. I have taken note of the lack of photos I have available of my dear spouse. I will make it a goal to try and snap some shots of him once he returns from

 
http://treefortmusicfest.com/

Boise's coolest musical extravaganza.

Watch out Portland and Seattle, Treefort has launched Boise to hipster levels of cool.

Photo Journalism

In an effort to not be overwhelmed with keeping up the journaling of williamsfam5 events I quickly post pictures to document life's recent happenings. Thank you iPhone.

Ian is growing into the scientist his "mad scientist" personality lends itself to.

 

Brooklyn continues to make our home a happy place. (Please note the fake fireplace she provided.)

 

Our newest adopted family members, Brenda and Becky are getting used to Boise. And Becky caught a cold. Brooklyn donated one of her handmade pillows and fleece blankets to keep Becky cozy.

 

Ian's class (taught by me) has been volunteering at the Create Common Good farm, promoting training and employment for refugees in Boise.

 

Brooklyn's class went to McCall for a week to be scientific at MOSS to study snow pack. Brrr.

 

Many of my friends (especially via facebook) have donated generous offerings to B & B. THANKS!

 

My boys are awesome and as sweet as these treats. We love living near Goody's.

 

My Right Arm and a Heavy Red Head

Right now Lucas is sleeping on my right arm. As I type I have a spot on my forearm that is aching from the weight of his heavy, red head. This boy can sleep. I'm sure he will grow to develop other memorable characteristics, but at eight years old his amazing ability for instant, sound, and uninterrupted  sleep is legacy worthy. As an infant I could change his diaper and entirely swap out day clothes to pajamas without him so much as cracking an eye. As he learned to talk he would call out to me in the car to let me know, "I going feep!" Or would occationally ask permission, "Mommy, I go feep now?" It was a regular occurance and would amaze friends and family when they would witness his immediate slumber after his announcements. He no longer snores, thanks to the removal of his tonsils when he was six, but he still has a deep, soothing rumble as he breathes. I hope I never forget the feeling of him sleeping here next to me. My heart swells with his every breath.

I figured it out!

I've often struggled to figure out the focus of this blog. Why am I writing it? Who am I writing for? Who is the audience? Well, I figured it out today. I am the audience and it's about my little family and our adventures. I have started a new blog for something a bit more focused still: http://refugeesinboise.blogspot.com/

I have recently become engrossed in the lives of the sweetest people! Please read my new blog to learn more about it.

I'll be back to write about what's going on with my family.