Washing Walls

That is pretty much what I did all day. Wash walls. My fingertips feel numb. The kids came over and helped in the morning, then we realized that it would go much faster without their help. Maysen did a great job with the paint roller. Much better than me. When I had the roller it felt suspiciously like a craft. All I could notice were my mistakes. We are hoping to have the entire basement primed tonight. Mike is still there with his sister, Sherry. She has been such a great help these past few days.

While Mike, Maysen and I were working in the basement, I had Stockton outside watching the kids. About twenty minutes later he comes in holding a dead bird! It was a magpie. He was wondering if it was real.

Today was the Reading Bowl in Georgia. I miss that! That was such an amazing experience for my children. Anyway, Mirror Lake finished FIRST again! That is three years in a row now! I bet Diersche is so excited. Mirror Lake has the best Reading Bowl coaches. I am so happy for them! Stockton and Maysen thought that was great as well. I have a hard time putting my feelings about it into words, it's just so, so cool!

Reading Bowl Video

Mike has been working on this year's Reading Bowl video. He has stayed up past midnight the last three nights. He finished it yesterday...just in time for the 5th grade awards. This is it. Enjoy.

2010 Reading Bowl ~ First Place

That's right! Stockton's team took first place in the reading bowl competition today. Their team was unbelievable. I am so proud of how hard Stockton worked. He was amazing. (Their school has now won the reading bowl two years in a row. Maysen on the first team and Stockton on the second. Quite an accomplishment.)

Stockton with the 1st place trophy

Waiting to start

Maysen also competed for her school in the reading bowl. They didn't get first place, but they held their own. Actually they won the team that tied for first - so they did really good. (The scores are cumulative). Mike and I had to split up since both Maysen and Stockton were competing at the same time. I went with Maysen and Mike with Stockton. I was able to see Stockton play one round when Maysen had a bye. Both Maysen and Stockton did so well today. It is hard to explain the intensity of this competition. It is so cool!

Maysen's team

Maysen

Maysen sits like her dad

Maysen & Jakob

One weird thing that happened to Maysen's team. There was a question: In the book Secret Lies and Algebra, what symbol did Tess tattoo with a red pen on the inside of her ankle. The other team answered a minus sign. The judge conferred with the scorekeeper and they decided that was correct. I was thinking in my mind, I thought it was an infinity sign. Anyway, come to find out it was an infinity sign. I was shocked that two adults would not know that an infinity sign is completely different than a minus sign. Maysen's teacher was MAD. Pretty funny.

Stockton and Mrs. Collins

Mrs. Benton, Stockton, Maysen, Mrs. Collins

Maysen, Stephanie, Stockton

Maysen, Mike, Stockton

Mike is obviously the better photographer

Here is a quick video of Stockton's team being announced the winners. Too bad someone jumped up in front of Mike. Should have seen that one coming. Oh well, at least we can still see Stockton.

We had such a fun day with Maysen and Stockton. I have loved sharing this experience with them. I wish Utah had a reading bowl. It is quite the thrill ride.

He Made It!

Stockton made the Reading Bowl team! He tried out for the Chapter Book team. He did great! In order to get on the team, you had to read the four chapter books they assigned and score 80% or better on the AR tests. Today, everyone that hadn't been eliminated competed in a mini-reading bowl. There were no teams, it was all individual. Stockton was amazing. He actually ended the competition with the highest score: 120. His good friend, Nicholas, made the team as well ~ we are excited about that. Congratulations Stockton! We are so excited for you!

Stephanie & Stockton

Stephanie, Mike & Stockton

Reading Bowl Video

Anyone who has read this blog I'm sure knows about the Reading Bowl. What a wonderful experience this was for Maysen. Mike put together a video for the families of the Reading Bowl team. He finished it today. Here it is! Thanks Mike for working so hard on this! I love you! And Maysen, you were amazing to watch!

All Others Are Three or Lower

Maysen competed in the Division Finals for the Reading Bowl today. I'm not sure how many divisions there are, we are in division one. This is the first time this competition has been added. An extra step to make it to state. Maysen's team practiced so hard! They were disappointed in the district finals when they lost to the 6th grade 'moustache' team, so they really wanted to win them. We played them first. Maysen's team won 70 - 20! Mike thought it would have been really funny to make moustache's for our team to wear . . . but it probably would have distracted us more then them!

Every team in our division was so good! Like you would expect. But, man was the competition tough! Maysen's team took 2nd place!!! They scored 30 points behind 1st place (3 questions). Only first place gets to move on, so our season is over. I am so proud of Maysen and how hard she worked. She read every book. Fifteen chapter books. I can't believe the facts she was able to recall out of them. Fantastic!

Maysen's excited that we get to 'babysit' the trophy over the weekend.

Stockton came to every one of Maysen's competitions. That is quite a commitment for a boy that has a hard time sitting still! I hope Stockton will try out for the Reading Bowl team next year. 4th graders can choose if they want to try out for the Picture Book team or the Chapter Book team. Chapter Book is the only team with the option of competing at other levels.

Good job, Maysen! We are so proud of you!