Variety Show and Fevers

As March began the girls were busy with school projects, including prep for the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)fair. But the most popular thing, to get ready for, was the Variety show. Emma signed up with 3 of her 5th grade friends to do a dance to a song called "The Crazy Frog is Coming". They practiced a number of times together and the Mom's helped make shirts. We also found them matching green hats.

The weekend before the Variety Show Rachael had 4 days of a low fever and spent the weekend home on the sofa. She and Jim missed a going away party for classmates of Em and Rae who were moving to Arizona. Emma's classmate, Leah, was one of her friend's doing the dance. The night before the Variety show Rachael spiked a pretty high fever and couldn't go. So Jim stayed home with Rae and Bridge, while I went with Em and Meg to school for the show. Emma was in the first half and they did a great job. It ended with Emma doing a great cart wheel. I attempted to video tape it but managed only to tape before and after. Megan was yanking on my arm and I guess I hit the button twice. I was disappointed because I was hoping to show Jim and Rae as soon as we got home. Luckily we can buy a copy from school.

At intermission Megan and I got in line for cookies, as they called raffle tickets. We had purchased tickets for an after school movie with the art teacher and time with a few other teachers. As we were standing in line they called our number so we had to run up to claim our movie with the art teacher prize certificate. Last year Rachael had cried because she hadn't won this, so I was really looking forward to telling her. Megan was most concerned about getting back in line for cookies. We also won the raffle for an ice cream walk with Emma's teacher. Both girls were happy.

We moved up front after intermission, Meg and Em sat on the floor and watched with the other performers. They had a blast watching and listening to the second half. The next morning Leah was flying to Arizona, so it was a special night for them. At the end of the show the 5th graders gathered around giving hugs and saying goodbye. Emma gave Leah a hug and tears began flowing freely. She didn't want to let go. Emma and Leah have known each other for a long time but hadn't been close. But this year they had many classes together and had become better friends. It was hard to go home. Jim was really supportive and understanding and able to comfort Emma. A few days later we were able to use Skype to do a video call with Leah in Arizona and she gave Emma a tour of her house. It is so much easier to keep in touch now than just a few years ago.

This past weekend we went to the indoor soccer Baltimore Blast game for Scout night. The scouts got to walk on the field at the start of the game and were on the field for the Anthem and player introductions.

They enjoyed being up close. They we joined Jim and the little girls in our seats. Bridget was having fun clapping and doing cheers, while Megan was just angling for food. I guess the cotton candy didn't satisfy her snack craving. I wasn't feeling well and wound up throwing up at half-time. That was a humbling experience. The girls were having a great time and wanted to see the rest of the game. But I had to head home. My stomach flu lasted a few more hours, and wore me out. Sunday we were supposed to have Jim's cousins, Sarah Stan and their kids over for the afternoon and dinner, but I was not well and Jim woke up with the body aches and a raised temp. We were sad to have to cancel the visit. We were both better on Monday, but were amazed at how messy the house was and how far behind we were on regular chores. There should be a rule that both parents can't be sick at the same time. Rachael spiked another high fever on Tuesday. Thankfully, it was short lived and she only missed one day of school. Since then we have all been feeling good and I hope it is the end illness at our house.

We are also hoping that all of you are healthy!

Raingutter Regatta

With 2 scouts and one scout leader in the house we attend a lot of Scouting activities. Em and Rachael have weekly meetings and I have planning for the Brownie meeting, plus there is usually one or 2 events to attend. In February there was a community wide event, that they called "Scouting the Deep Blue Sea". Our community has over 50 troops and it is fun to get together with other girls in our area. Emma and Rachael always see girls they know from church, school, and sports when we participate in these events. Megan is eager to join a troop next year, when she'll be in kindergarten and can join as a Daisy.

Scouting the Deep Blue Sea was full of activities. They did activities to earn badges called "Navy Pride" and "Aquaculture", so they had stations throughout the day on topics ranging from the Bay, to Navy Boats, famous Naval Women, to pearls. They had a lot of hands on activities but I think their favorite part was the Raingutter Regatta. This is a Boy Scout event that we borrowed for our ocean theme. Each girl had a boat to put together and paint.

We got the boats a few weeks before the event. Jim and the girls worked in the garage, sanding and painting. He took them out to the store to pick out sail decorations and paint for the boats. Jim also helped with the placement and gluing of the mast and rutter. Emma put Orcas on her sail and painted waves along the hull of the boat. then she named it "Harvey Charley Jr. Pants size 8". (no, I don't know why). Rae painted stripes on her boat and put hippos, elephants, giraffes and zebras on her sail. Jim had to reposition the stickers so they were evenly balanced. She was upset at first but it turned out to be a very wise decision.

I wasn't with Emma during the event but checked with her at lunch to find out that she came in 9th in her heat of about 20 girls. After lunch Rachael's group did the regatta. There were 24 girls in the heat, there were 4 lanes and each girl raced 4 times. It was fun watching Rachael. She had her game face on and it was obvious the competition was exciting to her. The Brownies were great at cheering each other on even if boats weren't moving well. Rachael watched for her name and jumped up to her lane for her races. They each placed their boat in a raingutter lane, put one hand behind their back, and in the other held a straw to their mouth. Then they blew the boats down the lane. Rachael was great at blowing and moved her boat well. She was in her element and after winning one of the races by just a hair, she picked up her foot, pulled her arms to her tummy and gave a silent "yes". Then she congratulated the others, encouraged the next girls up and took her seat. I was so proud of her. Rachael wound up with the best score in her group, so she would race again in the finals.

Emma was also proud when she found out Rachael was in the finals. There were 7 girls in the finals ranging from Daisy (kindergarten) to Seniors (highschool). All of the girls, leaders and parents gathered to watch, as the finalists each raced 4 times. It was cute seeing little Rachael racing big girls. Emma and her troop cheered Rachael on as did Rae's Brownie troop. Rachael kept looking over to Emma and grinning. Rachael raced well and wound up coming in 3rd overall. she went on stage with the 1st and 2nd place winners both of whom were in highschool and they presented her with a trophy. She was a gracious winner and said nice things about the other girls boats. I was proud of Rachael for doing so well but also for being so gracious. And I was extremely proud of Emma for being such a great supporter and for doing her best.