Sea Camp

Katelyn had the opportunity to travel to San Diego for Sea Camp with her G.A.T.E class.  And Joe had the opportunity to attend as a chaperone.  They had the greatest time and absolutely loved it.  Since I had to stay home, I am going to write from Katelyn's journal of the trip.

Day 1 of Sea Camp-March 18
"We woke up at 6:00, got ready, and double-checked to make sure everything was packed for the trip.  Then Dad and I went downstairs to eat breakfast and make our sack lunches for the bus ride.   Mom drove us over to Goynes where we loaded our luggage onto the bottom of the bus, hugged Mom goodbye, and hopped on the bus."

Joe, Lauren, Audrey, Alyssa, Katelyn, Mia

"I sat next to Mia and my dad sat behind us.  We talked and ate snacks and then Mr. Hybarger, the principal from Goynes, started a movie, "Series of Unfortunate Events".  During the movie, we made it to Barstow, where we stopped for a restroom break and lunch on the bus.  It was a 6-hour bus ride so we finished the movie, talked, ate more snacks, and later watched "Tangled".  Around 1:30 p.m. we arrived in San Diego."

"We played at the park and on the monkey bars while the workers at Sea Camp set everything up.  The park was so fun.  Once we got to Sea Camp, we went over the rules, set up our stuff in the dorms, and got measured for wet suits."

Cute minds think alike--matching shades for Kate and Alyssa

Jack and Connor balancing with Mia and Katelyn

"Next we got into the Sea Camp vans and went to Scripp's Aquarium.  We did a scavenger hunt so we saw many exotic fish.  It was amazing.  Then we came back, called our families, and ate dinner.  We had enchiladas, rice, and beans."

Jack (telling some story), Connor, and Jessen
 

"After dinner we had some free time so Lauren, Audrey, Mia, Alyssa, and I went to the Touch Aquarium.  It was really cool because I touched a sea star, whale's eye, and a sea slug.  The slug was slimy and gushy."

 

"Once we washed our hands, we went back to our dorms, grabbed our journals and left to go to the Fish Lab.  There we learned about so many amazing types of fish.  We also went into the Shark Room and got to pet a small shark as well as hold a frozen thresher shark fin.  When we got back into the lab, we received a dead fish.  We located its parts, cut it open, pulled out a gill, the heart, and stomach.  We also pulled out a tube and squeezed it to find scales from the little fish my fish had eaten.  When the lab was over, we went back to the dorms to settle into bed."

 

Day 2 of Sea Camp-March 19
"Today we woke up at 7:15, got dressed, brushed our teeth, and did our hair.  For breakfast I had pancakes, fruit, eggs, cereal, and cinnamon rolls.  Then we packed a bag for snorkeling, a boat ride, and saining.  We got into the Sea Camp busses and arrived at Mission Bay."

Alyssa, Katelyn, and Audrey (below)

"We went over the rules while sitting on the grass.  Next we got our wetsuits and snorkeling gear on.  We saw amazing and exotic animals in our snorkeling group.  I had a blast snorkeling!  I saw a scorpion fish, a snail, many more fish, licked something they call a whale's eye that gives you 7 years of good luck and even held two California Sea Hare as well as a basketball-sized black sea hare that weighed a lot and was very squishy.  Next we took off our snorkeling gear and went saining.  We used the net and shuffled our feet.  We caught fish, shrimp,  and crab." 

Trying her hand at saining

"Later, we went back to the grass for lunch.  I had a banana, chicken salad sandwich, Doritos, a cookie, and some water.  Then everyone changed into warm clothes and headed to the boat dock.  We got on the SeaWatch boat and learned the safety rules.  We were on the boat for three hours.  We also went net fishing.  We learned about many fish and even lobsters.  We saw some dolphins and sea lions as well.  We got to touch all of the animals we caught."

Mia, Katelyn, Alyssa, and Jayden

Drake, Jack and Connor

Lauren and Audrey  --  Katelyn sporting a new type of sea hat  --  Mia wearing a coat of kelp

"Soon after, we got back to Sea Camp campus.  I bought a sweatshirt and tee shirt and then we had another lab that night.  The lab was the invertebrates lab where we dissected a squid, found it's pen and ink, and learned all about it.  When it was done, I showered, brushed teeth, and get ready for bed after we washed all the wetsuits.  We went straight to bed for a good night's sleep for a new fun adventure tomorrow." 

Alyssa and Katelyn have ink on their noses from their dissected squid

Day 3 of Sea Camp-March 20
"Today was the last day of Sea Camp :(  Again, we woke up at 7:15 a.m. and I ate a breakfast of French Toast, fruit, milk, bacon, and a bagel.  Then we got in our swimsuits and packed our backpacks.  We went to a park by the ocean and split into groups.  My group and I went on a beach walk, looking for shells and sand crabs." 

 

 

"After our beach walk, we put on our wetsuits and did the stingray shuffle down into the water.  Then we boogie boarded on some big waves.  It was a blast!  It was easier than I thought it would be.  When we were done boogie boarding, we dried off, changed back into our clothes, and ate lunch.  Then we loaded onto the bus to go tide pooling.  Lauren, Audrey, Alyssa, Mia, and I found two crabs, two brittle stars, a baby sea urchin, some sand crabs, snails, and even a small octopus!  Tide pooling was really exciting.  Then we drove back to campus, packed up our stuff, washed the bunks and wetsuits, and brought out our luggage.  While we waited for the bus to come, we had some free time so I spent it at the Touch Tank.  When the bus came, we loaded up and started the drive home.  We talked, ate snacks, and watched "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Tangled".  We stopped in Barstow for dinner at In-n-Out Burger."

"This trip was a very fun experience.  It was even better that my dad and friends were with me.  I learned so much about sea life and did many fun activities.  I hope to go snorkeling, boogie boarding, and tide pooling again soon.  I had a blast and will never forget these adventures."

That's So Random

My kids are obsessed with Instagram so they are always hacking my phone or begging me to take pictures to put on there.  Here are some of the faves and other spring happenings in the Stuart household:

 These two beauties celebrate birthdays just days apart in February and I am blessed to have them as my friends.  Melissa and Amber are amazing and I love them dearly. 

 The boys and I decided to watch the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy 

so we were busy snuggling under blankets for a couple of weekends.

 We girls needed haircuts pretty badly and Carlee decided she wanted bangs this time.  

You'll have to scroll down for the after pictures!

 Obviously, my phone was hacked for these.  She's such a goofball!

The Allreds came down one weekend for part of their Spring Break and planned dinner at Lawry's Steakhouse and riding Go-Karts.  The Whites joined us for dinner to celebrate Doug's birthday but had to leave before the go-karts.  It was a blast and Joe is dying to go again!

 Darin and Jen are ready to go

 Melissa is REALLY ready to go.  I don't even think she is smiling behind that helmet!

 And we are ready too! 

 Carlee and I played Candyland and Battleship one afternoon.  She smoked me!

 Katelyn made BrownEees for April Fool's Day. 

 Most children doodle and draw pictures on sports courts and sidewalks.  Mine do Algebra???

 I love my roses and popcorn bushes in the spring!

 It's warm enough to swim in the hot tub but these crazy girls love to jump in the cold water too!

 My parents came down the week before General Conference.  

I love that my dad always gets down to play with my kids and even does "girly" things like coloring.

 Two of my favorite men

 Joe scored NASCAR tickets from a patient of his so he and Clark enjoyed a Saturday afternoon at the races.  They were able to sit in the boxes with free food and a great view.  They had a blast!

Jacob's Triggs Award

Jacob received the Triggs Award from Mrs. Brock, his teacher, during the second trimester for being
Trustworthy, Respectful, Imaginative, Goal-oriented, Generous, and Successful.  Jacob is a bright, young student and very responsible.  He is the first to get his work done and can be counted on to help others in the class.  He is a great young man and a pleasure to have in class.

Here is "Student Council President", Katelyn, welcoming everyone to the assembly.

Receiving his award and a handshake from Mrs. Lochridge

Congratulations, sweetheart!  Good job and we are so proud of you!

Junior Piano Music Festival

My children performed in their first piano music festival.  They spent the afternoon at UNLV in the Lee and Thomas Beam Music Center after practicing their songs for hours and weeks.

We stood in the hallway waiting for their turn to go into the room with the judges.  The kids played in order from youngest to oldest.  They had practiced their pieces over and over and I had heard them play flawlessly but with nerves and pressure, they all had a few mistakes.  Overall, we were very proud of their accomplishment. 

 

Clark played "The Limpid Stream" and "Tantalizing Tango" 

He received a Satisfactory rating (although his piano teacher said that he got jipped because one of the judges didn't understand the rules and requirements)

 

Katelyn played "Masquerade Ball" and "Musette"

She received a Superior rating

Jacob played "Thundering Drums" and "First Etude"

He received a Superior rating

This is our piano teacher, Wendy Osborne.  She does such a great job and is so patient with them.

Afterwards, we went to Pei Wei for dinner to celebrate a job well done.  We are proud of you, kids!

Nevada Reading Week

Our kids love Nevada Reading Week because every day is an adventure with what they get to wear or bring to school.

Wear a hat to school

 

Wear Crazy Socks 

Jake chose bright blue, Carlee chose Halloween, and Katelyn chose mismatched fuzzy ones.

Pajama Day

 This is 3/4 of the Kindergarten carpool.  We are missing Heather Harris, one of our neighbor friends.  The kids love Mrs. Cifelli and her classroom theme this year is Dr. Suess so it was so fitting that they included all sorts of Dr. Seuss activities during Nevada Reading Week.

 Carlee, Julia, and Evan (her future husband, according to him)

Carlee was also the "Star Student of the Week" so she made a poster of all of her favorites and presented it to the class.  She also got to take Natalie, her American Girl doll, for Show 'N' Tell and was Mrs. Cifelli's special helper all week long.  She was in heaven practicing all that responsibility!