Grand Prix #7

Yesterday Nadia completed her eighth year of AWANA. During the 2014-15 year the kids attended AWANA at our church, and our church didn't have a Grand Prix. The other seven years she attended AWANA at the Alliance Church that is about one mile from our house. All three kids received awards for finishing their books. Nadia received a trophy for completing her 3rd book in T and T (the program for grades 3-6). She wants to earn the Timothy Award that is given for completing all four books, which means she's decided to attend AWANA next year instead of the middle school youth group at our church (which also meets from 6:30-8:00 on Wednesday nights). One of our neighbors (Madeline) earned the Timothy Award last night. Various Christian colleges offer scholarships (some greater than $10K) depending on what award you earn from AWANA. Ian received a medallion for completing his first book in T and T. Altogether Nadia has completed 8 books and Ian has completed 6 books thus far in AWANA. Nadia and Ian started

in Cubbies when they were three-years-old. Oliver started in Puggles when he was two-years-old so he technically has completed five years of AWANA thus far. Nadia and Ian completed the silver level of their books, but no mention was made of that last night. The first two years Nadia was in T&T she only completed the bronze level. Neither of them attempted the gold level. That would have involved learning FAR more verses per week. When Nadia and Ian were in the 1st grade Sparks program they went through the book twice and completed the extra credit book. Oliver just finished the book one time, but they all finished! The kids have been entering cars in the Grand Prix for seven years, and we have been consistent in that none of our kids have ever won an award for design or speed. They give out 9 trophies - 3 for design and 6 for speed (the preschoolers earn 3 for speed and K-6 earn 3 for speed). Madeline won 1st place for design. Her car looked like a hot dog with ketchup on it. She or her brother usually win at least one trophy each year for either speed and/or design. Nadia plays with a girl in our neighborhood who is two years younger than her. I have been encouraging Nadia to also spend time with Madeline and Ellie. Madeline is one year older than Nadia, and Ellie is two years older than Nadia. Nadia knows both girls from AWANA and also from when the Alliance Church used to have a summer musical program.

Paul's parents joined us last night, and then they took the kids home with them once the program was over. On Monday night Paul never went to bed. Aside from driving home to bring our kids back to his parent's house, he was at work from early Monday morning through Tuesday night. I can't imagine working that many hours straight without sleep. Last night he got a few hours of sleep before leaving for work at 3am. I had thought the kids would have five days of school this week, but they are only having three days of school this week due to Paul not being able to homeschool them this week. He has two more days with them next week, and that will be the end of his involvement for this school year. Tomorrow will be day #162. We are required to complete 180 days in Pennsylvania. We are allowed to count days from July 1 through June 30. We should hit #168 on May 6, which will be our last day. Field trips to places like Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Valley Forge, etc. will account for days #169-186. I think the last day that will count will be June 15 when the kids are registered to participate in a 5 hour program at Fort Frederick. I gave our next homeschool affidavit to the AWANA commander last night because she is a notary public. I will submit that along with our documentation from the woman who will be doing our homeschool review by the end of June. Nadia and Ian are taking their standardized tests next week.

Yesterday I took the kids to the children's museum. They had one hour program on code breaking for homeschoolers in grades 3-5. Nadia and Ian enjoyed the program while Oliver enjoyed playing in the museum, and I had the pleasure of talking to another homeschooling mom I've known for several years. It's rare for me to have a conversation with another mom. Most days the only people I have personal conversations with are my kids (and Paul if he is home when I'm awake). I am hoping the museum will continue to offer more programs for homeschoolers. This museum is much closer to our house than the other one that has offered programs for homeschoolers for years. Also, at the moment we are members of this museum and not the other one.

I was scheduled to visit a student teacher this morning but had to reschedule due to their testing schedule. So I am home alone - blogging and grading. The kids and I have NOTHING on our calendar for Saturday which means I should have time to mow the lawn and also get caught up on grading. I really miss my morning hugs and snuggles today, but I'm going to take advantage of this rare time of being home alone by going on a walk before I leave for work at 11:15. Yesterday I had my interview with the search and screen committee. I think it went well. I found out that a professor I have been friends with since 2004 is on the committee this year. At this point we are hoping that the professor who has been on leave for the last year will officially retire and I can continue to teach two sections of the math methods course each semester (which would mean I would be 50% of full-time).