The Shark Report

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my job as music specialty teacher at Saratoga Shores Elementary! It is truly my dream job. This week I was interviewed by one of my students for the "Shark Report", a newscast created by 6th graders at my school. So cute!! They do news and weather reports, announcements and interviews. I'm famous...at least at this school!

Scout Slide Show

For me, one of the highlights of Braden's Court of Honor was the slide show. It took me hours to put it together. I dug up and scanned over 120 scout pictures of him, begining when he was 8-years-old wearing his brand new little scout shirt, all through his scouting years. So cute!! With Rachel's help, I put the slides to music, Fly Like an Eagle by Seal, and Time of Your Life by Green Day. Each slide showed for 3 seconds, and the entire show took over 6 minutes. Here are just a few of my favorite slides...

Court of Honor

Braden's Eagle Court of Honor was wonderful! We were thrilled with the large number of family, neighbors, friends and ward members who came to support Braden. It was such a joy to be there, and to hear the praise and recognition expressed for my son. Here is the program...

Braden requested Nathan Sorenson and Ryan Moore to speak, both their talks were outstanding. Later in the program, Braden presented each of them with the "Mentor Pin", a recognition of his favorite and most influential leaders throughout his scouting years.

A pin and a hug for mom...

...and a pin, handshake and hug for dad.

Proud parents!

Here is the "Eagle's Nest". This is where each of the men and boys in attendance who have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout are recognized and invited to come forward and sit in a special, designated area. What an amazing group of men! We are grateful to each of them for their example and support.

After the program we served cookies and punch. I had a cake made with the scout logo and "Congratulations Braden!" printed on top. I also framed his official Eagle Scout certificate and some letters of recognition. It was a nice little display!

There was lots of eating, visiting and mingling afterwards. It was an excellent and memorable evening. I am so proud of my Eagle Scout!

My Eagle Scout

Just after Braden's Eagle Scout application was approved, I wanted to have some professional pictures taken of him in his uniform. Here are some of my favorites...

And here is the invitation I created for his Court of Honor.

School Play

Several weeks ago Stefanie's elementary school announced auditions for a school play, Annie. Stefanie and her best friend, Sarah, practiced non-stop up until try-outs, and they landed the part of the narrators. They've had after-school rehearsals for two and a half months, and tonight was their fourth and final performance for a standing-room-only audience. They did outstanding! They had several scenes...every time the curtains were drawn for a set change, the narrators came out and had a funny dialogue. I think they got more laughs and applause than anyone! Tonight I'm proud of my little drama queen.
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Festival Of Colors

Last Saturday was the "Festival of Colors" at the Hari Krishna temple in Spanish Fork. It is an Indian ritual which announces the arrival of spring and the passing of winter. Thousands of people--mostly teenagers and college kids--gather together to sing, dance, and throw packets of brightly colored powder at each other. I'm glad Rachel and Braden had the opportunity to go, and that they brought home such cute pictures for me to post!