Last Day of 5th Grade & Talent Show

The last day of 5th grade. I asked Rebekah if she'd rather have a picture at the school or at home. She chose home. 

I decided to put the first day and the last day side by side. 

I also snuck this picture while her back was turned. There she goes! 

This year she and a friend tried out for the talent show. I basically knew nothing about it until I watched it. The days of preparing, practicing, and over rehearsing are over I guess. So Don and I were able to see this at the same time the rest of the world did.

It looked like she had a lot of fun. 

The talent show assembly went long and Don had to get back to work. Her friend's mom took this picture after the show. 

I captured this one out of the video I took. 

Then we waited for the day to be over. This is what I brought home with me: 

Then she went and played with friends. While she was gone I perused the year book. It's pretty small but check out the "one thing I learned" section. 

Seriously. 

The next day we went out for celebratory donuts. 

Followed by her end of the school year interview:

Awards Day

The end of 5th grade was coming. With the end always comes awards day. I told Rebekah that I was going to buy a shirt that said "REBEKAH'S BIGGEST FAN" on it and where it to the assembly. She said no. So I got the next best thing; a Bee. 

Rebekah got an award for Reading an excessive amount, and having all A's and B's throughout the year. She actually only had one B+ and the rest were A's. Pretty awesome considering she was in a high ability  learning class. 

Don had to take my mother back to the airport and therefor missed the first part of the ceremony but he came as soon as he could. Rebekah was very happy. 

After the assembly I forced a few pictures. 

And the Bee liked the shirt so much she asked for a picture with me too. Score. 

May Books

This was amazing. Anyone who wants more information about Tolkien, Lewis, and their books (Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia respectively) will be fascinated by this book. However, it turns out many of the Lord of the Rings war experiences were taken from Tolkien's WWI experiences which makes the book a little less fantasy and a little more real. But the book overall is so good. 

Speaking of Tolkien, I love these books. I read several of the following books while I was reading these but figured I'd put them together for series sake. I would highly recommend these. Andy Serkis read these. I am astounded by his talent; it feels like you are in a production for every voice sounds different. It's highly recommendable. I'm actually considering listening to them all again very soon. 

I read this with Rebekah while she was reading this at school. It's okay. Because of my love for owls I  truly wanted it to be more. The book focuses on bullying, and family disfunction. 

I wanted this to be more as well. 

Set in Singapore, this book related the story of a young boy who was born in a small fishing village and follows him throughout the massive change in his country. It was okay. 

A beautifully told history and current continual changing status of the seas around us. I really enjoyed listening to this. 

Have to admit I understood and therefore enjoyed the first lecture series much better than this one, but it was still fascinating. 

There's a reason why Tolkien never published this one. Some of the stories / fables were good, some not so polished. Overall it is not up to his usual abilities. But it does give some background on the history of Middle Earth.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. The main character is an octopus, and yet it really works. At some point I laughed out loud. There is some language issues in the book but it is mostly well done and doesn't seem like cursing just to curse. 

While not his best, this was still a pretty good read. And I loved the way the author chose to end the book. I would recommend this. 

Mom's Trip

My mother came to visit! 

I wasn't able to get many pictures but I did get some. 

Mom played the piano so I could sing at church. It was fun having my mother as my accompanist. 

We went to Texas Roadhouse as a family. Rebekah's there too but she's a tough sell for pictures these days. 

I didn't let her see I filmed this. If I did the fun would have come to a crashing halt. 

We also played a round of Phase 10. Rebekah's still working on holding her cards so she has the folder wall up. 

Not sure why there was arm wrestling but.... 

I wanted a picture of Rebekah and mom before she left. This was the morning mom left. Cutting it down to the wire.... 

Don suggested I get in on the action. I started silly since I knew Rebekah was already annoyed. 

But ended with a serious one. 

While I was looking through the pictures Don took trying to decide which one Rebekah looks less annoyed in, I quickly scrolled past a few and noticed if you scrolled fast enough you could actually see Rebekah rolling her eyes: 

And she's only 11 folks! 

So glad my mom was able to come out! Hope to see her here in Indy again soon

Mother's Day

I've wanted this owl for years, but it was way too expensive. It recently came down a bunch in price. Right in time for Mother's Day. I wasn't totally convinced until Don helped me name him. Now Dr. Who is part of the family. 

I absolutely love the solar powered eyes. 

Butler University was advertising a one man show about C.S. Lewis. It happened to be Mother's Day weekend. Don made it happen. Rebekah went to a friend's to hang out. 

And Don and I went to the show.

Proof: 

Then the actual day I asked for a picture with the girl who made me a mom. Turns out it was a hard order. But I finally got this one right before bed. 

May So Far

 Rebekah was the most proactive I've seen her in soccer. Her coach was proud. Donuts were in order. 

My mother got very sick so I sent her some medicine via Amazon. We patiently wait. Then it was delivered. Except this was not her door. My poor sick mother wandered around her condo complex until a neighbor saw her and pointed her in the direction of where the Amazon truck was last seen and she was able to find the medicine. Ugh. But so grateful for good neighbors! 

Rebekah is such a teen. The other day I was playing Minecraft with her and noticed Rebekah's name of the new world: "idk idc" (I don't know, I don't care.) 

We got Rebekah a hammock for her stuffed animals, and got a ceiling fan, hand picked by Rebekah who wanted the modern one. Then we moved the room around in preparation for mom's visit. (Rebekah would be sleeping upstairs.) 

Outside view after a spring storm. Love the little bird I caught mid flight. 

Took a video for my mom to get her exited to come out and visit. Sure love my view.