Wood Elementary has a step team. Stepping is a form of dance in where you stamp your feet, clap your hands, and dance to a beat without music. Nathan is very enthused about it. He is going to try out next school year for the team. He practices all day (and I mean....all day). Well, his little brother Owen LOVES to copy him...so....with out further ado...I bring you the future Wood Step Team:
Version 1
Version 2:
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Retirement Ceremony
Now, Jon doesn't officially retire from the Army until 1 August, 2009. His retirement ceremony was 12 March. Now, I know this is confusing for all of you "civilians" so I will explain: you have to have your retirement ceremony before you start your terminal leave. Jon's terminal leave starts 14 April. This is basically 21 days of leave the Army gives you before so you can start transitioning to a new job. Jon can start his new job (more about that later) 4 May. So for almost three months, Jon will be getting double pay!!!Before the ceremony (looking so handsome):
Now back to the ceremony....it was really nice. We pulled the boys out of school for it. They start with a nice movie that shows a soldier and what they endure and the soldier going through his ranks. Then they call up the soldier and his/her family onstage and they give him his final ribbon, a flag, a coin, and thank him for his 20+ years of service. Then they thank the spouse with flowers and a certificate telling them they know it wasn't easy. Then, after that, they introduce the soldier as retired. We sit down and they show another nice film for the Army families thanking them for their sacrifice. No one, except a military family, knows how hard it is. Then we all go up to a receiving line and everyone who was at the ceremony shakes our hands (including the boys) and thanks us...it was very nice :)
Waiting....
Finished (whew)>>
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Front Page of the Paper!
Here is today's front page of the Daily Guide:
Here is the link if you want to read it online:
http://www.waynesvilledailyguide.com/homepage/x1331523376/Awarding-young-minds
Here is the link if you want to read it online:
http://www.waynesvilledailyguide.com/homepage/x1331523376/Awarding-young-minds
Awarding Young Minds
By Matthew Kent
Waynesville Daily Guide
Wed Mar 11, 2009, 05:32 PM CDT
Molly Johns, front, from left, Anthony Barbosa, Corinna Hogan, Sarah Hogan, Justin Abresch, Sean Soebbing, Leilani Deruvo, Michael Garcia, Aneysa Rodriguez and Alexa Jones pose with their awards. Behind them are award presenters from University of Science and Technology, Rotary Club and Fort Leonard Wood.
Since early February, numerous students from 6 area schools got to show off their scientific creativity to a handful of judges. But to find the best of the best, one had to attend a Tuesday evening science fair awards ceremony held at Waynesville Middle School, where the top three award winners were recognized in three areas: Earth science, physical science and life science. Joe Petrich, Waynesville R-VI assistant superintendent for human resources, spoke and noted the accomplishments by everyone involved. “The administration certainly appreciates all of the hard work that students, teachers, principals, and staff have put forth during this year’s science fair. Over 1,200 projects at six different schools were produced by our fifth, sixth and seventh graders,” he said. He added: “The awards ceremony allows the district to recognize students who finished in the top three places in each of the three categories (earth, life, and physical). “These students have exhibited an aptitude and interest in the sciences that will serve them well as they pursue their future educational and career goals.” Jess Grizzell, principal of the Waynesville Middle School, said that student projects allowed them to “think outside the box.” Maj. Mark Johns, who is stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, was one of several parents in attendance. His daughter, Molly Johns, won second place in the life science category and said that his daughter has plans to attend veterinarian school in the future.“We’re very proud,” Johns said in regards to his daughter’s accomplishments. Award winners received ribbons and certificates while first place winners received a gift certificate to attend the Missouri University of Science and Technology summer program.Pick Elementary 5th grade math and science teacher Candice West was also in attendance and noted the various students’ accomplishments.“I am beyond thrilled,” West said after the award ceremony. Steve Tupper, liaison for Missouri S&T at Fort Leonard Wood, also noted the winners’ accomplishments after the ceremony. “The kids learn this is fun,” Tupper said in regards to the projects they developed. Sean Soebbing, a 6th grader from Freedom Elementary, won first place for his project, “The Effect of Different Types of Salt on the Weight of Salt Crystals.” When asked if he wanted to pursue science in the future, he said he wasn’t sure yet, but was proud of his first place accomplishment.“It makes me happy that I won first place,” Soebbing said.
By Matthew Kent
Waynesville Daily Guide
Wed Mar 11, 2009, 05:32 PM CDT
Molly Johns, front, from left, Anthony Barbosa, Corinna Hogan, Sarah Hogan, Justin Abresch, Sean Soebbing, Leilani Deruvo, Michael Garcia, Aneysa Rodriguez and Alexa Jones pose with their awards. Behind them are award presenters from University of Science and Technology, Rotary Club and Fort Leonard Wood.Since early February, numerous students from 6 area schools got to show off their scientific creativity to a handful of judges. But to find the best of the best, one had to attend a Tuesday evening science fair awards ceremony held at Waynesville Middle School, where the top three award winners were recognized in three areas: Earth science, physical science and life science. Joe Petrich, Waynesville R-VI assistant superintendent for human resources, spoke and noted the accomplishments by everyone involved. “The administration certainly appreciates all of the hard work that students, teachers, principals, and staff have put forth during this year’s science fair. Over 1,200 projects at six different schools were produced by our fifth, sixth and seventh graders,” he said. He added: “The awards ceremony allows the district to recognize students who finished in the top three places in each of the three categories (earth, life, and physical). “These students have exhibited an aptitude and interest in the sciences that will serve them well as they pursue their future educational and career goals.” Jess Grizzell, principal of the Waynesville Middle School, said that student projects allowed them to “think outside the box.” Maj. Mark Johns, who is stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, was one of several parents in attendance. His daughter, Molly Johns, won second place in the life science category and said that his daughter has plans to attend veterinarian school in the future.“We’re very proud,” Johns said in regards to his daughter’s accomplishments. Award winners received ribbons and certificates while first place winners received a gift certificate to attend the Missouri University of Science and Technology summer program.Pick Elementary 5th grade math and science teacher Candice West was also in attendance and noted the various students’ accomplishments.“I am beyond thrilled,” West said after the award ceremony. Steve Tupper, liaison for Missouri S&T at Fort Leonard Wood, also noted the winners’ accomplishments after the ceremony. “The kids learn this is fun,” Tupper said in regards to the projects they developed. Sean Soebbing, a 6th grader from Freedom Elementary, won first place for his project, “The Effect of Different Types of Salt on the Weight of Salt Crystals.” When asked if he wanted to pursue science in the future, he said he wasn’t sure yet, but was proud of his first place accomplishment.“It makes me happy that I won first place,” Soebbing said.
The following students won awards:
Physical Science: 1st place (Best of Show): Justin Abresch, Wood Elementary (5th grade)2nd place: Corinna Hogan, Partridge Elementary (5th grade)3rd place: Leilani Deruvo, Thayer Elementary (5th grade)
Earth Science:1st place: Sean Soebbing, Freedom Elementary (6th grade)2nd place: Anthony Barbosa, Freedom Elementary (6th grade) 3rd place: Michael Garcia, Partridge Elementary (5th grade)
Life Science:1st place: Sarah Hogan, Freedom Elementary (6th grade)2nd place: Molly Johns, Freedom Elementary (6th grade)3rd place: Aneysa Rodriguez and Alexa Jones, Freedom Elementary (6th grade) 
Justin Abresch won Overall Best of Show and First Place at the science fair for his project. He is pictured with award presenters and his teacher, Mrs. Gloria Cash.
Justin Abresch won Overall Best of Show and First Place at the science fair for his project. He is pictured with award presenters and his teacher, Mrs. Gloria Cash. Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The District Science Fair
The District Science Fair was this evening...and I can't even believe it...not only did Justin win 1st place in physical science, he won Best in Show in the whole district!! In other words...he beat 1,200 students!!! Along with 2 nice trophies, he received a $50.00 Walmart gift card and a full scholarship to go to attend the Missouri University of Science and Technology Robotics Camp this summer. This is a pre-college program!! He is now going to State held March 31-April 1 in Springfield. We are just so proud!
(turn your speakers UP before you push play :))
With all of the judges and his teacher, Mrs. Cash:
All of the winners:
Future M.I.T. student :P
(turn your speakers UP before you push play :))
Receiving his trophies:
With all of the judges and his teacher, Mrs. Cash: All of the winners:Future M.I.T. student :PSinging and Slides
Last Saturday, Justin had a field trip as he is part of the Honor Choir. They went to Saint James to the Central District Missouri Music Educator's Elementary District Choir (could they add a few more words to that??). Wood Elementary was 1 of 14 schools there...each with about 10-15 students. While we were waiting to drive up there and watch the concert, Jon took Nathan and Owen to the park to pass the time:
"Going down the right way is boring!"
"This is the fun way to do it Owen!"
Some cute candids:
The concert: sorry the pics turned out TERRIBLE :(--Justin is in the front row--red shirt.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Dr. Seuss Week
Last week was Dr. Seuss Week and the kids got to wear their craziest outfits to school:(please excuse the mess...it was the morning rush to get to school).
and no...our couch is NOT pink...it just ended up looking like that in the pics :P
Owen wanted to dress up too :)
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Another Goodbye
In continuation of my "goodbye friends" blog (see may 2008), I am saying goodbye to another good friend. She and her husband and 3 boys are PCSing to Germany which is good for her since she is German, but bad for the rest of us left here...I mean, seriously...who am I going to go shopping with now?? So, farewell Sandra! Thank you for getting me to love outlet malls and all of our crazy shopping trips! Thank you for forcing me to speak German where ever I was even though I am terrible at it! I know in 3 years you will be back here forever (why, I keep asking and NO, I will NOT be here even though you say I will be). Think of me when you get to go to Ikea and H&M!
Katrin and Sandra taking a break from shopping:
Sandra leaving our school forever :(
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
The Croweded House
Nathan had his classroom play today, "The Crowded House". He played the part of the donkey. The premise is that this family complains about how small their home is until a bunch of animals like a donkey, a goat and 6 chickens are forced to live with them. After the animals leave, they realize how big their house really is :). I made the costume for Nathan. I thought it turned out really cute.
I am not sure why the goat just took out the father! 
I am not sure why the goat just took out the father! Here comes my donkey!
The donkey seems to have broken his hind legs!
Why We Had to Buy Another Lock
For about a week now, Owen waits patiently until you are in another room, downstairs, or just plain out-of-sight. When that happens, he gets "dressed" to go outside with a hat, gloves and shoes. Then he proceeds to unlock both double-locks and go outside. Luckily, Jon or I usually catch him right away. Needless to say, we had to buy another lock and we put that one up way high so he can't reach it. Well, he sure won't give up! I was in the bedroom and I heard him trying to get out the front door and this is what I found:
Never mind that it is below freezing and snow is still on the ground...who needs pants anyways?
Never mind that it is below freezing and snow is still on the ground...who needs pants anyways? Then I let him take the camera and I was amazed at the pretty good shot he took of me (good as in centered..not good as in me). 
He is my crazy boy :)
He is my crazy boy :)
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