Julie A. Duncan

We had an amusement park atmosphere for family night of VBS. First the kids sang a few songs from VBS and then Brother Bob presented the gospel to the parents. Then we headed in for inflatables, balloon creatures, face painting, crafts, cotton candy, popcorn, and pickles! The girls had a blast. They missed the pony rides, but were grateful that the ponies stayed home and didn't get drenched in the total downpour right before the event! Practicing while waiting on the other kids to arrive. A - Admit to God that you're a sinner and repent. B - Believe that Jesus is God's own son. C - Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. It's the ride of your life when you dare to believe in Jesus Christ!!

The first day of VBS went perfectly. We had lots of children and everyone was very excited. We can't wait for the rest of the week.

We got to spend a beautiful morning at the Wichita Mountains with Greg's brother Mike and his granddaughter Hannah. We ate lunch at Meers, devouring their wonderful hamburgers, cobbler, and homemade ice cream. In the evening, we invited my parents over and I made shish-kabobs which actually turned out pretty well. Maybe we'll do more grilling this summer. Ashley is skipping rocks at our final destination. Jordan and Ashley with their cousin Hannah Jordan brought a notebook for making observations. Mike told the girls they could survive on wild onions if we got lost. Ashley was not convinced. Neither was Hailey! Being the youngest and shortest on the trip didn't stop Hailey one bit! We were very thankful for the skies that stayed cloudy until right before we left!

One of my favorite lessons to teach in Sunday School is Ruth. She's such an example of someone who loved her family. When it works out, I like to take the kids to the gym during the part of the story where it says that they traveled to Israel. In "Israel," we run to the other side of the gym to pick up wheat. This year, my friend Angie gave me some real wheat for us to look at. We got to see the grains of wheat, pick it apart, and try to smash it with a rock. We looked at wheat flour and then we ate some muffins. Then they acted out ways that they too can help their family. First we set the table, then we picked up toys, and finally we matched socks and folded laundry. It's a fun, hands-on story that, hopefully, they walk away remembering both the story and how they too can show love and help their own families. My COMPLETE FLOP at trying to make wheat rolls. Was it the yeast that expired several years ago or the ten-year-old wheat flour that made them not do anyt...

I'm going to be helping with the first and second grade crafts during VBS. Our theme this year is Colossal Coaster World. Caroline had the kids on Wednesday and Sunday nights make roller coasters to help decorate the room and that was our main decoration. We also hung pinwheels from the ceiling which made it fun and put a ticket paper chain all around the edge of the ceiling. It really turned out cute. Now all we need are the children! The First and Second Grade Craft Room The girls have their tickets to ride! This is the rally area. Mrs. Brenda had the girls color a poster for her.

For the first and last day of school, we always go to Sonic for ice cream. It's our special way of starting and ending the year. This year, we decided to go after church when the milkshakes are 1/2 off. We tried some of their new flavors. Hailey had cherry cheesecake, I tried strawberry cheesecake, Ashley had hot fudge, Jordan had strawberry banana and we got Greg chocolate cheesecake. We passed on the peanut butter & jelly and the peanut butter & bacon! Who knows, they might be good.... The girls had to do "What I'm going to do this summer" assignments during the last week. Supposedly, this is what we have planned: Jordan Duncan: This summer I am going to have a month of detective stuff. My mom said, "We need to see the Lawton Detective and ask him questions." I and my family might go swimming on Monday if we have time. Oh, and my mom said we might go somewhere. Oh, and in this summer we will play outside. Oh, and we are going to run our ...

Today was end-of-the-year awards ceremonies. I am very proud of my girls for their accomplishments. Jordan and Ashley received awards for the Principal's Honor Roll. Hailey received a math award for A's all year and also the Most Artistic class award. We loved both teachers and felt like all three girls learned so much this year. Their teachers also helped me out in so many ways, patiently answering my teacher-type questions. Mrs. Deyoung even let me spend a lot of time in her classroom during the fall as I got to watch her teach and help her do things on Fridays. I probably learned as much from her as Hailey did! Hailey and Mrs. Deyoung Jordan, Mrs. Swanson, and Ashley

Tomorrow is the awards ceremony and Wednesday is Super Kids Day. For all practical purposes, today was the last day in the classroom. The girls came home with tons of stuff after cleaning out their lockers and desks. I'm amazed at what was there. Jordan had three and a half pairs of socks, books I had forgotten we even owned and some I didn't know we owned, papers from the beginning of the year, and a whole mess of toys and stuff I'm not even sure what was. Jordan vowed to keep her locker and desk cleaner next year! They filled up a trash can and then gathered up all of their half-used workbooks and started playing school. ;-) It's apparently been an absolutely exhausting year!!

Tonight was Ashley's second piano recital. She got to stand up for having competed in the Schubert competition in which she received a superior. She memorized and played "Rockin' on 6!" Tonight she played "Wash-Day Boogie." She said she was really nervous and I could tell. She played her song a lot better at home. She was glad to get it over with!

Ashley is our blogger today talking about the Fairy rooms they made outside. This is the fairy house room number 1. It was the first one build. The yellow mark points to the bath. The red mark points to the bed, pillow, and the shade for the pixie. The green is the rug made by silk. The white is the chair made so the pixies can rest and not lay so they can see their friends. Then last but not least is the blue, the lanterns made out of flowers and marbles. So how do you like room 1? This is the flag. It's in the first room. It says pixie wings. This is the fourth room. It has every thing that is in the first room. This is the third room. In the back is the soap and bath supplies in a plastic egg. This is the kitchen. It has two tables and a plastic egg with food and plates. This is the second room.

Teachers are the queens of garage sales. We're always looking for bargains and things we can use in the classroom. That was my mission today. Lawton Public Schools were out of school for an inclement weather day and so there were several teachers having garage sales. Yahoo! I spent about $50 at two teachers' sales. Greg didn't think it looked like much, but I know how much some of this stuff costs! I would have bought more, but one of my friends who just graduated beat me to the sale and was spending her graduation gift money!!

Jordan was very excited about her recital. She has come a long way this year. She is able to do her cartwheels and handstands so much better and she is also able to do a back bend all by herself. She is stronger and more confident and seems to enjoy what she is doing.