20 kids and a teacher at our house!

Animal Rescue Day

Today we went to the Vermont Wildlife Animal Rescue.  I go there once a week to clean cages, feed and water the animals, and (when there's time) interact with the animals.  My favorites are really Ana the Red-tailed Hawk and a group of ferrets that are really friendly.

I had a chance to work with Ana for a while and even got her to go on the glove.  And, once all the work was done and we were ready to go home, I had a few minutes to play with the ferrets.  They are SO fun.

 

A birthday party

Me and my friends celebrate my eleventh birthday. It was so fun to have my friends from different places all come together for a party!

My birthday dinner (we saved it for the weekend)

Birthday fondue

Finally back at the Animal Rescue

New ski boots

A couple of cowboys

Play-date with a best friend!

School pictures: 2010 (left) and 2011 (right)...same shirt!

Intruders Beware - we are protected by Nerf

A Red Tailed Hawk (two) in the field across from our house!!!

School picture

Helper of the Day

When I was a kid, I was reasonably certain that parents had children to have someone to do their dirty work. Now I know it's true. :)

A few months ago I broke the pump on my soap dispenser. Of course they don't make the same pump anymore, so we had to replace the whole unit. The job is not that complicated, but it means climbing under the sink, and behind the sink bowl, in tight, cramped quarters. Eager to earn some money, Patrick was willing to climb under the sink and do the dirty, cramped work. It's a good thing too, because there is no way I could have gotten underneath the sink like that!

Thank you Patrick!

Patrick's Presentation (in two parts)

Patrick made a presentation to his class of 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. The presentation compared some key characteristics of raptors, specifically the Golden Eagle and the Red Tailed Hawk.

This was a volunteer project - not part of a classroom assignment. He did well with eye contact and visuals (behind him was a PowerPoint slideshow, which you can download below if you'd like) filled with great pictures. His teacher referenced his good use of eye contact - having memorized most of his report - as a key to making a good presentation.  Next week, the class will be making individual presentations on a specific dinosaur that they have each been researching.





If you would like to download the slideshow (I'm sorry I couldn't see it on the screen in his room; the lighting was difficult), you can get an idea of what the kids were seeing.  Click here to download the presentation.

Professor Mellmann

Today Patrick gave a presentation comparing Red Tailed Hawks and Golden Eagles.

His presentation included a Power Point slideshow, which he did entirely on his own, and a few questions/answers at the end. Like other presentations he's done, this was not a classroom assignment and he was the only student making such a presentation.

Another day of painting!

Today's accomplishment in Patrick's room; the coral cave.

I'm not certain, but I think I'm done painting. Now I can begin the rest of the decorating!

Patrick's new glasses

Patrick and Calvin fishing

Fishing with Calvin

What a clown!

Partners in Crime

It's always fun to see a best buddy at the fair!

First Day of Fifth Grade

Last Day of Summer Vacation - Activity #3; more fishing!

Last Day of Summer Vacation - Activity #2; shopping at Classic Outfitters

Last Day of Summer Vacation - Activity #1; fly fishing

Photo of the Day

Today is Patrick's last day of raptor camp. After working with a goshawk, large owls, and a red-tailed hawk at the Animal Rescue, this little one-eyed screech owl is not quite as exciting, but Patrick enjoys it anyway. He even received some kudos for his handling of "Screech" when he tried to fly away; Patrick calmly held on and helped Screech back to a perch position.

While he poses for the cameras, he tells the leaders how he was feeding a goshawk once and...well, his story went on for awhile and he just held that little guy still the whole time. Patrick was also proud to be able to wear his own gauntlet and not one from camp.

Breakfast of...falconers!

The first day of raptor camp.

Photo of the Day

Patrick's next "wish list" item...a recurve bow.

Eye exam time...do we see glasses in our future?

Another fly fishing catch!

Photo of the Day

Patrick is enjoying a little alone time with Oma and Opa in Isle LaMotte today (Katherine stayed home with me...she'll get her turn another day).
Of course fishing was on the top of his to-do list, especially since he is trying to hone his fly fishing skills now that he has had his fly fishing camp.
This is Patrick with his first ever fly casting catch. He was very excited!

Photo of the Day

Shopping for a new (larger) bike helmet before mountain biking camp starts tomorrow.

Photo of the Day

Today is Patrick's last day of fly fishing camp. He says that it's been a good camp and that he's learned some things, and he has enjoyed being in camp with his friend, Trevor.

Playtime at the local pool

Patrick standing in front of the snow pack along Beartooth Scenic Byway

In front of Old Faithful

Patrick's first Montana catch

Patrick's big catch

Helping Mama shop...

Helping Mama shop for new planters for our rental properties. After this, we shop for the flowers...yippee!

Patrick's prize

Patrick was the winner (raised the most money in pledges), for his age group (4-6th grade), in the run-a-thon at his school. He won this motorized scooter, and boy was he excited.

The money raised in this event will be used toward the purchase of a new play structure for the school's playground.

Last day of school

Patrick and his friend, Calvin, after their run-a-thon, on the last day of school.

Patrick ran 22 laps and earned $506 toward the playground for the school.

Today is my last full day of school. We celebrated with a water fight.

A visit to the Pet Advantage

First fishing (second actually) of the season

A sewing project at school