Blythe's Elementary School Graduation

The last term of this school year has been weird. Online school, no activities, Zoom meetings with teachers and classmates. It hasn't been ideal. It's a bummer because the end of sixth grade is always lots of fun. Blythe didn't get to do field day, the Country Fair, fun art projects, a complete sixth grade picture, and graduation. The graduation is what I'm most sad about. They normally have a whole program, the children sing, there is a speaker, awards made, and a terrific slideshow. 

While we couldn't gather, no one sang, and no one spoke, they did have graduation--a drive through graduation we attended today. We drove around the back of Rock Canyon through a line of all the teachers. We played Pomp and Circumstance as we drove slowly, waving at everyone. I cried (someone had to) as I looked at all the people who have influenced the children for good throughout their time at Rock Canyon. Mrs. Christensen handed off all of Blythe's paperwork and desk contents, and waved goodbye. Around the front of the school was a full-size picture of Mrs. Christensen, so Blythe did have a picture with a picture of her. She still has another week of school, but she has officially finished. And with her official finish, as a family, we, too, are finished with Rock Canyon and elementary school. 

Blythe had a wonderful year. She did well in school, including being on grade in math at her last test. That's an accomplishment! She has thrived socially, physically, and mentally. She is a good student, enjoys being with her peers, and is happy to go to school practically every day. While she might have started out the school year with a bit of trepidation, she finished strong, actually missing being at school instead of at home.

When I asked Blythe what were her favorite things about sixth grade, she replied,

I liked flex time, chill-n-chat, and seeing Brick at school. Mrs. Christensen was nice, and science was also really fun. I liked having Mia and Addie in my class. 

Clearly, too much time has passed for Blythe to remember all the fun things they did. I have provided a record of all those things here on the blog, so I am certain, as she looks back, Blythe will remember with fondness her sixth grade year.

Kimberly and McKenna Roy made candy leis for all the sixth grade graduates.

So darling!

Rock Canyon Teacher Parade

Being out of school has been the pits. While online school is fine, interactions with friends and teachers has been sorely missed by both Brandt and Blythe. Zoom meetings are not the same. Video learning is not the same. Home school is NOT the same.

Today, Rock Canyon held a teacher parade, where faculty and staff drove through all the school neighborhoods. We made signs and lined the yard to wave and cheer and try to feel connected. The parade started at the school and came down our street at at the beginning. There was a police car escort and honking, so we heard them coming, and we heard them going, and we heard them wending their way through nearby neighborhoods. I got very teary as they came by. We've got good people at Rock Canyon, who have done good things for my kids through the years. We miss our regular  association with them.

Because the school parade was not going through the Rock Canyon condos,

Mikayla, Brick, Cora, and Kal came to watch the parade with us.

Although I only got the lead police car and Mr. Hansen (principal),

Mrs. Christensen, Mrs. Payne, and all the kids past teachers drove by.

I was just waving crying enough that I didn't take other pictures.

Homeschool

The governor declared that schools across the state should close on Friday.  The kids came home and have been home since then.  This week, Monday and Tuesday, teachers were given time to prepare online learning, put together packets, organize themselves for a different type of school, and yesterday, we got started.  So far, on day two, things have been going well.  I had to work yesterday, so I asked Kent to stay on top of school, which he did.  Yesterday I was given a two-week paid furlough, so I, too, am home and can help oversee school.  Brandt, usually very diligent, got his work done quickly.  Blythe, always reluctant to do math, will be a challenge.  We're going to have to establish a schedule and stick to it.  Fingers crossed we can make it work!

Medieval Feast

Today was Blythe's Medieval Feast, the culminating event for their Medieval unit.  Blythe has been learning about knights and lords and ladies, the feudal system, castle construction, coats of arms, and the code of chivalry.  Blythe had to build a catapult which we made out of large popsicle sticks and rubber bands.  The class had a competition to see which catapult could shoot a marshmallow the furthest, but apparently Blythe chose not to participate, so we have no idea how well our construction worked.  She also had to do a large project, and using her most excellent writing talents, she chose to write a story set in Medieval times.  While I would love to include that here in our family history, Blythe has sadly chosen not to share it with me. 

The feast was really fun.  Blythe made a coat of arms that was her placemat at the long banquet table.  She got to sit by friends--Addie, Lilly, Mia, Kate, Hailey, and Maggie--and talk all she wanted.  The kings and queens were the first to get their food, but then the other tables were called.  She got to pick whatever she wanted to eat and drink, and then they all ate and ate.  The queens and kings got to pick people to perform for them.  Their queen, Katelyn, chose Blythe to perform, even though she had told her not to.  Blythe sang the ABCs to entertain.  When they were done, they went back to the classroom and watched a movie about a girl who wanted to be a knight.  We had borrowed a Medieval costume from the Coveys for Blythe to wear, but she didn't actually wear it at the feast because she didn't want to spill anything on it.  As I could not help out at the actual feast, I asked Maggie Davidson's mom to take some pictures.  I hope it is a day she'll remember as being lots of fun.

The coat of arms

Blythe wouldn't tell me what any of these things meant.

Our Medieval beauty

Blythe with her catapult that she didn't actually use

Pre-feasting

Girls on the left: Michelle, Meghan, Mia, Lilly

Girls on the right: Blythe, Addie, Maggie, Kate, Hailey

Although Blythe said she didn't want me to post this story to the blog, I want it for posterity, so I'm including it here. Please don't read it.

Medieval Story

Chapter 1

A Favor

Lady Celestria walked to her window seat at the top of the castle and watched the young lords mock joust in the courtyard below. They lunged, ducked, and moved with smooth agility. Celestria smiled and stood. She walked to the door, holding up her red and gold velvet dress and opened it. A servant nodded to her, holding a basket of laundry as Celestria made her way down the twisty stairs. 

“Lady!! Lady Celestria!!” called a voice as Celestria neared the doors to the courtyard. She turned, letting her hand drop from the brass doorknob. 

“Hello, Duke Asher. May I do something for you??” asked Celestria cocking her head slightly, her honey hair falling in front of her piercing ocean eyes.  

“Oh no Lady Celestria!! Not at all!! Princess Isabel requests you in the garden at six sharp.” 

“Thank you, Duke Asher,” said Celestria and he nodded at her before leaving. Then Celestria opened the door and walked out into the courtyard. She strode over to the young lords just as they were finishing. One lord pushed sweaty brown hair out of his green eyes and smiled at Celestria as she approached. 

“Hello Lady Celestria,” he said bowing. 

“Hello Lord Destrian,” she said curtsying. They looked at each other seriously, until Destrian laughed. The pair cracked up. Then Celestria shook her hair back and regained her composure. 

“Lords and Ladies should not laugh,” she said but she was smiling. Destrian laughed again. 

“Ok. I’ll put that on my code of chivalry.” 

“What?? Lords and Ladies should not laugh??” asked Celestria.

“No. that you’re no fun!!” Said Destrian and grabbed Celestrian’s gold-embroidered fan and dashed off. Celestria shrieked and dashed after him, holding her skirts up. 

“Give that back Lord Dustyian!!” she screamed using his old nickname. Celestria and Destrian had been friends since Celestria and Destrian could walk and talk. They often crept through secret places in the castle and stole pastries when the cooks weren’t looking. But as they grew up their parents, well-known Lords, and Ladies, expected better behavior. Finally, Destrian ran into a hall bale and the fan flew out of his hand. 

“Careful!!” Cried a man and caught the fan in his hands. Lord Hugo. He walked over to Lady Celestria and handed the fan to her grinning. 

“Keep track of that Lady Celestria,” he said and bowed. 

“Thank you, Lord Hugo,” said Celestria and curtsied.

“I do hope Lord Destrian finds some manners soon,” she said shooting a look in his direction. 

“I agree.” said Lord Hugo. “and as much as I would like to talk with you, Lady Celestria, I must go. It’s five fifty-five and I have a meeting with my father at six.” 

Celestria gasped. “Oh no!! I have a meeting with Princess Isabel!! Goodday, Lords.” and then Celestria ran. She weaved through servants, Dukes, and Earls, making her way to the garden. As she approached she slowed down, pushed her hair back and straightened. She walked in with grace and saw Princess Isabel, waiting by the fountain. She was softly petting a bird on its head with two fingers but the bird flew away when Celestria neared.

“Excuse me, your highness,” she said and curtsied. 

“Hello, Lady Celestria. Thank you for coming. Will you have a seat??” the princess asked and both the young ladies sat down on a circular bench, going around a big oak. 

“I have a favor to ask of you,” said Princess Isabel said wringing her hand together. “My father, King Amir has arranged a competition for my hand in marriage. He has picked two young lords to take part in it. Lord Hugo and Lord Destrian. I understand that you and Lord Destrain are friends??” she asked. 

“Yes, your highness,” said Celestria. 

“Very well. My favor is that somehow you make Lord Destrain lose.” 

“What?? Excuse me your highness, but did I hear you right??” asked Celestria not believing what she heard.

“Yes. Lord Hugo can get out of marriage, but Lord Destrian can not. I’ve already found love so I plan to run away with him after Lord Hugo gets out the trial and because you will make Lord Destrian lose, he will not be a problem!!” Isabel looked at Celestria, with pleading eyes. 

“Do this for me. Please.” She took Celestria’s hand and held them in front of her. “If you will not do this as my friend, I will command you as your Princess.”

“You need not command me, your highness,” said Celestria and smiled.

“Thank you, Lady Celestria,” said Princess Isabel. “You are truly a true friend.”

Chapter 2

A Plan

“So then you accidentally lose your balance and fall right as Hugo is about to strike!!” Celestria looked at Destrain eagerly. 

“Cele, you’ve gone crazy,” he said staring at her in disbelief and Celstria laughed. 

“Just trust me.” she had told Destrain everything and was now filling him in on her plan. 

“Ok!! But if I don’t get into Duke Ulric’s jousting class, I'm going to be really mad.” 

“Don’t worry. You’ll be fine.” Celestria said standing up. “I have to go. I’ll see you later.” then she glided away to a waiting messenger.
Destrian shook his. Cele had gone crazy.

~

“Dukes and Duchesses, Lords and Ladies welcome to the 6th annual jousting tournament!! And this year we have a special announcement. This year whoever wins shall have Princess Isabel’s hand in marriage!!!” Yelled a man in green silk. “As always, anybody may participate, but you only get one chance!! First contestants, take your place!!”

Destrian and Hugo took their places and waited for the signal. The man in the green put his hand up and threw a small rock. It landed in the center of the arena and the two fighters charged. Destrian took a deep breath and fell off the horse. 

The crowd all went “ohh '' and Celestria, as this was part of the act, rushed to Destrian’s side. Destrian grunted and got up, leaning on Celestria. Then they made their way to the exit. 

“And Lord Hugo takes first place!!” yelled the man in green and the crowd cheered. After several rounds, Hugo was still at the top. 

“And the winner of the contest is….Lord Hugo!!!!!” the crowd went wild. “And as winner,” the man in green handed something to Hugo. “you win Princess Isabel’s hand!!” Hugo strolled proudly over to Isabel and knelt down handing her a gold ring. The crowd roared and made Celestria’s ears ring.

“Ha!! Your plan worked!!” said Destrian smiling at Celestria. 

“I made it up. Of course it worked.” she teased and Destrian laughed. 

“Of course it did.” he said lifting Celestria up and twirling her around. 

“Lord Dustyian!!” she cried, but she was laughing. 

The End

Sixth Grade Activities

Here are two pictures of Blythe's sixth grade class.

Mrs. Christensen got an award and they came to take her picture in front of her class.

Blythe is in pink on the left.

Below is a science presentation by the Clark Planetarium.

Blythe is in the back, pointing at Lexi who really wanted to answer the question.

Valentine's Day

We gathered with the DeMartinis yesterday evening for our annual Valentine's Day party.  We had heart shaped pizza, salad, and sugar cookies we all decorated.  Hoorah for sprinkles!  I made white chocolate covered popcorn with the help of Mikayla's big kids who came over and hung around with us after work, just because I miss them and they miss us, and the evenings are the only times we've got to be together.  We had a fun time with cousins and exchanging valentines.

Today I had a Valentine's party at work.  Everyone brought tasty treats and we ate together.  I found myself snacking all afternoon.  Sitting at a desk all day makes one peckish.  Blythe got to go with the fifth and sixth graders to Classic Skating for roller skating, gaming, jumping, and big time socializing.  She had a great time and I've pilfered pictures from social media.

I didn't get a picture of Brandt at the Valentine's party, but he took a picture of himself.

White chocolate covered popcorn.  

I took this to work as my contribution to the party.

Blythe, Addie Lepinski, Lilly Bradford, Meghan White, Michelle Guerero, and Emily Stewart

Band Bash

This evening was the Timpview Band Bash, a band concert that brings together elementary, middle school, and high school students to perform exciting band music for their loved ones.  Both Brandt and Blythe participated, Blythe in the Sixth Grade East Side Band, and Brandt in the Centennial Middle School Concert Band.  Kent brought his deacons (and the deaconesses) to the concert because lots of those in the quorum/class were performing.  Blythe's group played When the Saints Go Marching In, Brandt's group played Chant and Tribal Dance, and together, with absolutely everyone, they played Shockwave.  It was a fun concert and everyone did well, although Blythe was not entirely confident in what she was playing.  It is wonderful to see the children developing their talents.

Class Christmas Party

We've had another "last" today. It was Blythe's class Christmas party, her last one of elementary school. I had signed up to help with minute-to-win-it games, and Barbara Lepinski was going to help. She had a last minute work thing, so Kent came with me.

We had the kids play three different games. They had to put a cookie on their forehead and work it down into their mouths; they had to move cottonball "snowballs" from one bowl to another with a spoon in their mouths, without using their hands; and they built red Solo cup pyramids.

The kids competed against each other to be fastest at building and unbuilding the pyramids, and to see which team of two could move the most "snowballs" in a minute.

Other stations were sugar cookie decorating, craft making, and Christmas bingo. I meant to take pictures of Blythe doing other things, but I forgot and only took pictures of her at our station. Here's to sixth grade fun!

Blythe was able to get the cookie into her mouth.

Eventually.

Look at that concentration!

Blythe stacked and unstacked her tower in 1:30.

Christmas Concert

We had another last today. It was the Rock Canyon Christmas concerts, and Blythe participated for the very last time (sob, sob). For several weeks she has been singing the sixth grade songs, which this year were a speedy fast version of Jingle Bells and Hot Chocolate. She was ready to sing and did a fantastic job. It was obvious she was having a good time. I tried to embarrass her a bit when I was taking her picture, but she didn't let me ruffle her at all.

I would say that I'll miss the Christmas concert, but I'll likely keep going to see Mikayla's kids, so it's not the last I'll ever attend.   But it will be different without one of our own singing festively at the front of the gym.