SIXTH GRADE GRADUATION

Sam's sixth grade graduation was today at 10am. I took several pictures to share on here. Unfortunately, the batteries in my camera were dead, so I had to take the pictures with my cell phone. Consequently, the pictures are rather blurry.

The ceremony began with the pledge to the flag, led by Sam and his friend Nic, each boy scouts.




Here's Sam sitting with his classmates:




All the sixth graders sang the song "Unwritten" as a choral group, and the sixth grade band members performed "Ode to Joy." I couldn't get a picture of the band because of where I was sitting, but here is a picture of the two sixth grade classes singing their song:




After the musical performances, was the presentation of awards. Here is Sam accepting his President's Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement from the principal Dr. Amy Scott and his teacher Mr. Joe Dixon:




And, here is Sam being presented with his Certificate of Completion. I love that smug smile of satisfaction. It's so Sam!!




Here is Sam with Mr. Dixon after all the festivities of the day:

Spring Band Concert - 5/13/08

Last night was Sam's Spring Band Concert. It was at 7pm in the Vance Middle School gymnasium. First up was Sam's group - the combined Elementary Band, consisting of 6th graders from all six of the elementary schools in the Bristol Tennessee City Schools. They played the following songs:

Barbara Ann
Frere Jacques
Hard Rock Blues
Trombo Mambo
Ode to Joy

My favorite selection was Ode to Joy (also known as "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee"). The kids did a really good job on it. Here's a picture of Sam and some of the other trumpeteers.



The Vance Middle School Band played next. They did such a great job! The prinicpal of Vance Middle School provided a bit of humor when he joined the band for their last number, dressed in a rock-n-roll styled wig and an AC/DC T-shirt. The kids all got a kick out of it, and so did the parents, I must confess. Here's a picture of him, although it's rather blurry.

Recap of Last Weekend

It has been a looooooooong time since I've written anything here. It's certainly not been from lack of things to write about. Rather, the reverse. I've been so busy doing fun and interesting things that I haven't had time to update my blog. Today, I'll do a quick recap of last weekend.

First off, on Saturday morning, Sam got contacts. That was a huge new step! It took him a while to get the hang of putting them in and taking them out, but now he's an old pro. Now, he can actually see the ball while he's playing baseball, and there has been an obvious improvement.

The other big event this weekend in the Mumpower household was the completion of our garden. Well, we completed the space. We still haven't gotten everything planted yet.

The previous owners of this house had a flower bed along a wall separating our house from our neighbors. It was overgrown with weeds, and pretty much just a great big mess. Scott extended it out, doubling its size, and put in new lumber borders and a load of topsoil. Sam and I helped by get ting the area ready for the topsoil and then shoveling the topsoil off the trailer into the garden. Scott and I put up a chicken-wire fence to keep out the bunnies.

Here's a picture of Sam and Scott getting it ready for the topsoil:



Here's the completed garden plot with a few plants planted:



We're all very excited about the garden! It will be something fun to do this summer with the kids I'll be keeping, and it will be a good thing for Sam to be involved in. Of course, the best benefit is the savings we will enjoy on our grocery bill.

My new vocation

Today I started a new vocation. I'm babysitting my friend Mary Katherine's son every day while she goes to work. Levi is four years old and an absolute doll!!! We have both been looking forward to this for a week, and we had a great time today.

The green-eyed monster reared its ugly head today. Sam went to the nurse at school because he was feeling "sick", and I had to go pick him up from school around 10:30 this morning. I think he was suffering from jealousy more than anything else.

Here are several pictures I took:


Eating breakfast



Levi "reading" to me



Time to color!



Playing outside with Pearl



Being a boy -- playing in dirt

Baseball Pictures

I know I promised to put up pictures of Sam in his uniform after Monday's game, but that game was canceled due to bad weather. His next game was this past Friday, and I finally got a couple pictures out in the parking lot after the game.

It was his team's first loss. The score was 6-5. Sam did great - even scored one of his team's runs! I was so proud of him. Despite the loss, he was still happy because he knew he did well.

More Baseball

I sure do hope you all like reading about baseball, because that is probably all I will be writing about for the next three months or so.

Friday night, Sam's 2nd game was nearly canceled due to weather. Instead, it was cut short after the 5th inning, due to time constraints. The score was tied at 10-10. Sam showed vast improvement, both at 3rd base and at bat. He got two hits and an RBI. In the bottom of the 4th inning, he stopped a line drive with his shins (the ball bounced off his right leg, onto his left leg, and then back on his right leg). He has three very large bruises now. He's so proud of himself, though, especially since one of the coaches told him that all good 3rd basemen will take a few bruises for the team.

This week, Sam's school is having TCAP's (achievement tests), so some of the players have already indicated that they will not be at tonight's game. I assured the coach that Sam will be there. (He always scores above his grade level on those tests and doesn't do anything special in preparation, so I can't see why he shouldn't play.) I'll try to get a nice close-up picture of him in his uniform tonight and post it on here tomorrow.

Saturday, I took Sam to Baseball University to practice in a batting cage. He did well, but I'm starting to think that he can't see the ball clearly enough. He got glasses about a year ago, but they are torn up and unwearable now. As soon as I have the money, I'm going to get him contacts. We'll see how that improves his game.

First Baseball Game

Last night was Sam's first official baseball game. He played 3rd base and did very well. His team won the game with a score of 8-2. Scott and I enjoyed watching the game and were proud parents!