Matt's 5th Grade

Matt also had a graduation of sorts. He finished up the 5th grade.

He had a really good year. He did well academically and relationally too. We're all very proud of him.

I thought there might be some transition from home school to public school as he made new friends and got used to a new school. Not for Matt. He loved it from day 1. It didn't hurt that he had a good teacher too - thanks Mr. Whitty!

In fact, Matt loved school so much that he was always super excited on Sunday night that he got to go back to school. And in the same vein, he was thoroughly depressed by day 2 of summer vacation that he has to wait so long to go back to school. His prayer request last night was that he'd be patient until school starts!

8th Grade Graduation

It's hard to believe that our little Andrew is not so little anymore. He just turned 14 and graduated from the 8th grade.

Out of over 400 kids, Andrew had a couple of very nice accomplishments.

He was a part of the National Junior Honor Society.

And in a surprise to us, he was chosen as one of 12 kids to be finalists for the Benicia Teacher's Association Citizenship Awards. Every teacher votes for kids with great attitudes, citizenship, character, etc. and even though Andrew only attended BMS for 2 years out of 3, he was still chosen as one of the 12. That was encouraging and a testimony to Christ's work in his life!

It was fun to celebrate this moment with his grandparents.

We are all very proud of him! Great job Andrew!

He looks happy to be done.

Track

In Andrew's second season of track, he did a great job!

He added a new event - the 400. Here they are after the first turn - Andrew's in the first lane so he starts off furthest back.

 

It's a little slower than the 200. Here they are at the half way point on the back stretch. He's now moved to the middle of the 3.

 

 They're coming around the last turn here. He's making his move.

Here they come on the final stretch. It's pretty close, but Andrew has a slight lead.

It's now a 2 man race to the end.

And it's hard to tell on this photo, but Andrew pulled it out at the end for a victory!

This is a different race, but I got some video. He finished second here at the first heat of Invitationals. He ended up finishing 3rd in the final heat with a personal best of 59.95. So he was the 3rd fastest 8th grade boy in the region. Pretty good!

He also did the long jump. I was a parent volunteer for this meet. Got to make sure there's no foot faults!

I believe I can fly...

At least for 14'6" - his pb for the year.

And here he is at the 200.

Andrew puts his all into running. You can see it on his face!

Speed!

This is video of the first heat at Invitationals where he won. In the final heat, he got 4th place - again, pretty good for all the 8th grade boys in the region! His pb was 25.01.

Proverbs 6:20-23

Proverbs 6:20-23

²⁰ My son, observe the commandment of your father
And do not forsake the teaching of your mother;
²¹ Bind them continually on your heart;
Tie them around your neck.
²² When you walk about, they will guide you;
When you sleep, they will watch over you;
And when you awake, they will talk to you.
²³ For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;
And reproofs for discipline are the way of life.

Galatians 5:22-25

May the boys and girl produce fruit - 100 fold and then some!

Galatians 5:22-25
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

The Food Forest update

Wow, as I look back at the pictures from less than 6 months ago (Click here), what a transformation! The Food Forest is SO different!

This picture doesn't even do the Food Forest justice. There's so much color and life in here when you get up close!

Mom and Emery are busy out here every morning and throughout the day, working away and enjoying the flowers.

We have eaten some blueberries and harvested some garlic. But the fruit is not quite there yet this season. But we have some little pomegranates here if you look super close! We also have little peaches, pears, lemons and limes too. The trees are so small right now, but hopefully next year we might get to eat some fruit!

Benicia 5k

Matt ran his first 5k! His time was 27:11 for an 8:45 mile pace.

He finished in 4th place in his age group (10-11 year-olds) and almost got a medal. He was really disappointed by that.

We trained for about a month before with a run once a week. I hardly call it training, but we did something.

I managed to finish with a 26:47 time for an 8:37 pace. I don't know how I beat Matt. He's actually been running faster than me lately.

It was a great first race together. I might have a new running partner for the future! Great job Matt!