Spring Break 2015

I can't believe we are already halfway through March and finishing up Spring Break.  Time is flying way too fast.  It has been a nice week.  Is our time off ever long enough?

Saturday, March 7th
I spent the morning with three Writing teachers working with a group of students on their writing skills.  I can't wait to read their final papers that they are to bring back after Spring Break.  It was truly a great morning of working with students and perfecting writing. I even took some time to write a draft using their prompt and their strategies.  Now, for me to finish my paper.

My mom got home with my niece and nephew.  I'm so excited to spend some time with them in our neck of the woods.

Sunday, March 8th--Girl Scout Sunday
Check out this Cadette Girl Scout who got to join me at church this morning.

With the kids home, they get to pick what we do and where we eat.  I give them the planning power.  Since they were infants, we have made them a part of our daily planning and events.  Now, as a teen and preteen, they know how to plan a day.

Monday, March 9th
Today, we got tickets to the Perot Museum.  We had to figure out which day still had tickets available, so it went into the plans for today.  They have a traveling exhibit on Sir Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes, so we checked it out.  It was very interesting, and we enjoyed solving the crime.

My nephew has read The Outsiders for school, so I introduced him to the movie.  You know the one.  The one with all the cute guys from the 80s.  :-) My niece said she didn't want to see it until she read it.  Of course, my copies of the book are at work, so it will be a little longer before she reads it.  We didn't actually see the end of the movie b/c he wanted to keep the book's ending in his mind rather than the movie's.  I loved discussing the book and movie with them.

Tuesday, March 10th
Today, they wanted to go to the Dallas Zoo.  When deciding on the zoo to attend, my adorable niece wanted to go to the zoo with the most animals.  Well, I compared the Ft. Worth and Dallas Zoos.  I'm not sure about the number of animals, but the Dallas Zoo is older and larger by acreage.

We have gotten their picture taken on this tortoise every time we have gone to the zoo.  

I wish I could find the first one to do a comparison.

Wednesday, March 11th
Because my nephew had so much homework to complete over Spring Break, he requested to go back by tonight.  We asked all the way back if they wanted to visit anywhere--Cameron Zoo (Waco), Dr. Pepper Museum, anything in Austin, etc.  They just wanted McDonald's for lunch and to spend time together.  When we got them back, we had dinner and then had them finish all their homework.  With it done, we can do something fun on Thursday.

Thursday, March 12th--Girl Scout's 103rd Birthday
Before Mom and I left to head home, we wanted to do one last fun thing, so we went to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch.  I have never seen so many people there.

When we finished, we went to have a burger/hot dog and fries and finished with custard to celebrate Girl Scout Birthday.

Friday, March 13th
Mom has a serious cold, so she has rested.  After going to Curves, my 200th visit (Woohoo!!), I did chores around the house.

Saturday, March 14th--Pi Day
Happy Pi Day!  Will you be eating pie today? What were you doing on 3.1415 at 9:26?  I was walking into Curves for my 201st workout.

Girl Scout Sunday

Today is Girl Scout Sunday.  How will you spend it?  Will you go to church?  Will you do anything special at church?  We invited our girls to visit our church.  If we had had several, they could have been ushers and greeters.

Girl Scout Sunday 2013

Today is Girl Scout Sunday, the Sunday before Girl Scout Birthday, which is March 12th, when Girl Scouts will turn 101.  Three of our girls spent the morning at First Presbyterian Church of Rockwall, not only attending service, but they were greeters and ushers during the service.

After the service, the girls delivered their Be Prepared, Girl Scout themed, bags to a few memebers of the church who need a little extra TLC.  While visiting the different rehab facilities, they looked at flowers to help earn the Flowers Badge.

Happiness

Happiness is . . . having my niece and nephew for 6 days of Spring Break!
I can't want to spend time with them. They are setting the schedule for the week, and since Gram is still in rehab for her broken leg, we will include her in as much as we can, and when we can't, we will show up with dinner or ice cream to tell her all about our day.

We'll keep you posted on our adventures!

Today, we begin with our last Girl Scout Cookie Booth Sale of the season.  2 hours in front of our local Walmart before we spend some time getting the final items for their Be Prepared goodie bag of the church shut-ins.


Bronze Award and Girl Scout Meeting Update:
I missed the last Girl Scout meeting because of the Visitation, but the girls decorated bags for two themes--Be Prepared, in honor of Girl Scout Sunday, Girl Scout Birthday Week, and Girl Scout Birthday, and Easter.  Few items were donated for the bags, but the items that were donated were placed in their respective bag. Once we finished our shopping today and finalize the bags, I'll let you know what was placed inside.

We continue to hear "thank you" and what joy the Valentine's Day bags brought the church members.

Bronze Award Project

Our January 25th meeting was all business.  We don't like to do an "all business" meeting, but we had to have discussions that needed to lead to a decision and then planning for the Bronze Aware project/award.  The girls had created a list of ideas a few months ago.  Last night, we broke them into two groups.  Each group was asked to narrow the choices down to their top three.  Once both groups had three, we discussed them and then narrowed them down to one.  Both groups chose two that were the same and then each had a different one.  After discussing projects other local troops have done and some future projects, the girls decided to make bags/baskets for church shut-ins for four holidays between now and the end of May.  They chose Valentine's Day, a Girl Scouts themed one to deliver on Girl Scout Sunday, Easter, and Spring.  Once they had their concept and four holidays, they brainstormed a list of items to give elderly church members for each theme.  J and I bought the items for the Valentine's gifts based on their lists and a few things we know about the church members.  The girls will spend the February 1st meeting putting things together.

Girl Scout Sunday & Sabbath

Girl Scout Sunday and Girl Scout Sabbath are the Sunday before March 12th and the Saturday after March 12th.  "Girls attend their worship place and have the opportunity to be recognized as Girl Scouts.  Girls may also perform part of the service. This is a time for girls to experience different faiths, if desired" (GSUSA). These two special days are the bookends to Girl Scout Birthday Week.

This year, Girl Scout Sunday is March 6th and Girl Scout Sabbath is March 12th.
In some areas, Girl Scout and Boy Scout Sunday are combined.  In some places, no church does a formal ceremony. Even if no formal ceremony occurs, girls are encouraged to wear their official uniforms to their place of worship.

Our First United Methodist Church holds Scout Sunday in February, normally the Sunday after Boy Scout Sunday.  The Boy Scouts put together a service and include Girl Scouts.  Our First Presbyterian Church has held special services as well.

What do you have planned?