Stepping Up.... from 5th Grade

Delaney's school only goes up to 5th grade.  6th grade is in the middle school here.  Since Delaney just completed 5th grade this year, she had a "Stepping Up" ceremony this week, to signify the graduating of elementary school.  It was nicely done.  I thought it was awesome that they had an 8th grader from the middle school come and give the commencement speech.  The kid did an amazing job.

It was short and sweet. 

They called up each kid and they got their certificate of passing, plus whatever honor roll award they achieved.

 They got a handshake,

 And a used photo with the principal.

And Delaney got to go back up for a super-special award.

She managed to snag the Presidential Award for consistent good grades.

 I was a little proud of her.  She did have a good year with a great teacher.

That's my girl!

Josh, Marian, and Winning the Internet

 As part of his Drama final grade, Josh had to perform at "Kubi-Fest".  Dan was able to take time off work to go and watch.

Dan was quite impressed how well the kids did and said Josh was really in his element and did a great job.

Marian caught the largest grasshopper I have seen!

 And she wanted a picture of it.  

Someone here on Okinawa posted the best thing I have read in a very long time. The greatest thing about it is that it is true.  And Random.  And awesome.  Please enjoy, and I hope you find it as amusing as I did.

A Days Activity: Daddy Daughter Olympics

 The Activity Day Girls had a Daddy Daughter Olympics for their activity. Rylee was excited about it, but Delaney was not.  We convinced her to go and she did have a good time.  It sounded like they had a lot of fun.

Youth Activity Day

 the YM planned a fun trip to Ie Island.  they were going to take the ferry to the island, and then bike around it.  The YW decided to jump on board.  So Dan took Josh, Marian and Callie.

The weather was as good as possible- overcast, breezy and muggy. Here are all the folks who pedaled and sweated all day. (It was suppose to be about a 15 mile bike ride!)

This is how enthusiastic they were about all that biking!

They took a break from the bikes and climbed the peak on the island and got this magnificent view. 

 And the island was beautiful.  The kids came back absolutely toasted with sunburn, but they had a good experience.  Josh and Marian want to go to the top of the peak again.  (But without the rest of the biking!)

Delaney has a Good Friend

Delaney had a very good friend, Annabelle, who lived across the parking lot from us in Iwakuni.  The whole family was pretty awesome and we were very lucky.  Then we moved.  Sad face.

Fortunately, these lovely people have come to Okinawa, twice now. They came over Memorial Day weekend and asked to spend as much time as possible with Delaney.  They did go our and do some fun things.  We went to dinner together the first night.

After that, they came and took her away of fun excursions.  Rylee was very sad to not get to go along, and I confess, it looks like Delaney had a marvelous time and I was a little jealous as well.

She got to go glass blowing! Apparently the helpers did most of the work, but Delaney got to help. This is spinning the stick while blowing into the tube.

They helped her blow the glass and do all the stuff.  She said it was very hot.

She also said it was very cool. 

She made a beautiful little glass cup.  A small cup, but a very pretty one!  She was excited to bring it home.

they also learned how to make salt!

Apparently they took a lot of seawater and boiled it down to salt.

It was very clumpy, very fine salt.

They got to bring home a cute little pot of salt.

And Delaney got herfirsyt pedicure!  She LOVED it. And who wouldn't love getting pampered while eating ice cream?!

She had very cute little piggies when she came home.

Delaney also got to co walk down the seawall and the beach.  She had a really good time with her friend.  She is lucky to be able to make good friends and hold onto them.