Camp Paradise Middle School Play

 Kaylee participated in a middle school play directed by Kavin Ley.  The middle schoolers put on a story about summer camp and all the funny things that go into a summer overnight teen camp.  She even developed a "boy laugh" that was way too hilarious with her backwards cap and boy attitude.  She had a ton of fun with this.  The middle school was raising funds to support a philanthropical cause through ticket sales and concessions.  The middle school really went all out!  One hundred percent of the proceeds from the show will go to Habitat for Humanity whose mission is to make sure everyone has a “decent place to live.” Students chose this worthy cause because as Oliver G. shared, “it directly benefits people in need” and they believe in its mission. The show met its goal of $2,000 Thursday night and still has sales in progress to raise more.

Garrett Concert Band & Youth Philharmonic Orchestra

Jaxton continues to participate in Garrett Concert Band throughout the year.  Their annual concert and chamber music is an exciting one to see.  Each of the kids that chose and developed a piece of music for the Solo Ensemble Festival gets to perform for the concert.  Jaxton had an incredible piano solo that he used for multiple piano competitions this winter.  Since he chose a piece that was outside the limits of difficulty, his solos could not go on to the State Competition, otherwise he would have won hands down.  He also did a percussion ensemble with his section and they did go to the state competition as a group and won a gold rating.  Great job Jax!  We love these musical concerts.  

 

Jaxton is the Assistant to the Principal Pianist in the Fort Wayne Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.  He practices weekly on Sunday afternoons and they had their spring performance in March.  He has been a great support to the percussion & piano instruments and has enjoyed learning music with the orchestra. 

Cub Scouts Events

Cub Scouts is always fun!  Owen did a constellation lesson with the Tigers and built his own constellation with marshmallows and toothpicks.  Nathan's group researched animals and did a presentation poster on their research.  We also did a cooking night and learned about kitchen tools & safety and made some muffins and quesadillas.

 Indiana Wild always comes to visit cub scouts and brings all kinds of interesting endangered animals.  This year they brought a snapping turtle, a skunk, a snake, an alligator and a few others.  The kids are always so fascinated by these animals, especially when they get to touch and feel them all.  I love Cub Scouts and all the opportunities it provides for the kiddos!

The cub scouts had a Camp Kickoff to prepare for upcoming summer camp.  They learned about fire building and had some smore's and learned about tent building and getting ready for camp.  Looking forward to it this summer!

The Tall Oak Gala 2024

 The Tall Oak Gala for Oak Farm is an annual fundraiser fancy event that Nate and I always enjoy attending.  This year the theme was 1920's Flappers and so we went all out with feathers in our hair and top hats.  There is a huge silent auction and the kids' classes each create pieces of incredible art to auction off.  We always end up donating money or bidding on an auction item.  This year we bid and won Pink Droyd concert tickets for October.  Looking forward to finding out all about Pink Floyd & the tribute band Pink Droyd. 

Kaylee's Trip to Utah

 The kids get to pick a place to travel for their 13th birthday.  Kaylee really wanted to visit her cousin Bella in Utah for her trip choice.  So we went to Utah in mid February so we could ski with the Avantguard Ski event with Gramps and cousins.  

It was a lot of fun traveling with K.  We had a hotel near Thanksgiving Point and Kaylee & Bella spent a ton of time at the hotel pool swimming.  Bella took off a day or two of school to hang with Kaylee and their friendship is so very special.  On Thursday we went skiing at Snow Basin with the Avantguard event.  Gramps and Spencer joined Kaylee, Bella and me.  We did some crazy slopes up the Utah mountains.  We made some great memories out in Utah and can't wait to come visit again!

Owen's Broken Arm

 On Valentine's Day, Nate and I went out for a date night, leaving the kids home.  Apparently the kids were having a great time playing a jumping-and-flipping-off-the-couch game in the living room.  They went so far as to tally their progress and make it a competition amongst themselves.  Well, when Owen took another jump, he landed on his forearms on the hard floor.  Of course he cried and then got distracted by a movie and fell asleep on the couch.  

When Nate & I got home, we quietly got ready for bed.  Suddenly, we hear a painful cry in the living room.  Owen had woken up, gotten up to get a drink from the fridge, and when he attempted to hold his cup while pushing the water button on the fridge, pain went through him with the weight of the cup and the cup fell.  We went out to find out what was going on.  His crying would not let up.  We examined his arm and noticed it swelling near his elbow.  He wouldn't move it and wouldn't let us touch it.  We realized it was extremely painful for him and that it certainly was not right.  

We gathered him up and took him to the ER at Parkview.  He was so sweet all bundled up and cozy, letting us hold him close.  Poor little guy was in pain.  They got x-rays that showed a fracture in his upper arm bone near his elbow.  They got him into a room and he somewhat seemed to enjoy the experience :-).  He liked the attention from the nurses & doctors, the movies he got to choose, the cool bed with buttons, the free snacks and drinks they brought him.  He was a little champ!  As long as he didn't bend his arm, he was happy and ok.  The doc splinted his arm and put him in a sling and sent us home after a bit.  

We got Owen settled, got the kids off to school the next morning, and headed in to get his arm casted at the orthopedic doctor.  Again, he was a champ.  He picked his colors, orange & green, just so happened to be Oak Farm colors :-).  And of course he was so excited to show that cast off to friends and get lots of signatures.  This was an experience he will not forget!  

After about 2 weeks, Owen was able to get his cast removed.  He made sure to get lots of signatures from all his friends and family, even the dog.  He was a trooper getting it cut off his arm.