WOLF

Slowly but surely we're figuring things out. Monte Birk got his Wolf, one gold arrow point, 4 silver arrow points, and 3 belt loops at the September Pack meeting.

He Had to drink Wolves blood in order to advance. The old Leaders made the wolves blood out of jello, these leaders did it with tomato soup-he was not aware of the change! So when they were pouring it into his glass Monte Birk made a show of nonchalance. He was SO EXCITED to drink..until it hit his mouth (ever had sprite when you thought you were getting water?) His gag reflexes was quick to register-poor guy. Still, he did impressively well.

Random-ness

I was busy teaching my "games" class for Kids Kollege (more on that to come) and after 45 minutes realized Jack-et was missing and WAY too quiet. I sent Monte Birk to find him...he COULDN'T. I went running in a slight panic, checked the pool, checked the front door, checked my closet...where I've got a rocker and crib for overnight with William. You can't see it in the picture but the rocker is only on it's hind legs. The only thing keeping it from falling all the way back is my clothing-good thing I have a hard time throwing anything away!

Monte Birk saved this little guy from drowning this week. He found him clinging to the pool hose for dear life. Poor guy could swim but couldn't climb his way out!

SERIOUSLY?!

Who sleeps like this?!

Seriously?!

Monte Birk does I guess.

I suppose a full day at scout camp can really wear you out!!

Take me out to the ball game

Matt Peterson, under the auspicious name of PR Youth Sports, you have done it AgaIn!! Wow and double wow to our neighborhood sports Coalition for your baseball season!! 108 kids, 3 divisions and 9 teams, at $8.50 per child you make our life of boys so much easier and happier!! This is our first try at organized baseball and I could not be more pleased about our first games of the season.

Seth hitting the ball and rounding third to home!!

Clyde also hitting the ball and then rounding third to home.

Monte Birk played a double header today. Phew! He was tired and hot by the end but those runs into home were well worth it!

I am so thankful for good friends and people that take the time to create and execute something so wonderful that my family can participate in. When I think of my sun burned neck from 3 hours of lazily sitting and cheering I think of how sore Coach Matt's knee must be from kneeling to pitch for these youngsters hours on end. I think of his sweet wife and children who support him as he puts in his time scheduling and organizing the games and rosters. You know it's a real service at $8.50 a child when we get t-shirts and caps out of it as well. It is such a rewarding experience for the kids with the supportive, patient and up-beat dads on the field helping them play.

2nd Grade Musical

I LoVe our gradeschool!

I LoVe our teachers!

I LoVe our music program!

Mrs Sponseller is the BeSt 2nd grade teacher in the WoRld!!

Our best friend Jonah who brought his mom on a special date with us for ice cream after the performance. He's not in our class this year but we make it a point to get together.

A western theme review. Clementine, California here I come, Elbow room, Lone Star Trail, Big Rock Candy Mountain, Johnny Appleseed, good songs!!

Season End

The Basketball season came to and end for the brethren yesterday. In the Greyhawks last game they were playing against the first team they played in the tournament. In game one they were wasted by the Sharks but yesterday they came out ahead by 4 points!! Each team showed so much improvement this season. I am especially proud of our guys!

We are participating in a neighborhood program, PR Youth Sports. It is by our old house so we get to play with friends from our old neighborhood. What a great money and time saver for these boys to learn many different sports at a fraction of league costs.

The Greyhawks

Spencer Hawkins, Carter Marshall, Seth Gardiner, Clyde Gardiner

Tristan Vinal, Tyler Jones & Monte Gardiner

Monte's 3 pointer. Can you see the ball high in the tree? This kid really catches air-in this shot he is on his way down!

Clyde is learning to be a team player and made some great passes this season.

Seth has got the hustle down! He moves quick to get himself open and move from one side of the court to the other fast! He's a bullet!!

Bring on the Baseball Season PR Youth Sports we are excited and we LOVE IT!!!

I LOVE scouts

Tonight at Pack Meeting he was awarded his Bobcat Badge, Outdoor Activity Patch and bicycling and computer belt loops. AWESOME!!

Polar Bear Swim

It's December, the pool is not heated, and yet he continues asking if he can go swimming. So yesterday I let him. Why not? He'll learn for himself. I've done this before myself when I was crazy and young at a friends annual 'Polar Bear Swim'. Maybe it's time to make some more winter traditions. We could get awards and everything. Sponsor the Gardiner's Annual Polar Bear Swim. Of course they'd have to get their hair wet and swim the length of the pool. What do you think?

His reactions are so great here. I really love this kid.

" Mom! It's like there's ice all over my body!"

worms

At parent pick-up on Tuesday Monte Birk asked me, "Mom, do worms have citizenship?" Me: "No Monte Birk, I don't think so. Why do you ask?" Monte Birk: "They do such great things for us it seems like it would only be fair." Me: "What do you mean kiddo?" Monte Birk: "Well, they loosen the soil and help plants grow and fertilize the ground. You know mom, we owe the worms a lot." Try keeping a straight face having that conversation with a serious 8 year old!

MiLeSToNEs

Yesterday was a special milestone for Monte Birk.

He was baptized into

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It was a very Special Day for us all.

Grandma Gardiner and Grandpa Arnett

Aunt Margot, Ryan and Lindsay flew in from Utah, as did Grandma Gardiner. Uncle Bill and his family drove in from Pinetop Lakeside. Grandpa was there with his gift of new scriptures with Monte's name engraved on them (this was a real highlight for Monte Birk.) Aunt Tiffany and Aunt Brindy were there with their kids and our good friends Jillian, Tristan and the Judds came. What a wonderful support network we have in our family. Thank you all for your love and support and taking the time and effort to share this special day with us!

ScOuTS

Excited (yet nervous) but still...Excited

The nerves conspicuously disappeared when he was welcomed to the troop with a twinkie eating contest with the other new boy. Monte is so competitive that he almost threw up shoving it in his mouth so fast. Just look at the excitement on his face in that first shot. Scouts is going to be a really big hit at our house!

Percy Jackson Party

He's not quite 8 but the party couldn't wait!

We had our own version of "camp halfblood" set up in the backyard. The boys, 14 total, came and were handed a wooden snake to paint. They really got into the design and colors.

Then each of the boys was given a sword, much like I would imagine 'Anaklusmos' yet without the power to slay monsters or change into a pen. We divided the boys into two teams. It was Poseidon vs Zeus and the first team to pop all their balloons with their swords and put together the prophecy contained in them got the point.

The sword is lost, but what's the cost? The battle you must fight.

So ride the wave all men to save and show Poseidons might.

(they lost their sword on the step of the pool and had to relay race from the other side of the pool, grab the sword, swim back with it and tag their team mate for their turn. The first team done gets the point.)

The land to save the waters raid

the hero's must be wise,

Olympus calls the ship will fall

and save us from demise.

(the boys had to aim for the ship in the pool area with the water balloon launcher. the team that hits closest to the ship's target wins the point.)

the ship

the rest of the prophecy is as follows...

The beauty fair with snakes for hair

will bring you to your knees,
So shield your eyes from her disguise

or a statue you will be.

(Freeze tag. Medusa is "it" and when she tags you the only way to unfeeze is to have a member of your team "kiss" the snake you painted when you arrived with the one they painted. The team with the least ammount frozen at the end of each round gets the point)

His shoes did fly into the sky the hero to destroy,
You must prepare to meet the air, and all your travels enjoy.

(Another relay. Run to the other side of the yard put on the fairy wings and a pair of dad's large shoes and run around the flag. Come back to tag your team mate for their turn. The team finished first gets the point.)

...and then on to presents while you enjoy a blue lolly-pop.

after afterwords, blue cake, blue candles and blue frosting with a Trident on top. Don't forget the blue gator aid bottles to go with the cake.

Then send them out the door with their snake and sword and a little bit of blue candy to go...like I said, it's a

Percy Jackson Party!

LPM Graduation!!

This is a BIG DEAL for Monte Birk and Mom. (It's a 3 year program but he's been in it for 4 years. Re-doing the lousy 2nd year with mom as his teacher with Miss Julie. He just couldn't pay attention with me as his teacher.) 4 years of attending classes and practicing.

The final recital is a performance of an original composition by your student performed by your student. He is such a talented boy. And a wonderful example for his younger brothers.

we did it!!

PeRFoRmanCes

So...I get this call from the Music teacher at Augusta Ranch telling me that Monte Birk is in the school talent show and his piece needs to be memorized...Say WHAT? He comes home and nonchalantly let's me know that yes, he's done an audition and yes, he's playing the piano piece he wrote in music class...ummmm OK. He was so low key about it at home that I couldn't tell if he was excited or nervous or what! The day finally arrived and he got up and slowly walked to the piano and played his piece perfectly. Then without a bow, a look, or a smile, he high tailed it across the gym floor back to his place in line, tunnel vision the entire way. Guess he was nervous after all.

The first grade musical was another thing entirely...he was so at home singing and dancing on the stage. No nerves there! 2 of his good 'ol buds from school

Jonah, on his left, is his best friend...we love having him over to play.