Benjamin Update

Hi All - Benjamin graduated from Junior Kindergarten and he is on his way to Kindergarten in the fall! He just lost his first tooth last weekend so he is on his way to growing up. I wanted to send a picture of his missing tooth, because for one Grandma Barbara requested it, and for another, it reminds me of the kids in the new movie 'UP' from Pixar. I just took Ben on Saturday, and he didn't even understand most of it. He liked the adventure part, but missed a lot of the emotional story. I cried through the beginning of that movie. OK, I teared up several times all the way through that whole movie. It was really heart warming, funny and endearing to all of us 'Scouters', but I have to warn you to bring a tissue.

Here he is with his teacher, Mrs. Sue, at his Graduation. Ben is doing great in his reading and swimming lessons. He has really come a long way this year. He is just starting to focus, but then he has this little stubborn streak that must come from dad. He loves the outdoors, and he is taking an interest in Basketball, and Baseball. He likes exploring the forest, and is always busy messing up the house doing something.....

Talk to you soon! Heather

Science Fair 2009

Keana and Lauren with their Science Project. They wanted to know if it would take more air pressure to make a ping pong ball float if the balls were heavier. It was called Terminal Air Velocity.

Edson did his project on a Faraday Cage. He wondered if a Faraday Cage would block a radio signal, but it actually enhanced it. The only time it was blocked is when it was wrapped in tin foil. Edson got Second Place for his project and was one of only five 6th graders participating.

Jim was the Mad Scientist this year for the Ridgewood Elementary Science Fair. He also volunteered to build the pop bottle rocket launcher. He hooked this up to his air compressor. This contraption could launch 4 rockets at a time, but it got him very wet! They both made an egg drop and bottle rocket this year which did great. Edson graduates to Middle School on June 19th! Jim did such a great job, that they handed over the Science Fair Chairman duties to us for next year. Yeahhhh!!!!!?

Easter

Easter 2009 in Port Townsend, WA

Hi Everyone - We had a nice but very wet Easter this year. The sun came out for a few days but we are back to rain now.

I am getting ready to go to a big family reunion tomorrow. It is very exciting to meet relatives we've never seen before. My Grandma Holmes had 9 brothers and sisters so we have lots of people to meet. 142 people are coming to Jesup, Georgia. I have been busy on ancestry.com and my new Family Tree Maker program. Talk to you soon! Heather

Spring Break

Hi There - On Spring Break we moved Edson into his own room which was the guest room. He is very happy to have his own space, and seems to be enjoying the peace and quiet without Ben in the room. We also painted Lauren and Ben's room so they had their own updated rooms. Lauren decided to change from pink to blue. Ben likes camping so we went with tan. We had lots of fun, and their rooms look much better.
Talk to you later - Heather

Smith Christmas Recap 2008

Hi There! I thought I'd post a few pictures from our Christmas. We drove over to Phil and Sandy Smith's on Christmas Eve after it snowed all day at our house. I was a bit nervous, but the roads weren’t icy so off we went.
Edson was very happy with Halo 3 and X-Box Live. Santa brought Rock Band World Tour that has the Guitar Hero, Drums, and sing along microphone. Jim and Ben like to play the drums. Edson and Lauren like guitar. I have actually played a few times and it is really fun!

The kids got some huge Cat and Dog books from Wes, Libby, and Rusty Smith in Arizona.

Here is Ben who got his new quilt from Aunt Betty and Uncle Keith. He really loves it and we are lucky to have it this winter!

We had a big breakfast, and then I decided to start baking. I got a new apron so off we went to make cookies… We made gingerbread cookies with lots of sprinkles!

The big hit was a flying chicken that makes chicken noises. After all was said and done, why is it that the bubble rap, boxes and silly toys win out every year?????

Happy New Year!!
The Smith Family