A Different Kind of Firefly

Earlier in the year, Jalen met a reading challenge and earned a free ticket to a Columbia Fireflies game. Tonight was the night we got to go to the game with many of his classmates. 

For some reason, they sat us on the opposite side of the stadium from everyone else at our school. On the flip side, we were on the very front row behind the dugout, which was very cool.

After a few innings, we both decided we'd be happier with our friends so we moved to some empty seats by the rest of the IES people.

Jalen's teacher - Ms. R.

It has become quite exciting to have Tim Tebow playing here for our local team. I was a bit of a stalker with my zoom lens tonight.

Jalen and I had a fun night. And Tim Tebow did not disappoint.

Fabulous Field Day

One of our favorite days of the year is Field Day. It's always full of games, fun, snow cones and watermelon. I usually volunteer, but this year I was subbing in the library and didn't get to go - other than a couple of quick trips just to see what was going on. Fortunately, David was able to go with the kids. He didn't have time to take pictures, but fortunately some of my friends took pictures for us.

So here are Fun Day pictures in no particular order.

Baylie with her teacher, Mrs. Alexander.

Jalen and classmates.

Speedy Fast!

Speedy Faster

Dizzy Bat Game

Dance Moves

We love our school.

Run Hard

For several weeks, Baylie and some of her school meets have been participating in a program called Run Hard. They have trained for a 5K. I have been really impressed with her dedication and willingness to do her best.

Baylie and Isabella

They were recently recognized in a school assembly.

Today was the big race and it was soooo cold. This is how she and her friend Alexa "warmed up."

Dancing to warm up.

David ran with her.

On Friday, the kids at school signed a poster wishing the runners good luck.

David said Baylie did great and ran almost the whole way.

Isabella's little brother Jackson joined them for the finish.

We were so proud of the whole team and how hard they worked.

These two ladies, my sweet friend April and Ms. Gossett - a 4th grade teacher - helped the kids train and get ready for the race. It was a big time commitment.

I have always been impressed by Baylie's determination to succeed and complete a goal.

Check out those medals!

Family photo

She finished!

I love the principals at the kids' school. Mr. Scott ran the 5K and Mrs. McCaskill came to cheer.

They even had energy left to dance after the race!

Now Baylie is excited to do the Freedom Run in July with Grandad.

Third Grade Field Trip at the State House

One of my favorite things about South Carolina are the amazing girl friends I have. Most of my life I have had guy friends, but as they got married, I gradually became friendless. Over the years, I have had a handful of really great girl friends, but I have never been surrounded by a core of women that I connect with in the way I do with these women. It has been such a blessing to me. I love raising our children together.

April, me, Yasmin

We rode downtown to the third grade field trip together. It was FREEZING so we huddled under a blanket while we waited for our kiddos to arrive. April called us freezing chaperone hobos.

The statehouse is a beautiful building. I had only seen it from the outside up to this point. I was excited to see the inside and it did not disappoint. 

Our tour guide, Susan Audé, was a former newscaster and was a local celebrity. Yasmin was starstruck to have her guide us. She was a great guide and added so much trivia to the standard tour.

This painting depicts Richard Kirkland, the The Angel of Marye’s Heights, the Confederate soldier who took water to Union soldiers on the batterfield.

Revelutionary War - I love that our state history is U.S. history.

The inside was stately and beautiful with granite and wood.

This ceiling is painted adobe brick.

Baylie and friends on the stairs.

False cupula

Grill work

This is made up of tiny pieces of glass and is the same thing found on the state seal.

Our first stop was the State Senate.

In the senate they vote with Ayes and Nays.

The next stop was the House of Representatives.

Here they vote electronically.

Representative Baylie

Portrait of the Swamp Fox

Ceiling detail

Articles of Secession

Two of the third grade classes in front of the statue of John C. Calhoun.

View from the inside.

State House Selfie

Mrs. Alexander's class

Back side of the capital.

Crazy girls

Replica of the Liberty Bell

Front of the state house

Damage from one of Sherman's cannonballs (there are six stars that show spots where damage occured).

Friday was a crazy busy day. After the field trip, we had the Fun Fair, which is one of the busiest nights of the year. I tripped over a big battery and scraped up my leg.

Since I'm the PTA Treasurer, I worked the ticket booth all night. David didn't take many pictures, so all I have are a few pictures of the bubble balls, which were a huge hit.

Thanks to Yasmin for this one.