Manatawny

Two weekends ago, we made our usual trek back up to Pennsylvania for the Conestoga Valley church Retreat at Manatawny. We have gone back for this event every year since we moved. Any chance we get to be at Manatawny and spend time with our friends that we miss so much, we'll take it! The weekend is always a lot of fun and a good spiritual boost and this year was no different! There are very few times that I don't have my camera with me and this weekend was no exception. But, apparently I carried it all the time, but never took many pictures! I got home to unload my camera and realized that I had taken very few pictures. In the moment, I always enjoy just getting to be in the moment and not behind the lens, but then I regret it later. What I didn't catch on camera was- fun team building architecture game, amazing singing, cardboard testimonies (extremely powerful), thought provoking lessons, reading in the shade, making luminaries, AWESOME games of mafia (where I happend to win as mofia and where I had some amazing saves as the nurse), Kan Jam games, swinging, and lots more. Oh well. Here are a couple of the ones that I did manage to get...

We had a great weekend and ended it with lunch on Sunday at Five Guys with a large number of the group. It is always nice to 'ease out' of leaving by going out to lunch. This has also become a tradition after the Intermediate week. We can't wait to get back up to PA! We will miss some people that week and get to see some others that weren't there this weekend. We certainly do love and miss our 'extended' family!! Thomas has already been asking when we get to go back. 3 weeks and 1 day, my son. (Not that I'm counting down or anything...) ;)

Last Day of School

Last Thursday was Thomas' last day as a Tiger Cub. It was a sad day for me, since we have absolutely loved his teachers this year. We couldn't have asked for better teachers! They have had a lot of fun this year and Thomas is already asking when he gets to go back to school. We have discussed that school is done for the Summer and when he goes back to school, he will have new teachers with new friends. Most of the kids in his class this year were younger, so they will stay with the same teachers and will be together again next year. He is ready for Summer to be over so that he can go back to school and be a Frog. Personally, I am just hoping that the Summer doesn't go by too quickly! Our Summer is going to be disjointed, with lots of coming and going, both by us and by others coming here. That always makes things seem to go more quickly!


On the last day of school, the Tiger Cubs had their last chapel in the the auditorium. They hadn't done chapels in the auditorium since the first chapel in October. They did a really good job! They all actually went on the stage and stayed there without the aid of a parent, which they didn't all do in October. Thomas spent a lot of the time jumping, cheering and clapping.Yes, Thomas was 'that kid' that provided that humor for the event. 


Since Thomas was the May birthday, they also recognized him and sang "Happy Birthday."

They sang "Awesome God" complete with 'fireworks' at the end. I pretty sure that was Thomas' favorite part of the song. There were two kids that belted out the song the whole time. Thomas sang some but was mostly interested in looking around. 

This was the last time that Emelia would get to hang out with her friend. One of the kids in Thomas' class has a baby brother about 6 months younger than Emelia. Most mornings, both Emelia and Chase would be carried in their carseats and left to 'chat' at the front desk. I became pretty good friends with the mom and we enjoyed sharing in our related situations. Unfortunately, they are a Coast Guard family and are moving over the Summer. 

Thomas getting his 'Certificate of Completion'

Tom was able to work from home that day and took the time to come to the chapel. Ghee Ghee and Grandpa were also able to come.

Thanks for a GREAT year Miss Trish and Miss Jeannie!!