Boomtown Build Lego League

Allie’s Lego League team knocked it out of the park this year with their best model yet! They were invited to showcase at LEGO WORLDS, but unfortunately didn’t get to go. This year’s theme was BOOMTOWN where the girls had to research how architects design buildings that are accessible, durable, and environmentally friendly. This year's team included Allie, Briella, and Brynn.

The BROWNIE BUILDERS decided to design a Girl Scout monument featuring GS founder Juliette Gordon Low. The team designed their own shirts and even hats!  The teamed learned about Juliette Gordon Low's interests.  She loved horses and animals, climbing, tennis, swimming, painting and drawing. 

The team then toured the Guardian Building and monuments in Detroit for inspiration.  

The model included THREE moving parts. The powered door made entering the building accessible for all. Also heat resistant and storm windows for hazardous weather.  She loved climbing so they created an adventure tree park complete with zip line.  Juliette loved gardening and all sports, but tennis was one of her favorites.  The top level had a petting farm because Juliet loved animals. The GS symbol was included. A solar panel and cooling fan conserved energy.  Juliette loved art, drawing and painting.  An art studio was included which featured the iconic GS rainbow on the wall. Accessible tables were included and an elevator to go from floor to floor.  Juliette loved horseback riding so a rink was placed at the bottom. The activity center was built on stilts for durability from flooding.

Unfortunately due to COVID, the showcase and Lego Worlds never happened.  These girls were so close to the end!  I'm so proud of how the whole concept came together.  I know they would have been a star at the Lego Worlds Showcase.  Great job, Brownie Builders!

Quarantined

Being stuck together at home sure did have its positives.  We made MANY memories in quarantine over the long 3 months.  We didn't really go anywhere, but we were busy, busy, busy spending time with each other...time we usually take for granted. 

Allie learned how to sew and cook by herself and Ayden and I baked a batch of cookies every few days.  Together as a family (but mostly Todd), we finished over fifteen 500+ puzzles.  Allie participated in virtual cheer classes daily and I completed 80 Day Obsession: 80 days of quarantine = 80 day of working out!  The kids loved building forts in the living room, watching movies, and playing Roblox for hours together.  Monopoly was a new fun games we learned to play...which usually took hours and was much more tolerable with a glass of wine.  We all Zoomed...for school, for playdates, for Girl Scouts, for birthday parties, and for Mom Happy Hour!  Family bike rides and runs occurred daily, even in the freezing temperatures in March. My mom friends "WINED" me and my students spoiled me for Teacher Appreciation Week.  I turned 41 and my friends surprised me with a birthday parade. Allie earned 5 girl scout badges that involved cooking, gardening, safety, and becoming knowledgeable about Covid.

Today, the governor opened the state of Michigan.  We are free to leave our homes and things will open again next week.  I pray that our quarantine habits stay with our family in the years to come.

 

 

Last Day of School 2020

This year's last day of school...wasn't even at school.  What a crazy and mind-boggling end of the year this has been.  There were no last day of school parties or celebrations.  Field day didn't happen and neither did the end of the year field trips.  There were no last day of school hugs, clap outs, or goodbyes.  Being a teacher in the district does have it's perks...I luckily was able to make special arrangements and snap a photo of the kid's with their teacher's.

Allie loved third grade, especially her teachers.  She loved reading and writing in class.  She often sat next to Taylor, Alexis, and Paige at lunch time.  Allie's favorite thing about third grade was being a Scotch Highlander.  Allie missed her friends at the end of the year, but was really sad the field trip to Henry Ford Museum was canceled.

Ayden had a fabulous kindergarten year!  He learned how to read and his writing really improved.  He loved playtime in class with Javen, Logan, Peyton, Violet, and Henry.  He earn many leadership badges and was often recognized as a good role model.