Linus Covert

 

Generations Concert

We had 4 family members in the first annual Sonoran Trails Generations Concert last night! Noah was on percussion, Grampa Chuck played coronet, and Nate and Mike played trombone. They all did a great job! The music sounded pretty good, too! Thanks to Grampa for driving up here for 2 practices this week as well. And it was nice to have Bubbie in the audience. We played Rummikub with the boys before the concert. Always fun!

Stuffed Animal Report

Jonah worked really hard on his stuffed animal report for school. I thought he would choose horses, but he came right out with elephants. We learned a lot about them! Nate helped him find 3 books from the library, and several websites he found by doing a search online. We don't get the opportunity for much arts and crafts with boys, so I was in heaven with this project. It was tough to let Jonah to all the work. He even went over to Jodi's and got some horse hair for the tail and eyelashes! Great job Jonah! We are going to do a wolverine next, just for fun. Boys.

Football!

Nate is having a great time playing for the Renegades!

Band Concert!

Thank goodness Bubbie had her camera phone ready and in action last night, or else we would not have any pictures to document a fantastic evening! We had our middle school band concert with Nate and Noah performing. They put on a great show with some really good music. It was a fun concert.

Afterwards we had some friends come back to our house for ice cream. I had criticized Mike when he came back from the store with 5 cartons of ice cream and 8 toppings. But the kids loved it and made some incredible and disgusting creations.

It was really nice to have a supportive audience! Cheryl was able to make it after work, Jodi and Drew came ( there were a lot of "barn kids" in the concert!) and Bubbie and Grampa Chuck came back from their Utah trip early for us. Thank you for coming! We love you all!

Pictured from L to R is Nate, Gabe, Madelynn, Brinley, Trey, Sam, Noah, Jonah, and the little one who I forgot his name at the moment!

Status Update

There is always so much going on, I thought I should post a little update even though I really don't have pictures. Sorry Deb!

Sam was asked by Bear Essential News for Kids to read one of his stories on air. He went to Fox 1o Studios on Saturday and read a commercial and also his story. He was so prepared he did it in one take! I was very impressed. He refused to allow any pictures, but is was an exciting day. We are waiting for an e-mail informing us of when they will use his clips on TV.

Nate signed up for Football this week! He has a couple of friends playing on the NYS North Phoenix League who convinced him to join them. I am preparing for some injuries. ugh He is super excited and plans on enjoying it. This behavior is new for Nate so we are super excited for the season to begin after the Holidays.

STILL waiting for the season to begin for roller hockey. Sam has me call every week. I guess there aren't enough players for a league signed up yet. Bummer. Sam skates almost every day, and really wants to play. I might look into real ice hockey for him.

We are off to Tucson this Saturday to watch Noah play in his second State League game! We are excited his team moved up into the State Division. We were a little nervous about playing at this level, but last week's game the entire team played really well and Noah had a shut out! So everyone is a little more relaxed and looking forward to playing hard and having fun. It is amazing to watch Noah in action. He has some great saves and has come a long way since he began playing the goalie position in August.

Halloween Gymkhanas!!!

Jonah and I had a great time at Jodi's on Halloween. We had to dress our horses to match our costume.
Jonah dressed at Nacho Cheese with Snuffy, and Moose and I were Little Bo Peep. So fun!
You can't really tell in the picture, but Snuffy has eye holes painted to match Jonah's.


My favorite part is the rear view mirrow and horn on the cane I borrowed. Cool

Spreading the word one article at a time!

Another article - http://www.thefoothillsfocus.com/111809-Horseprogram.asp - for TRRFCC Horsemanship! The Foothills Focus is a great independent newspaper up here in the North Valley. Unlike the big independent that we do not mention by name....... this paper is always supportive of education and is full of positive stories. So exciting to see our name in print!!

New Moon Premiere!!!

Wednesday, November 17th was the AZ New Moon Premiere! Thank you to the Babbitts for being so cool and taking pictures since otherwise I would not have any. It was so much fun to get all dressed up. Julie Babbitt and I went to Ulta and got our hair done. Since I wore the same dress as last year's Premiere, I felt justified in spending the money. It looks really good in the back! ;-)

We went to a fancy dinner beforehand at Chick Fil A. Yum. The band Meese performed in the Cine Capri theater while we were waiting, which rocked. They handed out CD's, and I haven't switched it out yet in my car because I like them so much. They sound a bit like The Fray. I told Stephenie they really should have had a mosh pit. She said she asked, but they shot her down!

New Moon is an awesome movie. The werewolves look fantastic. I made Jonah cover his eyes in parts that sounded scary. I would have never let the older boys go to a PG13 movie when they were 7 - especially one in which people are killed! But it was a very special occasion. I really wanted to stay after and get autographs on our posters, but the boys were so tired so we just went home. What a wonderful night!!

AZ Republic Article

Presenting the dream team for TRRFCC Horsemanship! Jodi Scott, me, and Angie Burton. We had a great article in the AZ Republic on October 16th. Here is a link to read it on our website -

http://www.trrfcchorsemanship.org/azcentral%200ct%2016.html

Bridle and Bit Article

Jonah is famous! He couldn't wait to share the paper with his class.


The TRRFCC Horsemanship Character Program in the Cave Creek School District met with Horseshoe Trails Elementary students for the first time the week of September 21st! TRRFCC stands for the six pillars of character – Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Students are learning how to strengthen their character by applying it to horsemanship activities. In August the TRRFCC arena was built right on school property where students come to class as part of their school day.For the first year all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students are able to participate in the TRRFCC Program, with plans to expand to all grades when funding will allow it. This first week of classes, students learned the importance of “Safety First, Fun Always!” Each safety rule was paired with one pillar of character to help students make the connection between horses and character. For example, fairness was explained by talking about caring for the equipment and keeping everything put away for the safety of themselves and others showing a picture of a lady about to step on a rake lying on the ground. The goal is for them to become good role models for others by being safe at all times. “Butterscotch”, a favorite stuffed pony at Horseshoe Trails, was used to understand how horses see binocular as well as monocular vision. Students were also able to measure using their hands, and understanding what a hand is in horse terms - he is 9 hands tall! Although horses were not involved the first week of classes, the students went to the arena for a leadership exercise. They were to be the horse lead by a fellow student through an obstacle course. Many students commented how it was hard to TRUST the leader because they were to close their eyes to have a feel of what it is like to be a horse looking for guidance. At the end of the session the students take time to reflect on their activity in a journal entry. This will help them to make the connection between their experiences with the horses and their feelings about the pillar they studied that day. All of the journal pages and worksheets are kept in a 3 ring binder to have a personal journal of their accomplishments for the end of the year.
Principal Janiene Marlow says, “I am excited for students to have this opportunity to work with horses to learn more about themselves. I grew up around horses and know that they made me a more patient learner. Horses have a way of making their handlers better communicators. It is up to the student to communicate what they want the student to know and do. The message must be clear, consistent and gentle. It is no different in the classroom for young learners. There will be a lot of similarities between the classroom of students and the arena full of horses. I could not wait to start this innovative program at Horseshoe Trails Elementary School.”TRRFCC Horsemanship is developed and directed by Jodi Scott of Jodi Scott’s School of Horsemanship with the help of community member Liz Covert whose four boys are in the Cave Creek School District, of which one gets to participate in the program. The team is very lucky to have the addition of Angie Burton. She is a great role model to be the classroom teacher as she has a lot of equine experience as well as working on her masters degree in elementary education. The team has been preparing for this moment for over a year. Much time has been spent writing lesson plans, acquiring non-profit status, and fundraising. This program does not receive any money from the school district. All funding comes from grants, donations, and sponsorships. Jodi maintains an equine facility in Scottsdale just ¼ mile from the school, which is located in Phoenix. Horseshoe Trails is part of the Cave Creek School District. Fundraising has been supported by the neighborhoods and businesses of several cities. This collaboration has made a dream become a reality.TRRFCC Horsemanship benefits the entire student body, as well as serves the community at large by offering rental of facilities for public equine-related events. These events will help create revenue opportunities for HTES as well as promote equine-centric activities that will reflect, develop, and maintain the character and values of the community.On October 24th, the TRRFCC Team is celebrating Character Counts week by organizing a desert cleanup partnering with the City of Scottsdale to show good Citizenship. The students and community members will clean the neighborhood roads as well as the equine desert trails. On November 4th, the 2nd Annual TRRFCC Fundraiser is going to take place at Harold’s Corral and Restaurant in Cave Creek. This will include a BBQ dinner, silent auction and raffle, as well as the raffle drawing of a Dynamite Horseman Supply Barrel Saddle. There will also be fun and games where kids can participate in the stick horse races and roping contests. If you would like more information about the program go to TRRFCChorsemanship.org.The Team is actively looking for sponsors, donations and volunteers for the upcoming activities and support of the program. http://www.bridleandbit.com/artman/publish/article_26088.shtml

Combined activity with YM/YW

Last week Nate had a combined activity with the Young Women. The activity included a scavenger hunt to get food stuffs for our St. Mary's Food Drive. The youth spread out over the Tatum Highlands neighborhood and went door to door collecting anything and everything the residents were willing to give. They ended up with some funny stories and "close encounters." When all was said and done we collected over one hundred pound of food stuffs for the drive. Way to go guys!

Cameron's Birthday Outing!

Jonah had a great time at his cousin's house this weekend. It was the first time he spent time away from home without any brothers. And he was just fine (sniff). Cameron invited Jonah to join him on his birthday outing with Bubbie and Grampa Chuck. Jonah had a great time, and seemed to have no problems telling Cameron what he liked and didn't like to do. ;-) Cameron was a very gracious host. I thought Jonah would miss us at least a tiny little bit, but when he came in the door the first thing he looked for was his dog. Welcome home!

Peaches!

We bought 3 cases of Utah peaches on Friday. A big thank you to my mom for ordering and picking them up for me!

We have been in peach heaven. Peaches are on the menu at the Coverts. Peaches in oatmeal, peach pie, peach cobbler, peach milkshakes, peach salsa, peach jam.... The boys have eaten one case just plain already. Yummmm.

;-)

I can't stop smiling. This was waiting for me on the door thismorning - from my Teen!

Dear Mom, I love you. I want to let you know how much I appreciate you. I hope you have a good day. Love, Nate

TRRFCC Open House!

The TRRFCC Horsemanship Character Program has become a reality! I am so excited!

Sam the Reporter

Hi, my name is Sam Covert. I am a 5th Grader at Horseshoe Trails Elementary School in Cave Creek. I'm so excited about our new program, TRRFCC Horsemanship. T.R.R.F.C.C. stands for Six Pillars of Character - Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Caring, and Citizenship.

We built an arena last weekend at our school. We're going to have a class once a week for all third, fourth, and fifth graders. We will learn the Pillars of Character while learning how to ride horses. It really is going to be terrific!

We have been raising money for a year to pay for the arena construction. There was a big BBQ dinner at Harolds restaurant in Cave Creek. Some of the students helped serve drinks and clear tables. I worked with playing free games for the little kids. It was a great way for the community to help us raise money. We are going to do it again this year!

I have been riding horses since I was five. Horses have taught me a lot about leadership. They act the same way we act. When I am around a horse, I have learned I need to be my best. I still learn something new every time I ride. My favorite thing to do is to go really fast!

Here is what my principal, Mrs. Janeine Marlow, has to say about the new arena. "As Sam's principal I am excited for students to have the opportunity to work with horses to learn more about themselves. I grew up around horses and know that they made me a more patient learner. Horses have a way of making their handlers better communicators. It is up to the student to communicate what they want the student to know and do. The messages must be clear, consistent and gentle. It is no different in the classroom for young learners. There will be a lot of similarities between the classroom of students and the arena full of horses. I cannot wait to start this innovative program at Horseshoe Trails Elementary School."

I am so excited to have horses at my school. It's really cool to have something special at Horseshoe Trails. I'm looking forward to reporting more about TRRFCC Horsemanship to you this year.

Soonabagits

Jonah has a new cult following - if you haven't heard this word yet, what cave have you been living in?! A couple of weeks ago Jonah started exclaiming, "soonabagits!" when things were going wrong. It took me several times to figure out what on earth he was saying. The boys now enjoy saying it, Nate's friends have picked it up, and after we spent a weekend with our friends their family has started dropping it here and there. I guess it's a good word when something like that is needed and we try to keep things rated G around here. Soonabagits! He says he is trying out "sugarbagits" but it just doesn't have the same flavor.

TRRFCC Arena Construction!

We built the arena at Horseshoe Trails this past weekend! Yee haw! I am so excited to have the arena up instead of just a sign. It makes me smile every time I pass it.

Back School Shopping

Shopping for school clothes was more expensive this year. We have 3 boys in men's sizes now. Nate's shoe size is 13! The good thing is, he can borrow shirts from Mike now. That helps a little, but there are only a few deemed acceptably cool enough to wear to school.

The first day of school is August 6th. Summer went by way too fast! I am so happy Nate and Noah are in Middle School together for one year. Sam, Jonah, Mike and I are all at the Elementary School. Fun!!!! My horse program does not begin classes until September, so I will have some free time for a couple of weeks!