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.