Our first summer break was TOO quick! (especially since I chose to work an exhausting science camp for the 1st 4 days of break!) Mercer was in school 'til Wednesday of that week / he came to my school's camp with me 1 day - Thursday. It was interesting working with a couple of the other science teachers. One teaches 1st grade. The other teaches 3rd / 4th grade students. The range in children at camp was K - 6th grade (the majority of which are in K - 2 and wow - what a difference from what I'm used to teaching!! I was feeling a bit claustrophobic during camp. They all huddle around you with no space to move! I found myself saying over and over again "please take a step back. please take a step back!"
The 1st grade teacher had the students doing some pretty big projects. We didn't get a chance to get to some of the smaller things I had planned, but it was good having her take the lead on many of the activities / learn from her. (She studied aerospace engineering. One of the projects she facilitated was to make rocket fuel out of different kinds of candy!!)
Isabella went to the preschool room where they did some little science-y projects too. In the afternoons, they would join back up with us. She showed this set of twin girls (photo above) her worm and rollie pollie collection. Last week, she was so into the worms that she toted that box around with her everywhere - on walks, at camp, you name it!!
During Mercer's last few days of school, he was awarded an "Exceptional Attendance" award + a "Good Conduct" award at the awards ceremony! This is the first time he's gotten any -- let alone 2! (He's in a yellow shirt -- a couple of kids away from the principal in this photo)
We are VERY proud of him for the good conduct. He had a fantastic year~
He earned a Mercer "Fun Day" every month with only 1 glitch-up during one off week.
Here is also a shot of Mercer with a group of students at his school who participated in a 5-week program run by the local Police Department. They talked about sensitive issues / how to stay safe / how to fight to get away from abduction / etc. It was not his favorite thing to do, but good that he's aware of some self-defense strategies and hopefully some self-confidence in some uncomfortable situations. (He's the one wearing the red hat for some reason!)
Mercer made the All-Stars baseball team for the 7-8 kids at his ball park. About 1/2 of the team (of 13 kids) has been playing in the 9 - 10 year old group even though they're 8. They came back down to the 7-8 year old All-Star team. This means that the kids that were playing were generally very very good. Mercer is used to being one of the best kids on his team of 7 & 8 year olds -- leading off on the batting / playing an in-field position. This was not the case for the All-Star team and we think it may have been a bit of an adjustment for him. Unfortunately, he did not perform like he normally would during the regular season.
It was a lot of hard work -- practicing every day for 2 weeks straight / trying to learn to play with a new team. They won 1 game and lost the other 2 games played against nearby little leagues. It was still a good experience for him, though!
On a more positive note, Mercer and about 1900+ other scouts (cub scouts, boy scouts, eagle scouts, girl scouts, etc) went to our local National Cemetery and placed flags at the 18,000 headstones that are there a couple of days before Memorial Day. The cemetery is 150 years old and veterans from every war are represented. It was interesting to learn more about the history of this place and to do something to honor those who have fought for our freedom. 
This "service" event is done to prepare the cemetery for the Memorial Day event that is held there every year, in fact the Foothills District scouting group has been placing flags for 70+ years! 
Later that day, mom arrived for a weekend visit. We cooked. We went to a few stores that she wanted to check out. We spent a bit of time outdoors (it was beautiful!). We sewed patches onto Mercer's cub scout uniform. We painted / finger painted several times. We went for ice cream. We played board games. Although we did not do anything major, we were all exhausted by the end of the visit!
Mercer finally got to attend a soccer camp (he's begged for a couple of years, but they are usually 1/2-day which is hard for working parents). He did enjoy soccer, but by the end of camp, he was exhausted. Here's a shot of him after he's microwaved his own (veggie) chicken nuggets for lunch - he was so tired that he wanted to eat laying on the dining room chairs! We spent time swimming in the afternoons. (Actually wore Isabella out too as evidenced here with a quick trip to the grocery after swimming.) Each evening, Isabella also took her refresher course for that Infant Swimming / survival training she completed last year.
It was our "off" week, but was still very busy.
Our break ended with our neighborhood golf tournament and fishing.
And - this crazy / awesome dad that lives in our neighborhood - she has him wrapped around her little finger. (He and his wife have two adopted girls.) At one point she picked up a megaphone and kept shouting "Mr. Laing, I love you. I love you!" It was hilarious. All of the socializing among neighbors stopped to look at her -- which she enjoyed the attention.
A member of our church graciously opened up their family farm for a pot-luck / fishing event. This 50 +/- acres is located just outside of the city limits - really close to Kennesaw Mountain. 
The caretaker (an uncle of the church member) took Isabella and I through their fascinating fossil and rock collection (including UV light glow-in-the-dark mineral covered rocks). The host facilitated fishing at one of the lakes on the property (with a view of the mountain in the background). Many of the families fishing caught fish. Both Todd and Mercer did! It was pretty exciting for both of them.
Isn't this what summer is about -- wearing the kids out by spending tons of time outdoors?!
Only a couple more weeks 'til our next summer break!!
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