New Year's Tree

This year we tried something new! I read a great idea about a tradition that sounded like a lot of fun.The night before New Year's Eve, I took down the Christmas decorations and decorated a New Year's tree instead, with streamers, a little cash, and balloons with notes inside. Later on in the evening it was time to pop the balloons!



That long (sharp) stick is a balloon popper. (We switched to a safer stick pin after this.) Inside the balloons were notes that listed some accomplishments to celebrate for each of the kids.




It was fun to pop the balloons. It might have been even more fun if I'd remembered to buy larger balloons, because I wanted to put some change in each balloon too, but all I had were water balloons, and coins just wouldn't fit in there. But this was fun anyway.






She might not look too excited, but I think she did like remembering all the cool stuff that she (and the rest of us) did this year.








We may need to try this again next year!

Zoe:- passed her subtraction test, now learning multiplication

Pierce: learning algebra in 5th grade

Mattie: 2nd year of algebra in 8th grade

Mattie, Pierce, and Zoe: swimming at District meet in July

Mattie & Pierce: swimming at the City meet and improving their times so much

Pierce: two great seasons of soccer

Mattie: competing in the district spelling bee

Mattie: performing with the violin at church multiple times

Mattie: finished her violin book 2 and concert, and two other great recitals

Zoe: two great ballet recitals with Miss Nicole

Zoe: learning to play the guitar

Pierce: awesome pinewood derby car, made by himself, and race

Mattie, Pierce and Zoe: interesting and well-done inquiries

Mattie, Pierce and Zoe: parent teacher conferences that left us very proud of your work and effort

Mattie: standing up for yourself while refereeing a game with obnoxious parents

Zoe: having grit and playing soccer even when a little hurt

Pierce: performing in a puppet show and even singing a solo

Mattie: performing beautifully and confidently in a puppet show

Zoe: great performance as Utility in her class play

All of us: traveling across the world to Australia!

Mattie: being dependable and kind as Beehive Class president

Pierce: receiving all the best scout awards: webelos and arrow of light

Mattie: her first away from home summer camp

Pierce and Zoe: keeping the sabbath holy even when it was difficult