Vail Pride Day

Every year our school district rents out the fair grounds to highlight the great things going on in the district. There is a volunteer luncheon, a staff luncheon where they recognize teacher of the year, and a few highlights from each school, and a whole day of concerts, science fair displays, math bowl, academic jeopardy, and class displays from every elementary school class, and art classes, and various other 6+ grade classes. We haven't made it a big priority in the past, but this year the girls had some things they were supposed to go to, so we went as a family.

The kids liked getting in a fire truck, especially Ryan.

 McGruff the crime dog was nice for a picture, but after that Megan didn't want to get close or give him a high 5 or anything.

 We took a while finding the kids' work in their class displays. They had a book assembled for each class, but our kids do exceptional work, so instead of putting them in the book, each of theirs was highlighted on the display.

 Ryan's class' writing prompt was "when I am 100..." Ryan's said, "When I am 100 years old I will be bald."

 Probably true. :)

In the science room they had this playdough set up as a piano, showing how humans are conductors, so you touch the main node, then with your other hand as you touch the playdough it completes the circuit, which is programmed into different notes of a piano on the computer that is hooked to it.

 Rachel got to be a part of the Math Bowl team from our school. The math teacher said they normally just take 5th graders, but Rachel and 2 other 4th graders are just so advanced that they get to do it.

 They said the buzzer was not registering when they tried to ring in, so they didn't get to answer except a few times. They didn't win, but I was proud that Rachel participated and had a good attitude about it despite the turnout. Next year they'll have a definite advantage having 3 kids who have participated before.

 The district converted this bus to a "fun bus" for occasions such as Vail Pride Day.

 The kids loved it.

 All the kids except Rachel wanted to ride these ponies.

 They thought it was cool, at least until the end when Megan felt like she was slipping and was going to fall off.

 The petting zoo was pretty cool, too.

 Megan was super excited to finally get to get on a bus. She sees the other kids get on every day and is always bummed that she's still not allowed on yet.

 That particular bus happens to be the oldest running bus that they know of in the country. It's from 1990 or thereabouts.

Rachel and Annie were chosen to be Diamondback Leaders this year at school. Each quarter two kids from each class who exemplify the qualities they try to emphasize at their school get chosen as Diamondback leaders. They were all invited to walk in the parade at VPD.

 Megan and Ryan were happy that one of the groups in the parade threw candy out to them.

I'd have to say the best part of the parade was the marching band that didn't bring their instruments, but instead had 5 gallon buckets for drums and kazoos that they all played their music on. it was great.

We were happy to go home at the end of a long day. But also proud of our kiddos for being great role models and for doing wonderful work in school.