Year: 2018

We are studying, a little, for the 4-H Horticulture contest in June. We jumped on the program rather late so are trying to get a running start from where we are. We visited Landmark Nursery for a morning of exploring the plants. We ended up bringing home more plants for our garden. We also visited the big box hardware stores and checked out their gardening areas. We had a fun time being silly but learning in the process. We attended a meeting of the Brooker Creek Explorers as well and learned from their youth as well as had a mini ID review. The rains have been heavy again so this means many inside crafts and games. I did a knotted quilt for my bed. It came out really nice. Oh, E and I also attended the 4-H state review of the county programs. We got to talk to Dr. Gutter and other 4-H state people about our programs and what is working and not working. It was a great experience. I am enjoying taking on more leadership roles lately in 4-H. I think this will help me in my future when I become a marine biologist, entomologist or just all around science guy! 

We participated in a Marriott Vacation Club preview. We had several nights at a fancy vacation club property near Disney. There were so many things to do that we never left the property! We spent HOURS in the pool, dodging storms. We did all sorts of crafts from jewelry making to candle making and soap making. Our room was HUGE! I had my own private room. E took the living room. Mom and Dad had a bedroom with a hot tub! This place was almost as big as our house! Most of the time it rained. We were fine with it though. The rain cleared out the pools so when it would stop we would head back down to swim. One pool had a GIANT bubble zone. Dad has to run home for work so we enjoyed the last night on our own. We went to an outdoor music performance called “dueling pianos”. We were able to request songs! We sang and laughed along with the silly guys. We entered a fishing derby. After 1.5 hours Emmerson was the only one to catch a fish! There weren’t many other people that entered and we all tied. We each got an icee. We were set for pool scuba class but the rain just kept coming and coming. We crossed our fingers and hoped for the best. There was a break in the rain right at the end of the window for the day. We spent the afternoon in the pool learning a little about SCUBA. I had a blast and then said I wanted diving lessons for my birthday! I really enjoyed the feeling of being under water so much! All cleaned up and one last trip around the resort for some giant chess. We packed up and headed out saying goodbye to our wonderful adventure. We stopped at the outlet mall to get Dad a few dress shirts. I spotted the BeaverTails food truck! This was a huge hit in Canada and they just opened the day before here! We loved out BeaverTails. Such  great treat to wrap up our fun little get away.

I have been reviewing for the PERT test. I am hoping to take classes at SPC in the fall. Just a few here and there. It is free for homeschool students to take classes as dual enrollment. Well, today I took the test and I passed! I am ready for college level classes! How cool!

We went by to get my student ID as well. I look so grown up in the photo! 

When we were at the cornbread festival we got atlatls. We had fun at the park practicing with them. I am learning to throw further and harder with a good arch. I am not likely to ever be good enough to hunt for dinner with an atlatl. Grandma Susie stopped by for a little ukulele jam session. We are signed up for a ukulele camp later this summer.

We had one last beach outing. Mom didn’t get many photos because she was relaxing and enjoying the calmness. Emmerson caught an olive snail. It was really active and crawled all over him! Over the weekend we had District Events for 4-H. I ran for district historian again. This time I had to give a speech on stage. I think I did very well for my first large audience speech.

I rocked my demonstration on Coleoptera and Ethical Collecting techniques. After my demo I attended the county council meeting and the final officer positions were filled. I got a blue ribbon for my demo and high points so I earned a medallion again. We were inducted as officers for District IX. The Pinellas County kids that participated in District Events! Me being goofy in all my glory! Okay, a nice smile.

We were at the festival early in the morning to explore and settle in. We visited the lodge store and bought some new skillets and other items. When the festival opened we went and saw a cool corn grinding demonstration.

We walked back to the car, which was parked by the Lodge Store, and took the tour again before grabbing all of Emmerson’s stuff for the contest and heading over to where he would cook. E got some really cool swag for being in the contest. We goofed around to try to keep him from stressing out. He was super nervous. E got to get up on the stage and get up his station. The contest got started with some photos and introductions. E makes his heart out. He struggled with oven temperature and the fact that everyone else finished before him but he got through it. He did great! We were all super proud of him.