Turned 7

P turned 7 a week ago.  She got to have her birthday twice.  The first was on Sunday, her actual birthday, when she opened her present from Grandma J and Grandpa K while Grandpa K was here on business.

She got some cute/fun legos ... a vet clinic and animal rescue vehicle.  She's had fun building it with her brother and playing with it.

Due to the craziness of the day with church meetings and other things, we waited until Monday for the rest of her b-day celebration.  Here she is with her gifts....

and opening her gifts.

 

She was very surprised to find that she had received just the gift she had been dreaming about and talking about for a couple of months now.

This year she wanted a swimming pool cake.  Swimming is something that she has been doing a lot of.  She had 16 weeks of once a week lessons followed by 10 days in CA with cousins, swimming at the pool every day and a couple of private lessons while she was there.  We had fun decorating the cake together.  We thought it turned out perfectly.

Happy Birthday to our sweet 7 year old!

 

A First

July 2nd was R-day...Reception day, the day the new cadets arrive at WP.    The day ends with the new cadets marching onto the plain and taking the oath of allegiance.   In the 10 years we've been here, I've never gone to watch this parade so this year, I decided I would.  (And of course, none of my children chose to join me because "it's just a review and we've already seen lots of reviews."  I think I've mentioned how I hope, when they're grown, they appreciate all of the unique and amazing experiences they've had.)

I was glad I went as it was a little different than some of the other reviews I've watched.

The band marching down diagonal walk....

getting into position.

The new cadets marched out of the sally ports while the band played.  Always so impressive to see.

Unlike in other reviews, they lined up on the plain in one long group, executing "dress, right, dress" to tighten and straighten their formation.

There was not a lot of saluting, coming to attention, order arms, etc. in this review.  It was basically about them raising their right hand and taking the Oath of Allegiance.

Then the band marched back, the way they had come, and led the new cadets back towards the barracks in the opposite direction than that of a typical review.  (And normally the band remains in the center of the plain and are the last to leave, after all of the cadet companies have marched back through the sally ports.)

The band led the new cadets down one side of the plain,  across the apron, and then stood in place and played while the new cadets marched up the stairs and into Washington Hall for dinner.

Sailing

I've been waiting for this Field Trip since B was in elementary school.  That was when I first learned that the 5th graders got to sail on the Hudson on the Mystic Whaler.  But, when B was in 5th grade they didn't take that field trip.  This year, when the 5th grade teachers announced that they would be taking that field trip, I made sure I turned my money in right away.  I wasn't going to miss this opportunity.

The weather was not ideal but we still had a great time.  The kids got to throw a net overboard, identify a fish that was caught, learn about reading a nautical chart, learn about watersheds, and raise the sails.  We had good wind for sailing and most of our sailing was done with the wind.

 

  

Plus, it is always fun to see WP from the river.

 A wet, somewhat cold, but fun day.  Made me miss sailing.

A Dance Recital

C had her dance recital back on June 1st.  She took a Jazz dance class this year and loved it.  It was challenging and fun.  She learned a lot, and her dance fit her personality perfectly.  She had so much fun performing it.  I had a hard time getting any good pictures though.  I didn't have my camera on the right setting.  Oh well.

Historic Weapons

 Okay, I'm really far behind.  This happened back in April but wanted to share.  The History department conducts an historic weapons shoot each year for the cadets.  Thanks to a couple of connections, B and R got to go.  B had a blast.  I hope when he is all grown up, he realizes what a unique opportunity he has had living here.