06sept

In July my scout troop went to summer camp. It was a week-long trip to a camp named Goose Pond, in Northeastern Pennsylvania. While we were there, I took three merit badge classes in Environmental Science, Sculpture, and Indian Lore. Each class met daily for one hour. During some of my free time, I went kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Even though the pond was filled with fish, I didn't catch a thing! All the staff were very nice and very helpful. On the last full day at camp there was a closing campfire in the evening. All the troops did skits and/or songs. I definitely had a great time at camp and can't wait until next summer camp!

During one week in August, I participated in a youth orchestra camp. I played the flute in the orchestra. Our instructors said our group was the best summer orchestra they've ever had. The orchestra played more pieces than ever before! Together we played "Largo" from the New World Symphony by Dvorak. We also played a march called, "America Takes Note," by Feldstein. We also played together on the overture to "The Magic Flute" by Mozart. There were also sectional pieces as part of the concert. The flutes and oboes played, "Ode to Joy" (Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee), from Beethoven's 9th Sympohony. I even played a solo on the piano. I played the Allegro from Mozart's "Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major." I was very nervous when I played, but it went great. I hope that I can take part in orchestra camp again next year!

We had a super busy summer this year. We went to cool places and did fun things. One of the big things was our trip to Illinois to visit my grandmother and great-grandfather. We drove to Illinois and on the way we stopped in Cleveland, Ohio to see the tall ships visiting Lake Erie. There were many old looking ships. One was actually a replica of the Nina, which Columbus sailed to America in 1492. We also visited the Great Lakes Science Center where I got to fly a glider simulator through the Grand Canyon! There were lots of other great exhibits and experiments to try. I had a ton of fun in Cleveland that day.
     While we were in Illinois we celebrated my Great-Grandfather's 90th birthday! There was a big party at my great-aunt's house. There were lots of cousins, aunts and uncles, some who I met for the first time!
     We also took a train to Chicago's Millenium Park. The park is downtown and part of Grant Park. We were able to attend the free rehearsal of the Grant Park Sympony and Chorus. Even in rehearsal they sounded amazing! We walked through the botanical gardens where they had planted native prairie plants that are from the plains of Illinois. It was an extremely hot day, but Gabrielle and I were able to cool off at the massive Crown Fountain at Millenium Park. There are two 50-foot high glass towers that drop water onto the shallow wading pool below. Lots of kids were there in their bathing suits, but we just went in with our clothes!
     I also spent some time at my cousins' house swimming and playing. I slept over one night, too. I really loved visiting Illinois. Back in Quakertown, my family put a new fence around our whole backyard. Now our dog, Patch, can run free! He likes to run, chase and sometimes fetch a ball.

I also took part in a week-long ballet intensive program. The teacher worked us really hard each day. We arrived at 8:30AM and danced until lunch. Then after lunch we had class until 3:00PM. I had fun, and I learned a lot. I even feel like I improved in ballet in that short time. Even when summer ended and school started, September was an exciting month!
My scout troop had two camping trips. On one of the trips, we held our Court of Honor, where scouts are given any awards they have achieved. At this Court of Honor, I was awarded four Merit Badges in Environmental Science, Camping, Scultpure and Indian Lore. I was also advanced in rank to Star Scout! I was also surprised at the Court of Honor when I was given a special First Aid Neckerchief to wear because I scored the highest on the written First Aid Exam. The exam took us almost 3 hours to take, and it had lots of questions about what to do for everything from minor first aid cuts and burns to how to recognize and help someone in shock, and recognize signs of a heart attack and administer CPR. I had studied very hard for the test for several weeks, and I'm glad that I did!

In September I also celebrated my 12th birthday. I received many great gifts from my family, but the biggest gift was that my family has adopted another dog. That's right! We now have 2 dogs!! You can read about Skipper in "Meet Our 2nd Dog" on Page 3.
It sure was an exciting summer and the fall is off to a great start! Enjoy the website!

Our Summer

CoolText
www.cooltext.com
On this website you get to design your own banners and buttons for your webite, using hundreds of different texts and colors.

Now Open! Animal Grossology Exhibit
September 30, 2006 - January 1, 2007

Franklin Institute Science Museum
Philadelphia, PA

October is
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

There are lots of cute, wonderful dogs waiting to be adopted at your local shelter.

Future Fun Stuff

October 28
Make a Difference Day

A national day of helping others - one neighbor helping another. The day was started by USA Weekend Magazine. Look around your community and see what needs to be done - then get some friends together and get into action!

Gabrielle's Grab Bag

I started First Grade in Homeschool. I am studying math, science, homes around the world, reading, phonics, spelling, maps, piano, music and art. In art I have been studying about shapes and colors. I like learning about homes from around the world. I have tried building models of homes from clay, sticks and leaves, bricks, and wood.

Over the summer I had a Dog Party. My friends came and brought gifts for the dog shelter. We wore dog ears for the party and played "Pin the Tail on the Doggy," "Musical Dog Bone," and Dog Bingo. After the party, I brought the gifts to a shelter and I got to meet 3 of the dogs and lots and lots of cats. I really liked the dogs, and we took Daddy back to the shelter. After a few more visits, we adopted a very beautiful dog named Skipper. You can read about him on Page 3.

I auditioned for the Nutcracker, and I'm pretty sure that I'm going to be an angel! I can't wait because it was lots of fun last year!

One of the 50 foot Glass Fountains

Gabrielle enjoying the rush of water

A replica of Christopher Columbus' Nina