Days 5 and 6

I'm sweaty. I've been playing catch with Justin and some little guys that have been hanging out at our house this afternoon. I'm taking a little break right now to cool off and because I had to come inside to stick Dr. Perkins clothes in the dryer. I finally met him! His dryer broke, so he's using ours right now. He seems like a really sweet guy, and I'm so excited to have more discussions with him. He asked me where I'm from and about the tornadoes in Joplin when I said that I'm from Missouri. Hopefully he didn't mind that I was sweaty and barefoot. What a first impression!

Yesterday and today we've been working on lesson plans for camp next week. Yesterday I worked with Fabienne and Fred, the interns from Haiti, on the lesson plans for the music portion of the camp. We will be teaching the k-4 graders about the families of musical instruments. Fabienne will play cello to demonstrate strings, Fred will bring his trombone to demonstrate wind, and I will play piano to demonstrate percussion. I think the little kids will love it! They will also watch a little of The Sound of Music and learn the song "Do-Re-Me" (Do, a deer).With the 5-8th graders we will be learning about different types of music-- mostly the origins of what they listen to today, and the big movers and shakers. Yeah, we'll be listening to some hot jams as well. I'm trying to convince Fred and Fabienne that the kids should all write their own songs, but they aren't really feeling it. Oh well.

I spent this morning working on curriculum for regular classroom time. One of the goals of the camp is to keep the material that the kids learned in the past school year fresh in their minds so they don't forget it all.Justin, Amariah,and I are working together with the 5th and 6th graders. Let's just say that I have a new appreciation for teachers who plan fun activities. It takes so much time and it would be much easier just to give these kids worksheets. I really want to make this summer fun and special for them though, so the three of us took our time with the lesson plans for the first two weeks, thinking of ways to make learning fun. Ha. I hope it all works out and that the kids aren't bored. I don't think they will be.

Outside of working, the interns have had plenty of time to hang out and get to know one another. It's been really great. Us girls went over to the boys house last night to watch the Mavs again. That house is always hoppin'. There are 15ish? boys that live there because it's the interns as well as some guys that go to JSU. They are all real sweet and take good care of us. They have to walk us back home if we're there after dark.(This being said, don't worry Mom!!!)

Tonight, Kate, Kellie, and I are dragging some of the boys to see "Bridesmaids" with us. I'm excited 1.because it looks hilarious, and 2. because I can't believe we actually talked the boys in to going. It's going to be great! Fabienne made everyone at the house dinner tonight, and I can finally say that I've had grits. It was wonderful!

I hope everyone is doing well. I went to Walgreens yesterday and printed out 40 or 50 pictures to hang on my wall so I can see a lot of you! People have been asking about who are in the pictures and I love telling them about everyone, and showing them my world in that way.

Now it's the weekend!

Love,
LH

Mom and Dad: I'm guessing Ben won't read this, but tell him I got schooled by a 9-year-old in basketball today. His name is Julien and he thinks he can beat Ben as well. I told him I didn't think so but he insisted. He's pretty good. Practice up, brother!He wants to see video of you playing. Ha!