Spider Party

For Halloween, Carter's class had a pajama spider party.  They had been studying spiders in their science unit over the past several weeks, and I was amazed at all that they knew.  They were able to name all the body parts, using the proper scientific terms ~ I was impressed!  (I am sure that I could not do that in second grade!)

I was manning the spider cookie making station and the kids had to use the candy in proper ways - even number of eyes (from 0 to 8), Mike & Ikes for spinnerets, etc.  

Again, I was impressed by how Mrs. Hanson is able to incorporate learning in a super fun, very controlled way.  It is a great class, a wonderful group of kids, blessed with an amazing teacher.  I am so very thankful that Carter was placed in this room for second grade.

constructing his spider hat

my little spider boy

Carter and Lola 

Lola is one of Carter's closest friends this year and it's been a fun relationship to watch grow.  He is typically a "boy's boy" and enjoys doing fairly typical boy things, but  I love that he is able to make friends with everyone and do all types of things.

A very fun morning spent with 25 great second graders!

I love being a part of this classroom and am so very thankful that Carter is having such a wonderful year.

First Day of School ~ 2013

First day of school ~ 2013

We have a second grader and a kindergartner this year and everyone was so excited to start school!

a festive table and a special breakfast to help kick off the day

and of course, I had to torture them with oodles of pictures before we could head off to school.  Kennedy's first day was actually two days later, but I dressed her up so we could take pictures together.  I had purchased this dress last year for her to wear on her first day of kindergarten, but since the private school she is attending requires uniforms, I knew she wouldn't be able to wear it then.  Hopefully it still fits next year!

my loves

Carter

Nearly 7 1/2 and starting 2nd grade

His teacher is Mrs. Hanson at Grass Valley Elementary

His favorite subject is math

And when he grows up he wants to be a pilot

 

Kennedy

5 years old and a kindergartner this year

Her teacher is Mrs. Bader at Camas Christian Academy

Her favorite thing to do at school is art

When she grows up she wants to be an artist

I have so many hopes and prayers for this upcoming school year.  Above all, I pray that Carter and Kennedy enjoy learning and love going to school each day.  I hope that they will be good friends to their classmates, showing kindness and tolerance.  I hope that they will discover new passions and nurture current favorites, too.  I pray that they will respect their teachers, their peers and themselves ~ having pride in their work, giving grace and humility when there are conflicts, sharing their talents and accepting help from others and always trying their best.  I am excited for this year, excited to see where their paths will take them and where God will lead them.  I love you two with all of my heart and am so proud of you both.  May this new school year be the best one yet!



 

heading off...looking so big and grown up!

I was a little sad that he didn't want me to drive him on his first day, but I am also thankful that he's confident enough to board the bus and head off for his first day independently.  There are so many things about Carter that just make me extremely proud!

one last picture of my darling girl

I couldn't imagine a better way to spend my day than shopping and lunch with my best girl.

I know it was hard for her to watch Carter head off to school two days before she got to start, but it was made easier by a fun morning with mama!

 

a little ice cream sundae makes everything better!

 

Kennedy's actual first day of school

She's a kindergartner!

She began school on a Thursday which is a PE day, so she was in her "gym" outfit.  I can't tell you how hard it was to send her off on her very first day of school in navy yoga pants!  (I know it's ridiculous, I really do)  There are definitely pluses to her uniform requirements, but I would be lying if I said I didn't miss dressing her in cute outfits each day.  I know these days of ruffles and bows are short lived...hopefully she'll still love to wear dresses next year!

walking in with Daddy, ready to start school!

my girl

growing up too fast...

I had to walk out of her classroom rather quickly because the tears were threatening to escape and I didn't want her to see me cry.  It was such a bittersweet day for me.  I was so proud of her for walking into a new school without hesitation, I was thrilled to see her excitement for this new chapter in her life, but I was also so sad to know that the majority of my days would be spent away from her.  Her school day is a long one and I knew that I would miss her dearly.

Thankfully I was able to spend my first morning with my dearest friend, Kathy.  I was so much better than being alone!  We were able to enjoy coffee and just talk, which certainly helped the hours pass more quickly.  I have a very ambitious list of things I would like to accomplish this year, although I can honestly say that the hours pass much more quickly than I could have imagined!  My cupboards are still disorganized and clutter continues to abound but I'll keep working on it, making the most of these hours away from my precious little ones.

Back To School Night

As summer was coming to a close, we were all getting excited to kick off another year of school.  It was a big year for our family, as Kennedy was starting kindergarten!!!  And since we decided to enroll her at Camas Christian Academy, she would be attending school all day long.  It was sure to be a big adjustment for us all.  But she was so very excited and I did my best to be excited with her, despite my fears and bouts of sadness. 

Both kids had Back to School Night on Thursday before Labor Day weekend ~ thankfully Carter's started early, so we were able to attend both without missing anything.

So excited to head off to school, meet their teachers, see friends and drop off supplies.

Carter is getting ready to start 2nd grade...there had been a lot of changes for our district since last year, with a new school opening and a lot of boundaries changing.  Most of his friends from first grade had moved to other schools.  In addition to that, his principal had retired and teachers had moved around too.  He was a little nervous about all the changes.  I am happy to report (seeing as how school has now been in session for over 2 months!) that he's loving 2nd grade and is doing wonderfully!  He struggled a bit with behavior towards the end of last year and we haven't seen any of that this year.  I couldn't be happier!

A large part of his happiness and success is due to his amazing teacher,  Mrs. Hanson.  I had prayed all summer that Carter would be placed in her classroom, as I had heard only wonderful things about her.  Carter and I were both jumping up and down when we opened his letter and saw "Mrs. Hanson" on his class assignment.  She is full of energy, sets super high expectations and has clearly defined boundaries.  She expects a lot from her students and they definitely deliver.  I have the privilege of volunteering every other Thursday and leave each morning so very grateful that she is Carter's teacher.  He is learning a ton, writing better, cruising through math skills and improving on his spelling.  She makes learning fun and provides such a safe and positive classroom environment.  I honestly feel like we hit the teacher jack pot this year.

sorting supplies and getting acquainted with his new classroom

 

Next it was Kennedy's turn!  She was so very excited to be starting kindergarten this year.  It was a tough decision, but we placed her at a local private school this year.  Her class size is super small (only 12 kids), she attends all day and also gets a hefty dose of Christian education, which we love. 

At this point, I am still on the fence about whether we made the right decision, but she's flourishing and loving school.  She has started to read, recognizing lots of "star" words and her handwriting is improving too.  More than anything, her willingness to learn and accept instruction seems to have improved greatly.

I am very thankful that she is in a safe and loving environment and continue to pray that this year will help set her up for future success.

Kennedy with her teacher, Mrs. Bader

Ready to start kindergarten!!!

Harvest Party!

Both Carter and Kennedy had harvest parties at school on Halloween, so it made for a pretty crazy day.  We started off with Cinderella at Circle of Friends.  Two other moms also helped with her party, so it was very easy and a ton of fun.  Kennedy was a little overwhelmed at first, but quickly warmed up and ended up having a wonderful time at her party.

Starting off our morning with table time as all of her classmates arrived

Two of the cutest little Cinderellas there ever were...

Kennedy and Lyla were thrilled that they dressed alike and happily posed for pictures.

Delaney didn't want to be left out, so we took a picture with Minnie Mouse, as well.

Cinderella was a popular choice this year!

Miss Debbie also dressed up as her favorite princess

a cake walk without the cake

each child won a pencil

The Gumball class 2012

Miss Tricia, Blake, Emily, Madaline, Delaney and Kennedy

Keiran, Lyla, Chase, Justin and Cohen

sweet smiles from sweet little friends

setting off to trick or treat around the school

Kennedy got to be line leader, and she's nervously checking everything out

so much fun!

our pretty princess

We left preschool a few minutes early to rush over to Carter's school.  We had hoped to join him for lunch (he requested sushi), but we arrived five minutes late and he was nearly finished with his already.  Getting finished quickly so they can head out to recess is a big deal.  He ate his second lunch than rushed off to join his friends.

Kennedy and I headed to his classroom and helped with their celebration.  They had made applesauce in the morning, but enjoyed some fun music and dancing and yummy treats after lunch.

Carter passed out little gifts to each of his classmates

Enjoying their treats!

It was a crazy, busy, fun filled day!

School Showcase

Last week we attended a "showcase" night at Grass Valley.  It was an evening designed for the kids to show their parents some of the projects that they have been working on in class.  They also gave a short performance of a song that they had been working on for the past month in music.  The evening was a bit chaotic, but it was organized chaos, and I could tell that Carter enjoyed showing everything to us.

We arrived in his classroom and were able to look through a pack of work related to their unit on the heart.  (It was February after all)  We also wandered around a bit and admired artwork and things posted on the walls.

Oh and there was a giant cow heart on display.  Not quite sure how I felt about that.  On one hand, it's great for the children to explore and learn - seeing how big it was proved to be fascinating.  On the other hand, there were nearly 50 kids walking through the class and it did seem like an easy way to spread germs and bacteria.  Bleh.  Thankfully plastic bags were provided to cover little hands and sanitizer and a hand washing sink were close.  I was a little surprised that Carter wanted to touch it.  His first thought, "it's so cold."  There was also a small chicken heart off the side, but it certainly didn't get the same attention!

Ryan, Weston, Emory and Carter

How cute is this little scene?  This is the reading nook in the Kindergarten classroom where the kids can read once they finish up an activity.  The little boy on the far left is Carter's buddy, Ryan and that is his older brother and younger sister.  They are a great family.  I can't say it enough how thankful I am that Carter chose such great friends this year.  Ryan is exactly who I would have chosen for him, and I feel lucky to be able to help foster their friendship.  His mom is wonderful and we get along great.  Definitely a blessing! 

They were all reading so quietly.  Of course, Kennedy wanted no part of it but was thankfully distracted by a silly Daddy!

Off to the cafeteria to sing a quick song.

"10 Little Speckled Frogs" - sang with all the heart these cute little ones could muster.  I was impressed!  Carter was quite serious about the whole thing, singing and doing all of the hand motions.  My friend was able to snap these few pictures for me, since we were way off to the side.  Thanks Shannon!

"One jumped into the pool" - little fingers acting like jumping frogs.  Cute stuff.

Such a great picture of my two favorite guys!

A sweet boy and his very proud mama.

Love my little man.