Spring Is In The Air

The days had been trending warmer (we even hit 80 one day!) but now we have sunk back down, hopefully very temporarily.

School is flying by, we only have 5 weeks left until our summer break!

Once the temperature warmed up a bit, we were able to find an earthworm to observe!

Grace loved wearing her gift from Zoey to school last week.

We are going camping later this year, and since we will be staying in a rustic (no electricity) cabin, I thought that everyone should have their own light source.  William is getting a pocket knife (maybe) but his didn't ship with the other items.  I personalized them, mostly to cut down on fights, but I also just really love putting vinyl on everything.

For our nature study, it wanted us to go out for a picnic.  The week we went was much too cold, so we did the "extension" activities instead.  The next week was almost 40 degrees warmer (and in the high 70s) so it was a very pleasant trip!  Alice is not a fan of our nature study trips and only came out of the car long enough to complete the assignment, and grab something to eat.

Here's hoping for some warmer weather soon!

later days

Winding Up the Twins' School Year

The twins finished up their year a week and a half before the big kids! 

They had a class picnic at a park near their school.  It was really sweet, they fed us and everything.  Sadly, we couldn't stay long, since Alice and Emily were singing that afternoon.

They also had a field day one very chilly morning. = )

The twins had a fun day, and everyone walked away with a 'medal."

I bought these adorable graduation caps to pass out to William's class, but they don't have a ceremony for the kindergartners, and I didn't have quite enough for his class size.  So, the twins were able to share a treat with their friends. = )

We wrapped up a fruit roll up in the note, and tossed in a summer ring. = )

I completely forgot to take a picture of the teacher gifts.  = (

This was the gift for the bus driver.  I found the necklace fan and thought what a perfect gift for a bus driver!

They are so happy to officially be in kindergarten now.  And I'm excited for a year of all 5 of them together at last. = )

later days

Research Presentation and Pre-K picnic

The next day? week? I forget, it's a blur, but very soon after the first grade picnic,  I found myself back a the school to enjoy Alice's research presentation.

She selected the parrot, since one of her classmates had claimed snakes already.  The presenter was expected to give the title, read the dedication, introduction their favorite excerpt from their book, and about the author.

Alice was next to last, but was confident in her reading, though takes after her mother, and had a bit of trouble reading her own writing.

As we were filing out for the cookie and juice reception in the library, I saw that the district superintendent had attended the event.   This reinforced my already positive opinion of him.

Alice read me her entire book, and she mentioned that parrots ate bugs and seeds.  Also, sometimes the male parrot will regurgitate his food and offer it to his mate.  I told Alice I would rather eat a bug than something Billy regurgitated and she looked horrified. (but it's true)

She headed back to class, and I immediately sought out William's class, since they had started their picnic 15 minutes before Alice's ended.

**********************

After helping his teacher set up the indoor teddy bear picnic*, I found William on the playground with his class.  They were taking an extra recess, and not long after Alice came out for her normal recess time!

After we feasted, William's teacher presented certificates, and bubbles to his class.

The afternoon came quickly, and their class took their regular recess at the park across the street.  There were plenty of parents and adult attendees to help keep eyes on their little class.

I left before they walked back, so that I could spend a few moments with Emily in her class.  She was sad to see me go, so I walked with her to art class and said my goodbyes at the door.

I returned to my charges quickly, so that my mom could go catch the new star wars movie. = )

It was another fun and educational day, but we still had at least a few days left of school, and all my children wanted to do when they came home was play outside in the glorious, 15 hours of daily summer sunlight.

later days

*it had been drizzling that morning

First Grade Picnic and Pre-K Walking Field Trip

While all of my Texas friend were starting their summer vacations, we were still 3 weeks away from our holiday, which started mid-June.  We did have some fantastic weather for all of their outdoor events like field day, picnics and field trips though!

Emily's event was the first one that I was able to attend. Her picnic started in the morning and had a buffet type lunch for the entire first grade.  We walked over to the park across the street where they played games, took pictures and enjoyed the warm weather.

Lots of bottle flipping going on.

My mom had taken the twins so that I could attend Emily's event, but had not yet returned when I received a message from William's teacher that they would be joining the kindergarten classes on their walking field trip to the village ice cream shop.

I arrived before the classes did, so I had a milkshake to pass the time a little faster. Then my mom, Grace, and Juliet came by and enjoyed some ice cream too, while we waited on William.  He was surprised and happy to see us.  I was the only parent from his class, since it was a very last minute change, but he was excited to see us all.

Before:

After:

I broke out the baby wipes to help clean hands and faces. = ) The classes returned to the school, and it wasn't long before the three of us went up to collect all of our big kids!

It was a lovely day all the way around, but definitely kicked my summer-itis into high gear!

later days