Mackenzie's Last Day of Kindergarten

Oh, even typing that title makes me a little sad. I think it was probably harder on me. This has been such a great year for her; she really loves school. She even received an attendance award for only missing five days. She was always upset when she had to miss a day. Her class was full of really great kids; she made so many new friends, plus had her best two girlfriends with her. Her teacher was excellent. Her reading has improved so much throughout the year and she loves math too.



We took a photo by the rock outside the school her last day.



Miss S giving MJ her certificate. Each student got to tell what they wanted to be when they grew up. She said, "I want to be a teacher just like Miss S and live somewhere in Kansas in a nice area." That's my girl!



Mackenzie with her besties, Madison and Hannah.



The last day of school, May 27, was Fun in the Sun Day for the Kindergarten. However, it was raining that day so they moved to the gym and had lots of fun activities and stations for the kids to do. I really enjoyed volunteering in her room. It was great to meet all the kids and see them progress. Again we are so proud of her and all she accomplished this year in school. Wow, can't believe she'll be in 1st grade next year!

Emma's Last Day of Preschool

Emma with her wonderful preschool teachers. They each care so much about the kids and do a great job. I enjoyed volunteering in her class this year a few times. I know that their job isn't all fun and games with the little ones-they work hard and we really appreciate their devotion.



Enjoying a celebratory cupcake at the park.



Whee!





We attended her end-of-the-year program on Tuesday, May 25. Her class sang songs and showed off what they had learned doing the year. Each child was presented with a certificate and Mrs. G said a little something about each one. Emma was the class songbird and loved to belt out all the tunes they sang each morning. A typical preschool day started with free play time, then circle time where they sat quietly, listened to stories and sang songs, then they went to their centers to work on speech, colors, numbers, letters, etc. After that was snack time then out to a little recess. Emma went to her speech session during recess. Then, back for more playtime before it time to get ready to go home. At the end of April, we had her IEP meeting (maybe I already blogged this), and Emma reached all the goals we set this year. Next year she will go to preschool two days a week again, but in the afternoon. She had a great year and we are so proud of her!

What Mackenzie's been up to

MJ, Michelle and Carla headed out at 7 a.m., Friday, May 14, for Lagoon and the American Nationals Dance competition. This was Mackenzie's first overnight trip away from Mom and Dad. She did awesome. Carla got some fun pics for the weekend and I hope to have copies soon. MJ had so much fun. She said her favorite part was watching the other dancers and seeing their costumes. Her group placed 2nd in their division for their ballet dance to Once Upon a Dream (from Sleeping Beauty). There are teams from all over the country and a huge crowd. MJ's excited to go back next year and we hope to make it a family trip that time.



A self portrait.



Meet Harriet.





Harriet is getting a haircut. :0)

"What, Mom, that's what you're supposed to do. Her hair is growing too long," MJ says. to me when I look at her with a puzzled look.

Spring Fair photos

I finally got all my photos loaded from the little camera. Here are some from spring fair.



MJ enjoyed a popsicle after walking in the parade.



The theme for the parade was "Famous Americans." The Kindergarteners dressed as runners, with medals and handmade torches too.



It was so bright that day and she ended up being on the other side of the road. I just pointed the little camera and aimed. I was excited and a little surprised when I uploaded these and found this pic. I wasn't sure if she'd seen us when they walked by, but she did was smiling and waving!



Emma loved running out to get the candy.







Yes, this kid dresses herself. She has her own sense of style and I love how confident she is in her choices.


Getting ready to sing-she's on the top row. 4th from the right. She's got her pink sunglasses and a big smile!

Nana came over

Nana came over Friday, May 7, to give Emma her birthday presents since she was headed out of town for the weekend.



Putting on her new clothes from Nana.



Nana and the kids.



Emma got a a Kai-lan doll.



And some cute monkey flip flops. Here first pair-she's so proud.



Nana with the special birthday girl.

All Boy

Playing around with Emma's birthday gift bags and cards.




He loves to ride the rocking horse.



Jayten headed outside with the girls awhile back and came in with his first strawberry-right on his forehead. Poor little guy! I'm sure there will more of those to come.

Jumping in

Standing among the big boys after the girls' dance recital.

To quote the FLYLady, "I'm not behind, I'm just jumping in where I'm at." So, just a few things Little J is doing now. Have been meaning to post for awhile now.
-He has figured out how to scoot a bench over to the counter and climbs on it. He's able to reach almost everything-including 8 cups of rice crispie cereal waiting to be made into treats (fortunately, I caught that one in time). He can also stand on his tiptoes and reach the cups of water or juice his sisters leave on the table. Haven't caught one of those yet.
-He can say a few words or is at least trying some new ones-daddy, shoes, dog and cat.
-He loves animals, pointing at the cats and the stray dog the ranch has adopted. I say the ranch because he lives down at the compound and gets fed there, but follows the guys around on the Kubota and four-wheeler. He was living on my porch, but that didn't last long. The guys named him Old Jack. He's a nice dog-German Shorthair.
-He LOVES to be outside. It doesn't take long for him to find the dirt, rocks and sticks.
-He likes putting things in and taking them out of bags. He can occupy himself for quite awhile with this game.
-He's totally a monkey, trying to climb up everything-including the top of the toilet tank!
-at his 15 month check-up several weeks ago (ok, maybe I am behind), he weighed 22 lbs. 8 oz. and is 31 3/4 inches long. He seems really tall for our kids. Maybe that's why he can reach things on the counter-even without a bench!
-he is such a happy kid-lots of smiles and laughs.
-I can usually still get him down for two naps, one around 10 a.m. and later about 2. But, we're close to being one nap a day.
-He likes carrying Josh's magazines around and pointing at the cows.
-He can throw a ball-and likes throwing just about anything-we're working on that. He loves to hear the noise when things crash to the floor!
-He can shake hands, wave bye-bye, give five and almost has the fist pump down (thanks to his uncles!)
-He known to throw a few tantrums, usually bend backward and dropping to the floor, but I just walk away so it's pretty short lived. He's definitely getting more vocal about his sisters taking things away from him though and is starting to fight back.



He can climb up on the rocking horse and ride it all by himself.