Time for Valentines!!

Beau wanted Ninjago…here’s the result.
Colin made his box all by himself…look how cool! He wanted to do basketball, but look at the attention to detail! Hoops and players and everything! He passed out some fun dip with his Jazz valentines…Since Beau makes his box at school (hallelujah!), and Colin did his by himself (double hallelujah!), I had some extra time to work on Camri’s. Good thing because she wanted a Lalaloopsy box. I think it turned out pretty well. Camri and I had fun working on it together.
Of course, Winnie the Pooh is still the favorite for Camri’s actual valentine…Dangit, didn’t get a picture of Beau, but I did spend the morning in his classroom for the party. I love spending Valentine’s Day with these kids!
 

Emma, the science gal.

Emma is taking middle school by storm. She’s getting perfect grades, she has wonderful friends, she’s involved in yearbook and the school play, and she still does dance three days a week. This kid is rocking her busy schedule.
One day I noticed her at work. “What are you doing, Em?” “My science project.”
What? I didn’t have to help pick a topic? Or do an experiment? Or anything? Nope, she did it all herself. She got the data she needed, did all the research, typed everything up…amazing!
I helped her print a couple of things for the poster, but other than that, she was on her own.
Even more amazing? She advanced to the District Round.
Great job, Emma-lu!!

Yep, she’s old.

We went to high school orientation. For Dakota. Because she’s going to high school. Next year. Did you hear me? NEXT YEAR!!
Annie’s as shocked as I am.
Actually, I’m glad she’ll be with great friends at a great school. We know Alli will show her around. Koko has decided to do the IB program, which is a program that will allow her to earn her associate’s degree by the time she graduates from high school. I’m so proud of her, I know she’ll work hard and accomplish her goals. I’m so grateful for a wonderful school down the street! She had a great time with her friends at orientation, she’ll have a grand adventure!

Dude, you’re Eagle of the Month!

Look who we saw at the store! Annie insisted on getting her picture taken with him…
Then we headed right over to the elementary school for the Eagle-of-the-Month presentation, for Beau!! Last month, his teacher called me to tell me she chose him for December’s award.  I had to keep it a secret for a long time, but it was worth it…Beau was so excited! 
Daddy was able to come and then take us all to lunch afterward, it was a very special day!
   
Mrs. Bailey wrote, “I have nominated Beau for the following reasons: Beau is the HAPPIEST student.  He always tries to do his best and has a positive attitude.  He is becoming a good reader.  I love having Beau in class!”
I’m so proud of my little buddy!

Christmas Choir Concert

Once again, one of my favorite things of the season…watching my kids sing in their Christmas concert.  They are so cute! Koko and Emma are in different choirs, but sang a few songs together.  Emma’s choir sang some really fun songs, Koko’s choir had some great songs and some interesting choreography.  It was a very fun night!! Every time I go to these performances, I laugh at the Kiva Guy.  The speakers are his eyes and nose, the screen is his mouth.  He looks unimpressed.  Does anyone else see this? 

I’m the mom and I can brag if I want to…

In November, I got the lovely phone call that every parent at our school loves, “Your child has been selected as the Eagle of the Month, don’t tell them, it’s a surprise.  Please come on Monday to our presentation.”  Yay!!  This is Camri’s second time, and she’s in second grade.  I’m proud of this little ray of sunshine!! 
Her teachers, Sra. Abuchaibe and Mrs. Hamilton wrote:
Camri enjoys learning.  She is always trying her best and going the extra mile to help classmates be happy, and feel part of the group.  She is eager to learn Spanish and she promotes the learning environment by actively participating in class discussions and activities.  She is sweet and respectful to teachers and other students.  It is fun to have her in our classes.
That night, we went to Dakota’s piano recital.  She performed beautifully!  She has a gift of music, this one.  I love these recitals, and every time, I am blown away by these kids and their talent.  It doesn’t hurt that they have an amazing teacher…I love Cindy!

I’m a humbly proud of my wonderful kids!

The Circus is in Town

Who’s that cute lion in the stripes?  Why, that’s Beau!!  The Kindergarten Circus is in town! All four kindergarten classes combined to show us the cutest circus all year! Beau even jumped through hoops and everything.  His buddy Quince was a ringmaster. 

Unlike past years, this circus was in the evening, so the whole family got to come!!  Right after this, we headed over to Hillcrest to see “The Wiz”…way cool!

Book Fair

Happiness is seeing your friend dressed up like Clifford the Big Red Dog in order to promote Book Fair.  AND the fact that it’s not me…

Kimberly is a good sport and ran the best book fair I can remember in all my years at this school!

Halloween finale

We finally got to the actual Halloween day.  Phew! I got the kids ready and sent off to their fun days at school.  Annie got dressed up so she could come to Beau’s party with me…since I’m his room mom, I get to stay and play with these cute kids after the parade is over.  We actually got there a little early to set a few things up, then headed down to the gym.  I love the parade!
This is the requisite “Waiting for Parade” picture.  When Annie’s in school, it will just be a picture of me crying. But, alas, I am enjoying these moments while I have them.  Here’s my cute kiddos! 

I like to take pictures of clever costumes for future reference…R2D2, Gru and his brand-new baby minion (Mr. Nelson can pull off a bald cap, no?), Effie from Hunger Games, guy with his head in a jar…

In Beau’s class, I was in charge of the doughnuts.  It was hilarious!  They each got to each a doughnut off the string. Some just took them off with their hands. Some just asked me to cut it down so they could eat it.  Most played seriously and tried to eat that doughnut with no hands. 
After five minutes of school, because on early day kindergarten gets out at 10:20, we headed over to Joe’s work for their annual lunch and trick-or-treating.  The kids went to each cubicle, filling up their treat bags.  It’s fun to go see Capital and Dad’s office.  Lunch was yummy (Debbie’s artichoke dip!) and it was nice to visit with people there, including some family that works there.  The kids are getting all sugared up!! And they love their Daddy.
    
The party’s not over yet! That evening, we went to Grandma and Grandpa’s Trunk-or-Treat.  Jake and Liz family were there, all dressed like Noah’s Ark…funny considering their house flooded and is currently undergoing some remodeling.  At least they have a sense of humor about it. 

We left and did a little trick-or-treating in our neighborhood, then went to Todd and Liz’s house for scones and hot chocolate.  My kids were in heaven because they had a bounce house in the basement…the kids played, the oldies visited (and ate delicious scones!)

This was our bounty before…that’s a 13 gallon garbage sack full to the brim…
Here it is after, saving some for later.  This is how we roll.