Now the summer’s over, and it’s time for school. Here are the boys in their new school duds, ready for their first day. So grown up…..
All 3 boys….ready to go!
Caleb: 6 years, 1st grade
Aaron: 7 years, 2nd grade
Jonathan: 9 years, 4th grade
To all 3 of you guys…I am so proud of you, and know this year is going to be great. Although you are the smartest 3 kiddos on Earth, there’s still lots more to learn! Much love to each of you!
It seems as if we’re always partying at the boys’ school. Just a year ago, we were celebrating the end of Kindergarten with a luau for Aaron. Now, Caleb is leaving Kindergarten behind and is ready to go to first grade. So again, Jeff and I found ourselves at the school enjoying yet another luau with Caleb and his classmates. Lots of fun was had jumping on moonbounces, racing in relays, sliding down the water-slides, searching for treasure, digging in sand, drawing with sidewalk chalk, blowing bubbles, and feasting on catered bar-b-q. It was great, and now we’re looking forward to next year!
Aaron brought home an assignment from school where he was to build a robot at home. Sounds simple enough, until Jeff got his hands on it. Aaron couldn’t have just a regular robot. His had to move. We spent almost a whole Saturday constructing and engineering a robot with arms that move up and down. After decorating him with an A on the front, Aaron decided to name him A-Bot. After he spent a week at school, Aaron brought him home; and shortly after, his head was ripped off. Anyway, here are the pictures I took of him, inside and out.
Back in early December, Jonathan participated in the school’s reading fair. He read the book Haunted Castle on Hallow’s Eve, and we helped him to create a very interesting project. After a little practice at home, he presented it to his class, and was chosen to enter the school-wide fair. We were extremely proud when he brought home a red ribbon on his project. He won second place in the 3rd grade division! Here he is showing off his cool project with a moving drawbridge door, and his red ribbon.
There’s always something going on in one of the boys’ classes, so it seems we’re always at the school! Here’s the rundown on all the activities.
During the first weeks of Kindergarten, the kids worked hard to learn their phone number, address, and birthday. When they all knew their birthday, they had a class birthday party to celebrate this accomplishment.
Last fall, Caleb’s class did a unit on the farm. To sum it up, they took a trip to Kidz Kountry Farm, and the next week had a big Farm Breakfast in their classroom.
Aaron’s class took their Fall field trip to the Pink Palace Craft Fair, where they learned how to make all sorts of old crafts. He learned how to weave yarn to make blankets, how to make homemade biscuits, and how to make pottery. Aaron and his friends also made their own sand art.
Jonathan went to the Pink Palace Museum with his SPOTLIGHT class. His Dad and Pa accompanied him on this trip. They learned about dinosaurs and fossils, and watched an IMAX movie about prehistoric sea monsters. Jeff forgot the camera, but he managed to snap a quick shot of Jonathan with his phone.
The 3rd grade class took a trip to Build-A-Bear Workshop as a learning experience about assembly lines. Jonathan was excited to take both Ma and Pa. I would never have guessed that 3rd graders would have so much fun making and dressing their own stuffed animals, but word is they all had a fantastic time.
Aaron’s class took a winter trip to the Pink Palace to watch the IMAX movie “Santa vs. the Snowman.” Jeff and I chaperoned and enjoyed the movie just as much as the kids. After the movie, we explored the exhibits in the museum. Ma and Pa had the camera for Jonathan’s field trip, so all we had was our phone. Sorry about the quality.
Then came time for Christmas parties . . .
Caleb’s class made Gingerbread houses and ate lots of the candy and icing intended for the houses.
As classroom mom, I planned Aaron’s party. We made snowman ornaments, played Pin the Nose on Rudolph, and ate lots of yummy Christmas snacks.
Jonathan’s party consisted of eating, too, and also playing Pass the Stocking to win free homework passes. Even the parents were allowed to play. I think we wanted the homework pass more than the kids!
So that about wraps up just the first half of the school year. We’re looking forward to even more field trips and parties, so check back later as we share more stories.
Aaron’s story for the week was “All About Corn.” They finished up the unit with a corn party, where they tasted all types of different foods made from corn. As room mom, I was invited to come help and take pictures. Aaron and his friend (whose mom also attended) read the story aloud to show off their reading skills! We’re so blessed that the boys attend such an incredible school where parents are always welcomed!
It’s official. Our summer fun has come to an abrupt halt. All three of these handsome, and goofy, older bro’s started back to school this past Monday, two days after we arrived home from vacation. The true first day of school was the Thursday before we came back, but we refused to let that spoil our time away. These reservations were made in August of 2007 and could not be rescheduled; so while their classmates were in the classrooms learning procedures and rules, our little beach bums were soaking in the sun on the beach! Their teachers were slightly jealous, but extremely understanding.
Surprisingly, they were all very excited about starting school. It’s so crazy that they are all together in the same school for the first time. Jonathan is loving 3rd grade so far. He has yet to complain about the homework, although I know the time is coming! He thinks his teacher is really fun. Her cheery attitude really helps to brighten the idea of multiplication and division; plus she lets the kids write on their desks. What kid wouldn’t love that??!! Aaron thinks he’s a big boy now that he’s in 1st gr
ade. He brings homework home 3 days a week, and flies right through it. Still, he takes great pride in everything he does, as do we! And Caleb, oh Caleb. He entered Kindergarten with great anticipation of playing all day, I think. He was disappointed after I picked him up the first day that his class had only 1 outside recess. Of course, he had center time in the classroom, but that just isn’t the same! In spite of this surprising reality, we know he’s going to love this year because he was lucky to get the same teacher Aaron had last year.
So, we have lots to look forward to this year. We love watching the boys become independent little men, growing and learning, making new friends, respecting other adults, and handling more and more responsibilities. It’s sad to watch our little boys growing up so fast; but then again, we’re having the time of our lives as they do!
On the last day of school, Jonathan’s teacher held Awards Day for the class. She had a unique award for every student in her class, which numbered 27. For the year, Jonathan was awarded the A-B Honor Roll award. He missed the overall A Honor Roll by 1 point, but we are still extremely proud of his accomplishments over the year. His teacher gave him an award for being the Creative Problem-Solver of the class. She went on about how Jonathan always knew the answers to problems the other students may have gotten stuck on; or if he didn’t know the answer, he would figure it out and find the answer. As she explained his problem-solving giftedness, I couldn’t help but beam proudly. I know every parent in that classroom was very proud, but I surely don’t think any were prouder than me. He never ceases to amaze me!
The following pictures are of Jonathan and his teacher, Ms. Simpson, and his assistant teacher Ms. Adrienne. Also are pictures of our other two munchkins waiting patiently in the hall (yeah right!).
Jonathan’s field day was Friday, and it was a day full of fun! They had a potato sack race, an egg & spoon race, and a relay race. They also had moon-bounces, bubbles, and sidewalk chalk. The hula hoops were a hit even though most kiddos, including Jonathan and Caleb, weren’t quite able to keep it up. The whole day was a perfect way to close the school year.
Caleb wrapped up Pre-K last week with a program, where the students showcased everything they learned throughout the school year. They sang some of their favorite songs and recited many of the Bible verses they had been practicing. As you can see from the video, Caleb didn’t seem to be too enthralled with the whole production. That’s OK because it doesn’t take a big performance to make his Daddy and me proud. We know how smart and special he is!
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