Reflections--Magic of a Moment

This year Olivia and Coleman entered the Reflections contest. The theme was "The Magic of  a Moment."

Olivia composed a song and won! She got a cool certificate and a trophy.

Coleman entered in the literature category. He also got a certificate.

Sophia didn't enter, but I am sure that at some point she will enter in one category (or more)...

We got notified a few weeks later that Olivia's entry went on to the next level and she will be compete at the district level... Way to go Liv!

This is the song that she composed:

Another School Year

The end of August brought the start of another school year.

 Olivia was excited to start 6th grade! It's hard to believe she is one of the "top dogs" now. She loves school and loves being involved with Service Club. She fought long and hard to convince us to try out the early track and so far it's been great (although I admit that many mornings I am still a little bleary eyed while we are getting ready for the day). Before school started she was a little nervous about her teacher assignment... we talked about giving him a fair chance and judging him on her own experience instead of what she heard others say. She came home the first day so excited and happy and didn't want to tell me how great her teacher was because she was afraid that the words "I told you so" would come out of my mouth.  Give me a little credit... but I did tell her :). A few more months of sixth grade and it's junior high for this little lady!

Coleman was so excited (and a little nervous) all summer long to start school. He changed schools this year to be a part of the A.L.L. (Accelerated Learning Lab) program at a neighboring school. He has loved his teacher and his classmates and it's been a great change for him! His teachers in previous years were great to work with him and give him opportunities to be challenged, but it has been wonderful to be a part of a program where the students are like-minded and motivated to learn and do as much as they possibly can. On his first-day picture he showed three fingers on one hand for third grade, and on the other did a sign-language "A" to represent A.L.L. (He thought that was pretty clever!)

Coleman and Olivia realized that they will never again be in the same school (except for maybe college) so they wanted a photo together before they went their separate ways. Sophia wanted in on the photo action too... we took the early photo just before Liv left (while Soph was still in her PJs) and another one by the bush when Coleman left. After things finally settled down I actually did something with her poor hair and had to photograph the cute little ponytail. It still isn't super long or thick, but we can get it gathered into one or two "little piggies." The bottom right photo is Sophia's go-to position once the kids are off... a "Fro-Yo-Yo" (frozen Go-Gurt) and an episode of "Lil Ty-Ty" (Little Einsteins). She loves that corner of the couch! I think she was pretty bored at first with just me to play with... and she often pulls my hand and asks me to play "tea-party stuff, now!" which is much more enjoyable than doing laundry or dishes or any other housework :). I love that I get to spend some focused time with her during the day while the older kids are gone.

The school year is already passing by quickly... and my summary of it so far is "Thank goodness for carpools so I don't have to drive to both schools twice each day!"

The Great American Challenge

Olivia worked really hard with a handful of other fifth graders to earn the 

Great American Challenge Award

They had to memorize the Pledge of Allegiance, the Preamble to the Constitution, the Star Spangled Banner, all fifty states and their capitals (and spell them correctly), all of the U.S. Presidents (in order), and finally the Gettysburg address. The last one was pretty difficult for a lot of the kids. Olivia worked SO hard on it and finally nailed it. (I would like to say I memorized it with her, but I am pretty sure my brain cells have atrophied to the extent that memorization isn't so easy any more.)

It was pretty moving to watch this group of children (three of them are Olivia's closest friends) recite from memory the Gettysburg Address (below): 

Sophia endured the assembly well (mostly well, thanks to the help of my friend who pulled a fun toy out of her magic hat). So proud of my girl Miss Olivia!

First Day of School 2011

Coleman and Olivia started school today! The summer seems to have gone way too quickly, but I think both of them were excited to get back. I felt a lot more busy this summer than I wanted to be... so I am hoping that the transition back to school and our fall schedule will prove to be a good one. Maybe I'll even be able to tackle a few of the organizational projects I wanted to do over the summer.

But ready or not, we have a second grader and a fifth grader... it's hard to believe!

Coleman wasn't feeling good at all yesterday or today, he kept saying he was fine so he could go to school, but then he'd get dizzy when he stood up and wouldn't eat because it was too hard to swallow. I made him stay home this morning so we could go to the doctor to make sure he didn't have strep (his symptoms seemed to point that direction). He didn't. He was so worried that he wasn't going to get to eat lunch at school today (it was pizza day).... but he made it and he loves his new teacher. I asked what he was most excited about and he said, "It's too hard to pick! The store my teacher will have (for good behavior)... recess and all the new recess things (they just put up ball walls and badminton/volleyball nets)... everything!" Then he said there are things he isn't excited about, namely the changes to the menu (they are trying to offer more healthful foods). Funny kid. He will do great in second grade!

Olivia was thrilled when our class lists came out that two of her best friends, J.D. and Anna, are in her class this year. She was grinning from ear to ear. She said she was most excited about her teacher that is so nice. I hope she has a great year--I remember fifth grade being full of so many fun activities.

I think this little girl is the only one NOT excited that school has started... she was already bored today with the kids gone. She has loved having them around all of the time to play with her and get snacks for her. She is going to get into some trouble, I can already tell. We did enjoy our time together though and got to read several books and play together, uninterrupted. I loved nap-time too! Today there was too much to do to snooze with her, but I might have to make a habit of getting a quick power nap each afternoon.

**What is your favorite school memory?
**Are you looking forward to the new fall schedule?
**How often do you nap?

Another Student of the Day

Coleman was the student of the day yesterday! He loves going to school and enjoys learning new things. It was funny to me that he could choose a certificate from several restaurants as his prize... and he chose Del Taco :). So easy to please, this one (said with a hint of sarcasm since he is probably the pickiest eater around).

I love that he was recognized for being a positive leader.

I know he will continue to do good things as he gets older!

Frog of the Week

This cute boy is the "Frog of the Week" in his class (his teacher loves frogs). He gets to be the helper in class and today I got to go and visit and share a few things about Coleman.

We made a poster about the things Coleman likes to do.

I loved this writing assignment that was hanging in the hall... if Coleman were president he would make every school into a theme park and then turn everyone into giant gummy bears.

Coleman got to tell his class about his poster and then three of his classmates told us what they liked about him.They said that he is a good friend, is nice, and is good at reading. I love that his teacher said that he is a leader in their classroom and that he influences other kids to do good things.  We shared Laffy Taffys with all the kids because Coleman loves to laugh and is really good at making everyone around him happy.

I feel so lucky to be his mom!

Student of the Day

Olivia was the student of the day last week!!! Her teacher wrote that she received the award for "consistently working for excellence in academics and service" which describes our Liv very well. She got to choose a free meal from a local restaurant and had the honor of having her name announced over the school intercom!

I had to include a close-up of the certificate... I am a very big proponent of public education, really, I am. I have to say though that nothing gets under my skin more than grammar and spelling mistakes coming from teachers or school administrators. I say that knowing full well that I am guilty of grammar and spelling errors on a regular basis--so really, I have nothing to gripe about.  That being said, Ryan and I got a good laugh out of the way "Excellence" is spelled on the Cafe Rio certificate.

Way to go Olivia!!!

School is in session!

Our kids started school last week...

Coleman is a big first grader and couldn't wait to eat lunch at school and have more than one recess. Lucky boy :).

Liv is a big fourth grader and is excited to be participating in Service Club this year.

Both of them have great teachers and we are looking forward to a great year.

(I'd be lying if I said that I didn't breathe a big sigh of relief when they were both safely dropped off on the first day. So far though, my planned daily naps with Sophia haven't happened... I haven't started exercising yet... I still can't keep up on housework, laundry, blogging, or dishes... and we've already had a few stressful mornings, but we are going to find our groove soon and I'll accomplish so much, I just know it.)

**Were you excited for school to start?

Coleman Goes To Kindergarten

Last week Coleman started kindergarten... he was so excited to finally be able to go to school!

Here he is with a few of his friends before going in...

...and at this point I needed him to need me more than he actually did. He was so thrilled to be there and ran right up to sit on the line with all of his other classmates. I kept waving to him and telling him to have a great day and he finally told me I could just go. Couldnt' he have clung a little longer (or at all)? Hmph.

He said he had a great first day... and his favorite part about it all? Recess.

I'll admit, I shed a tear or two, but it feels pretty good that he's adjusted well and is loving his first experience in school.

**Do you cry on the first day of school?

Third Grade is for Big Kids

The summer has flown by... last week Olivia started 3rd grade and is officially a "big kid" (her words, not mine).

About her day she said... "I really like my new teacher.... zzzz... " (she has one core teacher and two specialty class teachers) and "I am making a lot of new friends... and I really miss you during the day." (I miss her during the day too.)

**What do you think about school starting?

Coleman's First Day

Today was Coleman's first day of preschool. He was trying to make a "P" with his fingers to show he is off to preschool...
Then he wanted to show us his big muscles...
...and that he's an all-around cool guy. I'd have to agree.

First Day of Second Grade

It's hard to believe my baby girl is ready to start 2nd Grade! She had a great day yesterday though and already loves her teacher and class. She said "I still have a few butterflies..." but overall she thought it was a great day.