Terrific Kids

Yep, that's a lot of Terrific Kids! Our school has a program that recognizes Terrific Kids every quarter. Each teacher gets to put up 3 kids for the award each quarter. So these are 3 kids from each of our 1st and 2nd grade classes. We are up to 17 1st grade classes, and I forget how many 2nd grade classes. So yeah, A LOT of Terrific Kids. Julia and her BFF (in another class) were both chosen the first quarter this year:) Have I mentioned her teacher is a really good fit this year??? I feel really blessed in so many ways to have her in Julia's life, and she is doing wonders building this kid confidence, maybe a bit too much even. Haha. Anyway, of course we were very proud of our Terrific Kid and she can't wait to use all of her coupons for free kids meals! LOL.

Twist me and turn me...

The Brownie story (from Girl Scouts) has a little rhyme, "Twist me and turn me and show me the elf, I looked in the water and saw ...MYSELF" One of our Daisies was ready to Bridge up to Brownies this year, so we had an Investiture/Rededication/Bridging Ceremony all rolled into one to start off another year of Scouts. And I seriously have not stopped since. This was the end of September, I am going to try to update you very quickly tonight with snippets from the last month. I am not kidding when I say it's been BUSY.

Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

We have some new friends in our local Families with Chinese Children group that are trying to get more activities going for our kids. This week marked the Moon Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival you can read more about what those are here. So we got the kids together and had Moon Cakes, green tea ice cream, and they each got to make their own lantern that we then hung in a tree in the back yard. My girls had an absolute blast. The little girl pictured with J has been home with her forever family for about a year now. She and J are the same age and they really hit it off together. I love the pic of them on the couch because it totally looks like they are sharing secrets and I'm sure they were! Hopefully we be doing more activities with this group. Now that's it is cooling off a little I think the next one should be a day at a park :)

Please forgive me for my inconsistent blogging, we really have been right out straight. What with soccer, school, and me helping out with the Girl Scout Troop we have had A LOT going on. I may always be trying to play catch up, but we are always here and always up to something.

Soccer times 2

Well, now you know where we have been:)

Sorry I started to post this earlier and only got as far as some of the pics. That's been happening a lot lately with time catching up with me. This last couple of weeks has been soccer, soccer, soccer. I am not sure how my hubby is holding up coaching both teams, but I have to give him credit, he's doing a fantastic job! He calls it 'herding cats" especially the 3 and 4 year old team. He's doing good to keep them on the field. But they are all appear to having fun and at that age it's what it is all about.

I forgot my camera last Saturday and missed some good pics of J doing her thing. She managed to stop two goals while she was in the goalie position. She let the first one by her and I think that woke her up. She was determined not to let that happen again and threw herself right on the ball. I was so proud of her!! She may never be a star athlete, (and that is OKAY with this Mama!) but no one can fault her on her determination when she decides to try anything. :)

An added note

Just had to add that both girls had a fabulous first day of school and a great second day as well! Though D did tell me that her teacher made her cry, I asked "why?" she said "she made me go back and clean up the kitchen" "Did you make the mess?" I had to ask this 4 times before I got an honest answer, "yes" oh so glumly. So I told her that her teacher was right in making her go back and clean up and that if she had listened the first time she wouldn't have missed the next activity. Somehow I think she tuned that part out. Apart from that though (and that was D telling me not her teacher) she had a great first couple of days.

J is doing wonderfully. Making new friends already and taking every opportunity she has to see the old ones. She told me they did a practice test of spelling words today and she got them all right. Not worried about her at all in that regard. Now as long as she doesn't get distracted, it'll be good:)

First Day of PreK

This was like the 3rd pic I got, I know C is thinking "Miss Heather is she looking yet???" LOL

My little girl is getting so big too! She knew just what to do and didn't even look back (not sure how I feel about that part!) She went right in and put her stuff away and got to work. :) She is so excited to be a Jaguar this year. Fingers crossed that she has a fantastic year and lots of fun:)

First Day of First Grade

I can hardly believe this girl is a first grader already. She amazes me at every turn. She was a little bit disappointed to find out that her two best friends ended up in the same class this year. Next door to her but together without her. She doesn't think they'll end up being good friends too. lol. But when she found out she was on her own, her words "I'll make new friends" :) Did I mention she amazes me?? I love, love, love her attitude. She is so ready for first grade. Her teacher gave us spelling words for the whole year at orientation the other day. I tested her last night on the first week. She got every one of her basic right, only missed "let's" on her extended (and that was more in the way she was hearing it and then anything) and only has to work on her robust vocabulary. Those were hard. They included "bothered, perform, form, distance, and attention" pretty big words for 6 years old. So we'll be working on those. Homework doesn't start for about 3 weeks so we'll have some time to get those down.

I am so very proud of my girl. She's excited to learn. She's excited to make new friends. And she was already hugging her teacher at orientation. That's a big step for her! I think she's off to a great start and hope that remains the case all year!