Charlie's Kinder Craziness

Oh my goodness, Steve and I have another kindergarten graduate!  Our girls are growing up so quickly!  As you can imagine, the end of the year in kindergarten is filled with lots of fun events that will create memories to last a lifetime!

DAISIES:

Charlie has completed her first year of Daisies (the step before Brownies and Girl Scouts).  She had a great troop with 10 girls and mommy got to be one of her leaders!  She learned so many incredible lessons and values.  I am so proud of her.

KINDERGARTEN'S FAMOUS LUNCH WITH DADDY DAY:

Or as us mommies call it, "the dreaded box project."  In celebration of Father's Day, the students are supposed to create a "lunch box" that they will use when their daddy comes to school for the "Lunch with Daddy" event.  This is not my first time at the rodeo so I knew going into this project a couple of things:

1)  They don't ACTUALLY use the box for lunch. 

2)  The box is supposed to represent a shared interest between daddy and child

3) The box is a "family project" (which means mommy makes it)

4)  All the mommies stay in the classroom on the day the boxes are dropped off so that they can be proud of their child's (uhhh, I mean their own) work.

Now, with all that being said, Charlie told me that she wanted to make her box "all by herself."  She was very adament about this and I was proud of her for making this decision.  I helped her use wrapping paper to wrap a shoe box of her choosing so that the lid could come off.  Then I gave her various materials (that she was thrilled about) to create her box.  She was delighted with the end result.  She carried her box proudly to class.  It took all of about 10 seconds of seeing the other boxes for Charlie to have a full meltdown about her substandard box.  She was destroyed that he box did not have all of the gadgets and pop-ups of the other boxes. 

She was right.  Her box did not.  But... her box was the only one made all by herself and I was so, so proud of that. Unfortunately, she could not see why this was such an accomplishment.  She wanted one like her friends.  At this point, mommy is so sad and disappointed with herself because she KNEW BETTER!!  Like I said, it's not my first time at the rodeo and I knew what the boxes would look like so I felt as if I set her up for failure. 

No worries... Mommy went straight to Michael's craft store after work and enlisted Daddy to hit up the golf shop for some real-life props! 

In 45 minutes... Mommy created this:



BOO-YAW!



AH-HA... CHECK THIS OUT!!

Not only did Charlie now have the most kick-butt 3D lunch box I could muster, she also had the only interactive box in kindergarten!  Miniature golf lunch box complete with putting green, golf clubs, and balls for all the kids to try. 

Oh well, live and learn...I'm just glad that she turned that frown upside down.  I will say though that her original (most perfect box in my opinion) is proudly displayed in the playroom holding all of her most prized possessions.  I think she was proud of it after all! 

HUKILAU:

Two classes from kindergarten put on an amazing Hawaiian performance called the Hukilau at the end of the year.  They have been practicing the dances forever!  Ryan had the same teacher and this is the PRIMARY reason I wanted to have Mrs. Baker too!  It is amazing!

Can you see Charlie?



She was awesome!

And had a very difficult speaking part!

She nailed it!

The mommies get to go out on the dance floor and dance with their little connies and wahinis.

Charlie was lucky to have an entire entourage of supporters dancing with her! 

Lucky girl!

 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL:

The last day of kindergarten is bitter sweet for sure.  It marks such a milestone for us to watch our youngest move on to bigger things.  Unbeknownst to the grown ups, some of the kids decided to be twins.  Charlie told me that her and Avery wanted to dress alike on the last day but I had no idea that others were in on the fun too...

 Twinsies:  Ava F. and Ava S.  and Avery and Charlie

Oops, I meant triplets... Elyse, Avery, and Charlie!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We're so proud of you Char Bear!  You have had a great year.  You have learned so much and grown in so many ways!  I'm sad to see kindergarten go but I am so excited for you to start first grade in the fall.  Congratulations Charlie!

IRISH second grade wasn't over!

Oh my, I can't believe we have come to the end of another year!

Ryan had some pretty great experiences to end out her second grade year!  When I look at my beautiful girl, she looks so grown up to me.  I feel like she is going to be a teenager before we know it and that seems so scary.  I have to say that I am honored to be her mommy.  She is always so well behaved, so polite, and works very hard in school!

Ryan got the honor of being "Teacher for a Day" in Mrs. Bailey's class.  She was determined to pick her own teacher outfit and NOT let mommy dress her this time.

This is our SECOND grade Teacher for a Day

 This was our FIRST grade Teacher for a Day!

Breakfast feast and staff meeting for all of the teachers and Teachers for a Day!

Miss Grace proved to be hard as nails in the classroom. 

Watch out kids... there will be NO talking in class!

Taking attendance and the lunch count

And all teachers drink "coffee" (aka hot chocolate).

Thanks to Mrs. Bailey for making Miss Grace fit right in.

Another special second grade project that will be remembered forever!

THE HERITAGE REPORT!

Ryan got to choose one of her family members to interview to learn about her heritage.  Ryan chose Aunt Marzie!  Marzie was AWESOME!  Ryan sat down with her and completed the interview portion of the project to learn about the Irish part of her heritage.  When Ryan was writing her report based on what she learned from Marzie, she even called Marzie on a few occasions to get more information.  Marzie gave her old photos to use of the family as visual aids.  Ryan practiced using the pictures as part of her oral report.  On the day of her presentation, Ryan thought wearing green would be best.  Marzie came down to Seal Beach bright and early for the big event.  Marzie got to sit right next to Ryan as she introduced Marzie and gave her report.  Marzie brought Ryan a new book about Ireland and brought several more visual aids too.



 Marzie brought a giant map of Ireland and Ryan remembered exactly where in Ireland to show the class!  Nice work.

 Ryan didn't need to use her notecards.  She spoke slow and clearly and infused some stories and humor sometimes.  She was super amazing.  We may have a little public speaker on our hands here!

 Ryan remembered to tell about each photo and only needed Marzie's help one time to help identify the photo.  Having Marzie there was extra special.  Not everyone had their special person show up for the presentation so it really meant the world to us and to Ryan.  Thanks Marzie!

 No surprise but Ryan got all "E's" on her report and presentation and her teacher's words were, "Now that's the way a speech is supposed to be given!  Great job Ryan!"

Irish second grade didn't have to end!

Date Night with their Daddy

I didn't think I would say this for year's to come, but the girls went to their first prom last month!! Their favorite guy (Daddy) escorted them to a very special night.    The Seal Beach Girl Scouts host a Father/Daughter Dance each spring called the "Man in your Life" dance.  This year's theme was "The Prom."  This was Ryan's third year and Charlie's first year.  Even though we didn't let Charlie wear a tux like she wanted to and she HAD to wear a darn ol' dress... she was over the moon to FINALLY get to go!

 Both girls got corsages from their date...

 And perfectly poised pictures all girlied up for their big night...

Oh my goodness, I love these girls so much!

 And I love their daddy too for being a good sport and "playing along" in the fun!  What a good lookin' prom crew!