Category Archives: party

School Christmas parties 2014

So… I'm not really sure what each class party was like. I was flitting back and forth running up and down the hall snapping photos and trying NOT to miss anything while wearing the baby that I missed lots. BUT they both wanted me there. They are not going to want me at their class parties for too many more years. I'm trying to take advantage while I can and before I become that embarrassing Mom. I'm that Mom already, but they haven't realized it quite yet. The kids had fun and were both happy I was there so that's a win.

 

IMG_1910

 

IMG_1914

Kaylee's class had breakfast. They made pancakes… SO Kaylee had fruit and juice. "Mom, I axed if there were eggs in those pancakes. They said yes. So I told them I can't have any cause I'm allergic to eggs."  I am SUPER happy she remembered to ask!

 

IMG_1915

I know they played games and did a Christmas story book swap. Not sure what sort of games they played. Kaylee said it was a great party.

 

IMG_1918

Kaylee and Regan where both thrilled when they unwrapped Kaylee's book at home and discovered that it was the same one Regan's teacher read his class. How fun is that?!

 

IMG_1940

Regan's class had treats and played some games and put on a concert for the parents. SO ridiculously cute/funny. Best thing ever!

IMG_1941

 

IMG_1952

 

IMG_1954

These two embrace like they been apart for days and not just 3 hours. Every day. I love it. Although sometimes it's more of a tackle and injuries occur….

 

IMG_1956

Mrs. Schore and Kaylee.

IMG_1957

Mrs. Gieser (amazing class aide) and Regan

IMG_1959

And Regan and Mrs. Brown. I am so lucky that my kiddos have such amazing teachers! Blessed. So blessed. These women are wonderful.

UFA family BBQ

We had this awesome fun family United for Adoption BBQ to go to. Jon got sick so I decided to Mom up and take the five solo. Because I’m an idiot.

Holy crap. I was trying SO hard not to cry driving home after. I did curl up in my bed next to my sick hubby and just cry it out with lots of whining. LOTS.

I cannot take R anywhere without Jon. He doesn’t like me and thinks it’s funny to hit me and throw things at me, and just plain not listen. Ever and at all. I was SO emotionally/mentally/physically drained after this party. I did not have fun.

 

IMG_0678IMG_0679 IMG_0682

The kiddos had lots of fun so for that reason alone I am glad I Momed up and took them to play.IMG_0693 IMG_0700 IMG_0702 IMG_0705 IMG_0716 IMG_0731

He doesn’t look terribly scary does he? But boy, oh boy is this one exhausting. He had fun in between meltdowns which where always….IMG_0734 IMG_0737 IMG_0809

Olivia knew I was coming and asked what pinata I was going to make. Because a party+Janice= pinata. BWHAHAHAHAHA! I asked her what kind of pinata I should make. She chose a cornucopia since it was close to Thanksgiving… Reasons I love Olivia.IMG_0820 IMG_0846This is me making an effort (I did promise Shannon) to be IN pictures and not just take them. And little Monkey slept most of the party. She’s good to me like that. 😉

1st and last days of school. Kindergarten year 1

It's so sad how quickly this school year went. Kaylee was excited about going to school EVERY SINGLE DAY. She had the best teacher and awesome classmates. I love her passion for learning and her joy she gets when she masters a new skill.

934702_10201593754026276_77022428_n  day 180

The second to last day of school was the awards assembly and class party. Kaylee had a different second half of the school year than we expected. We found out that she has some speech and some fine motor strength skills that were causing some issues with her work. She started meeting with the speech and O.T. specialists at the school to work on stuff. IMG_4839IMG_4840

IMG_4843  IMG_4848Kaylee worked very hard on her "finger exercises" and was able to have legible handwriting by the end of the year. You seriously could not read a thing she wrote prior to her O.T. sessions. The difference is AMAZING.

IMG_4849

Kaylee as we all know is epically klutzy. She was the only kiddo to get assisted off the stage by TWO staff members. I was kinda craking up when I saw this happen. Her teachers aid is the one in stripes. She knows Kaylee all to well and wasn't going to let her down those steps solo. HA.

IMG_4852

So I seriously don't know why these photos are sideways and cannot for the life of me figure out how to fix them (refusing to ask Jon to do it for me. I WILL figure this out. Eventually, just not now….)     This is Kaylee with Mrs. B. We love her so much.IMG_4900And Kaylee with Mrs. W. This lady is AMAZING. We love her too. IMG_4899

Her teacher did a class awards ceremony where she gave each child an individual award and said sweet things about them. Lots of the children got similar awards. Kaylee was the only one to receive "The most persistent" award. Mrs. B told the class how she was so impressed at how hard Kaylee tries, and how she never gives up. Even when it's something really frustrating she just keeps at it until it clicks. We have been trying to teach her to channel her stubbornness (which I think is a great quality to have) for good. Seems like we are doing okay. Yea. And I definitely like the word persistent over stubborn. So I will use that from now on.IMG_4896They did a super cute program for the parents that came to the end of year party. ADORABLE! IMG_4887

And we had them play several fun/funny games. IMG_4882 IMG_4866 IMG_4901IMG_4855

IMG_4827

It was a fun end of year party. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had this year to be a homeroom Mom. I really don't think I will ever be able to spend so much time in the classroom ever again. I couldn't have done it with out Shannon watching Regan for me faithfully once a week, or without my awesome homeroom Mom team. It was such a great first year of school. Kaylee is super excited to do it all again next year.

And yes that does mean she will be doing Kindergarten again. It was a LONG process (months and many meetings) deciding that retention would be best to keep her love of school and learning going strong, and give her a chance to catch up on her speech, fine motor strength and speed (she works SOOO slow. Keeping pace was a major issue.). We really just don't want her to slowly start slipping behind and have school be a struggle EVER. She would do okay in first grade, and likely pass first grade but it would be difficult. And she would most likely end up hating school. Which would be so sad since she really really LOVES school.

Also after we finally made the decision I chatted with my school teacher Dad about it. BEST phone call ever. He thought it was a brilliant idea to give her another year and said that he sees too many students that just get shuffled through when they just are not quite ready and how hard that is for the students and teachers. His words were soothing balm to my soul.

So Kindergarten year one is done, and we are all looking forward to Kindergarten year two!