first day/last day

Well, today Dylan got on the bus for the last time as a third grader. In a little bit, Logan will step onto the bus for his last journey to kindergarten.  How did the year fly by so fast?  And yet it seems like SO much happened in this last school year.  I get sentimental as these milestones come upon us.

The things they've learned this year, wow!  All the friends they've made, books they've read, field trips, life lessons, and all the fun.  I try to make sure I remind the boys often how lucky they are to live here and be a part of such a friendly, loving and supportive school.

Today I'll have a few more hours of peace and quiet, and then summer vacation will officially arrive with all its splishy splashy sticky promises.  Popsicles, swim team, movies, playdates, Slip-n-Slides, ice cream, visits with Grandma and Grampa, picnics at the pool, trips to the beach, putt putt golf, books to read, games to play, camps, parties, and sometimes in August, we'll print off the list of school supplies and get them ready for school again.

Here is Dylan on the first day of third grade last fall:

And here he is yesterday at his end of  year party (same shirt, ha!!) with his lovely teacher Ms. W:

 

Logan on the first day:

And yesterday at his end of year party with his wonderful teacher Mrs. H.:

Both boys are already excited for fall, going into 4th and 1st grade.  It will a big transition for Logan, going from half day kindergarten to full day first grade.  I so enjoyed the teachers they both had this year, and being at school to help when I could.  I'm thankful for all the new friends we all made this year, and I'm so proud of all my kids accomplished.

And now I'm ready to make the most of the summer together, so when fall approaches we'll know we did all we wanted to do, and then some!

a glimpse of the future

Today was exciting for both boys, as they got to enjoy big long-anticipated events at school. 

It was Third Grade field day for Dylan.   Instead of spelling and math and social studies, the kids got to spend all day of field day outside, playing games and sports, and watching a movie during lunch.  Andrew took some time this afternoon and hung out with Dylan at school, having lunch together (trying the very popular Buffalo chicken bites) and helping out with some games.

Logan got to actually spend the entire day at school.  Kindergarten here is still half day and he only has school each day from 11:30 - 2:30.  This morning, I got to drive both boys to school at 7:30 and drop them at the kiss-and-go line.   Logan spent most of the day in first grade, seeing a glimpse of what lies ahead  next year.  Most excitedly, he got to buy lunch at school, and then the kindergartners did two preview shows of the super excellent and totally cute kindergarten program they'll perform for us parents tomorrow night.  He has been looking forward to this day for weeks, knowing he got to go to school today as a 'big boy' and you can see it by the smile on his face.  

They both had great days, and I had a special treat waiting for them when they got home.   I have to admit, I got a little choked up dropping him off in carline this morning thinking next year my boys will both be at school for 7 hours a day.   All these years of being home with me, at least one of them at least half the day for the past nine years, and now that will be ending.  Another chapter closed.   Don't get me wrong, it will be fantastic to get some 'me' time back, and focus on my new business (more info on that another time), but nonetheless, a little sad this part of the journey is going to change drastically next fall.  I am eternally grateful for the priviledge of staying home with them all these years.

Tomorrow night is the annual Kindergarten program and I know I'm going to need to bring some tissues.  These are the parts of parenting that are truly so utterly special and sacred.  I love watching my boys grow and learn and enjoy.

The Animal Fair (clap clap)

The entire third grade team has been working on the annual spring third grade program, the lovely and entertaining Animal Fair. The kids memorized an incredible amount of oh-so-cute songs and I wish I had videoed them all since they're were so catchy (especially a rendition of Ice Ice Baby about the Artic)!  Grandma Lynn came out to enjoy the program with us, and we're happy to report there was no puke-a-rama, unlike the unforgettable Patriotic program in first grade.

Each third grade class has been studying specific eco-systems and Dylan's class focused on the ocean.  His particular animal was the Parrot Fish, and he completely a multi-media presentation about it.  Some of the kids also incorporated QR Codes into their presentation, so parents could scan with smartphones and instantly see their childs' presentation on You Tube.  Pretty cool, when you consider all of my school reports were comprised of what I could find in World Book encyclopedias and microfiche.

Dylan's class wore blue shirts, of course.  Sadly, the video upload of Dylan's class song/dance routine is giving me problems, the file might  just be too large.  I'll keep trying, but here are the photos and his multi-media presentation at least.

Here is Dylan's multi-media presentation on the Parrot Fish

Third grade has been Dylan's best school year yet, for lots of reasons.  Great teacher, really structured classroom, and the kids in his class are very kind to each other.  He brings home top scores on almost of of his work, and he just looks forward to school every single day.  Its been so great to watch him really enjoy himself more than ever, and just thrive at school.  I can hardly believe he only has two more years until 6th grade middle school.  Where does the time go?

The Foolish Hermit Crab

an original story by Dylan...

"I'm tired of having this shell.  I bet I would have no fear at all," and the hermit crab took his shell off and rapidly swam away.  After that, the hermit crab almost got eaten by a fish!  Then the hermit crab almost got eaten by a shark!  In the winter the hermit crab was so cold he almost froze to death.  Finally, he put back on his shell.  The End.

Dylan told me the moral of his story is that sometimes its good to try new things.

Makes my heart smile.

a dragons life, by Dylan

Dragons hatch really small then at the adult age they are huge.   So I am going to tell you how to take care of one.  When dragons hatch you have to take good care of it by giving it food and shelter.  Once a dragons got wings you have to teach it how to fly.  Once it knows how to fly you can fly all over the place.  Once the dragon is a teen it is easier to take care of the dragon.  When its an adult it can help around the house.  After that it will fly away and and lay eggs and will give them to you. You will have to say goodbye and hug but the eggs will someday hatch and turn into dragons and the life cycle will start all over again. 

The End

How Dinosaurs Became Extinct, by Dylan

Dinosaurs have bombs in their pockets.  Dinosaura will box at a boxing rinc.  Then man came along.  Then they found axes and chopped the dinosaurs.  There was blood from the dinosaurs.  The men made a fire and ate the meat. Then the men got the bombs and chucked them at the trees.  Then the men became dumb. 

And that's why dinosaurs became igstinked.

A Scholarly Week

This whole week, our school celebrated American Education Week.  All the grades had different programs everyday, along with an awesome book fair.  Parents were invited to come and spend time at school and cafeteria.  Its always a great week at our school, and this year even better since today the kids also got to take part in a special celebration for being one of only six public Virginia schools awarded the distinguished National Blue Ribbon Award.

On Monday, we got to visit Logan in his kindergarten class, make a special craft, watch the kids perform several adorable songs they've been practicing for weeks, and visit the book fair.

Logan was all the way at the furthest end from where I could stand, so its not the best close up video, but the song is just adorable.

Third graders had a very special project.   Weeks ago, each third grade student chose a famous person they wanted to impersonate in a Living Museum project.  The kids were to memorize facts about their famous person, dress like that person, and come to life as that person today in the museum  They all wore a  "Press to Talk" button, and as the parents passed up and down the 'museum' hallways, kids gave their speeches every time their button was pushed.  

Dylan chose George Washington as the famous person he wanted to become.  He memorized these facts:

• Hi, I am George Washington. I was born on February 22, 1732.

• I grew up at a little farm house in Virginia.

• I was a good horseback rider and I liked to hunt.

• I was good at math and had a surveying job.

• My army defeated the Red Coats and we won the Revolutionary War in 1783.

• I became the first President of the U.S. when I was 57 years old.

• My nickname is “Father of Our Country.”

• I became ill and died in December 1799.

Here's George himself:

Dylan LOVED this project, as history is one of his favorite subjects.  He also loves and excels in math and science.  He does not take after his mother.  We're hoping to take him to Mt. Vernon over the winter break, so he can see George Washington's home.

The boys also both brought home their first report cards of the year, and I'm so proud of them both.  They both did excellent!

Its been a great fall so far, and I'm so thankful for all we have, for the boys school and love of learning, and for our family and friends.

lions and apes and pandas, oh my!

I'm so lucky, I've gotten to go on every field trip my boys have ever gone on.   Its so much fun to see your child with their school friends, joking and laughing and having a fun experience together outside of school. 

I love that I got to go to the National Zoo today and spend time with just Dylan and his friends.  You always get to know some of the other parents, too.   I even got to ride the bus and well, that's always an adventure too.  

Living in the DC area, I sometimes forget how fortunate we are that so many attractions are free admission.   In fact, I don't think there is another zoo in the country that doesn't charge an entrance fee.   There have been many times I've left the National Zoo feeling disappointed that many of the animals were hidden or not easy to spot.   Or that many of the exhibits were under construction.  Today, however, was a nice surprise.  It was a chilly day, and there were no crowds at all.  We got up close views of the Giant Pandas, Tigers, Lions, Apes and the Orangutans.  We saw giant tortoise, walked thru a rainforest bird habitat, saw Elephants, Snakes, Alligators and Iguanas.  We didn't get to see every exhibit before it was time to meet the bus, but the animals we did see were awesome!

Look at that sky. The oragnutans were putting on a show, and one of them had dreads!

check out the roaring!  I've never seen a lion make such a fuss!

and third grade begins

What's the first day of a whole new school year without getting emotional?  This morning, my sweet first born climbed out of bed at 6:45, got dressed, ate his pancakes and was ready to go seek the Adventures of Third Grade.

Third grade.  How did this happen? Where did the time go?  I know people say that, and I know exactly where the time has gone because I've savored every second of it.

Dylan, you make us proud every day.  You approach school with such willingness to learn and welcome new experiences.  Enjoy every moment, as I know you will!

Now, I have another one chomping at the bit to get to school, but the kindergarten bus doesn't arrive until 11:20.   He's ready to go right now, counting the minutes!  Photos of that send-off forthcoming...

Happy New School Year!

a new year ahead..

This afternoon, the boys' elementary school held its annual open house event.  Its an opportunity for the kids to come see their class, bring their supplies, meet their teacher and lets face it... start to mentally prepare for another school year.  We start school Monday - Dylan, 3rd grade and Logan, kindergarten.  They're both very excited, and we're all ready.   It was fun to run into a lot of friends at school today and get excited about the year ahead.

Their teachers are both fantastic; we're so very lucky.  Among other kindergarten-y things, Logan will get to take part in planting and working in the schools' garden and he's so excited about it.  He has a couple of really good buddies in his class, and he's chomping at the bit to get in there and get busy.   Dylan has some good friends in his class too, and his teacher is so kind, and experienced.   I've signed up to help in both of their classes when I can, and always love to watch them in action at school and be a part of that experience. 

Dylan will switch out to other classes for Social Studies and Language Arts.   He has P.E. three times a week, and art and music, Spanish, and SEARCH (guidance).   Logan will only go half day this year, so most of this day is spent in his same classroom.   I'm happy DYlan's lunch is at noon - 12:30 this year.  Last year, 12:40 just seemed so late. Both boys are allowed to bring a snack and water bottle to school though.  I don't think we were allowed to do that when I was in school.

Dylan and his teacher, Mrs. W. 

Dylan and our next door neighbor, S.  They sit right next to each other in class!

Logan and his teacher, Mrs. H

He's so excited about all the fun stuff in the class!

These late summer weeks always seem to go on and on, and their boredom kicks in.  Fighting reaches an all time high, and my patience is running thin.   School starts a week earlier than usual this year, and will get out a week earlier in June.  This works for me!

Homework starts for third grade on the first day of school - around 40 minutes a night.   I'm hoping we can roll right back into that routine as smoothly as last year.  Logan will probably have a little homework as well.  And if he doesn't, I'll make some up!
T-ball, taekwondo, fall swimming and Cub Scouts will all be firing up soon and life is about to take on a whole new level of busy. But its all great, and I welcome it all!  Fall is a great time.  It almost seems like the New Year, instead of January 1st.   We all love the routine, the schedules, and giving our brains a work out again after summer. 

We still have a few summer-ish adventures coming up in the weekends ahead with a trip to Grandpa Joe and Grandma Bobbie's, and a trip to the beach at Chincoteague. We're not quite ready to totally say goodbye to summer yet. But we're definitely ready to welcome the routine of fall.