Ricky's Last Day Of School

Ricky had an awesome Kindergarten year. We were pretty worried of going from private to public. We also knew that if we had any issues with public we would put him back in private.
I have to say we were pleasantly surprised. Mrs. Narum was a great teacher. The whole Kinder staff seemed to be great and loved Ricky. Ricky excelled academically and socially. He received all "E's" on his report card for Kinder with the exception of on "s". The "s" was for class participation. He only received it because being shy he didn't raise his hand much. Which on this issue I have my own opinions.
Since Ricky was one of the strongest in class he was able to boost his confidence and help others.
On his Diagnostic Reading Inventory Results Ricky's scores were: Developed on the EOY screening 8/8; Listening Comprehnsion 6/6; EOY Reading Level J (I think Kinders are required to end at a "D" level).

This year he also finished his 1st real chapter book. The Diary of a Wimpy kid. He's reading another right now.

He only missed 1 day this entire year. It was the last semester. I'm not even sure he was really sick like he claimed. He acted fine all day and we even went out for ice cream. He was tardy 1 time the entire year. This was my fault because he was getting over being sick so I let him sleep in.

Socially he did great. As any mother you worry that your child will have no one to play with. I did especially in his case because I see him as shy. I discovered he's not so shy. He made so many friends in his class. He even had a girlfriend (which I have my opinions on, he's too young). He got a marriage proposals from this other girl. He had a girl break up with him because another girl liked him. So I must say he was popular with the girls. He also had so many guy friends. I know they played "monster" a lot at recess.

On the last day of school Mrs. Narum gave out certificates to students ( I guess students voted on what award each student gets) Ricky received Best Student. He never pulled a ticket this whole year (if your not behaving or do as your told you pull a red ticket). Ricky says he almost had to one time for not paying attention but cried so hard he got out of it. Even he knows the power of crying - hehehehehe.

                                Ricky with his "best student" certificate.

                                          Last day of school.

1st day of Kinder.  Wow look how young he looks. He's turning into such a handsome boy. 

I have a 1st grader now!! We'll see what Kohrville has in store for us this coming year. I hope it's as good as Kinder. So proud of my little guy!!!!!

I would love to put him back at Windwood for 1st grade because his transition teacher, Mrs.Hogan is teaching 1st. I credit her for teaching Ricky a lot and pushing him. That is my only gripe about his class. I feel he was never pushed.
I don't know what the academic difference is from a private to public school. I'm sure they have to be on about the same curriculum level by state. I just know that the transition class was pretty hard and Mrs. Hogan expected a lot from the 8 boys she had.
I'd love to see the 1st grad curriculum agenda for both private and public.
In the end it also boils down to parent involvement. Your child is as good as you expect from them and as a parent it's your duty to work with them and push them above their level.

Last Day Of School For Hana

Hana's last day of 3 year old pre-k was on May 26, 2011. We had to say goodbye to Mrs Petttite and Mrs. Villigrand. She had some awesome teachers. They were also able to put up with Hana's mood swings. She only received 1 oh no note. She has learned so much. It seems like she went in as a little baby and came out as a girl.

It was also sad because it was the last year with her best friend, Addison. Next year Addi will be going 3 days while Hana still 2.

I can't believe next year will be her last year of pre-k till she goes to Kindergarten. Oh my goodness, why is she growing so fast?!

                                           Hana's last day of school.

                                      Hana's 1st day of school.

Quote Of The Day!!

As Hana and I were walking up to Ricky's awards ceremony at school, Hana says:

"boogers are snacks"

Yuck, yuck, yuck!!!!
Where does she get this?!

The Best Article Ever!

I have for years tried to explain to non stay at home moms (SAHM) or men that staying at home is one of the hardest things ever!! I could never really explain it the right way or using the right words. I found this article, which was posted on face book.
It is perfect!!!!! I though I would share.

By Heather Rigby:

My husband always asks how my day went. And he really wants to know. He’s nice like that. As we slowly push the girls around in the stroller, he shares what went right during his day at the office, and I share funny things the kids said. On bad days we vent stresses and offer support and advice.
But lately I can’t help wondering if when I mention that my day was sort of stressful, he mentally thinks, “Yeah, my days are like that too.” Because I really don’t think that our days have the same sort of stresses.
When you decide to become a stay-at-home parent, you enter into a different realm — one ruled by illogical two-year-old dictators, school schedules, and choosing the correct color yogurt. As much as I can explain this to my husband, I don’t know that I’m getting through. Now I’ve done the next best thing: creating a list of questions that will help him and other office-bound parents gauge how (cough, cough) similar their days are to ours.

1. When you walked into work this morning and pleasantly greeted your co-worker Jim, was his first reaction to scream “NO! WANT JASON!" followed by an office supply being thrown at you?
2. Has a colleague ever climbed up on your lap while you were using your computer and slammed the keyboard with both fists until the up arrow no longer worked?
3. Do you have to lock yourself in the supply closet or bathroom on a regular basis in order to make phone calls?
4. Did you finish a complete thought at any time during the day?
   
5. When you went out to lunch with your fellow workers, did you have to pack a diaper/juice/extra outfit for them? Did you have to wipe their faces? Smile an apology and leave an extra tip for the waiter on their behalf?
6. When a co-worker needed you for something, did she sit at her desk with her head tilted back toward the ceiling and repeatedly scream “SEAN! SEEEEANNNN! SEAAAAAAN!” until you came to find him?
   
7. When you needed a specific colleague, did you search all over for him, only to finally find him giggling in the cabinet under the sink? Did you also find six pairs of your church shoes under there with him?
8. Have you had to come to an associate’s aid because she fell off her desk after trying to climb on top of it using a rolling chair?
   
9. When you reached for the report a co-worker was handing you, did he snatch them away at the last second and scream “MINE!” while shoving you backwards?
10. Does your colleague lift up her shirt and pick things out of her belly button every time she comes over to ask a question?
11. While you are using the restroom, do various co-workers come in the stall and ask you to settle a disagreement or open a packet of fruit snacks?
12. During a board meeting when everyone is present, do you notice a smell and then have to check all your colleagues’ pants to locate it? In fact, at ANY point in your day do you have to deal with another person's feces?
    

If the answer to most of these questions is no, it’s a safe bet to assume you’re in an office. That said, if your answer to most of these questions is yes, and you know you’re in an office, it’s safe to assume you might need a new job.

 

Lemonade Stand

Ricky has been wanting to do a lemonade stand for quite some time now. This past Sat we decided it was the day. Well, actually little Ricky decided it was the day. We went to walmart bought some lemonade, water, ice and poster board. We had cups and pitchers at home.
The location was going to be in front of Shallow Pockets Furniture. There has to be way more traffic there than in front of our house!!
Ricky was great at selling the lemonade. He asked everyone that walked buy if they would like to buy a cup of lemonade.
In four hours Ricky profited $15. For a 6 year old this is great. He can't wait to have his next lemonade stand.

Garden

The garden is showing promise. We were a little worried, but there are a few plants that are showing fruit. Hopefully soon the others will follow. We have a few squash, zucchini, bell pepper, cucumbers and 1 of the tomato plants is showing some tomatoes.
The basil has taken off like a champ.

Gymnastics

I am pleased to say that Hana is loving gymnastics. I am so glad that I moved her to the "Y" for gymnastics. Leeann the instructor is amazing with her. The skills are at the same level as other more expensive gyms, but she just doesn't get all that pressure here to move up.
Hana had her first gymnastics show yesterday. I was a little worried, because when it comes to performing in front of others she clams up. Well wouldn't you know when she realized she was going to be watched she wanted to back out and started crying. Leeann knew just what to do to get Hana to participate.
I am so proud of her. She's doing so great and excelling. What she loves the most and her strongest area is rings. Her teacher says that Hana has the best basket on the rings (my little mommy bragging moment).

I was going to take the summer of, but because she loves it so much, we'll probably enroll for summer session.

(I was having camera issues, so sorry for the poor quality)