Gracie's Winter Party 2013

Gracie's Christmas party was held the last day of school.  I love going to the parties for the younger kids.  They are always so excited to play the games, make the crafts, and most importantly to eat the snacks.

There was a game of throw the "snow balls" (cotton balls).

She balanced a bow on her head during a relay race.

She also played ring toss with a wreath.

For the craft, Gracie made a reindeer ornament.

Gracie especially loved the snack.  The kids made a wreath out of a Krispy Kreme donut, frosting, and M&M's.  Talk about a sugar high!

We ended the party by giving her teacher, Mrs. Tripamer, a scarf and some pretty smelling lotion.  She loved it and we love her!

Fall Parties

Today was a fun and hectic day.  This year I have two kids with Fall Parties.  Luckily, their parties were at two different times so I was able to go for both parties.

Kanin's party was first.  I wondered how he would act this way being a big 4th grader and if he would want Mommy at his party and hanging around but my sweet boy surprised me and really wanted me to be by him the entire time.  Of course, I ate it up!

We played lots of games . . .first he carried eggs in a relay race . . .

then he tried to stack dice on an ice cream stick . .

I loved when we placed an Oreo on his forehead and he had to try to get it down into his mouth.  This game was so much fun and I loved watching all of the kids try it.  Surprisingly, several kids got really, really close! . . .

Kanin had a partner in which they had to lock arms and run down and back . . .

the last game was the potato sack race.  I loved this only because it brought back my own memories from doing this as a little kid.  I'm glad that he was able to experience it, too.

In the afternoon I moved over to Gracie's party.  I was really excited as this was her very first school party.  She was so excited and hopped right out of bed this morning, a rarity in our house.  I also loved that she was so excited to see me.

One of the families in Gracie's room has this neat little putting green and they brought it for games to her party.  What a great idea.  The kids loved it and Gracie was so excited to sink the ball a couple of times.

 I love her so much!  It was so cute that a couple of the kids kept telling me that I look just like Gracie.  LOL

We made these bug crafts.  It was so cute.

It was a great day.  I am so happy and blessed that I was able to go to the kids' school today.  I made memories and I hope they did, too.

Kanin's Last Day of School

Kanin's last day of school was this past Wednesday.  I can't believe that I already have a 4th grader.  This year just seems like it flew by.

As is his school's tradition, the last day of school ended with a parade. Every year on the last day of school, I start tearing up as soon as the kids start lining up.  The 5th graders are so excited to be moving on to middle school and those little kindergarteners, I mean now 1st graders, all just still seem like babies.

We got down to the school about 45 minutes early and people were already lining the streets.  The entire subdivision shuts down for this parade each year.

Here they come . . .

Last day of 3rd grade!

I told you that this school take it's last day of school parade seriously.  

This smile melts my heart every year.

 

Kanin's First Day of 3rd Grade

I can't believe my little 6lbs 1 oz baby is in 3rd grade!  Of course, I wanted to get up and make him a special breakfast but he just wanted a "breakfast corn dog".  Scott kept saying, "Dude, I don't think you understand what she is offering you."  LOL

It was then time for pictures.  Kanin said he was too old for pictures this year but I told him to get used to it because I would be taking "First Day of School Pics" until he went to college!

Apparently Kanin really liked this pattern this year . . . later on we noticed that the scissors he picked out also had this blue checkered pattern, too.

At this point he was definitely ready to be done with pictures.

For the first time since kindergarten, I followed him in to the classroom.  I don't think he was very impressed.

Mrs. Douglas, Kanin's new teacher.

 

Kanin's Last Day as a 2nd Grader

Last Friday was Kanin's last day of 2nd grade.  I can't believe how fast this year flew by.  I guess it was because we only had 1 snow day.  I also can't believe how my little baby boy is already heading in to 3rd grade.  I need the time to S-T-O-P!

The last day is a big deal at Kanin's school.  We have an end-of-year parade and the streets are packed.  One of the dad's has attached the school mascot, the Eagle, to his truck for the last 8 years.  His last daughter is graduating over in to Middle School this year so this was his last year to do it.

The first class to come down is always the 5th graders.  This year Emily was a part of that group.  She'll be moving on over to Middle School next year :(

Each grade is assigned a color.  2nd grade's color is purple.  Look how happy Kanin looks.

Here comes the 4th graders . . .

The subdivision behind the school is shut down and the entire school loops all the way through it.  I'm telling you this parade is a BIG deal.  Firetrucks, police cars, and hundreds of parents and family members show up to watch.

Since it was the last year that Mr. O'Brien would be carrying the Eagle, we made signs and these parents held them up when he drove by.  He was really touched.

Here is Kanin's class coming back to school.

After the parade, the PTO bought enough popsicles for all of the students and their families.  Here were Kanin's best friends in 2nd grade this year, Cody and CJ.

Mrs. Saeger was a great teacher!

Kanin loves music class and I think it is because of Mrs. Wolf.  Kanin told me all year long that she was really sweet. 

Kanin's very favorite teacher was Mr. Trost, the P.E. teacher.  Mr. Trost only teaches K-2 P.E. so Kanin will have a new P.E. teacher next year and he is not happy.  LOL

Coming out of the school as a 2nd grader for the last time!

Now we are ready for a terrific summer!