Last summer we started a reading time in our house! It is 30 minutes to an hour each day, Monday thru Friday, where all three of my boys sit down to read a library book. After they are done reading, we give them a chance to tell us what happened in their book that day. The boys really like hearing about each other's stories because they usually choose completely different types of books!
Of course, it is great to have them reading throughout the summer, but the big bonus is that I have a little quiet time which is rare with three rambunctious boys in my house!
In addition to the public library's great reading incentive program, which I have already signed them up for, I also found this cool website with great book suggestions. It has book suggestions for ages from babies to age 9. Below is a link to the site and attached is their suggested reading list for last summer.
http://www.readingrockets.org/books/summer/2008
Braden has already read three of the Black Lagoon chapter books. He is excited because we found a Rotten School: The Blueberry Barf-Off by R.L Stine and another spooky book called Something Wickedly Weird: The Icy Hand by Chris Mould. These are both lengthy chapter books. I am stoked that he is so into reading and picking challenging books. I hope he keeps this up throughout the summer!
Friday, May 29, 2009
It's Summer!
Today Braden completed the first grade! He made the A Honor Roll for the year, was chosen for displaying Fairness as a character pillar which got him breakfast with the Principal, and had all E's in conduct. He is such a good student that loves school! I couldn't be more proud!We were late for the first time ever on the last day of the school year! We decided to pick up donuts for the class and waited in line for an eternity. We were a good fifteen minutes late, but came with donuts for kids and teachers which more than made up for our tardiness!
I stayed to to watch the Roadrunner Review, which is the talent show of 3rd and 4th graders. It was funny! There was everything from singing to dancing to piano playing. I was disappointed the skate boarders back out, but it was a great show. A group of about 20 4th grade girls did the Hoedown Throwdown from the Hannah Montana movie. They were great!
The last day of school was emotional for us though. Our neighborhoods have been re-zoned with the building of a new elementary. Many of Braden's friends will not be returning to school with us in the fall. Poor Braden was on the verge of tears when he said goodbye to his teacher and friends. I was too! Thankfully we leave to get his brothers tomorrow! The boys always make everything better! And so begins our summer of fun!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Party Is Over...
And boy am I glad!
The 1st Grade end of year party was today. I spent the morning gathering tricycles, baby pools, splash balls, super soakers, tattoos, and ice cream sandwiches. Got it all set just in time for the kids to come out. Had plenty of parents to help run all the activities. Rotated the five classes through the five activities with perfect timing. Just at they all finished up their last activity, it was time to go home! Whew!
The kids all had a great time. Pats on the back all around for a party well organized. It was a lot of work, but I was proud that is was such a hit with the kids and done on such a little budget. We used left over money from Christmas and Valentines so we didn't have to ask for any more. There is so much to shell money out for at the end of the year as it is. I was glad the party was covered.
I did get sunburned, which is becoming a regular thing. Not good considering the history of cancers in my family. I really need to remember to put sunscreen on me and not just the kids! I look rather odd with my red arms, neck, and even the back of my legs got it. Needless to say, I am hot and shivering all at the same time! Oh the joy of fried skin!
The best news is that we have school til noon, which consists of donuts for the class and then watching the talent show. Easy breezy day and then we are DONE! I can't wait!
The 1st Grade end of year party was today. I spent the morning gathering tricycles, baby pools, splash balls, super soakers, tattoos, and ice cream sandwiches. Got it all set just in time for the kids to come out. Had plenty of parents to help run all the activities. Rotated the five classes through the five activities with perfect timing. Just at they all finished up their last activity, it was time to go home! Whew!
The kids all had a great time. Pats on the back all around for a party well organized. It was a lot of work, but I was proud that is was such a hit with the kids and done on such a little budget. We used left over money from Christmas and Valentines so we didn't have to ask for any more. There is so much to shell money out for at the end of the year as it is. I was glad the party was covered.
I did get sunburned, which is becoming a regular thing. Not good considering the history of cancers in my family. I really need to remember to put sunscreen on me and not just the kids! I look rather odd with my red arms, neck, and even the back of my legs got it. Needless to say, I am hot and shivering all at the same time! Oh the joy of fried skin!
The best news is that we have school til noon, which consists of donuts for the class and then watching the talent show. Easy breezy day and then we are DONE! I can't wait!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Some Inspriration for an Old Hobby
I used to blog like crazy and like with all other hobbies, life got busy and it fell by the wayside. A friend started a blog of family trips and comical moments and inspired me to starting up again. Sadly enough, I have changed emails and cannot even get into my old blog. So here I am, starting from scratch. Woohoo!
Memorial Day weekend was nice and relaxing. It began with a night out with my two friends, Mattie & Mindy. A little free pampering, airbrushed tattoos, and dinner. It was fun! The rest of the weekend was pretty typical. Some shopping with my mom, movie night with Braden, and then Derik was able to come to church with us. He was dog tired and I was so impressed that he was up to go. We played at the park and saw the new Night at the Museum. It was nice and made me wish the next four days of school were already over with!
Speaking of the movie, my seven year old now thinks he MUST see the Smithsonian and all other points of interest in DC. He has wanted to visit New York and Seattle since he was three and now has added DC to the list. I guess we better start planning better vacations!
Vacation this summer is either going to consist of two short trips to OKC and Carlsbad Caverns OR one longer trip to the Grand Canyon and back home via Carlsbad Caverns. It's a toss up. We can't decide whether the kids would rather see one of the 7 wonders of the world
I mentioned we have four days of school left, which won't fly by fast enough. Tomorrow is the awards ceremony, which I am excited to see my son get his First Grade A Honor Roll Award and Citizenship Award. He is one of those kids teacher's love to have. He is smart and always tries to please his teachers. I am also picking up our class's teacher gift from my amazingly talented friend who painted up a director's chair for us. It is awesome and I will post pics as soon as I get them. Wednesday I think is a regular day, but Thursday is the end of year party and early release. This party has been the source of my frustration for a month!
This year, I was not just a room parent, but the room parent coordinator for the grade. All this meant is that it was my job to call planning meetings, send out parent letters, and be responsible for all the money collected for parties. A job I will not be repeating next year! I am sure I did a great job, but I am tired of it. I struggled with ideas and participation from other room parents. This party at the end of the year is supposed to be the big bang for the kids. I am afraid it is going to be a big bust! We collaborated on ideas, then adjusted to meet the principal's new rules, and it just doesn't sound like a ton of fun to me. I just want to get it over with and get out!
Considering I have to be presentable for the awards assembly at 8:30 AM in the morning, I better get off this blog and get some beauty sleep!
Memorial Day weekend was nice and relaxing. It began with a night out with my two friends, Mattie & Mindy. A little free pampering, airbrushed tattoos, and dinner. It was fun! The rest of the weekend was pretty typical. Some shopping with my mom, movie night with Braden, and then Derik was able to come to church with us. He was dog tired and I was so impressed that he was up to go. We played at the park and saw the new Night at the Museum. It was nice and made me wish the next four days of school were already over with!
Speaking of the movie, my seven year old now thinks he MUST see the Smithsonian and all other points of interest in DC. He has wanted to visit New York and Seattle since he was three and now has added DC to the list. I guess we better start planning better vacations!
Vacation this summer is either going to consist of two short trips to OKC and Carlsbad Caverns OR one longer trip to the Grand Canyon and back home via Carlsbad Caverns. It's a toss up. We can't decide whether the kids would rather see one of the 7 wonders of the world
I mentioned we have four days of school left, which won't fly by fast enough. Tomorrow is the awards ceremony, which I am excited to see my son get his First Grade A Honor Roll Award and Citizenship Award. He is one of those kids teacher's love to have. He is smart and always tries to please his teachers. I am also picking up our class's teacher gift from my amazingly talented friend who painted up a director's chair for us. It is awesome and I will post pics as soon as I get them. Wednesday I think is a regular day, but Thursday is the end of year party and early release. This party has been the source of my frustration for a month!
This year, I was not just a room parent, but the room parent coordinator for the grade. All this meant is that it was my job to call planning meetings, send out parent letters, and be responsible for all the money collected for parties. A job I will not be repeating next year! I am sure I did a great job, but I am tired of it. I struggled with ideas and participation from other room parents. This party at the end of the year is supposed to be the big bang for the kids. I am afraid it is going to be a big bust! We collaborated on ideas, then adjusted to meet the principal's new rules, and it just doesn't sound like a ton of fun to me. I just want to get it over with and get out!
Considering I have to be presentable for the awards assembly at 8:30 AM in the morning, I better get off this blog and get some beauty sleep!
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