First Grade Awards!!!

Jonathan had his First Grade Awards Ceremony this morning. He received all A's this year, so he got a certificate and a medal for the A Honor Roll all year, and he also got a special class award............Most Curious! His teacher really knows him well!!! :-) Nana came to see Jonathan get his awards, and so did Richard...........both made Jonathan really happy.

He had a great year, and I am so thankful that he had such a wonderful teacher. He went from reading a DRA level 14 at the beginning of the year to reading a DRA level 40 at the end. The library program that gives us reading levels so students can choose books on their independent level recorded him at a beginning fourth grade reading level. That's a HUGE improvement in one year, and I truly believe that his teacher did a great job pushing him this year. His math is getting better, too, but he still has to work on focusing and completing his work instead of drawing or talking.............I'm not sure WHERE he gets that from!?!?!!?

Field Day 2009

Field Day this year was a TON of FUN! We started off with a parade of classes around the stadium, and then we had a flag ceremony led by our scouts - Jonathan was so excited! Then the big kids ran races and did obstacle courses, and our first graders played various relay games, had potato sack races, played with a huge parachute, and had a great time! Richard and another dad cooked hot dogs for the kids and fajitas for the parents/teachers. They were really yummy! The fire department even came out later and turned on their big hose so the kids could play in the water. I think it was good for both the fire fighters (who had just come from a fatal wreck) and the kids. I know it was good for the teachers, because it gave us an hour of cooled down fun with the kiddos. And, yes, everyone was a MESS when the day was over. At least Jonathan had a change of clothes for the ride home!

A Zoo-lightful Day!

Today I went with the entire first grade to the local zoo. We had a great time, saw some wonderful animals, and the weather was gorgeous!! Jonathan asked his dad if he could wear his red cowboy hat. Richard said yes! I must admit that I was a bit upset about the hat because it looks so funny, but it ended up being a good mistake.........not only did it completely cover his whole head and neck from the sun, but it also was VERY easy to spot in the sea of lime green shirts! And while we're on the shirts...........what's up with lime green! We thought for sure that lime green would be a great color and that students would be easy to spot............and they were........except when we ran into two other field trips with the SAME COLOR SHIRTS! It must have been lime green day at the zoo. On the way home, the emergency alarm went off on the bus, and after I checked each emergency exit 3 times, it was still going off. We finally pulled over, and a driver from another bus told us that a bolt was loose on the alarm located on the back door - no one was in danger, but that darn thing kept going off! It only took five minutes to figure it out and fix it, but it was a bit frustrating. At any rate, we had a good time, we didn't lose anybody, ONLY one kid puked on the bus, and so far no parent complaints. Now that's a good day!!! :-)

Happy Memorial Day!!

Well, because of ice, we had to make up a day of school today. But, the good part was that Jonathan got to participate in the morning's flag ceremony at school. He was the only cub scout to participate, and he got to actually help the boy scouts with the flag. He was so excited! Enjoy the photos, and Happy Memorial Day!

Just Horsin' Around!

As part of the Black Stallion Literacy Project, our First Grade classes received a visit from the horses (characters) in two books, read both books about Little Black, and then visited a horse farm. They learned about the horses (care, feeding, tack, etc.), read books to them, and had lunch. The project covers all the reading skills kids need - comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, etc. It's a great program. We stopped at a park on the way there to let the kids play and enjoy the beautiful cool morning (and to get some of their wiggles out!). All in all, we had a great day.

The Grass is Greener.....

....in the first grade! Jonathan's first grade classes presented a little program tonight based on a book they read, In the Tall, Tall Grass. They sang, played instruments, and did rhythmic movements to the song. They all wore green to represent grass. Jonathan did a great job, and the program was short enough that Alyssa was actually well behaved in the audience - a good bonus!

March Activities

March is always a busy month. This year we had Science Night at school, and Jonathan got to show us what he learned about slope. Of course, Alyssa had to get involved as well! We also had a Parent Breakfast at school, but Richard missed it because he was sick that day. So, Jonathan and I went extra early to school and had breakfast together. And, of course, March is also the month for two birthdays on my side of the family - Marisa and "Nana." We celebrated at Nana's house, but we cooked lunch. We had a special black forest cake in Nana's new blue dessert dishes. It was a good time with family.

Recent Pictures

Jonathan really enjoyed his Valentine party at school.

Jonathan and his Valentine.

A boyish Valentine's box for school.

The family at Marisa's performance of Seussical the Musical! She was the young sassy kangaroo.

Always the comedian!!!!!

She just loves to have her picture taken. And what cute pig tails!

Pinewood Derby winners, and the Den activity at the basketball game.

Calm before the Storm!!!! And just what is he trying to tell us with his finger like that!?!?!?

Visiting the park with Holly.