Spring Sing

The third and fourth graders showed their patriotism with this year's Spring Sing. Allison has been practicing in the car daily, and she loved having a featured part.

Half of the Group

Afterwards we headed to the orthodontist to see if the retainer had fixed the other front tooth. The entire reason for the retainer was to move one front tooth that was hitting her bottom teeth when she bit down. Well it moved that one forward, but also moved the other one back. Now we are back to the original issue with a new tooth. 

Dr. Jennings looked at me and said, "What if I just give you free braces? I feel like I'm chasing the cart and cannot catch up." Here is her selfie on the way home:

Valentine's Day Parties

Today were the Valentine's Day parties at school. These moms go above and beyond with the crafts, snacks, and games. I am so glad that I was able to float between the two to see the fun.

In Allison's class they made gummy bear wreaths, heart ornaments, and played bingo with conversation hearts. This picture makes me smile so much. The joy in her face is contagious. She is so happy at Grace School.

Aidan's class made bird feeders with pipe cleaners and fruit loops, played musical hearts, and painted cookies. The cookies were so neat. On the bottom of each one were dots of food coloring. The kids dipped paint brushes with water into the food coloring and then painted the picture on the cookie. All edible.

After the parties I had them pose for this picture. Today was "Valentine's Free Dress", and each one chose their outfit at Gap this week. I was thinking one shirt each, but of course they had other ideas. The fashionista chose a shirt, skirt, headband, and shoes. Shocker. Aidan quickly chose the red t-shirt, but what surprised me was that he wanted to add the blue skinny jeans. These two definitely know what they like when it comes to clothes. When many kids their ages want to wear athletic shorts or pants with t-shirts every day, I am so glad they love fashion and expressing their personality through what they wear. Call me materialistic, but it really is so fun. I love my two Valentines so much!

Artsy Kids

Kids love art, and mine are no exception. Last week we had two fun art moments during the school week. They were unexpected, and a nice break from the routine.

One night, as I was sitting with Aidan on the couch, Allison came over with a sketch pad and started drawing us. Before long, Aidan joined in. They sat there on the end of the couch sketching me for at least an hour.

Another evening at dinner Aidan was telling us about what he did in art class that day. I asked him about the city scape reflections I knew he had done a few weeks earlier when I subbed for his art teacher. As we were trying to explain it to Allison she asked to see it. This led into a full-out art session at the kitchen table. It really was fun.

Here are the steps in case you would like to do it yourself.

#1 - Fold a piece of paper in half long-ways (hotdog).

#2 - Draw buildings along the folded line. Stick to rectangles, tops of buildings, windows, and doors. Buildings should touch each other.

#3 - Color in buildings with colored markers. We used Crayola.

#4 - Outline buildings, windows, doors, and ground line in black marker.

#5 - Brush water on to the lower half of the paper.

#6 - Fold the wet half onto the colored half.

#7 - Unfold and reveal the city scape reflection!

(Allison also did one with a girl as if she was looking into a lake.)

Fun, fun!

Basketball

Allison and Aidan are playing basketball for their school this year. This is their first time ever playing, and they really are having fun. Also, true to form, Daddy has become very invested in this. We now have a basketball goal in the driveway which Papa Jerry bought them, and almost daily they are out there shooting.

These were taken at the game last Saturday, February 9th. 

Aidan's team played first at 8:00 am, on a Saturday, fun. They won again! The Blue Bombers have won every game. Kindergarten basketball is seriously the most adorable thing ever.

Prayer before the Game

Free Throws at Half Time

Dribbling Down the Court

Allison's team played immediately afterwards at 9:00 at a different school. These poor girls have lost every game, but they play their hearts out. I do think it's a little crazy that the league makes 8 and 9-year-old girls play on a regulation court and goal. 10 feet is very high for them. Regardless, she is enjoying herself, and I am having so much fun cheering for her.

Prayer Before the Game

Dribbling Down the Court

Free Throws at Half Time

Made it!