Thanksgiving Feast Day!!!

Yesterday was Thanksgiving Feast day for all of the Kindergarten classes at Caleb's Creek. The classes each made their own "Stone Soup" and then feasted together in the hallway...it was a blast! The kids had so much fun, and so did I!!!! I just love the kids in Kalee's class. They are so sweet and loving, and all of their hugs when I go in to help out actually make me miss being in the classroom a little!!!

And they all love Kloe, too! She escaped from the stroller shortly after we arrived but she was really good. She just wandered around the room, checking out all the kids and all their cool "toys." She especially liked writing on the chalkboard and sitting on Mrs. Lofton's spinning stool! Then she thoroughly enjoyed the after-lunch dance party! I think she will be more than ready for school when the time comes!

Kalee was excited that I was there, which I just love!!! Sometimes she is way "beyond" her age but luckily I'm not a total embarrassment yet (only in the cafeteria, apparently, if you read my previous post!!!). We made dessert with the kids (Oreo Cookie Turkeys) and helped get them all situated at their tables to enjoy their lunch with all of the other classes. They dressed as Pilgrims and Indians, and they were sooooo cute!!!! Kalee was a Pilgrim yesterday because she had been an Indian last week for the cafeteria Thanksgiving dinner!

Kalee's First Game

Today was the first game of the season for cheerleading and the girls did a FANTASTIC job, especially considering that they only had 2 practices prior to today!! And most of them have never cheered before. They even had a halftime show which is adorable! Unfortunately I didn't get any video because of where they were cheering, but next time I will get some no matter what! But here are some pics, at least!!!

Kalee's First Report Card

Today when I dropped Kalee off at school, I picked up her first quarter report card and was soooooooo pleased!!!! They don't get "graded" on too many academic items in first quarter. It is more conduct and work habits that are addressed, although they did include a summary of the assessments that have been done throughout this quarter. Her marks were all "O's" (outstanding) except for one "S" (satisfactory) which was in the category titled "Works Neatly." (**I found this quite amusing because I have said for a very long time that she has the handwriting of a serial killer!! She does not take her time and her brain always seems to be moving faster than her pencil!!!!)

As for all of her other assessments, she knew all of her letters, sounds, and numbers, and she appears to be doing really well overall! I am so proud of her for making the adjustment to being gone all day and really maturing over the past three months! Her reading skills are really coming along, too...it seems like everyday she picks up another random book and can read more and more of it! I have several kindergarten readers from my old classroom and she can buzz through those like an old pro! She is also writing ALOT, and this is so much fun for me to watch. It was always one of my favorite parts of teaching kindergarten to watch the kids start sounding out words and spelling them without asking, and I love to see Kalee's attempts...she is usually pretty accurate! (Hopefully she will be a spelling psycho like her mama!!!)

So now we have to figure out what her reward will be for this her latest achievement, since we just went to Build a Bear yesterday for a "Daddy loves to spoil Kalee" trip! I would love to hear what you all do for your kiddos to reward an awesome report card!!

Love my Babies....

This morning I had one of those moments that make me so so happy to be a mommy to my two little princesses!!! Kalee is sick today, unfortunately...she started coughing yesterday, then developed a fever, and had a very hard time resting last night. Much to her dismay, she had to miss school today due to these "issues," and we made a trip to the doctor's office to figure out what we were dealing with exactly. (***I say "issues" because I was not allowed to say that she was sick, only that she had a cough, fever, and headache, but she is NOT sick.***)

While we were there, the poor little thing was looking so wiped out and pitiful, but yet she sat on the table next to Kloe and entertained her the WHOLE time. She made faces, clapped, acted silly....whatever it took to make Kloe giggle. And I mean GIGGLE...Kalee really has a way with Kloe and she gets the biggest, craziest belly laughs out of her! Then Kalee sat there and told me how much she loved Kloe and that she was the cutest baby ever....just being really sweet in spite of the fact that she could barely get her words out without a coughing fit.

Just thought I'd share...it was a bright spot in what has otherwise been a SUPER CRAPPY start to my week!! I also want to mention that I am really thankful for my amazing husband and my wonderful friends who have been so sweet and supportive...I am a very lucky lady!!!

A Busy Upcoming Week....

I was just thinking about what we have on our plate this week, and I came to realize that it is starting....I am becoming a "soccer mom" but without the soccer!!!! For those of you who didn't know, Kalee has joined the Girl Scouts this year as a Daisy. She is official now, as they had their Investiture Ceremony a few weeks back. I am DELIGHTED that she has chosen this path as it is so wonderful to see the girls learning about their place in the big, big world out there...and learning about how they can make it a better place for everyone! And we couldn't ask for kinder troop leaders and sweeter fellow Daisies! It is such a great group of little girls!

So on Tuesday night we have a regular Daisy meeting, at which I believe the girls who participated in a Goodwill service project in October will receive their first Daisy badges, "A Good Turn for Goodwill." KK is very excited to begin amassing badges for her cute little blue tunic!

THEN....on Friday night she has her first cheerleading practice!!! We are both beyond excited for this to begin. She has wanted to be a cheerleader for quite a while and she is finally old enough! I spoke with her coach on the phone earlier and she seems very sweet and enthusiastic!

In addition, I will be organizing the Thanksgiving Feast for her class! I can't wait to start on this. I just love being able to help out and be involved in her class. Again, we have been so blessed that Kalee ended up with AMAZING teachers who she absolutely adores, and a great group of classmates.

Kalee's Birthday....a few months later....

I was just thinking of what other momentous occasions weren't shared due to my lack of dedication to my blog, and....whaddya know...Kalee's 5th Birthday came to mind!!!!!!

We had a grand celebration, as usual, complete with 12 story waterslide (LOL) and 4 days straight of partying it up!!! Grandma, Grandpa, Sherry, Pauline, Jean, Brad, and Chris were all here from MD to share in the fun with us, which was definitely the best part!!!

On Friday, KK was treated to a mani/pedi to begin her reign as the Birthday Princess, Saturday was the grand luau, and on Sunday she got to have the waterslide all to herself for the day with just a few friends (and Pauline...). Then on Monday (her actual birthday) she was taken shopping, went to Build a Bear whereupon she drained Pauline and Jean of their retirement funds, and out to dinner at her fave pizza place! BUSY BUSY BUSY!!!!!

So here are some pics of the highlights.....

(Yes, I was quite comfy in my chair, too!!!!!)

Just some new pictures.......