Schools Out for the SUMMER!

 I can't believe that Kaleb's Kindergarten year has come and gone. Where is the time going? My friends who have teenagers have counseled me and have said, "Once your kids get in school the years fly by!" I believe them. I don't think I am ready for this yet!! I wish I could bottle my kids up and keep them young forever!! However, I know this not to be the case. 

Kaleb's last week of school was a fun one. They did  many fun activities in class and a favorite was a Counting with Skittles Day. Each child in the class received some Skittles and they counted them and then divided them into groups. Kaleb loved this activity and talked about it all day after school. They also had a Field Day and were able to go outside and play water games and eat Popsicles. On the last day of School, Kaleb's teacher Mrs. Titus threw a surprise pizza party for the kids because they filled up the jar for good behavior. Kaleb was thrilled. After school, I picked Kaleb up and had planned on taking him out to lunch at McDonald's to celebrate but since he had already eaten we opted for Ice cream.

I am so proud of Kaleb and all of his accomplishments this year! Love you So Much Son!

Kaleb with his Friend Adilynne Hagen

Kindergarten Testing

It has been so nice this past week, because Kaleb has had some time off from school. With him being enrolled in Year Round School, each track takes around a week off to test all of the kindergartners on that track and see what they have learned and where they are at academically. Kaleb's test was scheduled for today at 10. Kaleb, Karmindy and I all headed to the school and after we dropped Kaleb off in his classroom for his 45 minute evaluation. Karmindy and I had some time to kill so we headed to the playground so Karmindy could play. It was nice to have some one on one time with her since both kids are usually with me. It also gave me a chance to take some pictures with my new camera that I got for my birthday. The pictures  turned out darling. Here are a few of my favorites.

After the 45 minutes were up, Karmindy and I headed back to Kaleb's Classroom to visit with his teacher. Kaleb is doing well in every subject and is reading like a champ. His teacher expressed how impressed she was with him and told me that he was reading well above grade level. This made me so happy to hear because I have been diligent about working with him and reviewing flash cards everyday with him after his homework was complete. I am so proud of Kaleb. He is a very smart little boy who loves to learn. I hope that he never loses that desire. I am also very proud of the little boy that he is becoming. He is kind to all he meets and is a good friend to everyone.

After Kaleb's testing, I snapped this photo of Kaleb with his teacher. So cute. So grateful for Mrs. Titus this year. She has been a wonderful teacher to Kaleb. She is so patient and kind.

 Kaleb is looking forward to 1st grade and is thrilled to have 2 recesses to look forward to this next year. I am sad however because my little boy is growing up and I will miss him while he is gone all day for first greade. I certainly will miss my good little helper and buddy. I love you son and I hope you know how proud we are of you!!

Kaleb's Year End Field Trip

Kaleb and Ellie B. riding the bus together.

Kaleb and his Group standing in front of the T-Rex Display

Tyler B, Ellie G., Macee S, Ellie B., and Kaleb

This past Wednesday, Kaleb had the opportunity to go to the Hogle Zoo with his class mates. I was one of four lucky parents that got picked to Chaperon the outing. I was in charge of 4 kids including Kaleb. Kaleb had a great little group and they were all troopers by staying together throughout the outing. It made my job easy. We rode a bus up with the other afternoon D track class. When we arrived there we got off and saw a few animals and the Dinosaur exhibits before heading to the bird show. The kids, including Kaleb really enjoyed seeing all the birds and seeing the fun tricks that they could do. A favorite was listening to the parrots and hearing them talk. After the bird show, it was time for lunch. After lunch we checked out the Elephants and the Monkeys. By this time, it was time to pack up and get ready to head back to the bus. I had so much fun spending time with my little boy! It was also fun to watch Kaleb interact with his classmates. He has many friends and gets along with everyone.

Waiting for the Bird Show to Start.

Getting ready to head back to the bus to go home.

PTA Secretary & Kaleb's Art Walk Night

On March 31st, we headed as a family over to the Elementary School where Kaleb attends. I was asked to serve on PTA committee this next year and will be taking on the office of Secretary. On this particular night, I was being voted in by other members. I am a little nervous for this assignment but I am looking forward to serving at the school and in the community. It will be a great learning experience. Wish me luck! :)

On this night it was also the Schools Art Walk. All the classes in the school participate and it is a night for the classes to showcase the students artwork that they have been doing in their classes. Kaleb's class participated so after being voted in, our little family walked the halls and enjoyed looking at all the artwork. We really enjoyed finding Kaleb's artwork and seeing what he has been working on in his class this term. Kaleb is very artistic, so it was fun to see his talent first hand. He was able to have two of his pieces showcased: a painting of a vase of flowers and a craft project! He was very excited to show us his artwork. 

Karmindy also had fun and didn't want to be left out, so she pointed to a picture that she adopted and said was hers. She keeps us laughing all the time!

 Here are Kaleb's projects up close:

Project: Spilled Milk

What did it look like?

Kaleb wrote: A Whale!

Kale'b's Beautiful blue vase and flowers!

Celebrating Dr.Seuss & 100 Days of School...

A couple of weeks ago, Kaleb had a very busy week at school. First, his class celebrated Dr. Seuss birthday. All the kids were encouraged to dress as their favorite Dr. Seuss character or wear a Dr. Seuss hat. I ran out of time to sew Kaleb a hat but I found a hat that fit the part at Wal-Mart. Kaleb looked so cute in his Dr. Seuss hat, even though it was the wrong colors. :D During class Kaleb said they talked about Dr. Seuss, read several of his books and also made their own Dr. Seuss hats. They even played Green Eggs and Ham tic tac toe!

Kaleb favorite part of the day was coloring and assembling his own Dr. Seuss hat- he wore it home proudly!

Kaleb wearing the Dr. Seuss Hat that he made in class.

The following day they celebrated 100 days of Kindergarten. Kaleb was very excited for this party with his class and has been talking about it since Kindergarten began. Each child brought 100 things for show and tell. Luckily it wasn't supposed to be anything big. Kaleb decided on taking 100 elbow macaroni for his portion of show and tell. He was very excited to show his 100 macaroni to his class. During his 100 day party they played games, and did activities that involved 100. Kaleb came home wearing his 100 day hat that they made that day.

Kaleb and his 100 Macaroni!! He counted them all out by himself! Hence that big cheesy smile!

Kaleb is really loving kindergarten and is excited to attend each day. He loves his teacher and enjoys the kids in his class. Some of his favorite things to do in Kindergarten are coloring, playing on the "big" playground (where the BIG kids play), reading and going to centers. He also really enjoys when I help out in his class. Lately, I have been fortunate to be able to help out weekly and I am thoroughly enjoying it. It is so hard for me to believe as his mom that Kindergarten is almost over for my Big kid. A couple of weeks ago, Kaleb came home with his form to fill out for 1st Grade. I can't believe it is already time to start thinking about the next year, I feel like Kindergarten just started for my little man!

Kaleb's VIP

Mr. VIP himself showing off his poster!

The Poster that Kaleb and I made together!

The day after Kalebs birthday (Friday), I headed to Kaleb's kindergarten class for Kaleb's VIP day! For VIP's the mom's of the students go into the classroom and share a few things about their children with the rest of their classmates. I made Kaleb a poster (Kaleb helped) with his darling baby pictures, star stickers and baseballs (his favorite). I also took Kaleb's fish, "Captain Nemo" in as an added show and tell bonus. Kaleb loved being the center of attention and got to come up to the front of the room with me and talk about himself. The kids loved learning more about Kaleb and asking him questions about his favorite things. They also got a big kick out of Kalebs fish! I heard several of the boys in his class tell him his fish was cool and to come and sit by them. Too funny. I think his fish was a hit! After his VIP was over we shared one of his favorite treats, M&M's.

Here are a few Facts that I shared with Kaleb's Classmates:

1. Favorite Colors: Orange and Yellow

2. Favorite Food: Macaroni and Cheese, Curry, Chocolate Milk, Chocolate Donuts, candy (skittles, m&ms, & starbursts), PB & J's, yogurt.

3. Favorite place to go: Boondocks and eat out with his family.

4. Favorite Activities: Play baseball, ride his bike, play with friend and his little sister, be outside, play in the sand box, play his leapster and wii games, go out to eat, and play with his playmobil pirates.

5. Favorite things about school: recess, going to centers, doing art projects.

6. Favorite Friends: Karmindy, Matthew, Adilynne, Jaxon, Cadence and Emma.

7. Favorite Movie: Toy story 3, Pirates of the Caribbean.

8. Pet: "Captain Nemo" his Beta Fish.

Some things I didn't share with his class but want to record. . .

Kaleb is a very good brother to his little sister and such a good son! He is always very considerate of me and Karmindy and will often ask me what he can do to help me out. Kaleb is very patient with others and is a tender heart. He loves to make friends and does so easily. There isn't a single person I know that he can't get along with. Kaleb is very mellow and easy going. He doesn't get his feathers ruffled very often. Kaleb is really very smart and catches on quickly to things. He loves to learn new things, read books and has an interest in music. I often hear him singing or humming a tune while he is playing in his room during afternoon quiet times. Kaleb is a self motivator, if there is something that interests him he will seek it out and try and learn about it. He is very analytical and loves to sort things out. He is very good at building things and can follow instructions with out getting frustrated. Kaleb has a love for the "Great Outdoors," and would be outside all day if i would let him. It doesn't matter if it is rain or shine. Kaleb loves going to church and singing primary songs. He recently was challenged in Primary to read the scriptures for at least 3 minutes a day. I have actually found him looking at our scripture picture book by himself with reminding him.

I truly am so grateful for Kaleb! I am honored to be his mother and be given the chance to raise him. I hope I am doing an ok job, for he truly is a good boy! I fill a little inadequate at times because he is such a good little boy. I hope Kaleb always knows how much I love him!

Kaleb's Kindergarten Christmas Program

On Tuesday, Mark and I ventured to Kaleb's school to see him perform with his kindergarten class. They put on a very cute Christmas Program. Kaleb's teacher is a very nice lady and put a lot of effort into the songs that they sang. While the kids sang their songs they wore jingle bell bracelets and reindeer hats. It was so cute to see Kaleb all dressed up.

After singing several songs, the kids and parents were encouraged to go to several different tables(centers) to complete crafts together. There were four projects in all. At the first table, Kaleb made and ate a marshmallow/pretzel snowflake.

The next craft was putting together a elf magnet to hang on the fridge.

His third craft was making a snowman book mark.

Kaleb with his friend Adilynne

At the last center, Kaleb did a kind of where's waldo coloring activity. He was given a coloring picture that had several things he had to find in the picture like trees, candy canes, elves, and Santa. It was a lot of fun to be able to spend some one on one time with Kaleb and see him preform and participate in the crafts and interact with the kids in his class. After the program we went and picked Karmindy up who was staying at a friends house and we took the kids to McDonalds (Kaleb's choice) for happy meals and to play on the park. It was a fun family activity!

Kaleb with his Teacher Mrs. Titus