Breakfast with Santa

Breakfast with Santa was fun but wild.  The cafeteria was so crowded that we ended up sitting in the hallway.  After eating our pancakes and sausage biscuits, Ellen colored a bookmark, made an ornament, bagged food for Santa's reindeer, got her face and hand painted, listened to two of the kindergarten teachers read Christmas stories (Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Fielder) and lastly, we saw Santa.  Ellen was hesitant so while we waited I kept saying "This is such a nice Santa.  He looks so nice."  Phillip stepped in and was all you can't say this is a nice Santa... this is Santa.  Oops!  Sorry kids (I was just so impressed by him (he was great!) and I really wanted Ellen to cooperate for the picture.)  She was happy and Lilly didn't cry so although I didn't get a good picture of both of the girls smiling, the one I got was blurry, it all worked out in the end.

We saw another Santa at Kroger.  Not impressed with the shoe covers but Lilly liked him so I will let that go.

Ellen got a balloon animal while Lilly and I visited Santa #2

Ellen and Phillip went on a little date late Saturday afternoon while Lilly and I did some things around the house.  They had a lot of fun.  She slept until 7:30 this morning which is rare.  Come to find out she wasn't feeling well - her tummy hurt.  She laid around the house all day.  She kept trying to tell me she felt super but I knew better.  We all went to church tonight but she stayed with us in the 3-5 year old Children's Bible Hour class instead of going to her class (K-7).  Hopefully she will be good as new in the morning.

Read it and weep

All Ellen wants for Christmas is underwear that doesn't hurt her bottom.  Poor thing!  And a Barbie cruise ship.  The cruise ship idea was stolen from a classmate (we asked) but in regards to the new (and improved) underwear, consider it done.

Goody Goody Gumdrops

I was so excited to be able to help in Ellen's classroom yesterday afternoon.  We decorated little gingerbread houses (I got in on the action too).  She didn't go candy crazy like I thought she would - or like she could have.  Do you think we had enough candy?  She was a bit more conservative compared to a lot of her classmates (Jack comes to mind - ha!)  She took her time, nibbled along the way (probably her favorite part) and enjoyed the overall gingerbread house decorating experience.  So did I.

My gingerbread house

The best part:  Ellen giving me a big hug when I walked in the classroom (I have been waiting for you all day!)

The worst part:  I ate way too many Twizzlers.

Feast your eyes on this!

 Class picture

 Silly class picture

Book Fair (What have I gotten myself into?)

I am not known for my math skills.  Make sure you count your change, kids.

Fast Flying Fielders!

Just a quick recap of Boosterthon.  Quick because we weren't there so we don't really know what happened :)  Ellen would not make a good eye witness.  She is spotty with details and she can't be trusted.

Here's what we do know:

1.  Ellen ran all 35 laps!  After I heard the news I immediately felt guilty.  Now our family members owe money and it is a lot more than we were thinking it would be.  Eeeek! 

2.  She said she just kept running and running. 

3.  She had fun.

4.  Her class cheer was "Fast Flying Fielders".

5.  It took the kindergartners a full hour to complete the fun run (the older grades were able to complete it in half the time). 

We are very proud of Ellen and it is exciting to know we helped raise money for her school.

Thanks for your support!  Don't be mad!

My 50's Girl

Heritage Elementary is celebrating the 50th day of school with a 50's themed day.  Ellen has had poodle skirt on the brain ever since it was announced, that one detail really stuck with her, so we called Nana to see if she could make one and get it to us in time.  Spoiler alert: she did and the package arrived Monday (she also sent new clothes for both of the girls - Thanks Nancy!).  It was love at first sight.  Ellen was so happy this morning, "I have been waiting for this day", she was willing to pause for pictures (I was hoping for more real smiles and little less posing but I'll take what I can get).  To fit in with the theme they are having a sock hop (with music from the 50's), a bubble gum blowing contest and Coke floats.  And as a special treat, Phillip is going to eat lunch with her in the cafeteria.  An all around fun day!

Had to throw these in the mix.  Loving on Night Night.  Reminds me of how sweet my little girl is and reminds me that she is indeed just a little girl.

Kindergarten is no joke!

Working on her weekly homework sheet, coloring in a graph

Mrs. Fielder recently introduced 2 additional forms of homework:

1) Classroom Library Program

Possibly replacing the Bookworm program (?) or maybe just to supplement until reading groups are formed, but instead of us reading one book to Ellen followed by discussion and activities (Bookworm), she brings home a folder containing 4 thin paperback books that she reads to us.  We then log whether the book was too hard, too easy or just right.  The folder goes back to school with her every day so she can read the books during what used to be rest time.  The feedback helps Mrs. Fielder [further] determine each child's reading level.  Basically we have the same books from Tuesday to Tuesday, giving her plenty of time to practice.  Practice, after all, does make perfect.

2) Super Hero Sight Word Challenge

Each child is given a list of 10 words to learn.  The words are printed on colored paper and are to be made into flash cards.  Once Ellen can read the words fluently and out of order (to Mrs. Fielder) she gets to write her name on the super hero poster in the classroom (bragging rights!) and gets a treat from the treasure box.  She mastered the first 10 (he, I, a, and, the, you, to, in, it & of) and is now on her second set of words (was, said, his, that, she, for, on, they, but & had).

This is in addition to a weekly homework sheet, Bookworm (assuming she will be doing both Bookworm and Classroom Library) and other random assignments like practicing for the 100 Club.  Also, her behavior calender must be initialed daily and library books are due on Fridays.

Kindergarten is hard work!

-------------------------

Ellen got her report card yesterday.  Straight A's!  Just kidding.  But she is doing well, 3's and 4's and S's.

Go Eagles!

Tonight was Heritage Night at Independence High School (first home football game of the season).  Three main events: tailgate party followed by forming a "tunnel" on the field for the players to run through and then the game itself.  Side note: I am not ready for Ellen to be in high school.

The Kindergarten poster (each grade made one)

So they know she already got her food.  Red permanent marker.  Overkill?

 Shaking the pom pom

 On the field with Olivia

 The other side of our tunnel (Ellen and Olivia crossed over to stand with their teacher)

 Ellen and Willa

(we got to stay in the end zone and watch the game)

Lilly loved the turf

We left around 8:00.  Fun night.  So glad we went.