Kindergarten Field Day

The last week of school Charles' school had field day. He was so excited. They got special shirts to wear, he went to school in the morning, and he got to eat lunch at school. On the lawn in front of the school they had several different stations for the classes to rotate through. Each station was run by some of the 6th graders.

Tug of War

Flag ball toss

Beach Volleyball with rackets

Balance Board

Hoola Hoop

Walking boards

Basketball

Running Races - Charles came in 4th for two kindergarten classes

Bounce and Climb House

Water Ball War

Raft Rides

Slip N Slide

Michelle and I went to watch some of field day. We ended up spending the whole time there except for lunch. It was so much fun to watch the Kindergartners with permanent smiles on their faces. Michelle was so good to just cheer on the class and watch all of the stations. She can't wait until it is her turn to have a Field Day. We were all exhausted when we got home, but it was a lot of fun!!

Speed Races

At school, Charles took part in the Race to Read program. For each four hours of reading the kids did they earned a prize. Some of the prizes included bookmarks, free kids meals at Casa Bonita, free tickets to Lakeside. If the students completed twelve hours of reading they got a free admission to Fire and Thunder races at Bandimere Speedway for them and one adult. Two weeks ago, Gabe and Charles were able to go to the races. Neither of them had ever been to a race so it was a big deal. It was also a big deal because it was just Charles and dad.

Charles with his ear protection!

A couple of the cars.

More cars.

The cool part was all the smoke.

When the boys got home from the race, Charles and Gabe were both wound up tighter than anything. They talked and talked and talked about everything at the races. Charles says he hopes the school does the reading program again next year. Even though he didn't say anything, I think Gabe hopes the same thin. So glad they had a great time!

Swimming!

Charles and Michelle started swimming lessons again the first of April. A friend that we took lessons with before found swim lessons at one of the hotels here in Castle Rock. We could have all four kids in the same class. We were excited about that, especially since all four of the kids have swam together before.

Michelle, Sofia, Julian, Charles, Mr. Russ

My kids were so excited to be back in the pool taking lessons. Michelle was a lot nervous because she has been so afraid of the water and she cannot touch the bottom. She did really well and both kids really took to Mr. Russ.

Michelle practicing her kicking and her breathes.

Charles practicing his kicking.

The kids all received ribbons during the third week of class to show the progress they had made in class. They were so excited.

Michelle and her ribbons.

Charles and his ribbons.

It is a lot of fun to go and watch the kids swim. They are making such great progress in such a short time. Michelle is especially doing well. I see her swimming by herself before the summer is over.

Preschool Graduation - April 20, 2010

This is the wonderful preschool class I had the opportunity of teaching this year. They were so much fun. We had a great time playing and learning. Each of them was unique and so smart.

Back Row: Maddie Robbine, Michelle, Ciara Baker

Front Row: Tanner Turnbaugh, Jacob Crookston, Dalyn Parker, Christian Alley

We had preschool graduation a little over a month early. Being pregnant and having to take it a little easier made it hard to continue. The decision was so hard, but it was time. Graduation was great. The kids did well singing their songs and reciting their nursery rhymes.

Preschool was so much fun. The kids were great, the parents were wonderful, and my helper Charles was fun too.

Charles' Second Tooth!

Charles lost his second tooth! It had been a little wiggly for a couple of weeks. For some reason he was determined to have it out one weekend. Every night for four days he would have Gabe try to pull it out. It just wasn't quite ready. On the fourth night Gabe had had enough. He grabbed hold of Charles' tooth and yanked it so hard I thought Charles got whiplash. The tooth came out and Charles was so happy. He got a dollar for his second tooth!

Grandparent's Day!

Charles' school had their first ever Grandparent's Day. There were so many grandparents there it was amazing. Gabe's parents came up from Canon City to go with Charles. Michelle and I had to go help out in the classroom. It was a lot of fun!

Charles introducing Grammy and Papa to the class.

The Kindergarten class had art on this day. Charlene was so excited to be able to go to art with Charles, especially since they were working on ceramics. The art teacher put the grandparents to work right away.

Papa helping out in art.

Charlene helping with ceramics in art.

When the class came back they shared a poem they had written for the grandparents.

After a wonderful performance by the class, we all had cookies and punch. Michelle was such a good helper putting out the cookies and juice. When everyone was done with refreshments the grandparents had an opportunity to see the kids perform some of their songs for the Spring Program. They were cute. Then Mrs. Z had the grandparents take turns reading to groups of kids.

Charlene reading with her group.

Jack reading with his group.

This was such a fun time for the kids. The grandparents seemed to enjoy being a part of school this day. It was a great success. Thank you Grammy and Papa for taking the time to come and be a part of Grandparent's Day!!

Star Wars Birthday Party!

Charles decided he wanted a Star Wars party at home for his 6th birthday. He was so excited to invite some of his new friends from school. I worried about having it outside on the first weekend in April, but the weather cooperated very nicely. I also worried when Charles told me he wanted to include an Easter egg hunt since his party was the day before Easter. What do Star Wars and Easter eggs hunts have in common? You'll see!

Decorations

The Star Wars Cake. Charles loved it!!

As the kids arrived we had one of the Star Wars movies going that they could watch.

Once all of the children got to our house, I told them they were going to go through Jedi training. If they could complete all of the tasks during the party they would become official Jedi's. Then I told them that the Death Star had landed in the back yard and we needed their help to destroy it. We took them in the back yard and gave them water balloons to throw at our playground set.

Bombing the Death Star

Then I told them that a visitor had fallen asleep in the yard and I needed their help tying him up. We gave each child a can of silly string and had them use it to tie up Darth Vader.

They did a good job!

We then went into the house where I had put up a long board on two chairs. I took some of Charles' Star Wars figures and stood them up along the board. I gave the kids bean bags and had them knock the figures off the board. Then we did a pin the rocket ship on the space picture. It was so fun.

Pin the rocket ship

Time for presents

Then Charles blew out the candles and we had cake and ice cream.

Okay, so the party had gone great. Now it was time to tie in the Easter egg hunt. I told the kids that they had one task left to do in order to become Jedi Knights. In the back yard Gabe went and hid 100 eggs. I had each of them reach in a bag and pull out a different colored egg. I then told them that they were moon rocks. Each child had 10 moon rocks to find. If they were successful, they would become Jedi Knights. (A bit of a reach, huh?)

The Easter Egg Hunt - Moon Rock Hunt

Once the children found all of the eggs we went inside and counted to make sure they had each found 10 eggs. I presented each one with a certificate of completion of Jedi training. They really seemed to have a good time. We then let them finish watching Star Wars and they opened their eggs until parents came. We had a lot of fun!!

Charles Turns 6!!

Charles turned 6 the end of March. It is hard to believe that our little boy is growing so fast. Charles is a big helper and often finds things to help with without being asked. He has really enjoyed being in kindergarten. He loves to read, do anything artistic, play outside, play Star Wars Legos on the Wii, and spend time snuggling with mom. We are so happy to have him in our family. For his birthday, he took cupcakes to his class. Then Grammy and Papa came up to celebrate with the family.

Charles got a new bike. This is not something he asked for so it was a big surprise. He was so excited. We had to try it out right away. It will be so fun being outside riding this summer. This is a pillowcase Grammy gave Charles. Her grandmother started it and gave it to Charlene many years ago. Charlene finished it for Charles. It was a great and special gift. You could say he got this from his grandma and great grandma. Aunt Sherri sent Charles stuff to grow his own watermelons and the gardening stuff to go with it.

Blowing out the candles!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLES!!!