Walk To School Day

This week in Irvine is RED Ribbon Week. What is that you ask? Red Ribbon Week is all about teaching the kids to make healthy choices for their bodies (ie. NO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL). There are fun theme days and all week long the kids bring pennies for "Pennies for Prevention". We saved up our pennies all summer long and finally brought them to school!
Today was walk to school day! Now, we walk to school everyday so it seems silly to drive to a park to then walk to school from there, but the boys REALLY wanted to be a part of their school spirit. Two elementary schools plus our local jr. high were represented at Northwood Community Park (aka-Castle Park) at 7:15am- yes, you read correctly- 7:15am. Dan ended up taking the car to work so we ended up walking all the way to the park and then walking from the park to school. We were tired and cold, but it was a great way to start the day!!

Unfortunately as we were crossing our last street to get to the park, Nathan tripped and fell right on his forehead (SMACK- I heard him hit the concrete). So, he cried the last steps to the park and thankfully a first aid kit was near by (Thanks Mr. Maynard).
To makes things even better, tomorrow is picture day!! Why is it that before a family photo shoot or the school photo someone ends up getting a boo boo on their face? CHEESE!!

1st Day of School

It feels like we have been preparing for this day for weeks. We have been getting into the routine of what to do when we wake up- 1. Make Bed 2. Get Dressed 3. Breakfast 4. Brush teeth 5. Chores. Today went off without a hitch. We made it to school in plenty of time and were thankful it was still cool at 8am!
Both boys were really excited about the teachers they got and so was I. Jason is starting 1st grade and is in Mrs. Weie's class. Nathan is in 3rd grade and is with Mrs. Johnson. Both teachers are sweet, gentle and happened to be Christians as well- a blessing all around!

I also am really pleased with the kids in their class- the best group of kids to be around each day!

I too went back to school today. I did work yesterday, but today we had the kiddos in the classroom. Our school has their "Back To School Night" right after the parents drop their kids off. So while the teachers are meeting in the multi purpose room with parents, we (instructional aids) were back in the class room with 60 kids- YIKES. This group is really young (half of each class is still 4) and there were some obvious challenges, but all in all it was a great day.

I really do LOVE my job and this year it is much easier without Jason in the class. I did miss my old students and even had to go look in on them in their first grade rooms- they seem so grown up now! I am prayerful that I can be a blessing to the kids in my class and that I can learn and grow in my position.

Last Day of School!!

Jason and some of his "girl" friends!

I had my last day of work yesterday and had a tearful goodbye to my sweet kinders, but I did get to see them today at the Kinder Park/Picnic party. We played, danced, ate good food and took pictures. This year has been fantastic- I feel so blessed to have been a part of their life!!

My late bird sweeties!!

My kindergarten "Dance Crew"

Centennial Farm Field Trip

Today I had the privilege of going with Jason and all the other kinder students to Centennial Farm at the Orange County Fair Grounds. Just walking into the fairgrounds got me excited for the summer and the fair- the kids had such a great time when we went last and I can't wait to take them again!
After a nice ride on a yellow school bus, we arrived to the farm. We were divided into two groups. One group went with Farmer Richard and our group was with Farmer Val. Unfortunately I didn't get to go with Jason's group, but we both had a grand time.
First we saw pigs and cows in the small barn and then we saw a cow being milked. Did you know that a cow can produce up to 10 gallons of milk in one day (between am and pm milking)? That is a lot of milk.
Then we saw some amazing Oxen. I always thought Ox were a special breed of cow, but they are just male cows (bulls) that are trained to be working animals. Anyway, these brothers each weighed about 2,700 lbs. each! WOW!!
Next the groups learned about chickens and their off spring. They even got to hold a 2 week chick. The kids just loved this experience and squealed with delight!

Then the group got to plant radish seeds and bring them home. We should have some radishes by the end of May!

Next we visited many animals in their pens. We saw pigs and piglets (look how big that momma is), goats, cows, chickens and more!

Jason got a little nudge and snuggle from the cow. It caught him by surprise, but was a good story to tell later!! All in all, it was a very special day at the farm!

Field Trip Fun

Today Jason and his fellow Kinder students went on their first field trip to The Orange County Performing Arts Center- now known as The Segerstrom Arts Center. We saw three mini plays taken from three childrens books by Leo Lionni- "Swimmy", "Fredrick", "Inch By Inch". They were done with shadow puppets and hand held puppets. It was really special and the kids had an amazing time.

For many of them it was the first time to ride a bus. I was so pleased with the way they behaved- on the bus, in the theater and on the way home. I felt so blessed to be there as Jason's mommy and also the Kindergarten aid.

Mrs. Vitarelli and her kids!

Jason & Jade- "buddies"

Jason, Nikolai and Jack-

on the way to the play!
Jason waiting for the play to start

Me and my boy!!

On our way back to school!

Brywood Jog-A-Thon

Today was our school's Jog-A-Thon. The boys were so excited to get out there and run laps. In Kindergarten I have been taking the kiddos out to practice and it showed today. They ran for 30 minutes and did AWESOME. Unfortunately I didn't get to see Nathan's grade run, but many friends said that he looked good and hopefully I will get some pictures!!

100 days of School

The 100th day of school is a pretty big deal around school- especially in Kindergarten. Every day we add a number to our BIG number chart- the kids are learning all their numbers and we are doing math too. So, we have been counting up to 100 and we finally made it (just 77 more days of school till summer- but whose counting?).

So today we played games, made hats and read books about 100 days at school- what fun!! In Nathan's class they did the same, but even got to make a "100 snack" and he was so proud that he ate all of them in class (I would have a tummy ache).

Kinder Kids- Fall Fun!

Jason with baby in papoose with headband!

I have been at my job for 4 weeks and am still loving it. Each day brings new challenges and unexpected joys. This past week the kids were busy cutting, gluing and writing about Fall, turkeys, Indians and Thanksgiving.

Some of the kid's in their handmade headbands.

playtime out in the "backyard"

Jason with the "stompers"

Classroom Supply List

I thought it would be neat to have a record of a supply list for school. I get everything on the list, but as a friend reminds me "education is free and I am not obligated to get anything- the school has to supply it". Although that is true, with budget cuts I know how tight everything is so I want to make sure my kids bring what is required (or requested).

2nd Grade::

For the Student
Crayons -24 ct.
Colored Pencils - 12 ct. (2 boxes)
Fine Point Markers- 8 ct.
Thick Point Markers- 8 ct.
2 Packs Thin black white board markers
Glue Sticks- 12 ct.
Scissors
Pencil Box (5 X 13)
Yellow Highlighter- 2
Red Ballpoint Pen- 6
#2 Pencils- 3 packs (sharpened)
Pink Pearl Eraser-1
1 black Sharpie- ultra fine tip

For the Class to Share
2 boxes of baby wipes
1 gallon box of baggies
1 sandwich size box of baggies
1 package of copy paper

They would also like us to donate a gift card to a store (for future supplies) or a $20 cash donation to offset class costs. I didn't keep track of how much I spent, but I also had to buy some supplies for Jason. I am sure total (not including cash donations for each class) is around $50- YIKES!!

Spelling Rocks

Nathan has begun the adventure of spelling tests each week at school. One of the homework assignments each week is to practice the words through 2 activities of their choice. You can type the words on the computer, write with sidewalk chalk (shown above), write the words in ABC order, etc. Nathan really loves spelling (even when he is home sick). Nathan has missed three days of school this week and we are hoping he will go back again tomorrow!!

Nathan is a First Grader!

My sweet boy Nathan is a first grader. I never thought I would get through Kindergarten, but here we are on the other side. His teacher is Ms. Ferguson and he loves her. He has a few kids from his class last year and lots of new friends to get to know. I just can't get over how fast this kid is growing and how much joy he brings to my heart!!