For All My Friends Fans

Vafanapoli is what I believe he is trying to say! :)

Just Breath

No, you did not misread the title. These two simple words can make me smile despite any weight that is sitting on my shoulders. Let me tell you why...

My very first year teaching in Vail, I was blessed with a little one who was an old soul. She was a little bit...just 5 years young. She spent her mornings learning with me in first grade and then floated back to Kindergarten for the afternoon. Her kinder teacher had posted a sign above her door that she could to remind her to just breathe when things were rough...however it read "Just Breath". Of course, this little girl (who was a gifted reader) noticed that the word breathe was not correct and pointed it out as only a five year old can. :)

I think about this often and smile as I say the words..."Just Breath"!

Memorable Moments: Chapter 1

Memorable Moments: Chapter 1

I took time tonight to look back at the beginning of my blog a little over a year ago. I can't believe how quickly time has passed and how much my little ones have grown since that first post. I want to eventually print my blog as a keepsake, so this year I'm going to do a series of memorable moments posts. These are the things that will continue to bring a smile to my face when my memories begin to become a "little fuzzy" with age.

Bobby

Bobby loves school! I am not kidding when I say that he loves everything about it! He loves his fabulous first grade teacher, Mrs. Lane. He loves playing and learning with his friends. He loves D.M.S.'s. He loves Accelerated Reader. He loves making and achieving his S.M.A.R.T. goals. He loves telling me about his day as we drive home. He particularly enjoys telling me how he did on A.R. tests, D.M.S. assessments, and when he gets "Caught in the A.C.T.". His handsome face lights up as he recounts the events of his day. Bobby is my questioner. He asks a million questions about anything and everything. Inquiring minds want to know describes this boy to a T. He has the ears of a hawk and is always listening...even when I don't think he is. I love this boy!!!

Bobby's first "3 in a Row" A.R. lunch

(Thanks Ami for taking pictures for me!)

Katie

Last week, Katie and Bobby were playing together. I was sitting in my rocking chair, listening with half an ear when I hear Katie say to her brother in a southern drawl "Bobby when a woman says later, she really means not ever". I look up to see her standing with one hand on her hip and gesturing with her other. It was hard for me not to die laughing right then and there! She has such a unique personality that changes as she grows into herself. I love listening to her play...I could sit for hours in my rocking chair as she talks with her princesses!!! She melts my heart!

I guess she's been watching a little too much Princess and the Frog lately! :)

Andy

Andy's newest thing is to come over, pull on my shirt, and say "Go...go...go". I ask him to show me what he wants and he leads me on a merry chase around the house. Yesterday, while I was cooking dinner Andy came in and pulled on me. I let him lead me into his room. He sits down excitedly next to his Disne.y cars box and gets out a few cars. Then he looks up at me, says "momma" and pats the carpet next to him. How could I say no???

His favorite is Lightening McQueen. Whenever we go to Target or Walmart and he sees something with Lightening's picture he literally shouts "CAR!". It cracks me up. How can I tell him to be quiet when he's so excited about seeing his friend? I love my little man's enthusiasm and giggle. The best part of my day is when he comes to pick up his brother and sister...he runs up to me, on his little toddler legs, shouts "Momma, Momma, Momma", wraps his arms around my neck and gives me a big kiss! I love this boy too!

Can we play cars mommy???

K-A-T-I-E

Katie...my middle child. She is the easy-going, generous, people pleaser. She often does her own thing and enjoys laying low. Katie also loves when I have my friends over, as she can hang out with us and be "one of the girls". I love that she is discovering her own talents and can hold her own with her older brother. I also love that she has become a second mother to her little brother...when she isn't bossing him around! :)

She likes to do everything on her own schedule, including learning the basic skills she will need for kindergarten. She has picked up on some of the skills all by herself. She can count to 15, knows all of her colors and shapes, has one-to-one correspondence down, and loves to make patterns. Robby and I have often despaired over Katie's lack of interest in learning the names/sounds of the letters and writing her name. Thankfully, she is finally starting to show an interest in learning the letters of the alphabet and the sounds they make. She loves going on to Starfall at night once her brothers go to sleep. She will come out of her room, sit on one of our laps, and ask if she can do the letters.

Katie has delighted in the praise that we are giving her as she acquires these essential skills. We have been focusing on the letters in her name as a starting point. Today, while we were cleaning up a mess that Andy made with the alphabet blocks I challenged Katie to find the letters in her name. Here is a picture of her finished task:

She carefully selected each letter and said, "K-A-T-I-E...Katie!"