No Longer A Kinder Grad Hater

Generally speaking, I have never really understood the whole graduating from kindergarten thing.  I understood last year's preschool graduation... made sense to me... saying goodbye to "baby" school and hello to "real" school.  Kindergarten though, they aren't even switching schools... why the big to do??  I totally understand it now.  The last year was extremely challenging in many ways for Savannah... lots to learn, lots to keep up with, big kids everywhere, girl clique drama (yes, it starts early)... she is literally not the same little girl she was on that first day of kinder.  I mean that in the best way possible.  The last year has very effectively eased her into big kid status.  I 100% agree with why the end of kindergarden is celebrated with a graduation... these little ones have survived a year long overwhelming transition period and are now ready and prepared to be unleashed amongst the rest of the elementary population.  They absolutely deserve to have as many people as possible telling them how proud we all are of them. I know that Eric and I are crazy proud of Savannah and her enthusiasm for school.  First grade is going to be awesome... she is going to be awesome, I just know it.

Savannah with her BFFs and their amazing teacher.  So thankful for the job she has done this year.

Savannah and Olivia with one of their teaching assistants.

The kids loved this stuffed bear... infact, I'm sure most the parents did too.  I however thought that he was a little (a lot actually) creepy.  When we were setting up for graduation the day before and one of the other moms brought this HUGE bear out and propped him up on the bench I immediately thought "this bear reminds me of the movie Ted"(if you don't know what I'm talking about, google it... you will agree).  The group of women that I was working with to set up the stage apparently saw nothing wrong with the bear, because when I shared my observation not one of them knew what I was talking about.  The bear seriously looked like he stumbled into the graduation after a long night of drinking and then passed out on a bench.  Made me laugh that the kids were posing next to the creeper bear... hugging on him and having the bear put his arm around them.  I really do not believe that I was the only one in that entire auditorium that was thinking this.  Come on, people.

My Favorite Part

My absolute favorite part of our decision to have me stay home full time with the kids is the fact that I get to be a part of every little and big thing in Savannah and Ryder's lives.  There have been so many things this school year that I have been able to attend and help out with for Savannah... and I am fairly certain that if I was working full time that I would not get to do near as much... perhaps nothing at all.  I am very thankful for what I get to do.  Today was a huge reminder of how lucky I am.  Savannah's school had their huge kindergarten Spring picnic and egg hunt and not only did I get to go and watch her have fun, I got to help plan and put together the whole thing.  I love that Savannah's classmates know me and that her teacher speaks freely and openly with me because I am so present.  There is nothing better than getting to do all of this for my girl.  The party was a great success... the kids had a blast... it was the perfect send off to Easter weekend.

Savannah and her bff.  These girls hit it off on day one of school and have been bests ever since.

My favorite game that the kids played was the sack race relay.  I loved watching the kids cheering for each other and working together.  They had a blast doing this.

Little Miss Big Time

Last week Savannah's school held their open house.  She was crazy excited about this... for like three weeks she talked and talked about how her class was working on really cool secret things for the parents at open house.  So much build up, I wasn't quite sure what to expect... plus, it was a little weird to be going to open house as a parent.  Nothing makes you feel aged quite like attending your first parent teacher conference/open house, just sayin'.  Anyhow, the class was decked out with their art and class work from their most recent unit of study, which just so happened to be Texas.  Go figure.  Texas stuff was everywhere... flags, yellow roses, armadillos, longhorns... it was a little much for this Cali girl.  Savannah gave us a very thorough tour of her class... she walked us to every station and showed us everything she does there all day.  It was pretty awesome to see her so excited about school.  Eric was a little embarrassed, I'm sure... between Savannah running around like a kid in a candy store and me taking pictures of everything.  Yup, we were those people.  After her class tour was over, Savannah walked us through the entire school showing us where everything was.  She seemed so grown up as she led the way through her school.  Between losing her first tooth and getting to flaunt that she goes to big kid school, Savannah really has been feeling quite grown up lately.  

This is where Sav sits in her class.  

Eric calls this having pride for your state... I call this brainwashing... what do you think??

Macaroni armadillos.  Not sure which one is hers.

Leading the way through the halls.  She was skipping and smiling so big.  Seriously hope she always loves school this much.

Maverick Superstar

Last night we got to go to our local college's basketball game for Savannah and some other kids from her school to get recognized for excelling at school.  A kid from each grade level was invited to the game to get a goodie bag of UTA stuff and a nifty little certificate for their achievements.  Then at halftime they made an announcement about the kids that were there.  Savannah keeps impressing us with her smarts on a daily basis.  I am so impressed and thankful for how well she is doing.  I really hope that she keeps this enthusiasm for learning.  Ryder was a good sport about the whole thing.  He actually watched and pointed and danced and clapped throughout the entire game.  I have to tell you basketball in person is awesome!  Nothing like watching it on TV.  Savannah was super into it too.  She loved counting down the shot clock.  I can see us going to more college games now... it was a really fun night.

Notice that she is pulling her jacket over to show off her UTA sticker that came in her bag of swag.  i love my little nerd-o.

100 Days Smarter

Happy 100th day of school!  We are only 100 days in and she has already learned and grown so much. I love her, I love that she loves school so much, and I really love that they celebrate silly milestones like this in her class.  Being a kid is pretty awesome.