Camryn and Aubrey

Friday, February 7, 2014

Neighborhood Sledding!

After sleeping in a bit, and enjoying a lazy breakfast, we bundled up again today, and headed back up the hill, where the Fryes and Harms had already been sledding for two hours. When we joined them at 10 a.m., we figured we'd be home in time for lunch and a relaxing afternoon.... WRONG!

We finally called it quits at dinnertime, and made it back home by about 6 p.m. Besides just a few brief potty, lunch, and warm-up breaks, we were all outside the entire time!!! The kids were such troopers. They just kept sledding, sledding, sledding, then trudging back up the hill over and over again, hundreds of times, just to sled back down again.

Eventually, the cold and physical exhaustion overcame them, and we knew when the tears started, it was time to go home, even though they insisted we stay. So we towed them home "I-dad-irod" style to a warm bath, and grilled cheese & tomato soup for dinner. By the time they were in jammies with full tummies, Aubrey melted into the couch. :)

What a fun day filled with amazing memories of friends, snow, and fun!

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Then and Now

"Arctic Blast" 2008
(Camryn: 3 years and Aubrey: 10 months)

vs.

"Snowmageddon" 2014
(Camryn: 8 years and Aubrey: 5 years)

SNOW!

Finally! Nearly four years at this house, and we still hadn't had any significant snow...until TODAY! So for the first time ever in my 15 years of teaching, TTSD released students early and sent everyone home before "Snowmageddon" hit hard. All four of us were home from school by 2:00, and with the gift of time on our hands, we hit the hills around our house!

The girls finally got to try out the saucer sleds we bought years ago. First, they sledded our driveway, to which Aubrey yelled, "Yes!" with a fist pump.

Then, it was on to the hill at the end of our street. A lot longer, a tougher walk back up, but worth it. Her response this time? "Awe! Some!" with her sister's maniacal laugh repeating on loop in the background...

Finally, we trudged up the hill to sled with the Fryes and Harms, which got today declared the "best day ever!" We ended our sledding marathon with hot cocoa, snacks, and playtime with everyone back at the Harms house, where we got word that school will be canceled tomorrow. :) Hooray for show days!!!

Kindergarten field trips

Recently, I have had the opportunity to take a few half days off from work, and join Aubrey's class on their kindergarten field trips.

First, it was off to PetSmart, and the Banfield Vet Clinic. The kids had a blast seeing the animals, doing a scavenger hunt, and hearing how an animal doctor uses Reading, Writing, Math, and Science in her job everyday. I was lucky enough to be assigned a group of four sweet girls to monitor, which meant I didn't have to worry about losing any of them (they all traveled in a huddled blob, or held hands in a "train"), but instead had to control the t.a.l.k.i.n.g.....

Fish lips. :)

Today, was the day to visit community helpers. First, was the post office. The kids got to help their teacher buy 27 stamps (oh, Lord!), then stamp and mail the letters they wrote in class. Finally, was a scavenger hunt for identifying and locating numbers in the mail room. Boy, were we a sight for some poor community members who came in just for their mail, and found...us!

Then, we went across the street to the fire station. It was so fun to see the truck up close, as well as all the firefighters' gear. The kids loved it, and I had a blast hanging out with some of the *cutest* kindergarteners in town. I do have to admit, though, when 11:30 rolled around, and it was time to get back to work, I was pretty happy not to have to tie any more shoes, take anyone else "potty," or zip any more coats. Usually, my fifth graders can handle those things on their own... ;) God bless kindergarten teachers!!! I think they must be the hardest working people around...!

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Photo Booth!

Last night, we went to my cousin Nic's wedding, where they had a photo booth set up in the corner, just for fun. The results? Almost as entertaining as the moves people had on the dance floor. ;)

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Star of the Week!

The first week back to school in January, Aubrey was assigned to be the "Star of the Week" in her kindergarten class. This means she got to be a special leader, and share lots of things about herself with the class all week long. She was made to feel very special, and put lots of thought into her sharing selections. What a fun tradition!

Monday: Star Poster
Over the break, we created her poster for her to share. Brian actually had a furlough day this day, and was able to go in and watch her share and present. :)

Tuesday: Favorite Book

Aubrey has many favorite books, but this one allows you to rhyme a word at the end of each sentence representing each letter of the alphabet. Somewhere in it, you get to rhyme "chicken coop," with "poop," so, you know... Poop wins out every time...

Wednesday: Sharing Bag

Aubrey got to fill a bag with items that represent her. She chose: a fairy wand (because she loves fairies), her ballet shoes (because she loves to dance), some favorite books that she can read independently (because she loves to read), her soccer trophy (because she played), her Disneyland photo book (to share about her trip), an American Girl catalog with her doll's page marked (mom wouldn't let her bring the real doll), her ladybug bear (because Dad calls her "bug"), her Anna doll from the movie Frozen (because she loves Disney and Barbies), and her sleep mask (because she loves to sleep). Camryn got to serve as her special guest this day, and even took some video to share with us. :)

Thursday: Favorite Snack
Brian dashed over to the school in between meetings that day with donut holes for the class. Aubrey's favorite. :)

Friday: Giraffe bag and journal
Because of the timing of her 'Star' week, Aubrey got to keep the giraffe bag all Winter Break! Mr. Giraffe even celebrated Christmas with us. :) We wrote about his adventures in the class journal, but Aubrey's absolute favorite thing in the bag was this costume. :) I came downstairs more than one morning over the holiday break, to find her casually eating cereal, or coloring, in a full-on, head-to-toe giraffe getup. Like it was no big deal. Hilarious! Thank you, Mrs. Bonica, for such a fun week for our little star. :)