Glade the Kindergarten Star

Glade had a great year in Kindergarten this year.  Here's a snapshot of the end-of-year concert.

We love Mrs. Pauley, just not right now.

End of school picnic.  What a fun boy!

One Fish, Two Fish

One of our favorite school activities is Dr. Suess Night.  He was such a great author and Ticasuk Brown Elementary does a great job at setting up and putting on this night celebrating his works.

Facepainting is always fun.

Wouldn't be complete without birthday cake.

Listening to stories in the library.

Always good to see some friends.

Kimberly

Kimberly has been busy this year and is learning lots of things as a third grader.

We took advantage of Grandma's presence to learn some sewing.

Kimberly's awesome teacher Mr. Rush organized a poetry jam for his class.

Kim with her science project board.

Kimberly is also getting really good at playing the piano and even auditioned and made it into the school talent show.  We are so proud of our Kimberly.

Dr. Seuss

We love to go to the Dr. Seuss Night every year at Kim's school.  Here's Kim getting her face painted.

We found a friend!

Glade had a great time too!  I love the fish!

Scientist in the House!

Kimberly recently did a project for the science fair at school. She made carbon dioxide with baking soda and vinegar.

Then she used the carbon dioxide to put out a candle.
She did a great job and enjoyed the experience. Way to go, Kimberly!

Kim's Rainforest Project

Kimberly recently had a project to do for school. Each of the kids choose a rainforest animal to learn about and work on. They had to build a 3-D model, do a presentation, and be able to answer questions about their animal. Since Kimberly is a very creative person, she decided to make her project out of salt dough. She really enjoys painting and creating things.

Thinking about what her project needs. I love the smear of paint on her forehead.
The finished project: A Keel-Billed Toucan. Great job Kimberly!

Kim's Winter Concert

Kimberly's school puts on a Winter Concert every December. We all got to go this year. Ryan took off work and we enjoyed being together for the afternoon as a family. Here is Kimberly getting ready to sing. She is in the red dress in the front row.

She is being "fancy" by curtsying here.

Glade had fun walking around on the mats until the classes came in to sit on them.

Liberty and Mom enjoying the performance.

Gingerbread Houses

This year we took the kids to the school for the Gingerbread House night. The had so much fun building their own houses. Look at that happy face. Glade is working hard to get his just right.

Even Liberty made one.


They also got to see Santa, although Liberty would have nothing to do with him.



She's being REALLY careful with her newly built house!

I think maybe she's getting a little big for this, don't you?

We had such a great time doing this activity at the school. The kids absolutely loved seeing friends and making new ones, meeting Santa, and all the candy, of course!



We also made a gingerbread house at home. It didn't turn out too well, but at least the kids had a good time. I think next year we'll stick with the school activity!

North Pole Fire Station

We have been doing a home-based preschool group with some friends this year. Glade has really been enjoying it. Today was no exception. Today was actually something extra special. We went to the North Pole Fire Station to have a tour and see what firefighters do.

Glade was pretty quiet and hesitant at first.

He wasn't sure he wanted to go see the man in the funny clothes.

He warmed right up soon though and had a great time learning about the tools carried on firetrucks, hoses with different colored valves, and actually getting to climb into a fire truck. In fact, he didn't want to get out. The firefighters were very kind and patient with our small children and it made a difference.

His second time climbing in the fire truck.
Here's proof that Liberty was there too. She mostly wanted to be with me, but did occasionally hold hands with some of the other kids and go to them.

The highlight of the visit? Must be this. Who showed him what those switches did? :)

Run, Kim, Run!

Look closely, she's the one in turquoise with both arms in air close to the right.


Kimberly was a member of the running club at school this year. They had practices two days a week after school and then a meet each week for a month. The runs were about 2 kilometers and she had a great time. They gave each finisher a medal at all the races, which she loved. We like it when she is involved in things that make her happy, and we also are glad that she is interested in activities that keep her healthy.

Obligatory First Day of School Pictures

Okay, so this one wasn't the first day of school, but you can tell that she really likes this outfit so far this year, can't you? This was one morning after I braided her hair in little braids. She thought it was so fun to have it all poofy and crimped-looking.

This one, however, really is from the first day of school. I neglected to get a picture in the morning, so we snapped one as she came off of the bus, complete with a pink sticker on her nose.


So far, Kimberly really likes second grade. She likes her teacher and does fine with all of the homework she brings home.

Dr. Suess Night

Kimberly's school has a fun party every year for Dr. Suess's birthday. We were in town this year so we were able to go. They did a great job of having crafts, books, stories, and cake.

Kim doing a jar with tissue paper on it.


Glade stuffing his pillow.


The Cat in the Hat

Kindergarten No More

We were able to go to Kimberly's Kindergarten Program a few weeks ago. We came back from our trip not too long before the program, so she didn't know the songs quite as well as the other kids. She has a great memory and learns fast though, so she did all right. Unfortunately, she's not super-tall and they put her on the back row. There was a boy in front of her with paper feathers on a headdress. That meant she was covered for most of the program. It was also hard to try to get a good picture while trying to keep two other children happy and stay out of everyone else's way. This picture of when they were lining up is the best I was able to get. Sorry it's so dark.



Kimberly with her beloved Mrs. Pauley after the program. We will really miss her. She was a wonderful teacher.


On the last day of school they have a picnic where they do hamburgers, hot dogs, etc. Families are invited and the kids and I went to see Kim on her last day of school. Glade had been asking and asking to go play on the playground at Kim's school, so this was his chance!

Kim with friend Amber.


Getting ready to go home on the last day of school.


Well, I think this officially catches me up. We are hoping to do some fun things this summer and look forward to Ryan's return several months hence.

Hey There Pilgrim

Today we experienced our first family school activity. The Kindergarten has a Thanksgiving Parade. We had two Kindergarten classes of Pilgrims and two Kindergarten classes of Indians. The kids took in a shirt that apparently was dyed and then the kids drew on them. They have a list of other classes in the school that want to be visited and each Kindergarten class has a song they sing. After the parade, we went to Kim's classroom to have friendship soup and pumpkin pie made by the kids. Kim said she got to put the sugar in the pumpkin pie. It was quite fun, although a little crazy with 20 kids running around. (Plus the few extra younger ones from visiting parents.)

Kim in the parade.



Morning and afternoon class all together.



A view of Kim's Indian shirt.

Dr. Abbott

I am finally getting the pictures up so I can make this post. Although it was a month ago, It was one of the proudest days of my life. Four years of hard work and it is finally finished! Ryan, we are so proud of you and all of your hard work.

Ryan and I in the Merschon lobby area! It was kind of fun. He was the first one across the stage since they had the class in alphabetical order. There are some advantages to being and Abbott! It was wonderful to hear "Dr. Ryan Abbott."


Ryan's parents came from Idaho Falls, ID to be with us for the occassion. They also helped us drive out West. We appreciate the effort to be with us and the help.


Kim gives her Dad a BIG hug!


Ryan with some good friends, Peter and Austin.


Wendy and I. It was hard to say goodbye to some good friends.


Ryan and some other friends: Michael, Mike, Kendall, Nate, and Jake


Kim and I. Katie, I am sad I didn't get a picture with you!


There was a nice luncheon on the lawn afterward. It was a nice day for the celebration.