Outdoor Education Day

For Abby's last day of school, the third grade participated in Outdoor Education Day in the afternoon.  Lily and I went in to help.  They did several activities, including making plastic bag ice cream (We did it every spring when I used to teach), a watermelon seed spitting contest (sounds more fun than it was-no watermelon eating, just seeds), rocket launching (awe.some.), and kickball.

Our first station was ice cream.  It's a fun project, if you use enough ice, which we didn't.  At first.  It sounded like no one there had ever done that project before, so Abby's teacher was very defeated when it wasn't working, so I suggested adding a bunch more ice (They only used about a cup of ice), and reshaking their baggies.  Voila!  Ice cream!!!

Here the kids are eating their plastic baggy ice cream

Next, they shot off rockets they made last week.  It was a COOL project.  I'm still not sure how the whole thing works.  There was a plastic pop bottle half full with water.  It connected to a device made of PVC, and they used a bicycle pump to pump air into it.  The kids pulled a string to launch it, but I know there was more to it than that.

 Here's Abby's:

They culminated the hot day with Just Dance on the projector in their cool classroom.  They do this every Friday and the kids LOVE it.  Obviously, there are no controllers, just a youtube video, and they dance along.  Even Lily joined in.

Abby's Auction Prize Announcements

At our school's Spring Fling about two weeks ago, there was a Teacher Auction, where families could bid on different "experiences" that teachers offered.  Abby chose two that she was interested in and won both!

One was from the Library teacher and was a free book of their choice, a snack during their next Library special area class, and they got to go shoe-less during class also.  Abby got to redeem it this week and said she felt like a queen.

Her second, which I am sharing pictures of, was to replace the Teacher position on Announcements for one day.  Fifth graders usually have roles also, but Abby's only a third grader, so this was a big deal.  She did GREAT.  I got to stay and watch (and I recorded it).

They have two trunks full of hats to chose from, and the school counselor (she's in charge of announcements) asked if Abby would like to chose one to wear and Abby jumped at the chance.  Here is the one she chose.  We all thought she chose a great one:

Practicing and waiting:

And time for the real thing:

She did GREAT!!!  One of the fellow third graders that were doing the pledge immediately told her she did great as soon as the cameras were turned off, and the kids told hers she was better than Mr. N, who she was filling in for as part of the auction.  Mrs. A, the counselor, said she needed to be part of the team when she was in fifth grade.  I agree.  She was awesome.

Making Music

Some Favorite You Tubes to Share....

This is one of our favorite songs this summer.  It isn't new, but I love this artist.  I often play it (actually the whole album) when I'm working in the kitchen by myself.  There is a quote from the song on our chalkboard that hangs in our kitchen area.  I pulled the video for the song up for the girls this week and they loved it.

And, this second video, we literally just found today.  It is a state capital song, but super cool.  Pull your kids in and have them watch it.  They'll love it.  (just "x" out of the add that pops up- it's annoying)

It's like learning to ride a bike

Today we took the training wheels off of Abby's bicycle.  It's been coming for a while.  Our new neighborhood is perfect for learning because we are now on a very quiet cul-de-sac.  

We started with Abby in shorts and Matt barefoot.  Probably not the best planning.  Lily also chased them with her play cell phone, "taking videos."  I ended up having to pick her up and hold her just to get her out of the way.

We eventually had a small wipeout-no blood-and went in for about 10 minutes, and then came back out at Abby's request (after her tears were dried). Now she is in pants and sneakers and Matt in shoes, you'll notice.

Lily and I set up camp in the garage to give them space to learn, but I stepped inside for a second to get my phone to take a video and she's back outside running along "taking video" again.  I give up.

She's not riding independently yet, but we've made some improvements already.  I don't think it will take long!

2013 Talent Show

On Thursday, Abby participated in her school's Annual Talent Show.  It was a very big deal. She did an act with one of her best friends, and their teacher helped them put it together.  They chose a rhythmic poem from their Reading book to do together.  They had to audition back at the beginning of February, and they got chosen to perform.  Since then, they have had a couple rehearsals after school, and finally the big show.  The gym was so packed that it was standing room only, but the girls did great.

Here is the video:

Vaulting

Saturday, we went to Open Gym to make up one of Abby's missed practices from vacation and the girls got to practice vault with one of Abby's coaches, which for Lily was a first!  She has never done vault.  She loved it, because that is what the girls in the Olympics do (her words, not mine).  I had a front row seat since it was Open Gym, and with it being Lily's first time doing vault, I HAD to take videos!  :)  It is all she can talk about.

Gulf Shores 2012

We have returned from our week at Gulf Shores, Alabama.  I can tell you it sure didn't feel like a week.  I really thought it would feel long and it didn't!

We rented a beach house with Matt's sister and her family and his parents.  It was quite a find as far as beach houses go.  It was five bedrooms, with 5.5 baths, and it was gorgeous.  No amenities were spared.  We had two refrigerators, two dishwashers, washer and dryer, etc.  All of which got used regularly.  When you are housing 11 people, five of which are kids, you need all that stuff!  But, it would be fair to say we enjoyed the luxuries, too.

We were right on the beach in a more private-y area.  So, we had tons of beach space all to ourselves.  It was wonderful.  We rented a cabana/tent/shelter thing so that we could get out of the sun when we wanted to, and as you can tell the little girls liked to hang out there some.  We couldn't get the three "bigs" out of the water most of the time.  (the ages all together were 2, 3, 6, 7, and 9)

Here are all the girls playing one evening early in the week.  Bella has only brothers, so I think she loved the girl time.

The "bigs" playing Quirkle.

Most evenings we went Creature Hunting, which involved nets and flashlights.  The goal?  Catch crabs.  I think Abby caught 4 total all week.  It was mostly a way to get out each evening, but the boys ate it up.

    

We had an afternoon of kite flying.  Abby somehow had an unusual gift at this, though she has never done it before.  It was fun.

As much fun as it was (and many are already talking about next year), home we went.  Though I think I need a break from sand being everywhere.  :)

Some videos from playing during Spring Break

I took a couple fun videos of the kids playing when we were playing at the Pumpkin Patch park during Spring Break, that I didn't get a chance to upload when I did the original post.

The zipline and the huge slide were easily the two favorite things that the girls did....

There were two ziplines side by side, so Tucker and Abby raced on them. Matt pushed Tucker and I pushed Abby. However, when I took the video, I only got Abby (Tucker had moved on by that point).

The cousins also all went down this big slide all together, except for Bella, who thought it was too big and scary for her (I understand). On this video, I only caught Kyle, Lily and Abby.

Tea and crumpets, anyone?

It has been wild around here lately. I think it has to do with the crazy weather, but our girls have been nuts. Seriously. Lily has been in trouble a lot lately and Abby has been super hyper.

Yesterday after school, while we were doing homework, she (Abby) decide that she would read her weekly story in a British accent. Where she learned this, I have no idea. How she does it so well, I also don't know. I couldn't do it, but it IS hilarious.

(Also, I'm trying You Tube out for videos, so bear with me. I want to keep them "private" for security reasons, so I'm trying to figure it all out. If you use it, what setting do you use, private or unlisted?)

Parenting and Brain Damage

I saw this on another blog and found it good for a laugh. It is old, but still hilarious.

Call me silly, but I can't wait.

Say what you want, I'm too interested in pop culture... whatever.

It looks awesome, and I KNOW I'm not alone. If you haven't read the books (it's a trilogy), you should. Matt and I both read them and we both can't wait to see the movie. If you weren't into Twilight, don't worry, this is nothing like it.

On a side note, I totally need to find a sitter so I can drag Matt to see Breaking Dawn, Part 1 next week. (sigh)

Being Elmo

I happened upon this on Pinterest (of course), but it looks really good. It is a documentary about the puppeteer who created Elmo. The trailer has me really wanting to see it. Here it is. What do you think?

Kindergarten Program

This morning we had the privilege of attending Abby's Kindergarten Program. It is hard to believe that in less than a month, school will be out for Summer. I was just teasing her this weekend that a year ago I was moaning about what I would do without her all day everyday, and now I think it is going to be crazy to have her home all summer!

Here are some highlights from the program this morning (I don't think these Flip videos work on most mobile devices, sorry!):

Abby was selected to do the welcome:

(I think it's because she is so advanced as Grandma D. would say)

Kiss Your Brain:

M & N:

Hip Hop Alphabet

Video Sunday

I have a few fun videos to share with you this Palm Sunday. Some are from today at church and one is from earlier this weekend. (they were all taken on my iPhone, so bear with me on the quality)

This first one is from Friday. We finally got Abby's recital practice DVD from her dance class and she was watching it for the first time and practicing along with it. All of a sudden I looked over and Lily was trying to dance along with her. My favorite part is how she has to be glued to Abby's side at times. -makes me giggle.

With today being Palm Sunday, this is the first year that Lily was big enough to wave a palm as the children parade through our worship service. She was probably one of the youngest participants, but I thought she was plenty big enough, especially with such a good big sister to watch out for her. They were so stinkin' cute. None of my pictures turned out, but I caught a quick video while they were stuck in "traffic".

... and here is a picture while she was hanging out in the children's wing hallway...

Abby also got to sing as part of the Childen's Choir this morning. That video did not want to upload, unfortunately. It sat for over an hour and then froze the computer, so I gave up. Sorry. :(

As for other updates, Lily gets her stitches out tomorrow morning, AND, we are working on potty training quite a bit today. She has already had 3 successes today and it is only 1:00, so that is good. Potty training is so much work, so pray I have the strength to stay with it. :)

Have a great Sunday!!!!

One Week From Today...

We've been practicing, can you tell?

Ballerina Girl

I finally remembered to take the Flip Cam to Abby's dance class yesterday, however, the biggest problem was that she saw me when I was filming her. That meant that she hammed it up a bit. You know, really big turns (you'll see!), losing track of her steps, and making eye contact with the camera. You family members will probably still enjoy it.

She's been funny at dance lately because it seems to be her place to let loose after a long day of being good at school. She is never naughty, but she is definitely very silly and it is sometimes very hard for her to be still and serious like a "proper ballerina". :) She's always good for a laugh. Good thing we don't go to one of "those" studios- though I don't think that would be the place for us anyway.

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Storytime Wednesday

This is for the grandparents...

Playing and Learning

Yesterday, Aunt Lissy got to join Lily and I for our Play and Learn class at Gymboree, so I had an extra set of hands to take pictures. And, pictures she took. Geez, oh Pete, I think I had 70 pictures on my camera from one 45 minute class. I also have some videos from the new Flip camera, which I am still playing around with.

(opening the class with a big circle activity- very fun and Lil loves it!)

(rolling out pretend cookie dough with rolling pins)

(bouncing down the "counter" into a bowl of cookie dough- which you can't see, but is a bucket with a soft parachute in it to cushion the bounce.)

Bubbles! (check out the video to see how many bubbles there really were! Lissy swore one went up her nose.)

Practicing

We just got a Flip video camera, and I am trying to see how easy it is to share videos on the blog.... Bear with me.

(Okay, wow, you don't know this, but that uploaded crazy fast. This may work!)