Hitting the Books

This past week, both Samantha and Sarah had their first "really big" school project.   The project was "Career Week" and each student needed to pick a profession that they were interested in and then interview someone within that profession and present it to their class.

Samantha chose to be a photographer and Sarah chose to be a police officer.  Samantha of course interviewed her Daddy and Sarah and I were fortunate enough to go to our local police department and receive the grand tour.

We started our projects last weekend and created outlines and drafts so that when it came time to finalize everything, the girls at least had a plan for where they wanted to place things on their poster boards.

Sarah interviewing the officer

The officer gave Sarah and I quite the lengthy tour.   Everything from where the perp is brought in and finger printed and has their mug shot.  We saw the dispatch room (where the 911 phone calls come in) to the jail cells to the interview rooms.   I was completely knocked off my feet with all the attention that we received.  Sarah's favorite part was sitting inside the police cruiser.

The parents were also invited to come in to the classroom for a "talk share" of their profession.   Jeremy went in to speak with Samantha's class and I went in to speak to Sarah's class.  It really was a lot of fun.

Samantha's poster

Sarah's poster

To conclude the week, the school hosted a parade where all the students come into school dressed as their career alter-ego ;)

Prize Winning Author

This past week, Samantha's school celebrated a week of authors, story telling and fun activities for the students.  Jeremy and I were invited to Samantha's classroom to listen to some poetry that the kids worked very hard on and finished up with a play that the students put together called "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse".  Sam played the part of the "Country Mouse".

At the very end, Samantha was presented with a ribbon for her poetry.

School (Is Apparently) Cool!

We're into our 3rd week of school and the girls love doing their homework.

Sarah - Kindergarten Orientation 2014-2015

Right after Samantha left on the bus, Sarah and I headed over to her school for Kindergarten orientation and to meet her teacher.  Sarah was so excited.

Sarah signing in

Claiming her cubby

Roaming the halls

First Day of School 2014-2015

Today our oldest "baby" started 2nd grade. 

Samantha loves taking the bus to school!   Sarah will join her starting tomorrow.

Last Day Of School

Today, Samantha completed another year of school: 1st grade!

Samantha had a great school year and is disappointed the school year is over, but is looking forward to sleeping in a little bit in the morning.  (Mommy has to admit, she's looking forward to the sleeping in a bit as well!)

Summer goals include:  keeping a journal, swimming in our pool and reading lots of books.

Feeling Fluttery

Yesterday, Sarah's preschool class went on a field trip to The Butterfly Place.  The Butterfly Place is an indoor garden full of hundreds free flying butterflies!  The brighter the clothing, the more of a chance of a butterfly landing on you!

Not only did her class have a field trip, but there was an extra surprise:  a school bus!   Many of the kids in Sarah's class are heading off to Kindergarten in the Fall,and Sarah's teacher thought it would be a great idea to introduce the kids to the school bus.

Sarah really enjoyed herself, and loved taking selfies with her friends Greg and Maddie on the bus too!

A snack break with friends

Sarah with her friends Melanie and Greg

Sarah and her BFF, Greg

A Lenten Journey

Yesterday Samantha participated in her Lenten pageant with her C.C.D class.    She played

the part of Mary, Mother of James.

Carpool Pick Up Fun

If Sarah and I aren't taking selfies, then she's practicing her posing with her BFF Bovine, Moo Cow.

Carpool Pick Up Fun

Sarah and I enjoy picking up Samantha everyday at school.  In fact, one of our newest pastimes is taking selfies while we wait.

(I never thought of myself as a selfie type of peerson, but it is pretty fun).

Tots and Chicken Nuggets 2013

It's hard to believe that it's been a year since Sarah's Preschool "Potlatch Meal".  This year, once again, Sarah's class created their own Thanksgiving feast filled with cranberry sauce, stuffing and of course chicken nuggets.  (Henceforth the "Tots and Chicken Nuggets reference).

(Sarah is left side, all the way at the end)

"Princess Sarah Stars In the Sky" Waiting Patiently To Be Dismissed

Complete with Face Paint :)

We Have a 1st Grader On Our Hands!

So this morning, Samantha accomplished another milestone in her life:  she not only rode the bus to school, but she is now officially a 1st grader!

We were fortunate to meet and speak with Samantha's teacher yesterday, and got the chance to look at her classroom.  Sarah is very anxious to hear if Samantha chose a pink locker, or a blue one this year.

Summer Vacation!

Dear Sarah,

Today you finished your first year of pre-school.  It just seems like yesterday that Daddy and I were registering you and walking you to your first day of school this past Fall.  Here you are on your last day, and Daddy and I have no idea where the time went.  You clearly enjoyed going each time we dropped you off.

This year, preschool has taught you to:

• Write your name, although we have to work on your "S". We're getting there!
• Color inside the lines.
• Draw (family, faces, self portraits)
• Sing a whole variety of songs, even if it means singing "Frosty the Snowman" in June.
• How to make friends, and be silly with them.

You've learned so much in this past year.  It makes Mommy and Daddy so happy to hear that you took so much away from school.  You're so grown up.

We love you and are just so proud of you and how much progress you've made.  

Love, Mommy and Daddy

First day of Preschool:

And the last day:

Everything Is Just Ducky!

Since the first week of school, Samantha has been talking about bringing home her Kindergarten classroom pets for the weekend.  Each weekend, Samantha would come home from school empty handed.  We told her that it would happen sometime before the school year was over.  It just wasn't her time right now.

Well, this past weekend, the classroom pets finally came home with Samantha.  We were so excited to have Polka Duck and Violet visit our home for the weekend.  We had a wonderful weekend with our 2 new friends!  Samantha and Sarah made them feel right at home.

Freshly picked daffodils for our weekend guests

A little "Go Fish"

Lunch With the Madore-ables!

Time for bed

A baby shower in Sandwich, Massachusetts

Polka Duck and Violet were allowed to take some of the balloons home with us.  

The Madore-ables didn't seem to mind.

Happy Birthday Sarah!

Sarah turned the big 4 yesterday!  And what a day she had from beginning to end.

She started off the day with going to school with cupcakes in hand and was greeted with a crown made for a princess...a Birthday princess that is.

Then after the Madore-ables got out of school, Daddy took the girls to go Christmas tree shopping!

Then afterwards, we played some games and had Bapa over for dinner and celebrated with cake and ice cream and of course, presents ;).

This was Sarah's reaction to a new box of crayons.  I can't imagine what it would be if it was a new car.

Sarah is absolutely infatuated with the Llama llama series.

Samantha reading the title of the book to Sarah.

(Yes, Samantha is actually sounding out words now and reading short sentences).

Samantha asked Bapa if he could show her how to play the piano...