Thanksgiving 2010

Jacqueline made us this Thanksgiving card. She asked me what the card should be and I told her "our house". I mention that as you might have trouble being sure that is what you see. What is cool is that she wrote Ashton, Bob and Mom without asking us how to write them and I've never seen her write anything before other than her name (which this is not her best work with the "ne" bleeding onto a different line)


This year we had all our stuff packed away. I had honestly intended to skip Thanksgiving and go to Hawaii instead but alas we ended up not being able to swing that. So I broke down and decided to cook instead. The Turkey was gorgeous and the dinner was lovely. Suzie and Dad joined and it was a wonderful and relaxing time.

We also went to a birthday party for a friend of Jacqueline that had parrots.

Gymnastics

Both girls had to do try-outs to join a new Gymnastics class. They are both beginners but are in different classes due to age. We have done different classes in the past but never really took to it. This time they both seem pretty enthusiastic about the opportunity.

We'll see how it goes. For now, it's a reliable thing to do on a rainy Thursday afternoon so that's good. My goal is for them each to learn a cartwheel. I've never been able to do one myself and I've always wished I had learned.

Halloween 2010

This year mom found herself on a plane returning home the day of the Halloween parade. I missed the parties but managed to get to the parade and snap a few photos. Bob got to the assembly but due to over-crowding we didn't really get any photos that were recognizable as our children.
Ashton was a very colorful witch. A seasoned expert at the parade I didn't really get to see much of her. The parade was almost foiled by rain and the construction of the new school building has shortened the playground so the route wove through the classrooms instead.
The glasses are completely decorative. The girls were so anxious for glasses that we bought some readers at Target and popped out the lenses for them to play with. They were a good addition to the cheerleader getup.
For the actual Halloween you will notice we had one family member do a super costume change. In fact, she had done three different ones but one fell apart completely. First she changed her mind to be a witch like her sister.

Then supergirl.

Then she put on a poodle skirt to match me

and last, back to supergirl which managed to stay through the trick-or-treat event.



There was a block party on our rental neighborhood with lots of cute kids dressed up and playing in the street. What a great time. While we missed having Grandpa Bob join us in the rental, Bob and the girls did trick-or-treating in both neighborhoods so a lot of candy was procured.

Traffic at the rental was much lighter than I'm used to so manning the door was not as fun as I had hoped. We are all looking forward to returning to our house for next Halloween.

Jacqueline 5th Birthday

Jacqueline had a huge birthday celebration at Pump it Up. This group photo even missed one kid who accidentally got stuck in the maze.





The theme this year was Fairies and mom got both girls poodle skirts as well so Jacqueline was a Rock N Roll fairy.

Ashton was not entirely sure how she felt about the gift but she sure looked cute!


The rock climbing wall was a huge hit. Georgia was pretty far ahead but both girls were smiling when they came down.
We actually arrived early so girls were showing their sisterly love. Jacqueline was wearing her gorgeous birthday dress from Jani which got a lot of compliments.

Birthday party at school

In the tradition of her mother Jacqueline celebrated her birthday over several days. Judy made her a fairy cake and took her and her sister to Build-a-Bear where Ashton recorded an "I love you Jacqueline" message in her bear.

Auntie Suzie came over and brought some presents and had a good night cuddle.
Jani took her to buy a new party dress and the cousins got her some Ugg boots -- of course, they go together for a cheer!
At her school her mom came to class and joined in a 'walk around the sun" clebration where the Jacqueline got to carry the earth (a stuffed ball) around the sun (a candle) with months listed in a circle once for each year of her life. As she walked around the sun the teacher told something about each year of her life.

It was very cute to see and also educational. There was singing and blowing out the sun candle at the end.
This picture was her walking back to her classroom after recess. She just looks so big!

Back to school night

This was our first back to school nights with two kids. I'm honestly not sure what parents of three kids do as we found two a challenge. I somehow thought we would have time for both -- so I started in Jacqueline's room and Bob started with Ashton's.
Then in a frantic dash at the end I ran to Ashton's room and checked out her work. She had been very specific that I was to look at her self portrait and her letter on her desk. I did manage that as well as pick up the wishlists for the classroom supplies.

Other than that I have no real clue about how second grade works myself. I did get a great feeling about kindergarten (again). It was interesting how I focused on different things for Jacqueline than Ashton and I realized that the curriculum has things that uniquely appeal to each.
I found myself really excited for Jacqueline about all the "discovery" elements and the very concrete approach to math. In the day where they are disproving the theory of "learning styles" I find myself even more convinced of the idea with my very scientific experiment of two girls. I am already observing their learning experiences will be different but that they will both find school something they enjoy and appreciate.

I am so lucky as are they!

First day of school 2010

We now have two Lincoln Lions! The girls could not be more excited to be back to school and Mom and Dad (and Judy) are all thrilled as well. I'm pretty sure Jani is the only one who loves the lack of structure in our circle ;-).





The big "get ready" item this year was the book bag. This year Ashton was insistent that she did not want a backpack but a more age-appropriate messenger bag. She found the perfect one at her new favorite store Justice

The day started by dropping off Ashton at 8:30am. She was thrilled to find friends in her class that she knew and everyone was looking ready and happy taking their obligatory photo for mom.


Next we went back home to get Jacqueline ready for her "late bird" drop off. She had to wear her fancy "cherry dress" and could not have been more excited. The teacher let the parents come into the classroom and get settled and she had spots on the floor marked out for each of the kids. Jacqueline put her bookbag away as requested and found her spot on the floor.

The rule is that each child is to stay in their own square which is harder than it sounds when you are wearing a cherry dress!



After an hour and a half it was time for early pickup. Jacqueline's teacher helped the kids find their parents. We are all thrilled as can be with her teacher. She is smart and sweet but very much in charge of the class. I have no idea how you do that, especially while having a very quiet and measured voice. I'm not going to suggest there is pharmaceutical help or anything, I'm just going to say I could never do that myself.
Next, we picked up Ashton and went to lunch to recap the day which all agreed was a great success.