September's poem: Chicken Soup

Each month, Isaac's class will be given a poem to work on and memorize. Today Isaac brought home this award:

It says, "I know my September 'Chicken Soup' poem."

Here is the poem:

They practice the poem during their circle time. Students practice pointing left to right when reading and reading with fluency and rhythm.

Here is Isaac reading his poem:

Great job, Ike!

 

Gone Fishin'

Last weekend Joe took the twins to go fishing.
Now, you and I know that two 3 year olds fishing is really just an excuse to get out of the house. No one actually expects to catch any fish! Well, apparently Joe did expect it. And he was upset when the little cuties wouldn't shut up. 

How long does one have to wait before saying " I told you so"?

Here is a picture from before they left.

Abby is ready with her fishing pole and her bread for the ducks.

A picture from earlier in the day:

Abby picked out her outfit by herself.

The reason Joe decided to take the kids out of the house:

With video:

Kindergarten

Ike is off to be a big boy this year. This week was his first week of school and the most I've been able to get out of him is that he eats all his lunch and he likes playtime. Ike has been helping me pack his lunch each day. So far he has had toast, cheese sticks, peanut butter sandwiches, and bananas.(not all at once)

I didn't go all out to get a cute picture on the first day. I might recreate the scene later to get a cuter picture, but here is Ike on his first day.

I made sure to put him in a bright color (Thank you, Grammy Pat!) so he could be found easily on the playground.

His teacher is Mrs. Hall and he seems to like her. I like that there are only 19 kids in his class and a full time Para-Pro. (Mrs. Grizzle) We have been to open house and orientation and I think this will be a good year for my little guy.

The only thing I'm having issues with is that he doesn't have a behavior sheet coming home each day. The entire school is on this "Positive Behavior" kick and sending home a behavior sheet might be detrimental to my child's mental health. So, I'll be notified when Ike is "filling someone's bucket" with positive energy and love, but not when he is a pain in the butt.

*sigh*
I don't see parents liking this for very long.

He's a big boy now!

It's official! Kindergarten and now... a lost tooth!
We got lots of different shots...

And we voted! How grown up are we?!
Joe and I were too squeamish to pull the tooth out ourselves, so I asked Ms. Laura at daycare to do it. (her kids are 10 and 8, so she's got experience!) Ike was a trooper! It didn't hurt at all!

Abby and Andy were happy too.

It gets easier from here... right?

p.s. I asked Joe to draw a cartoon tooth so I could make a bag for Ike's tooth and this is what I got. Joe always manages to impress me!

Gommy Bradley would be proud!

I remember growing up when Gommy Bradley would come over to the house to help mom out by watching us girls. Gommy was always a ball of energy- laundry, dishes, vacuuming, making dinner, it was exhausting just watching her!

I loved seeing Gommy, but despaired at the knowledge that her visits meant I wouldn't get to finish my book that day- I was going to be too busy cleaning.

Looking back, I can see that she taught me quite a few life lessons.
1. Always clean the kitchen as you cook. It makes for a faster clean up. ( I still do this! Kind of!)
2. Always hang up your clothes right out of the dryer- no wrinkles! (I'm not going to lie- this never happens)
3. A clean house makes you feel better. I have found this to be true the 3 times in my kid-filled life that I have experienced it.
4. You are never too young/ old to clean. Everyone had a job, no matter their age.

It's in the spirit of life lesson #4 that I am writing this post.
Joe and I have been trying to instill a good work ethic in our kids by having them earn a wage for chores done around the house. They have gotten really good at cleaning up the living room or bonus room after playing, putting their shoes where they go when we get home, taking their folded clothes up to their rooms to be put away, cleaning up the table after meals, and dressing themselves in the mornings.

Abby earned a whole $.50 for folding the kitchen towels when they came out of the dryer! She has gotten so good, I thought I'd share.
She's watching the boys' show in the background while she works.

See, Grammy? She's ready to come visit and help you!

All folded, nice and pretty! And she put them away when she was done! I know Gommy Bradley would be proud to see Abby in action!

Fun with car seats

For a while now, the twins' car seats have been sitting in the entryway of our house. The twins are now in booster seats and we have no clue what to do with the very nice car seats besides use them as welcoming ornaments.

The kids decided use them in their playtime. Here they have created 'tents'. (that's what they called them)

Complete with blankets for comfort. 

Then we had a visit from Aunt Kitty who had a wonderful idea- instant movie theater! So, we set them up with a sheet underneath (to catch any crumbs) and prepared for lunch and a show.

 Chillin' with their drinks

Eating their lunch and enjoying a Veggie Tales

Great idea, Kitty! 

They stayed in their seats during the whole movie. They have since turned their seats into race cars, trains, beds, and rescue situations. (2 of them lock themselves in and the last person has to "save" them.)

They will have to enjoy it while it lasts, the car seats are going to Aunt Boo's friend this weekend!

The Wright brothers are 1!!

You might remember from a {PREVIOUS POST} that the Wright brothers are our friends and neighbors in our neighborhood. They are Aunt Kitty and Apple John's twin boys.

They were born at 32 weeks, spent a while in the NICU, and had one doozy of a year at home. But, to look at them now, you'd never know they were premies. For example- they are wearing 18 month clothes. Here's a quick look at then and now.

Matt just born

Matt now! (with his Nana)

Ben just born

Ben now! (with Aunt Kitty)

Ben was the second born, but he is first in gaining teeth (he has 5, and Matt has 0) and he got the first haircut. Matt has curls and doesn't need one yet.

Here are some pics from their birthday party, which was last weekend at the church.

I don't know why I didn't get a pic of Andy. I suck.

Here's a cute one of the Wright bros as Thing 1 and Thing 2 for Dr. Seuss week, and one in their new wagon.

Happy birthday, Wright brothers! Here's to many more years yet to come!