Parker's last day of K4

Wednesday was Parker's last day of K4.  It was Field Day and they had lots of water fun.

This guy was pretty good and slept most of the time.  But it was a little bit of work keeping him in the shade and feeding him and so I didn't get to take as many pictures or watch as much of the 'field day' as I had planned....but I guess it was the thought that I was there that counts!

For the first activity- they stood in these little pools and picked marbles up with their toes and placed them in the frisbees that were floating in the pool.

I was impressed with their skills!

Parker picked up 9 by the time the timer went off.

They did these big blow up balls that you could crawl inside of and make them roll...

Grace was pretty good, but ready to go about 15 minutes into the field day activities.

The snow cone saved the day!

I used my zoom lens to take this picture and was far away....but Parker first ran with a cup of water on her head (not pictured) and then ran back (this is what she's doing in this picture).

The last picture of my girl as a pre-schooler!  She's now a kindergartener!

My oh my how much she's changed in a year.  And not just physically....but she's learned so much.  We definitely have our rough days....but a lot of days she's my little buddy and helper.  She's my inquisitive little girl that rarely misses a beat, and that definitely keeps me on my toes.   Sometimes I'll just be sitting in a room watching her play and she doesn't know that I am...and my heart almost hurts because I just love her so much.   It can't really be described in words. 

In just a few short months we'll have a kindergartener!

Counting to 100

One of Parker's at-home assignments this week was choosing an item and counting out 100 of them.  I had completely forgotten (bad mom!!)....but thankfully her teacher sent out a reminder!!  Geez I do not even know where my brain is these days! (Well- I think it's actually gone!  This baby has done used up what little I had left.)

Anyway- Parker chose m&ms.  Easy enough!  I first counted out 10 in a line and showed her that this was the way were going to do it....by making lines with 10 in them.  After I showed her...she placed them all back in the bowl and started over by herself.

I didn't even realize until the third line or so that she was doing a pattern.  This was NOT something that I asked her to do.  So I was a little impressed.  ;)

Of Course, little sis wanted in on the action so I gave her a bowl with a few.  She 'counted' them....and mostly ate them.  :)   She even asked me to take a picture of her work.  ha!

100!!  And so excited!  We could have just counted by ones until 50 and then by 10s to 100....but she wanted to count by ones all the way to 100.  Just for my memory's sake- she did really well....but still doesn't know what comes next when going to the next set of 10 (like 50, 60, 70, etc).  But when I tell her "60"...she's then able to do the 61, 62, 63, etc.  by herself.  We're getting there.  I must admit- I have not been working on her counting to 100...so maybe we will start.

I gave her this jar to place her 100 items in.

Sure doesn't look like very many!  I could eat 100 m&ms so quickly!  :)

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Grace was a little neglected during this process because Parker needed to concentrate and I wanted to be right there with her to stop her frustration before it started....so sister found some of my valentine's washi tape and got to work.

Hey- whatever works!

Parker's First Day of School Ever

Well- I would call today a success! Parker was excited for school....and after picking her up....she seems excited to still go back!  ;)

We started off the day right with pancakes and turkey bacon...

Can't forget little miss!

Lovey had breakfast beside Parker today....but I am happy to report that she stayed home and all was ok with that.  Except- at dinner tonight when we were asking her more about her day (because the answers I got in the car ride home were not very informative).....I asked her if her nap mat was comfortable.  And in a sweet, soft, disappointed voice she said, "No.  Not that much.....Because I didn't have Lovey," while shaking her head.  It was kind of sad, but Geoff and I both held back grins.  

I had tears in my eyes as we were pulling away.  Thankful they didn't flow in front of her!

I thought this gal would be missing her sister.  And I'm sure she did....but she didn't seemed phased by it at all.  I think she enjoyed all of the attention she got!

She ate most of her lunch and her snack.

I am so excited about her school this year.  It's a university-model school where she will attend class all day 2 days a week...and then we have 2 satellite days where we do assignments here at home.  I loved teaching and doing activities with the girls previously, but at times I felt overwhelmed with not knowing what I should teach first, or next, etc.  So with this school- they give me the lesson plans (even for her days in school just so we will know what they did and be able to build off of that)...and then I am able to carry out the ones for her home days.  Love this.  I'm also excited because it will give me more motivation to have stuff planned out for Grace, too.

And the icing on the cake- is that they integrate the Bible and biblical principles.  They have all-school chapel for the first 20-30 minutes or so of the school day.  Today they talked about the Fruits of the Spirit (which was great because the girls and I just finished up a 'lesson' on this that will be posted on Wednesday this week).

Her work to complete before returning on Wednesday.

After dinner tonight we 'played' AWANA...and she said things like:

"OK- everyone sit criss-cross applesauce with your hands in your lap."

And she did a lot of talking about God and Jesus...and I wish I could remember her exact wording but I that it was new things that she had heard today because she was using new phrases and words in regards to this topic.  Made my heart happy.  :)

Family Camp

As I've mentioned before...Parker starts K4 this week.  I'm excited for her...but with her birthday coming up and her turning 5 and all....it makes it all a little bittersweet because she's just growing up way too fast.  When I first found out I was pregnant with her...for whatever reason...I didn't really like the fact that she was going to be one of the older kids in her class.  Now- I am SO thankful for it!  Glad we have one more year til the big Kinder!

Anyway- so yesterday and today- her school held a little family camp/retreat for the families.  Since we only knew one other family who is going to this school, we thought it would be good to go and meet more of the families and their kids.  We also thought this would be great for Parker.  And it was.

While we are all completely and utterly exhausted....we had a wonderful time!  We left a little early because Grace was reaching her limits (but in her defense...they were in bed late, up early, in the heat, and she needed a nap!)...but really- I do kind of want to brag on her because she really did so well given the circumstances and her age.

Geoff and I were talking about how we aren't very social people....we don't necessarily go up to people and just start conversations.  Well...Parker is definitely our social butterfly.  She was so excited about meeting her new friends and playing with them.  After lunch today everyone was still just kind of sitting around....Geoff asked, "Where's Parker?"  I looked around....and there she was....standing in a group of about 4 other girls smiling for a picture.  The things is....I think they were just about to take a picture of the 4 of them when Parker walked up...and so they let her in the picture.  Which was so nice....and Parker's face and her smile....they were priceless.

  An added bonus- we were able to spend some time with her teacher and we love her!  I feel really good about the year ahead of us.

I didn't take really any pictures, but I did want to document that we went.

Our cabin had bunk beds...this is the girls before bed last night...

And the car ride home this afternoon....

And just now...(around 8:30pm)....I just went into her room to check on her.  After I laid her down she was quiet.  Then 5 minutes later she started crying and hollering saying she wasn't tired (when in reality- so tired she didn't know what she wanted) and wanted out of her baby crib.  Well- I was putting Parker down and thought I heard her climb out of her crib.  But then she never came out.  So...

After checking on her....we found her here....in the glider.  The saddest sweetest thing ever.  Bless her tired little heart.