Ellie's Awesome Awards!

Ellie has amazed us all year with her scholastic accomplishments!!  Last week, she was invited to a very special party for the top readers to receive her award for the highest reading score in the entire school!!  How awesome!!

 She worked extremely hard for this award.  She read at least two library books (twice, as required!) every school night, most of them thick chapter books.  The next morning, she would take a computer test on her books.  She scored over 90% on all of them, and read the most books and had the highest Lexile score in the school. 

We are very proud and in awe of her determination and motivation -- she did it all herself, without us prompting or reminding (or nagging!). 

Mrs. Robinson, the assistant principal, giving Ellie her special award!

Dylan and Ellie -- Dylan had the second highest score in the school. They were inducted into the Panther Reader Club (over 500 Lexile points), just two members in this elite club this year!   Great job, guys!! 

Kaytlin and  Ellie

Our reader!

Ellie, Abby and Ronald Reagan -- her special President's bust from Quest.  They did a whole unit on their selected President.

Yay Ellie!!!!!  We love you, our smart, amazing, kind and loving girl!

On the last official day of school, families were invited to a classroom awards day.  The students read a little paragraph, telling us what they wanted to be when they grew up (Ellie said a teacher and a vet!  oh my!).  Here are Annie, Ellie and  Caroline, getting ready for their speeches.

The students received a folder with samples of their work throughout the year, a special yearbook from Mrs. Porter with photos and fun memories, and their class awards.  Ellie received awards for the Highest Math Score in school, Lexile Points, Honor Roll, All A's, and several others!

This is the cutest group of friends, ever, in the whole wide world!  They love each other so much!!  Kaytlin, Annie, Anna Cate, Ellie and Olivia!

Ellie and precious Mrs. Porter!  Ellie will sure miss her days in Mrs. Porter's 2nd grade class (good thing she lives next door to us!!).
Ellie had a fabulous year in Second Grade!!  She's grown into a kind young lady who is sweet to her friends, works hard in school, and has such a happy, humble attitude all the time.  We love you, Ellie!

Mother's Day!

On Mother's Day morning, Tim and the girls surprised me with lots of lovely gifts and fresh coffee!!  I love these girls!!
We went to church and then had a Mother's Day meal at Granna & Papa's with Uncle Jeff and Aunt Sarah!  It was a gorgeous day so we lunched on the back terrace. 

Sweet Granna Snuggles!!!

We tried to get a Mother/Daughter photo but some silly girls weren't very cooperative!!  (look how Abby is pulling Ellie's hair with glee.  Such a little sister!)

Poor Ellie!

Still silly!

We love Granna!

Yay!  A Mommy & Daughters photo!  Finally!  My precious girls!

After lunch, the girls played with their dolls for a bit.  One of Tim's patients sent them several beautiful handmade outfits for their dolls!  The outfits are gorgeous and were made with such love!

Abby & I took a good nap. . .

While Tim and Ellie made me a delicious Mother's Day supper of steak, baked potatoes and a tasty salad!

All the lovely gifts from Tim and the girls!  I received a gorgeous bracelet from Tim and the girls, a very creative plate & caterpillar and card from Abby, and a flower pen in an adorable flower pot and special sign from Ellie.  I love it all!! They worked so hard on their special Mother's Day gifts.  I'm such a blessed Mommy!!  It was the perfect day!

Ballet at Silver Cross!

Several ballerinas from Ellie & Abby's classes met up at Silver Cross Nursing Home a few weeks ago to perform for the sweet residents!  The ballerinas loved getting to wear their new costumes and dance for the precious people!
Here are Abby, Ellie, Sarah Sunday, Annie, Maggie & Clara Barton

They danced to several selections from their upcoming recital!

Ellie & Annie waiting for their turn. . .

The residents were delighted to watch the tutus twirling!  It was a special afternoon!

Relay for Life!

The girls had the very special honor of walking with Granna in the Annual Relay For Life Cancer Survivor walk.  Yay for Granna!!!  We love you so much!!!

Smart Cats & Drums

The girls were so tickled to discover our old cat Kloey on the laptop a few days ago.  She's a very smart one -- she was probably watching You Tube videos about fish.

Our little drummer!  Just like Uncle Jeff!!

Abby's Last Day of School photos!

Abby was a little tearful her last day of school!  She wasn't ready for school to be over!  She had such a great year in Mrs. Holly's 2's class. She made new friends, learned lots of songs and Bible verses, and grew up so much!   We are so proud of our little pre-schooler! 

She was not going to smile!  Poor princess!!

Here's a happy Abby photo from her Art Show!  She did a beautiful job on her very first FPK art show entry!  Yay!

Looking up to big sister!

Look who I caught trying on Ellie's glasses. . .

Sweet silly girl -- she loves her big sister!!

FPK Fun in the Sun Day

Today was Abby's next-to-last day of 2k!  This year has flown by!  And the shy little 2's  (they were practically toddlers!) in her class have blossomed into enthusiastic, happy little children!  Abby brought her friends summer cups as an end-of-the year happy.

And for Mrs. Holly, a fun-in-the-sun basket!

Inside it was a big insulated cup. flip flops and a summer-scented candle.

After a little bit of class time this morning, the children put on their swimsuits and headed out to the school's courtyard for a little fun in the sun!  Mrs. Holly had a toddler pool, water table and sprinkler ball ready for them!   I happened to be kindermom today, so I got to watch them play in the water!

My happy girl!

Sunbathers!  Lylah, Abby, Livi, Macel & James (Hampton was having too much fun at the water table to hang out on his towel.  And poor little Tyndale was home sick and missed out on the play day).

Abby, James & Livi had fun jumping in the little pool.

Splash!!

Lylah soaked up some rays.

Our little bathing beauty!

Mrs. Holly served tasty popscicles for a sunny snack.

It was a great way to celebrate their fun school year!

Teacher Appreciation Week

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and Ellie's school is celebrating in a big way!    We are so thankful for Mrs. Porter (Ellie's amazing teacher), Mrs. Quernes (Mrs. Porter's sweet assistant teacher), and Mrs. Driskell (Ellie's Friday Quest teacher).  Ellie has enjoyed every minute of second grade and is so sad her year is over already!

The PTA sent a note home with suggestions for little daily gifts for the teachers, each day a different theme.  This is what Ellie, Granna and I came up with . . .

"Mint" to be a teacher Monday!  We found fun altoids-style mints and attached "you were mint to teach!" tags.

Flower Power Tuesday -- so we purchased funky felt flowers and garden themed notepads & attached notes saying "Thank you for helping me grow"

Wind-Down Wednesday -- scented handcream with a bath pouf

Thankful Thursday -- This is my favorite gift.  Ellie wrote precious, detailed notes to Mrs. Porter and Mrs. Quernes, thanking them for all she's learned this year. I love how she mentioned several specific things she's enjoyed in class (like Mrs. Porter's fun little learning songs during language arts, and Mrs. Quernes' sweet smile when she walks into the classroom).  To make them extra fancy, we wrapped them in gift bags and attached thankful tags.

Treat Friday -- We were asked to send a snack for the teachers to enjoy during the afternoon.  We're sending gourmet white cheddar popcorn with tags that say "for a very POP!ular teacher."

Ellie found this fun notepad set when we were shopping for teacher gift ideas.  She thought it was perfect for Mrs. Driskell (her Quest teacher), since Ellie is always looking forward to Quest on Fridays!