End of Third Grade!

 Sandy and I planned a very simple, old-fashioned last-day-of-school party for Mrs. Breneman's class, with water games.

Here, they're playing "Duck, Duck, Goose" with water balloons - the "it" person chooses a "goose" by breaking a water balloon over his or her head.

Violet's "it"!

 Break time for popsicles! Violet and Victoria have been close the last few months.

 Next was a water balloon toss.

Then, we had a game of hot potato, with water balloons. And then, naturally, a water balloon fight.

 Someone got a bit wet!

Ready, Aim...!

And then, we played a rousing game of "pick up the tiny bits of colorful rubber from the grass," before one more popsicle. A half hour later, the kids were dismissed and school was over for the year!

School Christmas Parties

The girls' class holiday parties were this Friday, and I was lucky enough to help plan and prep for both.

Jen had a rather ambitious craft idea for the sixth-graders - a felt-leaved Christmas tree that involved cutting some 20 leaves per child and hot-gluing wire to the back of each leaf.

We helped out at Jen's house Thursday night, and I got home after midnight. BUT, it's their last school holiday party, so we weren't complaining.

Violet's party craft was much simpler. The kids put a couple of drops of paint into a clear plastic ornament, sealed and shook them, to create a uniquely colored bauble.

Violet made a pretty blue one - a gift for Dad.ccccc

We had the same fun snack in both classes - decorating a rice krispy treat with icing. I helped in Violet's class for the first hour of their party, and then went over to help in Cora's class.

Here's Jen describing how to create the Christmas tmrees.

Jake and Cora are playing bingo here with M&Ms - yum.

And here's Cora, starting her tree adventure.

Next year, in junior high with multiple class periods, there won't be any school parties planned by room parents, and there won't be room parents at all. So although this felt like a crazy week for me, I did my best to soak it up, as the final year. We are very blessed to have Miss Lotito as a teacher, because she is fun and supports class parties. Next stop, Valentine's Day.

Also on Friday, the sixth graders had their gift exchange party with their kindergarten buddies. I didn't get to see this happen, but Cora's teacher posted this photo on the class info-sharing site. How adorable is this pic of Cora, her buddy, and Mrs. Hawthorne? 

Tidbits

Cora normally rides her bike to and from school, but on this day she walked, because we were going to Disneyland from school.
Just look at that sisterly love! Or is it a headlock? You decide.

Cora and Jake worked together on this clay shark sculpture, and Cora painted it the other night and gave it to him to keep. Their friendship is so sweet; it's been a while since Cora had a best friend.

Violet is still enjoying her tumbling class. She's making progress on front and back handsprings, and the other day she climbed all the way to the top of the rope, to the cheers of all the parents.

Watch her go!

We celebrated our friend Jen's birthday the other day at Brewery Draconum. It was a warm afternoon with lovely friends.

Week in Review

Violet had her latest appointment with Dr. Lavin, her endocrinologist, and she's still growing very well. It's really fabulous!

She's now over 47 inches tall, and up to the 5th percentile. When she started the treatment in November, violet was just 43.5 inches tall, and off the charts on the smaller end.

We met up with friends for Taco Tuesday specials at a restaurant at the mall - you can get a giant margarita for $2 if you wear Hawaiian. Stace came by after work, and the girls hung out with the other children.

Violet also started a GymFit Tumbling class at Hugo's. She and Cora took this class together a year and a half ago, and she was interested in doing it again. She's having a lot of fun, and she's definitely showing some aptitude.

On Friday, our friend Liz had us over to her home for a pool party, as they celebrate their brand-new pool. It's beautiful, and the kids all had a great time.

We had more pool fun Saturday night, with Geoff and Patrice and their kiddos.

Lucky Violet - it was feeding day for Charlie's snake, so we got to watch him eat a (thawed) frozen mouse by swallowing it whole. It was fascinating! Then we watched the second half of the movie Avatar, which we'd started watching with them a few weeks prior.

On Sunday, we went back to Rincon Beach to soak in the waves and sun.

Stace bought a new board in the week, and he was eager to take it out. Everyone had a great day!

Preschool Princess

Violet's big day came on Wednesday - her first day of Pre-K, or pre-kindergarten, as the preschool program for 4-year-olds is known here.

She'll go to Growing Hearts Preschool on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 to 11:30, just like Cora did three years ago.

Violet has been very eager, asking about preschool for weeks in a very excited voice. We got ready on Tuesday with haircuts (for both girls) and a trip to Old Navy for a new school outfit.

Cora was very sweet at Old Navy - rather than being upset that she wasn't getting any clothes, she took over the dressing room job. She helped Violet into and out of each dress, encouraging her and generally being a great big sister.

On Wednesday, Cora was very disappointed she couldn't go along to Violet's first morning.She helped her get dressed and ready, gave her a little bear, and made the picture you see here.

Stace came home from work around 7:30 so we could walk Cora to school, and then walk home and drive to preschool.

When 8:30 arrived, we were let into the classroom, where all the children found their name tags on a desk with a scavenger hunt sheet.

By following the clues, we were able to introduce the students to the different areas of the classroom, playground and bathroom.

The children were allowed to bring a favorite stuffed animal friend, so Violet chose her Beanie Boo clip Stripes the Zebra.

Before Stace and I left, we took a family photo in front of the chalkboard door/school bus. Later, Miss Lorrie gave us a copy in a frame that Violet helped decorate.

Violet had a fantastic first day, and happily told us about her new friends and the fun activities she did. She got her preschool bag, a gift from Miss Lorrie, so she and Cora now have matching pink bags.

Violet had such a great time, she was very sad on Thursday because that wasn't a school day for her. 

Fairies, friends and farewells

 Time for another Week In Review post, for the week that closed out January 2014.

On Monday afternoon, we went to the mall to meet Auntie Mel, who wanted to take Cora to the Disney store to get her a little something to thank her for helping Melanie with her reel.

Cora was very excited to make this trip without Stace and me, so we took Violet to the play area. Violet was able to negotiate these swinging step stool things, and very proud of herself.

Later, Cora returned, with a plush fairy doll. Because Disney had a special sale going on, she was able to buy Violet a fairy doll for $1 of her own money. Such a sweet big sister! Violet was thrilled.

 Tuesday was a fairly normal day - Violet and I went to Mom2Mom, and we went out for ice cream as a family in the evening.

On Wednesday night, I had a special treat - JT and I met at a Spanish restaurant about halfway between our homes, where she treated me to a birthday seafood paella and sangria! We left the dads in charge, and all went well. It was fun to get together just like we did all those years ago, when we both were single, just-out-of-college friends.

On Thursday, Violet and Liana had their final gymnastics class. Colleen and I had bought Groupons for five months of classes, and they both enjoyed it. But, Stace and I decided to not make the monthly commitment.






Violet made Coach Shannon a card, and I was impressed with her drawing of her coach. This is the best drawing I think I've seen her create; she included hands with fingers, and feet with toes.

On Friday, I got to help in Cora's class. She and her classmates spent some of their recess time using/playing with thermometers. Cora took hers to the classroom sink to bring the temperature down with the cold water. 

Busy Day

On Thursday, Stace was back to work, but Cora was off school and Violet was back to gymnastics class with Liana. Lucas was still off school too, so Colleen and I thought it would be nice to have lunch together after gymnastics.

Also, all four children needed haircuts, so we made appointments at Kids Cuts and Waves.

















Cora hadn't had a haircut since the gum incident in March, and for a couple of months she's been firm that she didn't want her hair cut. But, the longer it got, the more work it is to brush.

The last time we Skyped with Genia and John, Ave had had a haircut, and suddenly Cora was OK with having a few inches off. I love that positive peer pressure!

I let Cora have a treat, with a professional wash before the cut. She loved it! Cora used the grownup chair instead of one of the children's car chairs - she's growing up.
She was very positive about the whole experience, and later said she wants to have a hair wash and cut every month.

 Despite her expression, Violet was happy to have her hair cut, too. She always is. Thanks, Colleen, for all these photos!

 This was Liana's first-ever haircut!

After the hair salon, we went to William S. Hart Park to see the animals and play. It was a lovely Christmas Break day.