Singing Coyotes Spring 2011 Concert

A few weeks ago Ally had her Singing Coyotes Spring Concert. Singing Coyotes is her schools choir. Ally was in Singing Coyotes both Fall and Spring of last year (1st grade). However, this school year all chose not to join Singing Coyotes in the fall. Henry and I were okay with this believing that she was beginning to chose activities that interested her. She also chose not to be in Soccer. Well, when the Spring semester rolled around Henry and I told Ally that she HAD to join Singing Coyotes again. We were not going to let her exclude herself from activities. So, she joined Singing Coyotes again and she LOVED it. She really enjoys singing.

Ally and her friend Hannah singing My Country tis of Thee

Ally and "The Girls" after the concert. "The Girls" mom's are all friends. So these girls are around each other a bit.

"The Boys" after the concert. These 3 are brothers to 3 of "The Girls".

Being the boys they are they did not enjoy the concert as much as the parents did, as evident in the following photo.

Could they be any more bored during the concert?

All of them together.

Ryan's Botanical Garden Field Trip

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of accompanying Ryan on his Botanical Garden field troop. I volunteer a couple days a week in his classroom, for a couple hours, so all his classmates are comfortable with me. It's funny because his teacher treats me as a co-teacher when I am there. So, the kids respond to me just like I was their teacher. One mom of a girl in Ryan's class even came up to me and said "my daughter told me that you work at the school now. That is so awesome". I laughed and explained that I volunteer in Ryan's and Ally's class a couple times a week.

Ryan with his friends. The two on the left are his "best friends".

Playing red light, green light.

Posing for a class photo. 25 students in his class. When I walk into Ryan's class, usually 3 to 4 students, not counting Ryan, run up and hug me. I also have 3 students who consistently tell me that they love me. Kindergarten is a whole different game than 8th graders (the grade I teach). I have definitely enjoyed this part of being a stay at home mom.

Second Grade Poetry Night

As the title suggests, 2nd grade had a poetry night where each class recited a poem. Individual students could also volunteer to recite a poem on their own. Ally is a little too shy to do an individual poem. However, she worked very hard memorizing her class poem

Ally waiting for her class to recite their poem.

Ally's class reciting their poem.

Ally's "bff" reciting her poem.

Joshua reciting his poem.

Easter 2011

Coloring the eggs.

Grandma Cookie supervises the production.

Wow, Ryan loves Peeps.

Yeah, Ally got new pajamas in her easter basket.

Aunt Cheryl helping hunt for Easter eggs.

Grandpa Cookie joined the hunt.

Taking inventory.

Kindergarten Choir Night

A couple weeks ago the music teacher put together a kindergarten choir night. It was nice to see Ryan with his classmates singing songs.

Ryan and 2 classmates waiting for the show to begin.

Ryan invading personal space. As Henry put it, "Ryan is touchy. As in - touches everyone."

Singing the song with a smile on his face.

And playing the rhythm sticks.

We Have a Basketball Goal

We bought a basketball goal and placed it in front of the house. It's nice to go outside and shoot some hoops.

Ryan getting ready for the shot.

Ally getting pointers from dad.

And the Cruddy Mom Award Goes to . . .

ME!

I would have liked to use another word than "cruddy", but this is a family friendly site. Let me explain why I am deserving of this award.

In kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade Ally received the Leader of the Pack/Rising Star Award. This is awarded quarterly to 2 students in each class who is showing leadership skills while showing improvement.

Now I know Ryan isn't the easiest student to have in class. He talks when the teacher has asked students to stop talking (in his defense he stated to me "I wasn't talking mom. I was whispering"). He doesn't always focus on his work (he is usually enjoying the "show" around him). However, since January, we have seen such an improvement in his behavior and academics.

So I volunteer in the school at least twice a weak for 3 to 4 hours. Well, I had heard in the announcements that Rising Star would be awarded that Thursday night. I was certain it was Ryan's turn to receive the award. On Wednesday, while I was in Ryan's class, I asked Ryan who was getting the Rising Star. He just shrugged his shoulders.

Now I'm not the best at checking the kids folders in their backpacks. I don't remember if I checked Ryan's backpack Wednesday evening. I do know that Thursday night, after AWANA, around 9:30 at night, I was going through the kids backpacks getting them ready for the next day. Lo and behold, in Ryan's folder, there is a note from Ryan's teacher that states "Congratulations! Ryan has been chosen as the Rising Star. Please be in the gym Thursday at 6:30 to receive his award at the Rising Star assembly". What?!?!?!?!

After much questioning (why didn't I get this note earlier) and much crying (Ryan deserved to get this award in front of everybody) I decided it is what it is. The next day I went to Ryan's class. His teacher apologized for not mentioning the note to me. I apologized for not checking his backpack sooner. I took my camera and asked if she could present the award to Ryan in class in front of the other students.

Miss Stultz reading why Ryan deserves this award.

YAY Ryan! You rock! Good job on being a Rising Star.