A Group Of Stahrs

Our Family Life…All Together

Archive for the category “Kids”

02 Aug 2012
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Back To School: Part One

Today we headed back to school.  Mazie went to a team building day with the other new sixth graders but wanted tomorrow to be documented as her first official day of school.  She didn’t have classes today so she couldn’t justify counting it as her first day.

Jamie entered third grade and was the big sister on campus since Mazie was no long at the school.  She took her big sister duties seriously and let me know that she was watching out for her little brother!  Jamie was so excited to start school.She picked out a purple dress complete with purple dangly earrings which coordinated nicely with her tan wedge sandals and sparkly grey backpack.  It’s all about the fashion for third graders, didn’t you know?  She was so happy when I picked her up after school.  Those who know Jamie know she isn’t much of a talker but she didn’t stop talking about her first day.  It’s nice to hear her so animated about school!

Jacob was the one I was worried most about.  I wasn’t really ready for him to be going all day every day.  I thought I had another year of him being home with me for half the day without the girls.  But the district decided to change their kindergarten program to free all day school.  Jacob couldn’t have been more excited.  In fact, when we got there this morning, other students were organizing their supplies and he was trying to be patient.  He put his head down on his desk and said, “When are we going to start learning!”When I picked him up at the end of the day, I asked how his day was.  He answered, “Interesting”.  He was so tired.  After he got his second wind though he told me all about it.  He said he learned so much that instead of going back to kindergarten tomorrow he was ready to go on to first grade.  Then he said he was joking that he liked kindergarten and would just stay there.

Last week when I asked the kids what they wanted for their back to school supper, Mazie said spaghetti and meatballs, Jamie said fettuccine alfredo, and Jacob said chicken, noodles, and broccoli.  Since I actually didn’t have time (or desire) to make all three of those meals, I decided to opt for the easier route of Noodles & Co to rescue me.  I decided to make a treat instead.  You can read about the treat on the business blog which is going to be updated more regularly now that my husband found all my pictures!

Posted in Kids and tagged
22 Jun 2012
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Jacob’s Day

Did you know that we are officially finished with paying for preschool?  Yep, that’s the good part of this particular milestone.  Jacob graduated from preschool!  While there was no official ceremony for his class they did get little certificates of completion and the teachers were happy to take a picture with the boy…Then Jacob yelled, “Funny face, now” and they obliged…Jacob also graduated from his Little Gym class.  We say graduated because he isn’t continuing on when school starts in August.  So his class put on a show for the parents.

 There were some pretty cool moves.  Then it was on to the medals… We are so proud of him having so much fun with preschool and The Little Gym.   He’s come a long way from the beginning of the year.  Jacob is so excited about kindergarten!

Posted in Kids and tagged
20 Jun 2012
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Wednesdays with Jamie

Jamie had the best year for second grade.  She loved that her Kindergarten teacher was also her second grade teacher.  She was so happy to be with her best friend.  She really came out of her shell a little more this year.  Here she is at the start of the year in August…And here she is at the end of the year in May…I see the maturity in her face has changed but still there is the sweetness that I’m pretty sure will stay forever.  We are so proud of this one with all she has done this year in spite of her shyness.  She is so excited about third grade!  I just like hearing her be happy about school.

Posted in Kids and tagged
19 Jun 2012
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Ten on Tuesday: Father’s Day edition

1.  On Father’s Day, the kids woke up wishing dad a happy day.  It was a lovely, sunny day.

2.  The kids went right into gift giving mode.  Jamie went first with all her handmade things…thanks to Highlights magazine!

3.  Jacob went second and felt the need to “explain” everything he made.  It didn’t stop him from give big hugs and kisses though…

4.  Mazie made cards in every color of the rainbow and was pretty crafty with the things she made too. 

5.  Then they gave him the “paid for” gifts.  A bunch of new summer clothes.  They each had their own requests and insisted on everything being blue.  I did sneak in a red or green item but listened to what they wanted.

6.  My new favorite picture of my favorite people…

7.  After we skyped with Pop Pop and called Pappy John, we took our bikes to the park and some playtime.  Then Dad set up the tent.

8.  Yep, the kids and Dad spent the night in the tent in the back yard while the (much smarter) parent spent the night in her big comfy bed.

9.  Do you see the dog in the picture?  That’s Sadie.  We are in a trial period with her to see if she will join our family.  She’s a great dog.  A little aggressive toward Maxine but mostly we are all getting along.

10.  The kids are pretty fond of their dad.  I have to say that I’m pretty pleased with him too.  Happy Father’s Day!

Posted in Holidays, Kids and tagged
18 Jun 2012
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Mazie Monday

Mazie graduated from the 5th grade and is enjoying her summer before starting middle school.There I said it. It’s out there now making it very real. It’s taken me a while to come up with the words for this post.  It’s a milestone no one warns you about.  It creeps up on you and then you are it in the face with it. While I am extremely proud of Mazie for enjoying elementary school and doing so well in her classes, I was not prepared for the emotion of her going onto middle school.

On a beautiful May morning, Odyssey Elementary held a graduation ceremony for their nearly 90 5th graders.  The principal handed each student their certificate with came with a lovely photo of the student in a cap and gown in a leather cover.Each 5th grade teacher called their students up one at a time for their diplomas.  Mazie’s class was last, making them the “best class”.  Mazie was pretty proud of herself…The Mom, Dad, and Pop Pop-erazzi were pretty proud of her too.  Then the teachers went onto the awards.  They gave awards for the top students in each class who scored the highest scores in the Scantron testing for math, language arts, science, and reading.  We had no idea Mazie was receiving an award.  She found out and didn’t tell us.  She got the highest score in her class for language arts!I was so surprised and this is where I almost lost my control.  But I didn’t cry.  I was so proud of her as she was for herself.  Then they marched back out of the auditorium and went to the cafeteria for a little reception.

And that was the end.  She was officially finished with her elementary education.  And Mazie became an official 6th grader ready for middle school.Yep, that’s right…ready for middle school.

We are so very proud of you, Mazie Moo!

Posted in Kids and tagged ,
07 May 2012
2 Comments

Landsharks

Landsharks started just after Spring Break and all three kids wanted to sign up.  Their first meet was April 22.  Jacob ran the 400 meter at 2 minutes 53 seconds.  Jamie ran 800 meters at 4 minutes 31 seconds.  Mazie ran the mile at 9 minutes and 8 seconds.  They were presented with ribbons after their races.  In fact, because Jacob wasn’t first he thought he wasn’t supposed to take one.  We went back over to his coach and she explained the every finisher gets a ribbon and that he didn’t have to be first.  He was pretty pleased with that…And since it was such a nice afternoon, they decided to relax outside…Meet number 2 was on April 29 and was their sprint night.  They ran two sprints each.  Jacob ran the 50 meter and the 200 meter.  While running the 50 meter, he put his hands out behind him as he was running.  He told me later that it was helping him go faster like he was Super Man.  It was pretty funny.  He did the 200 meter in 1 minute 13 seconds.  Jamie also ran the 50 meter and 200 meter.  She did the 200 in 53 seconds!  Mazie did the 100 meter and the 400 meter.  She ran the 400 in 1 minute 55 seconds.  I was impressed with all of them!  They were given ribbons again after their last sprint…Their final meet was on May 6.  This meet was a repeat of the first meet.  So Jacob ran 400 meters and he did so in 2 minutes 45 seconds.  Jamie did 800 meters in 4 minutes 41 seconds.  Mazie did the mile again and did it in 9 minutes 13 seconds.  Mazie was a little upset that she didn’t beat her first week’s time.  I asked what her goal was for each race and she said that it was to not be last (which was the goal for all three of them for all three meets).  During all three meets, none of them finished last.  At the end of this meet, the kids received medals…

I have to say I was greatly impressed with all the kids.  Jamie had done this last Spring but she challenged herself by running the 800 meter instead of the 400 meter.  Mazie had never showed interest before.  She wanted to try it and instead of trying the 800 meter run, she opted for the full mile.  And, then there’s Jacob.  I’m pretty sure he only wanted to do it because the girls were but when he was practicing and running the meets it was clear that he was truly having a good time.  They all ran each meet.  There was no walking.  They met their goals and didn’t give up.  And they had fun.

Today, after school, the coach had a practice party.  There were treats and games.  The coach gave out certificates and charms…The kids were pretty happy with themselves and their certificates.  And I am one proud mama!

Posted in Adventures, Kids and tagged
05 Apr 2012
4 Comments

Mothers’ Tea

Jacob’s preschool held a Mothers’ Tea this morning for all the mamas.  It was similar to the Dinner with Dads that Jeremiah was invited to in January.

When I arrived, there was a note to take a seat and wait for the class to arrive.  So I took a snap of my place at the table…First I have to say that I love the foot butterfly.  I remember Jacob coming home from school saying they had painted his feet for a project and then said that I wasn’t really supposed to hear that.  I never expected this!  And on the back of the paper laying at my place setting was an interview of what Jacob thinks of me.My Mom…My mom is 15 years old.  Her favorite food is lettuce, I mean salad.  Mommy’s favorite store is the market.  My mommy’s job is to bake stuff.  When mommy has some free time, she likes to rest on the couch.  I love it when mommy makes spaghetti for dinner.  I love it when mommy plays the twister track with me.  I make my mommy laugh when I tell her jokes.  I love my mommy more than my favorite toys.

Now to clarify on those interesting facts from my stinker of a five-year old.  I am not 15 (but thanks, buddy!).  I do eat a lot of salad, so I can see where he thinks this.  I am not sure what “market” he is talking about for my favorite store.  I do “bake stuff”.  I guess reading isn’t something I do in my free time since I apparently rest on the couch.  He does like spaghetti.  He did get a new hot wheels double dare snare track that is pretty cool.  I think I played with it one time.  Although Jacob does like to tell jokes, they are typically not very funny.  He makes me laugh with his quirkiness.  I am honored that he loves me more than his favorite toys!

The class sang a few songs that were just amazing.  I know kids at this age can’t carry a tune (much like this mama) but I can’t help but love kids singing.  It’s just so happy and they are so proud to be doing it.  It’s really one of my favorite things ever.Especially when there are moves…After the kids performed their songs, we had a little feast of muffins, fruit, cookies, and mini quiche.  It was a lovely morning.  I’m glad I was able to spend it with my favorite 5-year-old boy.

Posted in Adventures, Kids and tagged
22 Mar 2012
3 Comments

Leader Day

Jacob was class leader today at school.  Since it was the last day before Spring Break and his birthday happens to be on Monday, they celebrated his birthday.  He was so excited.  I asked what he wanted to take for snack and he said, “Jacobobs” without hesitation.  I asked if he wanted to make them colorful.  He said, “sure”.  So I used one of my pins on pinterest and made rainbow fruit kabobs.I was happy with the way they turned out.  I used strawberries, cuties slices, pineapple chunks, green grapes, blueberries, blackberries, and red grapes.  ROYGBIV!Jacob was pretty pleased with them too.  According to him, his classmates loved them!  We will be doing these again.

Posted in Kids and tagged , ,
12 Mar 2012
2 Comments

Second Grade Music Concert

Thursday evening Jamie’s second grade class sang their hearts out for all the parents to enjoy.  And enjoy they did!  It was spectacular.  The music, according to their awesome music teacher was intended for fourth or fifth graders but she felt the second graders could do it.  They did such a great job.

There were some serious moves…

There was a speaking part for the coolest second grader ever.  She was actually loud in the microphone!There was some vouge-ing…Look out Madonna, right?  There was a song where Jamie’s class only sang.  They twirled around umbrellas and danced.  It was great.  I didn’t get any pictures of that one because I couldn’t see Jamie from where I was sitting.  She was behind another student’s umbrella.  Trust me, it was a good song.  And then the big finally!Those kids were having way too much fun on that stage!  I have to say that this was one of my favorite programs so far.  They really did a great job.  One last one of Jamie and her BFF.  They are so cute together…

Posted in Kids and tagged ,
21 Jan 2012
2 Comments

Jacob’s Turn

This is about Jacob’s gym class at The Little Gym.  Last week was his mid-season show week and he was so excited to show us what he’s learned so far.  Since I was making sure girls got home with the right parents, Dad took Jacob and took pictures of the show.  Jacob loves this class.  He loves the instructor and his friends.  We’ll start with the warm up…

Then it was onto the real skills…I love that Jeremiah caught him mid-jump.  And Mr. Robert gives a fist bump for to reward Jacob…Check out this arm strength!

 and more rolling…And the whole group with silly faces.  I think Mr. Robert really is a big kid!Jacob had a great time.  I was so glad Jeremiah was able to get the photo that he did.  It made me feel like I didn’t miss it at all!  Happy Weekend!

Posted in Kids and tagged

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