Kindergarten "Graduation"

Gigi had a great year this year.  Mrs. Pippin was the most incredible teacher for our children.  Here, she is reading some thankful words from her students.

And, Mrs. F, the assistant teacher, also a wonderful person

Mrs. Pippin used the SmartBoard throughout the year and showed us how it was used on their last day of school.

 They sang "I believe I can fly"

And Principal Jenkins, one of a kind.

I have the same wish, Gigi

Mrs. P has brought wonder and imagination into the classroom as usual this week by having a leprechaun make overnight visits to Gigi's class.  This inspired Gigi to want to make a leprechaun trap and catch a leprechaun for St. Patty's Day.  I had no idea where to even start, so I reached out to my friends on Facebook and got all kinds of ideas and then there's Google.  Ultimately, Gigi made up her own way for the trap and I took her lead.

Mrs. P said that leprechauns like "plain" popcorn.  Gigi wanted to make green popcorn.  Our first try failed.  We added green food coloring into the olive oil and then popped the corn.  No go.  The second time, we took the corn and added green melted butter.  We don't usually eat our popcorn with butter, but this seemed to do the trick and Gigi is sure that the leprechaun "will love it".

We added the corn to gold mini cupcake tins and made a trail to the trap with a big green bowl of popcorn in a "rainbow box".  The box is held up by a green stick.  Once the leprechaun is so busy eating the popcorn, he will surely run into the stick and be caught!

While we were in the garden in the afternoon, Gigi found many dandelions and thought that she needed a trail coming in from behind the trap just in case the leprechaun missed the green popcorn.

As we were making the trap this morning, Gigi said that she is going to wish that Eliza comes back.  And she is sure that the leprechaun will say "Granted!"  Gigi has had Eliza on her mind....She is on my mind every day and I surely would wish the same if only I knew that the wish could come true.  This week, during time with her friends in nature, she brought up Eliza....she was with two friends who have no siblings.  Gigi said that she doesn't know where Eliza is, but she is real.  Her friends didn't know about Eliza.  Gigi, I wish for her to be here, too.  I am so sorry you can't have her here with you.

Daddy Daughter Dance

The Daddy Daughter dance was anticipated for several weeks.  Gigi was so excited.  She had her pink dress and her pink shoes.

First stop on Friday afternoon was the Beauty Bar in the library.  Mama painted nails for me and my friends and I had my hair done and makeup.

And, I was ready.  Daddy looked handsome.  We were ready to rock the Hollywood themed dance.

Up the red carpet and we had our picture taken and enjoyed some yummies by Coreen.

Thanksgiving Festivities

 We had a wonderful Thanksgiving season, staying in California this year for the first time.  Gigi had a celebration at school and a "feast" to kick off the fun.

We took a walk along Venice Beach and Jordan decided to "steal" this airplane ("I-Plane")

On Thanksgiving morning, we went for hike in Temescal Canyon.  Gigi kept us going for two hours, past the waterfall.

More School Fun

 

Gigi was lucky to have a neighbor in her class this year....until they decided to move (not too far away, but not close enough to throw a rock in their yard over the alley).  We had a nice barbecue before they packed it up for PV.  We will miss them!

Almost every morning, we get to school a little early for some milk, a little time on the monkey bars or library time.  This week was Heritage Day and Gigi dressed in her "German girl" costume....Heidi?

This week, when I volunteered, the Rainbow Cafe became the Spooky Cafe.  I was in the Math area where the kids were decorating their math books Halloween style.

The Spooky Cafe...

Kindergarten has been going great for Gigi.  Parents can volunteer for the last hour of the day and Ms. P prefer 3 parents per day.  I have volunteered a few times.  They have 4 centers - Math, Art, the Cafe and one other.  Above and below are pictures from "The Rainbow Cafe".  The children in this center take orders of up to 2 items from their classmates and then add the cost of the two items.  They deliver the items and take money.  It is a fun way to learn math and work together.

 

 Jordan answering the shofar at home.  He has been into the "pone", mostly to watch his favorite show "Fireman Sam".

Our first rainy day in LA.

Jordan is still loving school, coming home very dirty every day.

And bubbles at home.  Can't get better than that.

Gigi made this for Grace.

Gigi is learning to skateboard.  Jordan wants to do it, too!