Last Day of School

May 25: the last day of school.  Olive said, "How is it May already?  It feels like we just started."  Exactly.  Once again she had an amazing year and was sad to leave her teacher.  She liked her first grade teacher even more than her kindergarten, if that is possible!  She wrote her daily notes and once she even tried to give her $20 as part of present!  Olive won a reading growth award at the 3rd quarter assembly and again at the 4th quarter assembly.  It was amazing to watch her reading take off in 1st grade, just like Hannah's did in 2nd grade.  Olive also won the SOAR award for citizenship.  I was afraid Hannah might be a little upset to see Olive on stage with 2 awards when she didn't get any this time (even though Hannah already won the SOAR award in the 3rd quarter, so she couldn't win again).  She wasn't.  She was smiling and clapping and being the best cheerleader ever for her sister.  Hannah is such an amazing big sister.  I couldn't take a picture because I was also on stage as a substitute teacher, so a friend gave me these pics.  

Olive's last day outfit is a long pink skirt under a short pink dress.  She definitely has her own style.

These two sets of sisters have become the best of friends.  Hannah and Rachael have been in kindergarten, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade together.  Samantha is a year older than Olive, but they hang out all the time at soccer games and girl scout meetings.  I'm so happy my girls have such sweet and kind friends to grow up with.

Field Day

I volunteered at Olive's field day (I had to substitute teach on Hannah's field day).  Kindergartners are with their 6th grade buddy, but first graders get to walk around on their own.  She was a little overwhelmed at first.  Big days usually bring out big emotions.  I suggested a few people she could buddy up with and eventually she found her friend James who graciously allowed her to grab his hand and lead him around to activities.

Third Grade Plaza Field Trip

Third graders study the history of KC and one of their field trips is to the Plaza.  I had a small group of just 3 girls and we walked around on a super hot day looking for statues and fountains...and getting some cold treats, too!  

Random Spring Pictures

Hannah's girl scout troop packing snacks at Hands to Hearts.

 I found Olive like this one morning watching Hannah playing video games.

At the mall

3rd grade musical: Pirates!  It was super cute and Hannah loved dressing up.

Little siblings of the 3rd graders had their own cheering section at the musical.

In first grade you can sign up to be a mystery reader for the class.  I was already in the class a lot substitute teaching and volunteering, so Hannah was the reader (on a day I was subbing for Olive's class!)

Olive's art was selected for the district art show.  We were out of town so we couldn't see it in person, but her art teacher sent me this picture.  She did a 3-D paper sculpture.  Coincidentally, Hannah's art was also chosen when she was in first grade! 

We went to a parent theme party for a school fundraiser.  The theme was Studio 54.

bathroom selfie

3rd grade Market Day.  Hannah and Rachael worked together to make "beautiful bracelet and flower magnets" as part of an economics unit.  Grades K-3 purchased items with fake money.  They did a great job and had lots of fun working together.

KC Symphony

My friend gave me tickets to the kids' series at the KC Symphony.  Her daughter was sick so they couldn't go.  We gladly accepted and had a great time!   It was "The Science of Sound" so in between pieces they introduced instruments and explained how they worked.

Olive Star of the Week

 Lost and found on my cellphone:  Olive's Star of the Week pictures!  She did a great job on her presentation.  The form she filled out says:

• A word that describes me: silly
• My favorite food is: ice cream
• When I grow up: astronomer
• My favorite color: teal
• My favorite sport: soker (soccer)
• One thing I dislike is: mosher (monster)
• These are my hobbies: vido games, bikes, crafts, read
• My family members are: Megan, Steve, Hannah, me

Olive Dance Class

Olive tried out tap and ballet classes in the fall.  Hannah has never had an interest in dance, but I was sure Olive would be my dancer.  Well, she liked it when she got there...but getting out of the house to go to dance class was a battle.  Every week.  It's always a question as a parent- how much do you let the kid decide and how much do you decide what is in their best interests?  Although I know she has a natural talent for dance and she enjoys it, I just got tired of the weekly fight to get her to class.  You can't force an Olive to do anything...even if it is something she wants to do.  So she quit.  She hasn't had any regrets either.  I'm still hoping she will reconsider and go back to it someday.

Mother's Day

We went to the new (not really improved) Dodge City in Antioch Park for Mother's Day.  They replaced one side of the street with the train, so there aren't as many shops as before.  Luckily, there is still a jail.  The kids' favorite game is when we are the police and put them in jail and then they escape.  We ended up playing with almost all the kids on the playground.

One of the many homemade presents:  All About Mom by Olive.

Pierced Ears

Hannah wanted her ears pierced for her birthday.  But it was in the middle of the soccer season and the league has a strict no jewelry policy which doesn't work with earrings that you can't take out.  So I promised her after soccer was over we'd do it.  Of course she didn't forget.  The day after her last game, which happened to be Mother's Day, we got it done and she didn't even flinch!  No fear!

Spring Soccer

We did another season of soccer for Hannah with the same team as the fall.  They definitely played better this time around and I think we ended the season with as many wins as losses.  The final game was a heartbreaker and ended in a tie.  It was a COLD season with some games being played in the sleet and snow.  Her team won those, and since their name is "Thunder," we joked that they did their best playing in inclement weather.  Hannah mostly played defender, but sometimes she was a  midfielder.

playing in the snow- Hannah on the left