Kindergarten Graduation: PS Style

We went to my foster child's Kindergarten graduation yesterday and it was typically cute with the little cap and gowns, the really funny little songs and the wild clapping for awards such as "knows all my colors", "can count to 100" and "most helpful milk passer outer" (or something to that affect! LOL!) My kiddos were really proud because their foster sister had gotten awards for skills that were a direct result of their help. Every morning and every afternoon, Jackson would stand at the number chart with her and count to 100, count by 10's and blast off counting with her (10, 9, 8, etc...). Every afternoon and evening, James would read to her, sometimes clocking 160 minutes per month on her chart. Every week, Jordan would do her homework with her, making copies of the homework so she could master the skill and then Jordan would find other activities that matched the skill she was learning.

Tomorrow is the last day of public school, but we don't get to sleep in yet as I am doing respite for a child that is attending a charter school, so we still have to get up in the mornings to get her to school. She is a very interesting young lady. We had green eggs and ham for dinner yesterday in her honor because she was reading the book, but did not believe that there could really be green eggs and ham. The color turned out perfectly and I read the story to them as they ate breakfast for dinner (a favorite around here).

On another note: our caterpillars arrived yesterday and have already started growing, some doubled in size in just the 24 hours that we have had them.

Working Our Way Up From the Basement

Another rare tornado warning again tonight that had us sitting in our basement. I took a simple card game down with us, but just like last time... I ended up doing a little laundry, straightening the back room and sorting seasonal clothes. Poor kids! They are probably always going to associate tornado's with working in the basement.

We were only needing to be down there for a 1/2 hour or so. It actually took me longer to get them down there, put the batteries in the radio and flashlights (the lights were flickering, but never actually went out) and find a working station on my old 1971 transistor radio.

Year End Celebration & Graduation

Today we had our year end celebration and the pictures turned out so cute. Their eyes sparkled so much and they were proud of their accomplishments. Every year they dress up and I give a very cheesy graduation speech that mimics the speech given at my graduation for my Masters program.

Congratulations go to Jordan for the completion of the 7th grade, "B" Honor Roll and the award for messiest desk.

Congratulation go to James for the completion of 3rd grade, "A" Honor Roll and the award for "I didn't do it!" (James is the kid who will have powdered sugar on his face, hands and shirt, but will act as if he has no clue what a powdered donut is nor has he ever seen one in his life! )

Congratulations go to Jackson for completing Kindergarten and a Reading Achievement award.

  

Summer school starts June 22. The 3 younger kids will be using summer skill workbooks and Jordan will be using Life of Fred. We all will be writing short stories using character development and setting worksheets from edHelper.com.

7th Grade is Done!!

Jordan is done with school for the year! Yipee!!!

Kindergarten only has math left!!! Yipee!!!

3rd grade may finish before June 1st! Yipee!! (but much effort was used to type this one)

Summer curriculum is mostly all here...waiting for 2 more books.

Yipee!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Nicknames

Most of my kids don't have nicknames. The girl is the exception, but that is a whole other story. I grew up with cousins whose nicknames were used so much that by the time they went to kindergarten, they had to be convinced that they actually had legal names given by their mothers.

I think because I gave all of my kids new names that there was no way I was gonna use a nickname while trying to teach a new family name, but what happens is that the youngest kid in the house says a very cute version of a big kids name and we all laugh and like it and then start calling said kid by the baby-speak name.

When Jordan was a baby, she called Jeffrey "Buffrey", Jackson called Jordan "Jo-ee" and now the baby calls Jackson, "Da-sha". While it won't last for long, I gotta say that "Dasha" is my "fav-wit"

We See the Light...

... and we don't think it is a rushing train.

I think we are going to be done with school somewhere around the 20th of May. I am so excited because Momma needs a vacation more than any of these little people. I updated progress reports today and had to laugh at the differences in attendance. They do all go to the same school don't they? LOL!