gingerbread houses and gingerbread men!

A couple of weeks ago before school got out the kids both had parties in their classroom on the same day! Austin's class was making gingerbread houses and Mikayla was having her Kindergarten holiday party. I really wanted to do both and thank goodness Ms. Michelle planned to do the gingerbread houses right away which meant I could buzz over to Mikayla's school in time for her party! I have the pleasure of being the Room Coordinator for Mikayla's classroom so I knew it was important for me to be there to help direct the moms in where and what they needed to help out with.

Austin & his Gingerbread House!

It was so sweet to watch him have so much concentration and careful planning of where he wanted the candies to go. Maybe that's why he was one of the last ones to be finished!

For Mikayla's class party, we had decided on a Gingerbread Man theme...

The next day, Mikayla's class got to have a PJ day and watch a movie. I just so happened to be volunteering that morning and had grabbed my camera on the way out the door!

Mikayla and her "twin" Hannah...
they both got a kick out of showing up in matching PJs!

Mrs. Derry & Mikayla

{sweet faces}

{silly faces}

I am really enjoying not having to do drop off or pick up during this 2-week vacation from school. Oh, and did I mention the sleeping in part? Such bliss!!

kindergarten halloween party

This year I am Room Coordinator for Mikayla's Kindergarten classroom, so I get the fun job of helping coordinate and plan the class parties...right up my alley! Even though I only have one party under my "belt" so far, I am pretty impressed with the volunteers who have stepped up to help. I hear this isn't as much the case as the kids get into the older grades, so I'm grateful that I chose to be Room Coordinator this year.

Our first idea for Mikayla dressing up was that she was going to be a kitty (and her brother would be a doggy), but with being gone for 10 days during October, we came home without much motivation to go through with the kitty idea. Luckily, my friend Kim had a Minnie Mouse dress she had let us borrow for Disneyland, but Mikayla didn't end up wearing it. It was the PERFECT costume for Mikayla this year on Halloween!!

My sweet Minnie Mouse...and her twin.

There were four stations at the party...

{Craft}

{Story time with an activity}

{Snack...decorating cookies}

...and of course eating them, too!
The 4th station was pumpkin bowling.

Fun times in Kindergarten!


Mikayla & her classmates all dressed up!
October 31, 2011

fun run 2011

At the end of September, Mikayla ran in her first Fun Run of her elementary school career! She raised money by asking family and one sweet neighbor across the street whom Mikayla loves. Her Daddy gave her $2 per lap and we calculated that if she ran six laps she would raise enough money to earn a key chain and shoelaces, so on the day of the race her goal was to run at least six laps...all the way around a regular sized track!

Waiting in line with some of her classmates.

Ready...set...go!

The Kindergarteners raced off,
but they didn't keep that pace for long!

She has her runnin' shoes on...go Mikayla go!

Mikayla with her 5th grade buddy, Abby.
She helped motivate Mikayla by running with her...so sweet!


Some extra high-fives from the fifth graders...and the principal!
Yep...six laps complete!!
She met her goal!

A little juice pick me up before heading back to class...

...and a quick hug from little brother.
He wasn't so thrilled about "hanging out" all morning.

it's teddy bear day

September 22nd was Teddy Bear Day at both of the kids' schools. They both thought it was the coolest thing to be able to take their teddy bears with them to school!

{I am pretty sure Austin is growling like a bear.}

Mikayla's first day of Kindergarten!!

It's a little hard to believe, but my baby girl started Kindergarten on September 8th...almost 2 weeks ago! Surprisingly I didn't tear up at all. I was too proud beaming from ear to ear at how excited and READY she was! She has such a love for learning and I am so excited for this year...for her and me! She comes home each day telling me bits and pieces of her day. I love it!

First Day of School Breakfast
{scrambled eggs, English muffin with PB & bananas, and applesauce}

First Day of School Outfit
{a little bit out of the normal...she looks so grown up!}

Quick picture with little brother
{cereal to go for the little guy!}

Driving to her first day of school!

She's so ready!!

Heading into school...

...and down the big hallway!
{doesn't she look so small in that huge hallway?}

First day picture in front of her classroom

"First Day" pictures with Dad...

...and Mom.
Putting her backpack away

Getting ready to start her first day activity

A quick picture with her teacher, Mrs. Derry
{whom she loves so much!}
One last picture before Mom is on her way...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

After School

{waiting in line}

So happy to see mom!
{and a little sun in her eyes}

Mikayla has such a bright future and I just can't wait to see what that future holds for her!

getting ready for Kindergarten

My baby girl started Kindergarten last week!!

In preparation for her big day,

...she got her hair cut (3 inches)!

{BEFORE}

{AFTER}
(different angle and clothes, but use her elbows as a guide)

...back to school shopping with mom!

...and Kindergarten Orientation

First day pics right around the corner!