The Princess Ball

 

 

First Day of School for All 3!

And just like that, all three are in elementary school!

Our big girl started 3rd grade! She was so nervous to start school. 

Makena started 2nd grade. She was the most relaxed of all three about starting school.

Kyle started Kindergarten! He was excited and just a little nervous until the day before when he started feeling a bit scared. 

How is he big enough to be in Kindergarten all day?! Mommy was definitely sad about her baby going to Kinder!

 

Ready to start a great year at Mockingbird! 

 Karis and Ms. Fox

 

Makena and Mrs. Boyles

Kyle and Ms. Carlton

There were nothing but smiles when we picked them up. They all had a great first day!

School Awards for Both Girls

We were thrilled when we found out that Karis was going to receive two awards at the monthly school assembly. She received an art award for her Blue Dog painting and for being the top girl runner in her class.  

Karis did not like her painting of Blue Dog. She kept saying that the dog looked weird. But she quickly learned that art and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Karis has talent and abilities and I hope she doesn't let her self-doubt or her perfectionism get in her way. I hope she soon sees her beauty and giftings the way we do!

Karis ran the most laps in her class throughout the school year. During the school year, Karis talked about how many laps she was going to try to run in P.E. She was continually pushing herself to run the most she could. This was the first year that each class gave out the runner awards (previously it was the top boy/girl in the school).  So Karis was not trying to win an award, she was just trying to do her best. I loved that she was awarded for her efforts. 

 

After all the attention Karis was getting, Makena was sad that she didn't get an award and that she didn't make Maverick of the Week this school year. It was hard to watch one daughter get recognized and not the other. We soon found out that Makena's teacher was going to award her Maverick of the Year at the end of year assembly. I was about in tears when she told me! We are thankful that she was recognized for her exemplary character all throughout the year! 

Last Days of School

Kyle had a great year in Ms. Marsha's class. He loved every minute of it!

Kyle had a  PreK Splash Day the last week of school. Lots of fun in the sun! 

I was a little nervous for Kyle to start at a new preschool. I prayed the entire summer before he started at the Butterfly School that he would find a good friend. Elliott was an answer to that prayer. He is such a sweet boy and Kyle and Elliott became best buds. I am so thankful for their friendship!

I will miss Kyle helping me on Wednesdays pass out snacks to each class. He was my little helper!

I can't believe how much he grew up during the school year. He looks like such a big boy!

The girls also ended a great year at Mockingbird. Here are a few pics from Field Day. 

Kyle saw all the inflatables and water fun and suddenly he was excited for Kindergarten!

 Karis participated in Hoop It Up again this year and cheered for the student team. 

Our school had an end of the year pool party at the rec center. It was windy, drizzly and cold but that didn't stop the kids from swimming and having a great time. 

Second Season of Soccer

Karis finished her second season of soccer. She loved the addition of having Daddy as her coach. Karis shows up to each game ready to play and she plays hard. She continues to become better and better. This season she has gained a good grasped positioning, being patient and being in the right place at the right time. 

The team celebrated the end to a great season at CiCi's Pizza, one of the kids' favorite places!

Sadly, Daddy couldn't make it to the party because he had to work. The team shared kind words about  how thankful they were for him stepping up to coach and being so patient and good with the girls. 

Our Budding Artist

The art teacher at MKB submitted Karis's artwork in a local competition. She did not place in the competition, but her artwork was displayed in the school district's administration building. We were thrilled when Karis came home with this note:

We went the next day to check it out!

We are so proud of her and her talent!

Maverick of the Week

Karis was the 2nd Grade Maverick of the Week for the week of March 7th. She couldn't remember all of what her teacher said to her when she was recognized, so I emailed her teacher. 

This is what her teacher said:

"The second grade teachers selected Karis for her patience, collaboration with peers, and her work ethic. She certainly deserves the recognition! I'm very lucky to have her in my room."

We are very proud of her!

We went out to dinner and got ice cream afterwards to celebrate!

Spring Soccer

Karis has started her second season of soccer. She is excited to play! Her team chose a new name and color. This season they are the Shooting Stars. 

This is Karis before her first game. It was an early game and it was cold! 

Guess who is the new Assistant Coach for the Shooting Stars?  Daddy-o!  He is excited to support the team and work with a great head coach. Karis is getting used to having her Daddy on the field with her. They are learning to respect one another and work together in a team setting!

Psalm 1

Our church challenged everyone to memorize Psalm 1 as a family. Karis and Makena were up for the challenge.  They worked hard and each week they memorized a verse until they had all six memorized. 

1 Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law] of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, 

but the way of the wicked will perish.

The kids were highly motivated by a donut party for those who memorized the chapter. They were excited to get their special ticket to the party! 

Karis even got to throw a pie in her teacher's face. All part of the party fun! We love our church that teaches us and challenges all of us to live as followers of Jesus.