Spelling Bee Drama

With Brianna attending the same school as Allie, you would think that things would get easier.  I feel as though there are days when things are much crazier!  Last week, our school held the individual class spelling bees. This is a program that begins in our kindergarten classes and runs through eighth grade.  Allie has always tried her hardest, but has never placed in this event.  She doesn't seem to get upset, but wants to do better the next year.  Well, this year she placed third in her class!  Way to go Allie!  She will be competing in the third grade spelling bee next week.  But Brianna was a different story!  Remember that she is only in kindergarten, she is just now learning sight words, and she is trying to sound out everything that she can.  She got so upset when she didn't win any part of the spelling bee, she caused herself to hyperventilate.  it got even funnier as I spoke to her about it that evening.  I told her that if she was trying her hardest and doing her best that I would always be proud of her.  Brianna replied "what if I tried my hardest, but I was not doing my best?".  It took a lot for me not to laugh at this comment.  She is so precious!
Happy Spelling!

Mr. Mom

As I was preparing for my teaching conference, I was asking the girls what information I needed to leave for Heath.  The girls and I decided to write Heath a book. Each day was another "chapter." On each day, there were places for the girls to check off the things that they have to complete, as well as, a place for Heath to check off.

After speaking to my family the first night I was gone, I had a renewed feeling of being needed. I think that Heath understands a little more of what I do on a daily basis.

I know that they will be excited to see me upon my return!

Lost tooth!

It is official, our baby girl is growing up fast!  Brianna has had a few wiggly teeth for awhile.  This weekend, we were sure that one of them would fall out.  She proved us wrong!  Brianna was scared to pull her tooth out. 
On the way to school today, I told her that Mr. R (my associate) was a trained professional for pulling teeth.  Once we arrived, she went up to him and asked if he would pull out her tooth.  In a matter of seconds it was out and she was all smiles! 
Many thanks to Mr. R - for doing the impossible that no one in our house was allowed to do!!

What summer?

You are probably wondering what happened to the Walters' over the summer?! We had quite an adventure this summer . . . we got to take a month long vacation!  The girls and I went from Hilton Head to Cary to Florida!!  We have spent time with our cousins, visited museums, and danced in the town square.  Our favorite spot was the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science.  First of all, it was free!  There was a whole section of hands-on items.  In fact, the directions from the leader in the room was to play with and touch everything! The girls got to see bees making honey, dress up like different insects, and use binoculars to see construction across the parking lot.  We want to go back and visit so that we can see veterinary sciences at work.  I was told that we can see live surgeries in the "new" wing of the museum.
We are back to school in three days!  We are all very excited for this because Allie and Bri will both be at my school. Allie is in my grade and Bri is in kindergarten.  I am not sure who is more excited: Heath, Allie, Bri, or ME?!

Fantastic Zootastic! / Library Sushi

On Thursday, the girls and I ventured to Zootastic for Teacher Appreciation Day.  This is always a summertime favorite.  We get free entry and lunch at Zootastic park.  This year, we took another teacher friend with us.  The girls had a great time feeding the goats and llamas.  We saw so many baby animals.  There was a baby:
1. zebra
2. llama (times 2)
3. lemur
4. kangaroo
5. tiger
6. lion
7. chicken
This was so exciting to see that many baby animals just feet away!

I just love our public library!  Ms. Amrita is wonderful!!  This week she taught the kids about Japan.  They made fish shaped kites.  But the most fun was making PB&J sushi!  This is the girls' favorite way to eat their lunch now.  They will even eat the crust.  If you haven't tried it, cookie butter from trader joes is wonderful!  This is peanut butter with crushed gingerbread cookies.  It makes a great snack or is great on "sushi."

Passport to Mexico, Australia, and Poland

Well, Michael's Arts and Crafts has begun their summer crafting adventure.  We were able to go on Saturday, but we had already missed the first two craft adventures.  We were the only people at the kid's craft area, so Ms. Angela let us make up the previous activities.  So, for the record breaking cost of $1.48, the girls made 6 different art projects!  They had a blast!  The girls got to work on crafts from Mexico, Australia, and Poland.  Brianna's favorite craft was the monarch butterfly and Allie's was the stingray. I had to clear space on the dining room shelves (china cabinet) to display all of their work.

Summer has begun!

Well, it is official!  Technology repels me and summer is here and already our schedule is crazy.  Most of you know that I am the queen of free summer activities for the kids.  Here is a little list that I put together for other cheap and fun things to do in the Charlotte area: http://www.socratesacademy.us/up-to-grade-level-websites/third-grade/announcements.aspx. Just click on the "summer fun" link on the page and you should be able to find something to do with your kids.

Since Allie and Heath were off at Camp Kids Jam with church, Brianna and I got to do a few things together.  We went uptown (and walked a ton!) and had lunch with Auntie M.  Then we were off to Imaginon for the Castles and Dragons exhibit.  It was great fun! We were going to audition for American Idol, but Brianna was hungry and wanted to visit with Auntie M.  Instead, we just sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" all the way up Trade Street.  I think that we entertained a few people along the way.

We took a picnic lunch to the park and walked along all of the trails until we found a table in the shade.  Once again, we sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" while we ate.  We found the ball fields (behind the park) and we were able to fly our kite!  This was exciting because the first kite we bought was a bust.  We were so happy with our purchase and the kite's flying ability, we went back to Target and got a second kite for Allie.

Bri and I visited the Mint Hill Library for the Reedy Creek Nature Center presentation.  Brianna had a blast learning about nocturnal animals.  She really enjoyed Popcorn.  No they did not serve snacks, he was the corn snake that Ms. Heather brought from the nature center. 

Today we learned that Michael's Arts and Crafts and Barnes and Noble also have there summer programs up and running.  We can hardly wait to get started! Now all we need is for Allie and Heath to return from camp and join in the fun!