As Requested by Caroline

Caroline thinks its really neat that I have a blog for friends to keep up with us. She thinks that Michelle lets her kids see it all the time {don't worry girl, she has no clue you never even look at this thing!} and that her best buds know what she is up to! So occasionally she'll ask me if I put {blank} on my blog? Ummm....maybe?

So the other day she saw me putting up pictures of her graduation, and wanted to know why I didn't post pictures of the gift we made for her teacher? I had no answer. I couldn't exactly tell her that not everyone wants to know about every little thing we do.

In fear that she will have her oh-so-sensitive-as-of-late feelings hurt, I am going to post pictures of the book we made for Caroline's sweet teacher. Yes, I have pictures because it was either take pictures of the book, or I had to make 2 so that she would have one too!


We thought it was a cute idea, and a great way to commemorate her 1st year of school! I just asked her a bunch of questions, and she answered them...in her own words!

Graduation

Yes, it seems silly to me that we have Kindergarten Graduation...but I still think its adorable! Let me just tell you how cute & proud they all looked up on stage in the caps & gowns...stinking precious! They seemed so small last August when we all dropped them off. And then they walked in for graduation and I was so sad because they didn't look so little anymore...our babes were growing up.

Getting her Diploma from the Principal

With Her Class

Caroline's teacher, Mrs. Barrick & Caroline{duh}

We were so blessed to have Mrs. Barrick as Caroline's kindergarten teacher! She is truly wonderful! Caroline is so sad that Mrs. Barrick will not be there next year {she is having a baby in late August, so she's gonna stay home and play mommy}! She was so kind and sweet with the kids, and honestly taught them sooo much! I am very thankful that Caroline had such a great teacher! Thanks Jessica for everything over the last year! Best of luck with the new baby!


After it was over, we took Caroline to get some ice cream at Coldstone Creamery...yummy! The had cotton candy with gummy bears. I went for sweet cream with almonds and chocolate!


Just the 3 of Us


Then the little diva's went with Steven to see Up while I went home to cook us all dinner. They had a great time, and loved their special day together!

Can it Really Be Almost Over?

I cannot believe Kindergarten is about to be over! Really. I swear it was just last week that I cried my eyes out as I walked Boog into the mean evil school {my words, not hers}. I was so heartbroken. If you don't remember how cute she was or how pathetic I was, you can refresh your memory of her 1st day of school.

So this whole thing is quickly coming to an end. Faster than I ever thought possible. We have been so busy this month that sometimes I'm not even sure what the date is! Field day was just 2 weeks ago.





Then last week we had the end-of-the-year swim party at the water park, and the same night we had Book Night at Barnes & Noble! Whew! What a day that was...Boog was so worn out she was in tears when we left the bookstore. Poor thing!

This week is pretty quiet, but then we have graduation next week. I just can't believe it's coming to an end. Wow!

YeeeHaw!

Today was the Kindergarten Rodeo, and let me just tell you, I don't think I have ever seen a group of kids so excited! Seriously. They were super cute!

What makes it even better for me...Boog got to participate when we didn't even think she would BE there today! Remember, she was supposed to be on her last day of IVIG infusions, but Praise God, she didn't need a single one! She was really sad last week when she thought she would be in the hospital and miss the rodeo, she said they had been practicing for a while and she wanted to be there. Not only was she there, but she didn't have to sit on the side and watch!

I'm telling you, these kids wore themselves plum out! They started by doing a musical in the gym, they did several songs, and had tons of fun! They all rode in on wooden horses they made out of yard sticks...so much fun! Afterwards, we all went outside where they had "Rodeo Events" set-up. Talk about going all out, they did! They had barrel races {on their wooden horses}, target shooting {with water guns}, calf roping {with a longhorn skull and hula hoops}, oil relay races {they used colored water and had to carry a ladle full of "oil" to the next person}, and western dress.

When they were done, thay all got a turn sitting on a saddle for their Western picture. It was so much fun for the teachers, kids, and the parents...great memories!

Here are some pictures from the days events! Some of them are blurry...sorry!






Target Shooting

Calf Roping

Barrel Racing

All the girls in Caroline's Class

Caroline & Matthew



Mrs. Barrick's Kindergarten Class 08-09

Me & my baby girl



Okay...do you remember these? Yuck!
I do, and she wanted me to buy a school lunch!
Umm...no thanks, I served my time in school!

Pennies for Patients

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Caroline is just too cute! I love her to pieces, and I love her honesty in this video! Super cute!

Caroline's School is participating in this year's Pennies for Patients campaign. When she first told me about it, she never mentioned the Pasta Party. She told me about that yesterday after school! But when she 1st told me, she made me cry like a baby:

Caroline: Mommy, remember those quarters you let me have?

Me: Of course I remember, baby.

Caroline: Well, I took them to school and gave them away.

Me: Caroline, I didn't let you have them so you could give them away, they were to put in your piggy bank!

Caroline: But mom, other kids needed them!

Me: Well, then their parents can give them money.

Caroline: But they don't have any. It's for Pennies for Patients.

Me: What?

Caroline: Pennies for Patients mom. We can bring our money from our piggy banks if we want to, we don't have to, it's our choice, and we give them to kids who have all different blood cancers that are in the hospital.

Several Minutes pass

Me: {Bawling} You gave those kids your quarters?

Caroline: Yes, why are you crying, because I was in the hospital?

Me: Partly, but mostly because I think your so sweet to give those kids your money, and it makes me proud.

Caroline: Do you mind if I take my whole piggy bank to them, they need it.

Me: {Crying even harder now} Sure baby, and you can have all our change too.

Caroline: Yours and Tab's?

Me: Both of ours baby.

Caroline: Sweeeeeeet!!!! I'm going get to write my name on 2 papers for helping!

Apparently, the Kindergarten class who has the most kids donate, will win a Pasta Party from Olive Garden. What makes this so sweet, is that even though Caroline wants to win the party, she already donated the first day, and then still wanted to give them her money even though it wouldn't get her class any closer to winning the party!

We counted her money yesterday morning before school and she had $12 to give! I must be doing something right!

It Really Was Whiny Wednesday

***Updated Below***

Boy oh boy was yesterday just whiny! I thought I had it bad, but nope, so did my poor Boog. We have been having a problem for the last 2 weeks of getting our clip changed at school.

*****Quick side story*****

Each child starts out on blue everyday, if they act out, don't do their work, or various other things, they have to move their "clip" to another color. The color scale is as follows: Blue {great day}, Green {had a few rough spots}, Yellow {3rd strike}, Orange {call to the parents}, & Red {you guessed it, visit the principal}.

*****Side story over*****

Out of the last 2 weeks, she has only been blue 2 times! That's just not good! Green 2 times, Yellow 3 times & Orange once! I have been so discouraged, and just can't seem to help her. So last night we were talking about ways that she can change this behavior, and I really hope she can just step up, and be a big girl. I know she can. But the whole night she cried and whined, and was just plain miserable! I'm afraid she may be coming down with something, but I'm praying she doesn't since her birthday party is this weekend! She kept on telling me she was freezing, but the house was warm. No fever though, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

On another note, one of the things I have a HUGE problem with is Boog chewing her hair....so gross! About 2 months ago, we told her if she kept doing it, we were taking her to get it cut short so that she wouldn't be able to chew on it anymore....we had to get it cut. And honestly, she looks better with short hair because it is so fine and straight, but she doesn't know that ;) She wants to have long, long hair, so getting it cut seems to work because she is so sad it's not long, she'll quit chewing on it....for a little while. Well it was finally growing out a little, enough for a ponytail at least, and she has been chewing on it again for a few weeks, so last night we trekked to get it cut...again. But, I had them stack it in the back and angle it to the front, it looks great! I'll post pics when I get the chance!

So........can anyone guess what she has been getting in trouble for at school? If you know me then this should not be so hard to figure out, I get teased all the time for doing the same thing. We'll see if anyone gets it right!

***I guess it really wouldn't be a shock huh? I mean I do have a blog and all so I can constantly "talk"!!! But yep, Caroline has been talking too much and yes dad, disrupting the class! How do I make her stop?***

So Big....continued!

Several of you asked about the end of the day, so I of course took video for you all! She had a great time as you will see in the video, she went on and on! I so wish I could have gotten some of the stuff she said on video, but I was too slow!

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Then...we have this morning. She got to ride the bus to school. Now I CAN & WILL take her to school, but she is determined that she wants to ride the bus. So, I said okay. We'll see if she feels that way tomorrow!





Much Love~ Alicia

So Big!

Of course everyone knows what today is.....the 1st day of school, Kindergarten, REAL school. I can't believe how big my baby is, it just blows my mind. Today was a traumatic event, but only for me. Caroline is a trooper, and marched right in to begin her day! She was a little nervous about going, but when we pulled in the parking lot and she saw her Uncle Ryan's car, she was ready to go! Her best friend Avery, basically her cousin, lives next door with her mom and Ryan, so she felt safe knowing that Avery was there too!

I of course cried the entire way to school, and the whole time we were there! Then I cried all the way to work, and have just recently stopped crying so that I could post about it! I have so many mixed emotions right now, that I can't even describe all of them. I am so excited for her to go and learn, but so sad because I can't just do what I want to with her anymore! No picking her up early for the zoo, or to get ice cream....she has to stay there now.

She had a good morning, Tab, and her dad (Steven) were both there to see her off, and I am picking her up when school gets out. Ok...I will just post the video and slideshow I made so you can see for yourself!

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Much Love~
Alicia

3.......

So, three days to go.....So you get 3 of my fears for Caroline starting school!

1. She will hate it!

2. She will not behave for her teacher.

3. She will be bored.

Now, I know these are normal things, and that she WILL do just fine, but give me a break, I'm her mom and I have to worry about these things. I think I'm more worried about me than her!

Much Love~
Alicia

Countdown to School!

This post is in honor of my friend Hollie, who was having a hard time with the thought of 2 of her kiddos being in school. I thought I would take the countdown next since Caroline starts school after her kids! This is a big day for not only me & Caroline, but for my best friend Michelle and her son Gabriel. Gabriel is exactly 12 weeks older than Caroline....almost to the minute (she was born @ 8:29 he was born @ 8:31)! I am completely lost in memories when I think about these 2 starting Kindergarten. For the first 3 1/2 years of their little lives, they were inseparable. When we moved down here, they were so lost without each other! Now we do our best as BFF's and mommies to get them together as often as we can! I look back at pics of them through the years, and I just can't believe the time has gone by so quickly. I know I will be a wreck next Tuesday morning, I am already very sad about it, but I will get over it when I see how much she learns and grows.

So in honor of there being 5 days until school starts and Caroline is 5 years old, I will post 5 things that you may not know about Caroline.

5. Caroline thinks that all butterflies are my mom!
--butterflies mean eternal life, so when I see them they remind me of my mom who passed away 7 years ago, but Caroline thinks that they ARE my mom!--

4. Caroline was walking at 10 months! And she never slowed down!

3. When she was born, her legs were behind her ears, and they were straight, not bent at the knees, so for a whole month, her legs would literally bounce back when you pulled them down.

2. One of my favorite things she has said, "I'm strong like Jesus". This needs no explanation, it fills my heart with joy!

1. She gets worried when I'm sick...how sweet is that? She is a very loving kid, but very strong willed, and you wouldn't think she would worry if I was sick. She will take care of me, and bring me something if I need it, she will rub my back, or my feet. Which is pretty amazing considering that she thinks that I have to do everything for her!

I just love her to pieces!

Much Love~
Alicia