New School

The girls got into a local charter school called Providence Hall. I put their names in the lottery back in February and 3 days before school was about to start at their old school I got a call from Providence Hall telling me I had 24 hours to let them know if we were interested in taking the 2 open slots for the girls.

Andy and I talked about it and decided that it was definitely the best move for our family. So far, it has been wonderful! The girls love their teachers, I'm pleased with the curriculum, they come home happy and seem to be learning a lot! Here they are on their first days of school. (Jess started a few days after Syd because of Kindergarten testing)

I love that they wear uniforms! My little preppy girls!

Graduations

The girls have both graduated. It's been a while since Jess had her preschool graduation but I'm just getting around to posting it. I know.

Jess had a speaking part and did wonderful! She memorized it in about 10 minutes.

"Capitol letters begin our names

which we have learned to write

lowercase complete the rest

we'll show you here tonight"

She did so great! She sang some fun songs and even got to wear a graduation cap and gown and walk down the isle to accept her diploma. So cute!

Here she is with her teacher, Mrs. Teresa (the most wonderful teacher ever!!!)
Jess with her friend Rebecca
And the family. Don't mind Kayman stuffing the cookie into his face.
Syd had her Kindergarten "graduation" program. She sang about 12 songs and the kids recited a few poems about the seasons. We were sitting so far back I didn't get a great picture of them singing, but here is a picture of most of her class. Her teacher Mrs. Black was great. Syd liked her. She met a lot of fun friends in her class and loved kindergarten! Syd is definitely excited for first grade! She is in the back row, second from the left in the red dress.
I can't believe I will have 2 kids in school. Kayman and I will have to find things to do while the girls are in school. Should be interesting! He'll definitely keep me busy!

One, Two, Buckle my shoe

Syd had her first presentation at school! She memorized the nursery rhyme "One Two Buckle my Shoe" and presented it to her Kindergarten class and lots of parents. She didn't even get too nervous. We came up with some signs I could give her from across the room to prompt her if she forgot, and she only needed my help 2 times!

One, Two, Buckle my shoe

Three, Four, knock on the door

Five, Six, pick up sticks

Seven, Eight, lay them straight

Nine, Ten, big fat hen

Eleven, Twelve, dig and delve

Thirteen, Fourteen, maids in courting

Fifteen, Sixteen, maids in the kitchen

Seventeen, Eighteen, maids in waiting

Nineteen, Twenty, my plate's empty

I had never heard the whole thing before so we learned it together. Syd took a shovel for her prop and pretended to dig during the line "dig and delve." She did so great! I was so proud of her.

Preschooler!

Jessica has been just dying to go to preschool. On the first day of school for Syd last year Jess cried the whole time Syd was gone. She really wanted to go with her. Now, after watching her big sister go for 2 years, Jessica's turn finally came around!

Jess was SO excited to wear her new shirt and show off her new haircut to Mrs. Teresa and her new friends. She knows 4 of the kids in her class already from church, so that helped her feel more comfortable. She had a hard time sleeping the night before because she was getting a little anxious, but in the morning she was just ready to go!

Mrs. Teresa is a wonderful teacher. She works very well with all the kids and helps them feel comfortable from the very beginning. Here she is with Jessica, who is still a little nervous. She was the first one there so I got to stay with her for a minute so she could transition.

Jess came home from school with a great big smile on her face and all kinds of stories about what they did the first day. She even got a piece of cake! She loves preschool!

My big girl!

Syd started kindergarten on August 4th and she LOVES it! Her teacher, Mrs. Black, is great with her and Syd couldn't be happier. She was a little bummed that she didn't know anyone in her class, but she is already making friends. She finds some of her preschool friends at recess and gets to play with them a little bit too.

Syd went in for testing the week before school started, and I think she did great. Mrs. Black asked her to spell a few words and Syd froze. She has never spelled before and didn't really know what to do. Mrs. Black just told her to do her best and Syd started writing something (I didn't get to see what) and ever since then she has been very interested in how things are spelled.

She is already such a good student. Each of the kids is supposed to read or be read to for 15 minutes every day. Syd makes sure she gets her reading in, and she uses it as an excuse to stay up late in bed with her light on. "Mrs. Black said we have to read, so I have to stay up and read my books!" How can I argue with that?

So now that Syd is in the big school and going every day, she is trying to figure out her new place. She is acting up a lot and just waiting to see what my reactions will be. She has been a little difficult to be around, we are butting heads quite a bit. Hopefully as we get into a routine things will get better. Of course, as soon as we establish a routine, she will go off track for 3 weeks. Gotta love year round school.

Preschool Graduation

Sydney graduated from preschool!  I can't believe my child is going to kindergarten next year!  I always told myself that when I had kids old enough to Elementary school I would officially be old.  Well, I guess it's official.  

Syd had a wonderful time at Preschool and is ready to go to Kindergarten in a couple months.  She learned a lot from Ms. Teresa and will always remember her.  For about a week after school got out she kept begging me to go visit her.  She loved her experience there.  She memorized her part for the graduation ceremony and said it perfectly, and she was one of the only kids I could hear singing the songs.  I really love my Sydney.  Here are some pictures...

Here I am with my sweet graduate and my 2 other very cooperative children.  Andy was out of town, but my mom and mother in law both came to support Syd.

Syd said her part perfectly!

Me and my Syd.  She's looking more like me every day!
Syd and her teacher, Ms. Teresa.  She is a wonderful woman who always had very nice things to say about Syd.  She will get to teach Jessica in a few months!  Thank you Ms. Teresa, you are wonderful!