The first day of Sunshine School, September '05
The last day of school, May '06. My, how they've grown!
The last day of school, May '06. My, how they've grown! 
Well, today marks the end of another preschool year around our house. The last day of school was yesterday, but today, I finished cleaning out my room and reorganizing my lesson plans. So, now, it's officially done. Until August, anyway. Kendyll and I celebrated yesterday by going to get ice cream (while Carlie took a nap!), going to the Galleria to play, and then to meet Daddy and Carlie at Macaroni Grill for a "Celebrating Summer" dinner. It was a great night and reminded me of years ago when school was out and you felt free!
I LOVE preschool. I love the smiles and hugs I get from my students, I love the ages from two to four, I love getting to see my fellow teachers and friends two days a week, I love feeling like I get to "make a difference" for a few children every year, and I love what my children learn and the friends they make at Sunshine School. This year was a great one, for all involved.
Carlie had a great year with Mrs. Leslie and learned a few letters (mainly "B" & "S") and colors (favorites are still yellow and black). She also learned how to "ask" for things instead of scream (something I was REALLY hoping would eventually start clicking!) Now she cocks her head to the side and says "Peeeeaaas" anytime she wants something. She made new friends, even though she scared the boys in her class within the first week of school. (They played with a flower garden playcenter that she loved....she screamed right in Henry's face when he dared come near it, and made him cry. Needless to say, he didn't touch that toy for months-- I must admit, Carlie knows how to hold her own with her peers.) She learned to color with crayons, and count (saying Un, do, ee for one, two, three....and then she starts over at one). What she didn't learn was how to say her friend's names, or much else for that matter, even though most of her class is extremely verbal. She didn't learn how to take a good nap at school..or even a bad nap, really. And, she didn't learn how to wait patiently in my classroom each morning until it was her turn for school. (She was usually running down the hallways until every teacher heard me yelling "CAAARRRRLLLIIIEEEE!!!") But, I am thankful for her sweet teacher who loved her just as she was and celebrated Carlie for the spunky girl that she always is. Now, I must begin praying for next year's teacher, Mrs. Rebecca, that Carlie will be able to nap on a nap mat for her, sit in a big girl chair, and be a NICE friend to others. I told her future teacher today, that her teacher gifts will start in June, so that she will be nicely "prepared" for Carlie by August!
Kendyll had an awesome year. She had two different teachers who worked so well with her personality and also celebrated Kendyll's strengths and encouraged her so much. I don't know if I could list the things she's learned from Mrs. Holly and then from Mrs. Marla. But, a few of the high points would be sounding out and reading simple words, writing all of our family's names, as well as many other phrases and names of friends. She perfected her skills at drawing rainbows with clouds at each end, houses with windows, pictures of our family, and mommy with her braces. She also says that she knows how to draw neighborhoods, but I have no idea what that means. :) She learned the pledge to Texas (& America of course!), as well as some great national and Texan songs. She is still working on coloring "in the lines", although I still don't know if that's something I want her to already do! I want her to feel free to color all over the place for as long as she can, before she faces the rigid world of black and white lines. :)
She has some of her very best friends in Sunshine School and we have had the blessing of knowing each of their families better and better through our children being in school together. She is already planning many playtimes and sleepovers with her school friends this summer. Now, something she didn't learn: Although there are many things she hasn't learned yet, the big one with Kendyll is keeping her emotions in check. She hasn't come close to mastering the art of talking without whining when she is disappointed. And, she sure can't calmly react when someone messes with her stuff, gets out of line, or hurts her in any way. When will she change this? That one kills me. I want her to be able to be a "big girl" and not react so dramatically. This one we WILL be working on before next year (I promise we will, Mrs. Rutledge!)
So, summer is here and we are all so happy. Next year will be another fun year, I'm sure, but a break from the schedule of school will be wonderful. Kendyll's already planning trips to the zoo, the library, the pool, piano camp in June, and trips to every grandparent's house too. She's already said that she is going to play toys and swim at Grandma's new house, ride horses at Gammy's, and play soccer on the HUGE soccer field at Granddad's. (Dad, she thinks you are making your "long backyard" into a soccer field for her....don't know where that came from!) Anyway, lots of fun stuff planned and hopefully, lots of good time for mommy to work on her projects!! (and, of course, play too!)
Well, I'm off to drag out the pool and all the floating toys from the garage shelves. Happy summer to you all.
I LOVE preschool. I love the smiles and hugs I get from my students, I love the ages from two to four, I love getting to see my fellow teachers and friends two days a week, I love feeling like I get to "make a difference" for a few children every year, and I love what my children learn and the friends they make at Sunshine School. This year was a great one, for all involved.
Carlie had a great year with Mrs. Leslie and learned a few letters (mainly "B" & "S") and colors (favorites are still yellow and black). She also learned how to "ask" for things instead of scream (something I was REALLY hoping would eventually start clicking!) Now she cocks her head to the side and says "Peeeeaaas" anytime she wants something. She made new friends, even though she scared the boys in her class within the first week of school. (They played with a flower garden playcenter that she loved....she screamed right in Henry's face when he dared come near it, and made him cry. Needless to say, he didn't touch that toy for months-- I must admit, Carlie knows how to hold her own with her peers.) She learned to color with crayons, and count (saying Un, do, ee for one, two, three....and then she starts over at one). What she didn't learn was how to say her friend's names, or much else for that matter, even though most of her class is extremely verbal. She didn't learn how to take a good nap at school..or even a bad nap, really. And, she didn't learn how to wait patiently in my classroom each morning until it was her turn for school. (She was usually running down the hallways until every teacher heard me yelling "CAAARRRRLLLIIIEEEE!!!") But, I am thankful for her sweet teacher who loved her just as she was and celebrated Carlie for the spunky girl that she always is. Now, I must begin praying for next year's teacher, Mrs. Rebecca, that Carlie will be able to nap on a nap mat for her, sit in a big girl chair, and be a NICE friend to others. I told her future teacher today, that her teacher gifts will start in June, so that she will be nicely "prepared" for Carlie by August!
Kendyll had an awesome year. She had two different teachers who worked so well with her personality and also celebrated Kendyll's strengths and encouraged her so much. I don't know if I could list the things she's learned from Mrs. Holly and then from Mrs. Marla. But, a few of the high points would be sounding out and reading simple words, writing all of our family's names, as well as many other phrases and names of friends. She perfected her skills at drawing rainbows with clouds at each end, houses with windows, pictures of our family, and mommy with her braces. She also says that she knows how to draw neighborhoods, but I have no idea what that means. :) She learned the pledge to Texas (& America of course!), as well as some great national and Texan songs. She is still working on coloring "in the lines", although I still don't know if that's something I want her to already do! I want her to feel free to color all over the place for as long as she can, before she faces the rigid world of black and white lines. :)
She has some of her very best friends in Sunshine School and we have had the blessing of knowing each of their families better and better through our children being in school together. She is already planning many playtimes and sleepovers with her school friends this summer. Now, something she didn't learn: Although there are many things she hasn't learned yet, the big one with Kendyll is keeping her emotions in check. She hasn't come close to mastering the art of talking without whining when she is disappointed. And, she sure can't calmly react when someone messes with her stuff, gets out of line, or hurts her in any way. When will she change this? That one kills me. I want her to be able to be a "big girl" and not react so dramatically. This one we WILL be working on before next year (I promise we will, Mrs. Rutledge!)
So, summer is here and we are all so happy. Next year will be another fun year, I'm sure, but a break from the schedule of school will be wonderful. Kendyll's already planning trips to the zoo, the library, the pool, piano camp in June, and trips to every grandparent's house too. She's already said that she is going to play toys and swim at Grandma's new house, ride horses at Gammy's, and play soccer on the HUGE soccer field at Granddad's. (Dad, she thinks you are making your "long backyard" into a soccer field for her....don't know where that came from!) Anyway, lots of fun stuff planned and hopefully, lots of good time for mommy to work on her projects!! (and, of course, play too!)
Well, I'm off to drag out the pool and all the floating toys from the garage shelves. Happy summer to you all.
Pictures from our Super Summer Day at school yesterday:
3 comments:
WOW! I cannot believe how much they have grown this year! Carlie is like a completely different kid. And check out the tan Kendyll had...nice!!
I am looking forward to blogging about my last day of school, although it is still FOUR WEEKS away :( We will have to do some swimming with you this summer!
Love you!
Such pretty little girls!! EVERYTIME I see them they are well-dressed and clean!! They have grown so much!
I had time to process that I am really going to miss passing you in the halls :(
If Kendyll is in my class I will be so happy! I have had PLENTY of success at our house with drama and changing our reactions from a negative into a positive! My favorite line to Kylie is, "Don't cry over spilt milk!" I'm sure Kendyll will be a dream......and it will be Mrs. Traci.....yeah!!
We have got to get the girls together this summer!
What a sweet post! I love how you included what the girls didn't learn--it takes some good parenting to acknowledge your child's imperfections!
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