Teaching Neighbors

Cheerleading try-out are approaching. Sofia, our neighbor, is planning to try out too. She came over to work on her jumps with Lexi. Of course, her sister, Isa, came with her. They were out on the trampoline for a while. 

Shooting Hoops

In the movie, Field of Dreams, they say "If you build it, he will come." I think that is true about neighbor kids too. When we put up the trampoline, they were constantly at our house. Today, many of them showed up to play on our new hoop. I have a feeling Knock Out is going to be a regular activity around here for a while.

Snow in Houston

We woke up to find snow... here in Houston! That's a big deal. It rarely happens here. The last time it snowed was 8 years ago, when we were in San Diego, so we missed it. Lexi was really upset that I made her go to school. The roads were clear and I knew it would melt soon. She got to play in it before school, all the way while we walked there, and during first period, which is PE. I know that because I did my morning walk after dropping Jordan off and I saw all of her PE class out there having fun. 

Walking Home

Lexi and the neighbor girls loved 6th Grade today. They got to catch up with friends, experience new things, feel more mature, and homework hasn't started yet. What's not to like? 

Cub Camp

Cub Camp was today. It is 6th grade orientation. They call it Cub Camp because their mascot is a bear and the 6th graders are little cubs. They feel very mature though. Kacy and Cole's parents dropped them off so they could go with Lexi. I walked all the neighborhood kids to the school. They loved every minute of it, especially seeing friends and touring the school.

Kacy, Cole, Toleman, Chloe, Elma, Sofia and Lexi

Field Day

These two happened to wear the same shirt today. It isn't that uncommon since this is the 5th grade t-shirt for the year, but it is still picture-worthy. Their grade have field day yesterday and then they helped with field day for the 3rd and 4th graders. Today, they are running field day for the kindergarteners, 1st graders, and 2nd graders. These end of the year tasks are all about loving school because it is secretly fun.

I just got the photo below from Lexi's teacher showing her class studying owl bones. I guess they are actually working too.

Day of the Braids

There is a silly email/text going around the Jr High and Elementary telling all the girls to wear braids today to see if the boys notice. I knew the boys wouldn't notice, but it is kind of a unifying thing for the girls. I asked Lexi if she would like Jordan to spread the word around so that some boys may look. I took a few pictures of Lexi and our neighbor, Sofia, on our way to school this morning. 

Spring Picture Day

It is Spring Picture Day at school. This is when they take the class pictures too. I decided that I didn't want to buy them this year because I am already buying the year book for each kid. Instead, I snapped a few before school pictures and one with the neighbors that we walk to school every day too.

Neighborhood Elementary Gang

When we were in Miami, we heard lots of talk about diversity. You hear about it all over, but our county has the exact same percentages of different races as the entire US population. Just look at the group, we usually walk with in the morning. My kids are the only blonde "Americans," Sofia and Isa are from Columbia. Elma & Tolman are from India. Emily is Chinese and Chloe is half Chinese. Unfortunately for us, my kids are the only ones that can't speak another language. This is only 5 of the families in our little neighborhood. We also have Venezuelans, Russians, Pakastani, and many others. 

Birthday Celebration

This year, I wasn't up for a huge birthday celebration. I told Lexi that we could just invite the neighborhood kids that show up on a regular basis and feed them cookie cake. They jumped on the trampoline for a while and then enjoyed the cookie cake. It wasn't about presents or anything else, just a little celebration right here - easy peasy. 

First Day of 5th Grade

School started again today and Lexi is a big 5th grader. I can't believe this is her last year in elementary school. I swear she started kindergarten a year or two ago. She has really grown over the summer. She is now up to my lips, so it will not be long before she catches up and passes me. 

Lexi was very excited to see her friends and get back to school, but she was "not want to learn." That basically means, she doesn't want all the work only the fun parts. Oh well.  Lexi picked out her clothes this year. I, of course, had to approve, but I gave her a lot of the decision making. I did insist on longer shorts though. She wanted ones that were about finger tip length. I just like the Bermuda ones better. 

The school has an whole bunch of new kids thanks to boundary changes. A school nearby was at 125% capacity and our school has been at 75% capacity, so they shifted a bunch of those kids over. This is a new year, with lots of new kids. 

We are walking our neighbors, Sofia and Isabella, again this year. Their parents are teacher in another school. They need a little help getting to school and coming home.

Big 5th Graders: Lexi & Sofia

Got to the school a little early (Lexi did NOT want to be late, which we NEVER are)

Lexi with her homeroom teacher, Ms. Torres - She has 3 main teachers this year and a few more for specials like P.E., Art and Music.

Cluster of Kids

Sometimes, we have a whole cluster of kids walking with us to and from school. Most of them are latchkey kids so I watch out for them. It takes a village to raise a kid and someone has to be around to do it. I am lucky that I have the flexibility to.

Walking to School

Some of our neighbors asked if their girls could walk to school with us a few days a week. Their parents are teachers in a different school district. We will be seeing more of Sofia and Issa. 

Playdate with Neighbor

Lexi and Jordan have been asking to have neighbor friends over after school.  Lexi had Kristina come.  They did their homework together, giggled, and had fun before we walked her home.  Kristina and Lexi were in the same class in first grade.  She lives in our neighborhood, so she often walks with us after school or I give her a ride when I drive because it is too hot or too cold.