Waterpark is Open Again

It is that time of year again when the weather is getting quite hot here in Texas.  It hit the 90s several times (if not every day) this week.  Fortunately, our community has opened the water park on the weekends.  We definitely took advantage of it today.  The kids picked up where they left off last year.  She even got to race down the blue slides with Samantha, a friend from church.  Soon, school will be out and we'll be spending LOTS of time there.  Hopefully, Lexi will be able to learn proper swimming techniques.  She has the doggy paddle down pat.   

AR Level 12

Today was tie dye day at Lexi's school, but more important than that she was able to reach a great reading milestone.  Her school uses the Accelerated Reader (AR) program.  In kindergarten, they start the year off with 50 sight words.  To move on to first grade, they have to pass those off - meaning they have 3 seconds to read each word on the list.  Once that has been completed, they move on to an additional 100 sight words.  If those are passed off, they can start the AR program. 

The program reading books (mostly typical library books for this age) and taking a comprehension test on each one.  They get points based on their scores.  There are levels in the program and when they hit the last three levels they get rewards.  For level 10, they get a teddy bear.  For level 11, they get to take a movie to school and watch it in the library with a friend they choose.  Lexi is showing off her level 11 ticket in the above picture.  She has also completed level 12 this week, which means that she gets to go on Destinations (a special field trip) with the librarian.  Where they are going is a big secret.  I guess I'll find out when I sign the permission slip. 

Lexi is very excited about it.  This year, they have had more kids reach level 12 than ever before.  There are 72 kids out of all of the 9 kindergarten classes.  Usually, they are happy to have a few kids from each class. 

Report Card & Art

Lexi brought home her report card and art project on Friday.  I had to sign the report card and return it today, so I thought I'd take a picture of both.  As you can see, she is doing well.  I can't believe that she only has 6 more weeks of kindergarten.  This year has flown by too quickly. 

Camden's Pirate Party

We went to Camden's 7th Birthday party today.  We had so much fun doing pirate things with our friends.

 Little Pirates: Camden & Jordan and Savannah, Lexi & McKenna

 Lexi & McKenna Swinging

Making Treasure Maps

Birthday Boy: Captain Camden

Swabbing the Deck

 

 Water Relay Races

Looking for Buried Treasure

Pirates Posing

Obstacle Course



School Festival

Lexi's school festival was tonight.  It is one of the MANY ways that the PTA raises money.  Actually, it is quite ridiculous how much money the PTA thinks they need, but that is a whole other post.  Tonight was about fun too.  We purchased tickets so that the kids could enjoy some of the activities.  I told Lexi and Jordan that they could only pick a few.  Lexi went on a huge inflatable (pictured above) and then had her heart set on the zip line.  One of our neighbors was standing in line for his family and said he'd save us a spot too, which was great since it took half an hour to get to the front.  Riding the zip line ended up being the best part of the evening for Lexi.  She didn't show any signs of fear at any time. 



A Favorite Dinner

The kids and I rarely go out to eat, but we still like to eat all different kinds of food.  One of Lexi's favorite meals at Panera Bread is broccoli cheddar chowder in a bread bowl.  I decided to make our own version at home.  I made the bread bowls today and the chowder this evening.  I don't think Panera Bread's chowder has potatoes or carrots, but the kids didn't seem to know that.  The great thing about making them at home is that we can have the same thing tomorrow night with very little effort.  All I have to do is heat it up. 



Pirate Girl Art

Today, I found this picture Lexi had drawn and it made me smile.  What a cute pirate girl!  I just had to share it. 

Hula Hoops

Lexi has developed her talent for hula hooping.  She even competed in a contest on one of the weekends when she was with her dad.  Despite the fact that she was by far the youngest, she made it to the top three.  Steve said he thought the others looked like they were about 10 or 12 years old.  When they tried to narrow the playing field, they had them do extra tricks like turn around and walk.  As they were walking, Lexi's hula hoop dropped. 
Here is a video of her:

Easter Thoughtfulness

This afternoon, Lexi and Jordan decided to put together an Easter surprise for me while I worked on my computer.  I had no idea they were doing.  I just thought they were having fun coloring at the table.  They brought it up to me.  I had to take a picture because it was just so sweet.  They even drew colorful eggs for me and put one of the clay art projects from school in the bucket.  They crinkled a paper to act as tissue paper.  Lexi said she felt sad that I didn't get an Easter basket.  When we were in California, my mom always made sure I had one. 

Don't feel sorry for me.  I have been very spoiled.  My mom sent me some very nice Easter gifts this year (a juicer & a blender), but the kids noticed that they weren't in a basket.  We are also going to have our dinner with a bunch of good friends.  What more could we ask for?

Easter Sunday

Jordan and Lexi looked quite adorable in their Easter Sunday clothes.  I made the dress for Lexi.  I wanted her to have something bright and fun for church. 

Easter Morning 2012

It is finally Easter and the kids are very excited.  I had them pose for a picture on the stairs before they tore through the house searching for their baskets.  Jordan found his first.  Lexi followed quickly.  Her basket was in a kitchen cabinet - sneaky Easter Bunny!  She had coloring books, clothes, cookies and a DVD called Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.  She has been wanting that movie for a while. 

Easter Egg Hunt

This evening, we had a little Easter Egg Hunt in our house.  I told the kids that I am planning on leaving a note for the Easter Bunny letting him know that they did not need any candy.  They have had plenty.  I hid the eggs around the living room while they played upstairs.  When I was ready, they came down and filled their baskets with eggs.   



Easter Celebration with Friends

Our good friends invited us to celebrate Easter with them tonight.  They served pizza and salad for dinner and then we had the kids play games, do crafts, decorate eggs, and of course do an Easter egg hunt.  This was a special egg hunt in the dark using flash lights.  The eggs were empty though.  Too many bugs in Texas.  It was all fun and they gave the kids snack bags later.