Bye-Bye Kindergarten

As cliche as it may sound - I really wish time would slow down a little.  I swear Zane was just born yesterday and here he is moving on to 1st grade!  This has been an amazing year for Zane - he has grown leaps and bounds since the first day of school.  He has not only grown academically, but he has grown physically and most importantly he has grown in maturity.  Of course he's still a boy and thinks farts and burps are hilarious - but he is such a sweet boy and so kind hearted to those around him (except maybe not always to his brother!).  Zane has made so many great friends this year and many of them are ones I think he'll have for years to come.  We are so proud to call this boy our son.

My how he has grown up!  You don't really realize it until you compare photos side by side!

Due to the rain soaking the grass, the class picnic was held inside the classroom!  Zane's wonderful teacher Mrs. Boysen started to cry when she talked about this class.  She has been teaching for 17 years and said she can honestly say that this has been her favorite class.  She is a very genuine person, I believe her when she says this.  Having met all of Zane's class and so many of the parents, I can see why she'd say that.  This has really been a wonderful group of kids - the perfect mix of silly and serious!  Mrs. Boysen handed each child a "diploma" congratulating them on moving on to 1st grade! The kids loved walking up to grab theirs!

After we all ate our lunches - we headed outside to the Kindergarten Corral for the last time to play! Next school year they will not be allowed to play in there anymore - it'll be only for the new K students!  One of the moms did face painting and there was sidewalk chalk and bubbles galore!  The kids ran around crazy and the parents all chatted and promised plans of playdates over the summer!  I could've stayed out there for hours doing this - it was awesome.

Zane & Quinn

Zane & Rihtik (one of his best buds)

It was now time to head back into the classroom; pack up our stuff and say our good-byes (or see-ya-later's).  This was more emotional for me (and for some of the kids) than I had expected it to be.  It's like the ending of an era!  

Zane & Mrs. Boysen

Zane & Davis (another one of his best buds)

Quinn, Zane, Natalie & Rihtik

Sportsmanship

Time to gush about my first born...

Yesterday, out of the blue I received an email from another mom who also happens to work at Zane's school.  She informed me that there was an assembly at school today and that I may want to be there and I might be pleasantly surprised.  Thank the Lord I have a flexible boss and job - gotta love the 1 day's notice.  I was very intrigued as to what this assembly might be about and why I should be there - obviously I knew it meant something good for Zane, but what?!  He didn't mention anything about the assembly last night, so we didn't either - maybe he didn't know either??  I took off from work this morning, headed home and grabbed Josh and up to school we walked...

We couldn't be more prouder of this kid.  They handed out 1 Sportsmanship Award to every grade level - Zane Alexander was called up first for the Kindergarteners!  Out of over 100 Kinders he was chosen by multiple staff as the most Sportsmanship like.  WOW.  He is known for cheering on all of his friends, even if they aren't on his team.  He is known for always helping a friend up when they fall and high fiving anyone who did a good job.  He is also known for always congratulating others who tried their best at something, but may not have succeeded that time.  He is an example to live by in most ways when it comes to this stuff!

I may or may not have shed a tear!

He had no idea this was happening - he was shocked and you could tell.  As soon as the principal (Mr. Wilson) called his name you could hear so many kids yelling "yay, Zane", it was so awesome.  Great Sportsmanship all around today from every single kid.  No one was upset that one person got one over another - everyone was happy for each other - it was awesome.

Here's my boy...

Young Author Night

It was Young Author Night at Zane's school tonight!  He's been looking forward to this for awhile.  I on the other hand had no idea what it was about - had never heard of it before.  Apparently, our little kiddos were practicing becoming authors this year in Kindergarten and wrote THREE books on their own!  One of their books was written and published on the iPad which apparently is very cool and they are the first class in the district to do so!

Three kids were chosen to read their iPad book to the class and all of the parents - Zane was one of them!  I am always amazed at how poised he is up in front of a crowd - doesn't phase him at all!

After the three chosen kids read their books each kid was given their stack of books that they wrote with an award!  Everyone enjoyed cookies and punch and goofing off!  It was such a cute night.  I am so sad that Kindergarten is coming to an end - Zane was really blessed with a wonderful teacher and wonderful classmates.  The bar has been set very high for next year!

Siblings were invited to sit with the Kindergarteners during the "show" - Landon couldn't have been more proud and excited to sit by his big brother.  He was in awe down there with the big kids.  Every time Zane would raise his hand - Landon would raise his.  Every time the kids would break out into laughter - Landon would break out into a fit of giggles - cutest thing.

Superstar Week

Zane's Superstar Week is coming to an end - he really has enjoyed it!  We've loved having Barkley around - he's almost become one of the family; sadly, he must be returned to school tomorrow :)

Everyday this week there was a special activity for Zane at school:

{Monday} - his teacher traced his body onto butcher paper and he got to paint on his clothes!
{Tuesday} - he was supposed to pick a friend to cut out his paper person, but was home sick.
{Wednesday} - he was double Superstar - he was able to make up for Tuesday and he picked his friend Taylor to help him cut out his paper person.  I asked him why he picked her and he said "because she's nice", haha.  He was also interviewed by his class and given compliments by his class.
{Thursday} - I came to class to read his favorite book to his friends "I'll Always Love You"!
{Friday} - he turns Barkley back in and his teacher will read his journal on what he's been doing at our house all week, then the next person will enjoy him for the next week!

It's been a lot of fun!

Meet Barkley

Zane is the Superstar this next week (Friday-Friday) - this is a day he's been waiting for since the first week of school!  Each child has one week to be the Superstar - there are fun activities planned just for the Superstar everyday of the week.  One of the most coveted parts of being the Superstar is taking the class pet home for the week and journaling your activities with this pet...I'm happy to report that the class pet for Zane is stuffed because it's a dog!!

Pleased to introduce you to...Barkley...

So far today - Barkley has assisted with picking out new glasses for Zane and...

Enjoying a cake pop at Starbucks!

I'm sure you'll be hearing/seeing much more of Barkley this week - the boys are a just a little over the moon to have him here!

Mother's Day {at school}

Zane's class held a Mother's Day celebration during the last hour of school today - he has been so excited for this day and had so many surprises lined up!  We were both glad when the day finally came!

It was seriously the cutest thing ever!  The mom's all came in and as each child saw their mom, they got up and handed their mom a card and escorted them to their seat.  The kids all got up and sang 3 songs to all of us moms!  Can you say a-dor-a-ble!

After the singing the kids dispersed to their mom's and we were given instructions on how to do our craft!  The kids had already painted picture frames and now we were going to make thumb/finger print designs on the frames!  Before we were getting situated I noticed one of the little boys in the class crying (but trying to be so tough and not cry) and just standing there - I overheard his teacher say that his mom wasn't there.  My heart broke.  It was all I could do not to start crying right then and there.  I got his attention and asked him if he wanted to come sit with Zane and I and have me help him with his craft - he's a very shy kid and just stood there staring at me.  Zane then said "Kyler, I'll share my mom with you, it's fine - do you want to sit in my chair and I'll stand" - again, I wanted to cry - but this time happy tears - happy tears that my boy was so sweet.  Kyler agreed to sit with us and by the end of our time there he was smiling and happy!  I hope to God that there is NEVER a day either of my kids doesn't have me where they want me.  Working full time and having kids is no easy task, but I will do everything in my power to be at every one of their events come hell or high water - that's what vacation days are for right?!

Zane, Kyler and I

Zane doing his thumb-print designs!

Zane's frame and the card he made me...

I'd do anything for this kid!

I have this guy to thank for even being a mom - love you buddy!

  

Muffins {Donuts} with Mom

This morning was "Muffins with Mom" before school started today.  Zane was a little perplexed why they were serving donuts when it was clearly called MUFFINS with Mom!  I prefer donuts over muffins, so this mom was happy about the change up!  Landon was pretty excited to get to join in on the fun this morning too!  He never wants to leave when we are at Zane's school!

Appreciating the Teachers

Zane has a wonderful Kindergarten teacher and an awesome IA (Instructional Aid).  When you're in full day Kinder most school districts require tuition to be paid - this tuition goes to pay for the IA, so the teacher has help in the classroom.  Zane's IA is the one in the room who helps him with his Diabetes care (when the nurse isn't there) - she holds a special place in my heart and you can tell she just adores Zane (which I love)!

This week was Teacher Appreciation Week and we were sure to do something special everyday for his teachers - I had so much fun putting this stuff together and Zane had a great time picking things out and coming up with ideas.  I don't think I have baked so much in one week in my life - thankfully we had a few left overs for us to enjoy too!

Monday - Flower for each teacher

Tuesday - Starbucks (w/their names on them!!) and a fresh baked muffin

Wednesday - Note cards and chocolate covered oreo pops (even gave the Librarian one today)

Thursday - Lemon Cheesecake balls (these are to die for people)

Friday - Butterscotch Peanut Butter Bars (again, to die for), Zane colored them each a picture and
made them each a card and then a framed tree with owls (and each kids' name on an owl).
His teacher loves owls!

I have Pinterest to thank for a lot of these ideas - of course I had to put the work into re-creating many of these things - but Zane and I had a great time spoiling his teachers!  They deserved every bit of this past week!

Art Dog

Zane's class (actually all 5 Kindergarten classes) went on a field trip to go see the play Art Dog at the Seattle Children's Theatre today!  I had signed up to be one of the chaperones on this trip over a month ago - I had no idea that it would end up being an 80+ day - score!  What a great day to have off work and spend with my #1!

Each parent chaperone was assigned 2 kids - here are the two I had!  They were told by their teachers to hold hands whenever they were outside walking, so we could all manage to stay together - cute!

 After the play was over we headed outside to have our lunches and the kids discovered the fountain and off they went!  What a great day to be outside and near the water fountain!  I think everyone; parents included, had a great time.

Heading back to school on the hot, hot bus!