Chloe's Kindergarten Graduation

Congrats graduate! Chloe, you were the joy of my life before you were even born. Although, our days are busy, I hope you know I will always make time for you. Sending you off to full-day Kindergarten was difficult, I was not ready to let you go! You are an inquisitive little girl, a comedian, with a very big heart and even bigger imagination. The days pass so quickly, and so each day I struggled to soak it all in and be present to enjoy this sweet year! It was a challenge with the birth of your brother, Kellen, but I did manage to stay involved. There is nothing that brings me greater happiness than to be a part of your life. I loved coming for lunch duty, recess, the Thanksgiving Feast, the Christmas Pageant, Mystery Reader, the Elmwood Zoo field trip, and of course, the Kindergarten Closing.

It was with excitement and trepidation that you started Kindergarten at St. Annie's. While there was no doubt you were ready for Kindergarten, it would be a big change from your days in Nursery School. A year of firsts....first year in a big school, first year eating lunch in a cafeteria, first year going to school all day, first year of homework, etc... As a mom, of course, I worried about you! Will you make friends? Will you be able to stay focused and pay attention in class? Will your teacher recognize and appreciate your gifts and know what an amazing little girl you are?

Well, it has been an incredible year and I really didn't need to worry so much! You have flourished this year and there are many memories I hope to never forget! Danny Corsi, Briana Ferry, Annie Dougherty, Kylie Angelina, Tommy Tres, and of course, Casey DeFrancesco and Nora Brannon are just a few of the friends you made this year! Your favorite game to play during recess was football. Should I be surprised? Although, after being injured a few times, I finally convinced you to give jump rope a try! By the end of the year, you proudly told me you could jump 30 times in a row. And who could forget the chipped front tooth!! Surprisingly, this injury did not happen while playing football, rather it broke during rest time. Only you, Chloe!!

Sweetheart, you have really matured this year! I am so very proud of you for many reasons. Responsibility is one of the biggest changes I have witnessed. This year when you would get home from school, you would race into the house, and get started immediately on your homework. This always surprised me! Although, I realize now that you want to get all of your responsibilities out of the way so you could have the rest of the time to play! This year you also assumed ownership of our dog, Lexy, and willingly fed and gave her water each day. There are many other jobs around the house you have started to help with this year, such as making your bed, putting the silverware away, setting the table, weeding the flower beds, just to name a few. While chores are not your favorite thing, you do get them done.

This year your confidence has grown with respect to reading. It brings me great joy when I see you pick up a book and read. Mrs. Hopkins shared with me that you loved being student reader for your class.

Your favorite part of Kindergarten was art! You loved art class with Mrs. O'Connor on Thursdays. In fact, drawing is another thing you love to do whenever you have the chance. You brought home lots of drawings with patterns, for example, alternating black and red lines colored on a diagonal covering an entire piece of paper. One of my favorite pieces of art work this year was a drawing/coloring of a Pharoah. Your drawing ability is exceptional. I am amazed at your talent. You enjoy finding a picture, flipping the page over, and tracing it on the back of the paper. It is not unusual for me to find you lying on your rest mat with paper and markers drawing.

Mystery reader was another one of your favorite Kindergarten activities. Every Tuesday afternoon, a guest reader would visit room 26, to read a book, and of course, bring a special treat. Mommy came to read, Substitute Groundhog, to your class. I really enjoyed making groundhog puppets with your friends. Daddy also came to read in April. Of course, he chose a funny book.

You love to sing, dance, and make funny faces. I hope I have taken enough pictures and video to capture all of these great moments.

Chloe you have big dreams! You love animals and are always telling mommy and daddy you plan to be a veterinarian or a farmer. I am not sure what you will do when you grow up, but whatever it is, I am certain you will be good at it! Whatever it is, mommy and daddy will be proud of you! I saw a quote the other day that resonated with me, "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land in the stars!" This I am certain of Chloe May!

Love you always and no matter what!

Mommy XOXOXOXO

Shake it Up!

Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, Andy and I watched Isabel's 6th dance recital today at Paxon Hollow Middle School. Isabel was fantastic! All of the girls did an awesome job and wowed the crowd with both their dancing and glittery (gorgeous, but almost blinding) costumes!! Isabel you were beaming up on stage and really seemed to be enjoying yourself. You loved dancing this year with your friends Katie H., Maggie A., Alexa H., and Julia D. Isabel you make me so proud!! Watching you dance today brought tears to my eyes. While you were dancing, Chloe was sitting on grandpa's lap singing Shake it Up, I don't think she missed a lyric. You girls bring so much joy to my life. You are both so beautiful and full of life. Watching the show today and seeing all of the young movers and shakers (2-4 year olds) on stage made me realize how quickly you are growing up. It seems like just yesterday you girls were the youngest dancers in the recital. Thanks for making life such a joy :)