Good-bye 1st Grade!

Sofia has had a HUGE year!  She is naturally curious and loves all things science and history related, so those subjects were a breeze.  Math concepts come easily, and letter formation improved throughout the year. 

Waiting patiently for Bus 189 and Mr. Williams

Her most significant growth was in reading...and WOW!  She started the year well behind her classmates.  With fewer than 10 sight words committed to her memory, she tested into 1st grade but barely as she was placed in reading group 7 of 8.  On her PALS testing in August, she was in the pre-primer (or preschool) level.  Today, she brought home her most recent scores and she tests into the 3rd grade teaching level with sight word recognition into 4th grade. 

Almost summer...

We are beyond proud of you Sofia! 

...she stepped into summer a 2nd grader!

We will be spending the rest of this week deciding what we are going to read and what we want to learn about this summer.  High on this momma's list is to attempt to teach some basic organization skills and a desire for neatness.  And maybe make a calendar counting down to 2nd grade. 

I've already been informed that we have 10 weeks "until I get to go back to school"... 

Welcome Summer!

Great-Grandma Hassett, Pop and all TEN (great) grandbabies

Summer is associated with freedom, relaxing and boredom!  I'm accepting though that as the kids get older my summers are filled  with schedules, constant effort to avoid injuries, and grasping for relaxation.  But with the schedules and routine, comes the relaxation and freedom knowing the kiddos are having fun and enjoying being little.  I hope they will look back and remember summers of play and nothing-ness and adventures. 

Summer 2011 was kicked off with Jessica's graduation picnic in Maryland on Sunday and a quiet afternoon at Todd Lake on Memorial Day.

We had a wonderful time at the graduation party.  Visiting with our extended Hassett family.  The kids played and played and played until they could play no more :)  Great-grandma brought bubbles and Uncle Kevin and Aunt Reenie had balls and bats and room for them to run.

On Memorial Day, we met Joe and his family at Todd Lake to spend the afternoon playing in the COLD water and sand!  Everyone had a wonderful time.  The lake is in the middle of no where so it was not crowded.  And the kids were asking if we could go back before we even left :)  And of course, both camera batteries died within the first hour :(

Mathilde rolled over for the first time while laying on the beach blanket on her 4 month birthday!
 

Mathilde's 1st trip to the Lake/Beach

Isobel was so excited and eager to swim!!!

WATER!!!!

Finn was not so convinced this was a good idea!

It's COLD!

joy!

"There's a hole in my bucket!"

Konnar

Floaties on...

Joey in...

And gone!

All and all a GREAT weekend!!!!  Looking forward to a busy summer full of fun and great memories and lots of pictures :) 

P.S. If you are reading this and know how to move and set pictures better PLEASE let me know!!!!

Graduation 2011

May 26, 2011!  Isobel Claire graduated from Pre-K!

We have spent the week last nearly 5 years building to this great evening.  This week we went shopping in a "real" store and she picked out a brand new dress.  "Mommy!  I'm going to be the most beautiful!" has been exclaimed several times.  We have counted the days and made teacher gifts and eagerly awaited "graduation".  She has been so excited and un-Isobel this week.

She chose Buffalo Wild Wings for her celebratory dinner; nothing better than chicken fingers and french fries.  She excitedly opened her gift from mommy and daddy - 6 my first I can read books and her first sight word flash cards! 

And then it was time!  We must take our baby and allow her to walk and graduate and grow!  And she sang and did the hand gestures and not an ounce of fear or anxiety was on her little face.  I wish we could give her this confidence everyday and maybe it is coming.  She will always be my shy baby, slow to warm to new environments and hesitant to act, but strong and determined and growing into the best her little girl and developing her personality with grace and heart.

As I watched our girl receive her diploma and stand with her class, I saw visions of her future self, future graduations and future successes.  I cannot wait to see who she will become and the gift she will be to the world.  Her future self is for us to nurture and her to discover.  The overwhelming and ultimate task of parents to grow children into one who walks in the Grace and Will of the Father, so they can confidently leave our nest in His Love and give the gifts they have been given by Him to the world.  Isobel is such a blessing and has taught us so much.  As we grow together I am eager to teach and to be taught!

She proclaims a desire to be a ballerina!  This summer dance lessons are on order.  Whether she become a dancer or not, we as her parents pray fervently that we raise her in to a confident and loved Child of God.

My eyes glanced to her siblings "watching" her.  As Eloise did the splits and Finn fussed over books and goldfish crackers, as Sofia stood watching her little sister with a bit of jealousy that some things are truly just another's event, and Mathilde sat cradled in her bucket...it simply struck me the differences we'll see as the years pass and we celebrate every graduation and success as a family.  There may always be a bit of jealousy, antsy-ness, and distraction, but love is why we stand together to support each other and become better.

 The classroom, the teachers, the love that has helped us shape and grow... Isobel!!!

 The girl!  Celebrating and growing!  And eating the sugar version of herself!

 Kindergarten here she comes!!!!!!