Kindergarten Graduation

(I'm a little behind & having to catch up. It's been a crazy two weeks with the end of school. I know some of you check our blog faithfully & probably thought I had flew the coop. Sorry, I will try to be more productive on here!)

Zoe graduated from kindergarten. Hard to believe that my little girl is going to be in first grade next year. When asked which teacher she would prefer next year, she said it didn't matter because she likes both of them. However, she would prefer all of the girls be in one class & the boys in the other!

Zoe & Shawn walking down the aisle.

Mrs. Green, Zoe's teacher, introducing her students.

Zoe waiting to get her diploma.

After receiving her kindergarten diploma!

Gotta love those dimples!

Mr. Nail, the school principal.

Zoe receiving the academic award for her class!

Mr. Kramer, Zoe's art teacher.

Zoe also received the art award for the entire kindergarten!

Singing during graduation!

Zoe's kindergarten class.

Wilson, Zoe, & Sydney!

Kindergarten Field Trip

I had the privilege of being chosen as one of the parent chaperones for Zoe's kindergarten field trip. We headed to the zoo with a sack lunch & umbrellas in tow. Even though the forecast was calling for storms, it turned out to be a beautiful day. No rain in sight! The animals were out & about which was an even better.

Ashley, Calista, & Zoe - my little group!

Grizzly bear pacing back & forth.

Penguins enjoying their outside habitat.

Having a mid-morning nap!

Zoe & Ashley petting a rabbit in the Children's Zoo.

Hanging out on the playground.

Two baby elephants splashing around in the water tank!

Same two babies getting out of the water to dry off.

Kindergarten Class of 2010!

Spring Concert & Art Show

Zoe's spring concert & art show was last night. We were anxious to see the concert because Zoe has been practicing the songs for weeks. It ended up being very good. Plus, it's always fun to see the little ones display their talents. Of course, Zoe was more excited about showing us her art work. (Each student got to pick two projects to display at the art show.) She loves art class & her art teacher. In fact, she can't get enough of art & Mr. Kramer.

(You'll notice in the pictures that Zoe isn't smiling very well. Earlier this week she accidentally hit her mouth & has a terrible sore on the gum line of her upper jaw. Therefore, it hurts when she smiles. So, we will have to settle for the 1/2 smile!)

Posing before the concert.

Love that girl!

Singing her heart out!

Paying attention to Ms. Hagan, the music teacher.

The bulletin board displayed outside Zoe's classroom.

Each student made his/her own self!

Zoe's "Primary Color" display.

And, Zoe's favorite art work - her snowman!

After the concert & art show, we headed to our local pizzeria for dinner. We let Zoe invite a friend. She chose Mack (short for Mackenzie), who I'd take anywhere. The girl has some awesome manners!

Mack & Zoe

Take Your Kid to Work Day

Last week Zoe attended school with me in honor of Take Your Kid to Work Day. She had a very enjoyable day as several of my classes were working on their recycling projects.

Zoe checking out a project.

This group actually had Zoe help them with their project.

Just a side note: Paul tried very hard to convince her to go to work with him. She wanted no part of that. She's been there before & always says it's not that fun. Paul says that's because the people at his work don't talk back!

2 Homeruns + a Put Out + Flips = a Win!

Last night Zoe & I attended the high school baseball game of my two nephews'. The game was held near our house at a minor league baseball team's stadium. The evening started out kind of overcast, but by the end of the middle of the fourth inning, it was raining & cold. We stuck it out until the end & boy, are we glad we did!

Zack, a sophomore, ended up with a single during the game, along with a walk, & also threw a runner out at home plate after catching a fly ball in center field!

Zack getting ready to bat.

Looking for the right pitch.

He ended up with a single to center field.

Zoe, kept herself busy by hanging out with Zack's girlfriend Emily (I forgot to take a picture of her & Zoe together. Yes, Zoe let me hear about it once we were home!) & doing gymnastics. Every time I turned around she was doing handstands, back walkovers, or round-offs. For some reason, one of her shoes kept falling off.

Re-tying her "Twinkle Toes" for the umpteenth time.

Steven, a senior, had a great game. He hit two home runs. Here is his first one:

Waiting for his pitch.

And rounding the bases with a smile from ear to ear!

The score ended up being 8 to 2. It was a fun game to watch & even better that we won! Even Zoe was thrilled for the win!

Got Debt?

This is what I was welcomed to when I arrived at work this morning:

The concept of the sign is correct. However, a decimal is missing. It should read $629,714.39 When I asked about the decimal missing, I was told that we didn't have the money to buy an extra decimal. Perhaps if the state would pay its bills, that decimal would soon appear. The sad thing is, its not just my school the state owes money to - it's every school, college, university, etc. in the state.

Huh....I thought I had money problems!!

That's a Winner!

In January the nurse at Zoe's school sent home a coloring sheet with an explanation letter attached. The Dental Society was having a state wide coloring contest open to kindergartners to promote healthy habits of brushing & flossing. With a little encouragement, Zoe decided to give it a try. She took her time & finished the coloring page over a period of three nights. We sent it back to school & actually forgot about it.

Fast forward to this past week. Zoe received a letter in the mail from the Dental Society informing her that she was a winner. In fact, her coloring page was chosen out of 9,000 entries.

The school nurse also received a letter & presented Zoe with a congratulatory certificate & a gift card. Plus, a small article along with a picture of the presentation was in our local paper.

A few days after the appearance in the paper, Zoe received a congratulatory card in the mail with a laminated copy of the blurb & picture from the paper from our State Representative. When Zoe saw it, she asked - "Do you think Miss Melinda (the school nurse) also got one of these congratulations cards with a laminated thingy in it?.....I bet she did, Mom. Don't you? I mean she is in the picture with me!"

Zoe with the letter from the Dental Society & gift card received!