A 3rd Grader and a Kindergartener

Yes I know that it is cliché but oh so true!  

Time flies!

Seems like such a short time ago that our Isabella was born and now she is a 3rd grader.  These photos show her fun, sweet personality so well.

I remember when I got the call from Mary that Jackson was joining our family.  Now that adorable boy is a kindergartener.  And yes, these photos clearly show his spunky side!

And the poses illustrate the differences between boys and girls. 

My photo albums are filled with photos of Mary posing with a big smile and her brothers making silly faces.  It must be genetic!

School Shopping With Isabella

 Continuing the tradition, Isabella and I went clothes shopping at the mall again this year.  She is growing up and turning into a 'pre-teen', at least that is what she tells me!  Lots of things are 'boring' now which makes me kind of sad but I also know that it is normal.

Truthfully she reminded me a bit of shopping with Mary when she was this age and into her teenaged years.  Pulling out an outfit that I liked was the 'kiss of death' no matter how cute I thought it was!  Isabella decided that she would punch things that she didn't like.  With Mary it was more of an eye roll.

She loved the snacks we had at Wetzels Pretzels.  Our mall has 3 locations and there was a line at each of them.  Unfortunately they were out of our favorite 'pizza bitz' but the pepperoni pretzel is basically the same thing.  Must have been good since we ate the whole thing!

We topped it off with Strawberry Funnel Cake Bitz.  Delicious, especially for our strawberry loving girl. She also enjoyed the 'frozen strawberry lemonade' - just like in the photo!

Our shopping was as successful as our snacking!

I love all the fun clothes we found.

I think that Isabella and Monica did too.

The black sweatshirt was something that I liked and amazingly she did too.  The flowers reminded me of the stylized flowers that were popular during my teenage years. I had similar flowers on my bed spread.

However I won the 'Best Grandma Ever' award for one purchase.

A Taylor Swift shirt for our little Swiftie'.

Isabella starts 3rd grade on Wednesday.

If I were to guess, I'd say she will be wearing this Taylor shirt!

School's Out for Summer

Isabella is ready to conquer the world! Good-bye 2nd grade!

She finished with a bang - and a very nice award!

I love that she is responsible, respectful and hardworking!

Mrs. Northrup was once again her 'favorite' teacher....just like Mrs. Ciavarella in kindergarten and Mrs. Bauer in 1st grade!  

Having BFF Madison in her class added to her perfect year!

These girls are the Hulu hoop queens.  Isabella can keep the Hulu hoop going for 11 minutes!

For Jackson it was "Peace Out Preschool".

He has been at the same community preschool for 3 years and has had the same teachers.  Miss Julie, the head teacher adores him....and he reciprocates.  She is the teacher with the sunglasses. The other teacher is her assistant Ms. Madison.

Mary reports that Miss Julie says Jackson is kind to the other kids, answers questions, is well behaved, and well liked by everyone.

The real accomplishment is that she got him to wear his graduation cap!  That boy has never liked anything on his head. The cap says, "Adventure is out there."  So true!

A few of the kids in his preschool will also be attending kindergarten with him in August.

The cutoff date for kindergarten in West Virginia is August 1st and Jacksons 5th birthday was August 15th so he will be one of the oldest in his class.  That's always a good thing.

Next stops - Kindergarten and 3rd grade!

Proud of both of these cuties!

 

God Bless America

When I was in 4th grade our class presented a patriotic program with skits and songs. Wearing a shirt with silver stars attached, I was one of the narrators. I remember that Betsy Ross's story and the 1st Thanksgiving were depicted in the show. We were proud of our country and proud to be Americans.

I was thrilled when I learned that Isabella's 2nd grade class would also be presenting a patriotic program. 

First we all stood to sing the Star Spangled Banner.  Truthfully it made me a bit teary to see a gym full of people, many of whom had their hands on their hearts, singing loudly.

I enjoyed listening to Isabella and the other 2nd graders singing the songs about our country that I sang as a child and still love.

God Bless America

You're A Grand Old Flag

This Land Is Your Land

My Country Tis of Thee

Isabella had a speaking part representing the Coast Guard.

She did a great job.

I was delighted to see the enthusiasm as they sang.

And glad she was on the back row so 'orange hat guy' didn't block her!

Afterwards we took a few photos.

Isabella and her best friend Madison.

Proud Grandma and Grandpa enjoying Pepper Ridge Elementary.

So happy we live close and can share these fun school moments.