Emmalee on the first day of kindergarten
Emmalee (less than thrilled to be posing AGAIN in front of the sign) on the last day of kindergarten
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Emmalee's first year of school has gone by much too quickly. It is so hard to believe that she is going to be in first grade next year, which is way more grown up than just being a kindergartner!!! She has learned so much this year and has grown in so many ways. We are very proud of the student and friend she has been over the past year and look forward to all she has ahead of her in the future. Here are some of the life lessons she learned over the past year, as well as some of her kindergarten accomplishments:
*She learned that teachers really are looking out for the best interest of their students. We COULDN'T have asked for a better teacher!
*She was a Terrific Kid in September for being Thoughtful.
*She was the STAR student in her class.
*She got "Caught Being Good" numerous times, and won a special award from Mrs. Brobst, the principal.
*She qualified for the gifted program test, but we decided she might benefit from waiting another year or so, as she is really hard on herself.
*She LOVES art and is very advanced in her skills.
*She learned that not all kiddos have the same rules and expectations at home, but the rules/expectations we have set for her have made her an asset in class.
*She learned that kids are not always nice, but it is important to do what you know is right instead of popular.
*She learned that sometimes adults make mistakes, and the ones that matter most make sure they apologize when they do.
*She learned that she is truly gifted in the area of writing.
*She learned that reading to others can be just as fun as someone reading to her.
*She learned that to be a good friend, sometimes you have to sacrifice for them, as well as be there for the important times, like her best friend Lucy's baptism.
*She wants to be a veterinarian, artist, and mom when she grows up.
*She learned courage, strength, and bravery in the face of adversity from her P.E. teacher, who is battling ALS. She also learned to be appreciative for what you have, because to someone else, that might just be the one thing they wish they could do just one more time, again from Coach K.
*She amazes us every single day at what she has leaned and what inferences she makes just from the world around her.
*She is truly a miracle, and we couldn't be more proud!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Everything I Need to Know in Life, I Learned in Kindergarten!
So Long Soccer
Soccer season has finally come to an end. We played six games in the fall and six games this spring. Emmalee has really wavered as to whether or not she enjoyed it, as she is really not an aggressive kiddo and soccer is relatively aggressive. She has, however, decided to go out again next season and to attend a camp this summer put on by a British soccer team. Here are some pictures from our final game of the year.
Sitting the bench with Daddy while Mommy coached the field
Uncle Eric stopped in to watch for a minute. That really meant a lot to Emmalee!
Kicking the ball in for our team
The whole team after getting their medals
Emmalee and Pappi after the game was all overPershing Park
Emmalee's Kindergarten class went on a field trip to Pershing Park on May 10. She invited Daddy to go along with her, and he actually took two different days off work to attend, as the first date was cancelled due to weather conditions. The weather was questionable on this date as well, and they only got about half of the trip in before the rains hit. They went on the boardwalk in the morning, then visited different stations set up by the Conservation Department when they got back to school. Emmalee had a great time.
Emmalee and Daddy before the trip
Emmalee posing in her Partners in Education t-shirtMonday, May 10, 2010
80
My grandpa turned 80 on April 30. We gathered this past Saturday to help him celebrate. It was so nice to see him, as well as many family members I hadn't seen in quite a while. The girls enjoyed playing with their cousins and making cards for Great Grandpa.
All the grand kids with my dad and grandpa
The girls, grandpa, my dad, and me
Tori making Grandpa his card. She has learned how to write her name, so she practices every chance she gets!
Emmalee working on his card. It said: Boys Rock, especially you!Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Torilicious
Tori celebrated her third birthday was a Pinkalicious blowout. We had bounce houses and cotton candy machines, pinkalicious wands, and lots of pink food. It was a GREAT time. The kids had a blast, and I am pretty sure the adults enjoyed it as well.
Tori loves candy popcorn from Topsy's, so we had individual bags for all the guests.
Each kiddo left with their own package of pinkalicious crayons.
Pinkalicious jelly beans
Personalized Hershey's kisses
I wanted to get a shot of the back of Tori's shirt, but I couldn't keep her contained. It said "Torilicious" in rhinestones!
Tori in her "Torilicious" shirt, pettiskirt (that I searched high and low to obtain), Briar Claire hat, and Bon Bon Cupcake leggings...
Tori with her cupcake cake Gamma labored over. It was as delicious as it looks. An O'Dell Girls' party is NOT complete without a Gamma cake.
Blowing out the candles. We had been practicing at home for over a week!
Getting ready to enter the Disney Princess bounce house
Eating cotton candy that Pappi made for her
Emmalee with her pink cotton candy, decked out as Purplicious
A rare shot of her sitting still...
Mimilicious...
One wiped out birthday girl...
...and wiped out big sister-------------------------------------------
Having a pizza picnic on Sunday using the picnic table Tori got from Gamma and Pappi
Another pizza picnic shot
Tori falling asleep for the last time as a two-year-old.... :(
Happy third birthday our precious, perfect miracle. We love you so much!Spring Soccer
Spring soccer has begun. I am coaching Emmalee's team again, along with a good friend and mother of one of Emmalee's BFF's. Our first game went amazingly well. Here are the few shots Duane got in before he had to sit the bench with the kiddos while I took the field. (The other coach had to leave to watch her other daughter play)
One of the opening plays
Emmalee in action
A shot of Emmalee and a few fans in the background...Thanks Pappi, Papa, Aunt Deana, and Lilleigh for being there to watch her play. Hopefully the entire season goes as well as the first game did...
