Spelling Bee

At the end of the school year, Corinne participated in the 5th grade spelling bee.  All the 5th graders had a spelling bee in their class, with the top five from each class making it to the grade-wide spelling bee.  Corinne studied hard the week leading up to it and got 4th place in her class.  She was so excited to move on to the grade level competition!

Unfortunately, she was not as motivated to study the second time around.  On the bus ride home from school, she briefly read over some of her words (a different list than the first round).  She didn't want to study with me and do practice runs in the evening at all.  I kept telling her she needed to study more if she wanted to do well.

The night before the spelling bee she panicked and realized she was way behind.  I let her stay up a little later than bedtime and practice with me.  Still, we didn't get through the whole list.  I sent her to bed and reminded her that she had had all week to study, and now she would just have to do her best and prepare a little better next time.

She went to school hoping to not be the first one eliminated because that would be so embarrassing!  I admit, I said a little prayer for her when she was at school just that she wouldn't be humiliated.  I mentally prepared my motherly lecture all day..."Practice makes perfect!"..."If you want to do well, you have to do the work!"... "Success takes effort!"...

When she got home, I opened the door and she said, "Guess what???  I won!!!  I got first place!"

After all that, she took first in the whole spelling bee.  (And I didn't get to use my lecture at all!)

Here's what happened:

About 20 kids made it to the grade-wide spelling bee.  It came down to Corinne and one other girl.

The word was "decipherable".  The other girl went first.  Corinne said she wasn't going to really pay attention to how this girl spelled it, and then she felt like she should in case the girl got it wrong. "At least then I would know how NOT to spell it", she said.

"D-E-C-I-F-E-R-A-B-L-E"

Incorrect.

Then Corinne:

"D-E-C-I-P-H-E-R-A-B-L-E"

Correct!

Corinne's class jumped out of their seats and cheered and screamed for her like crazy.  It was an amazing moment for her, and she was thrilled!

We are all so proud of her.  I guess I'll save my lecture for another day...

this face makes me happy

Sometimes I just stare at this picture because it makes me smile.  He sure loves this My Little Pony Carousel.  Who wouldn't?  It spins and plays music!  What more does a one year old need?

I adore this kid.

Allison's Pinkalicious 4th Birthday

I gave Allison a Pinkalicious party for her 4th birthday.  She loves the book, and even though she isn't the most girly of girls, she was very excited.  Allie has been waiting for her birthday for months and asked me no less than 25 times in the last week,  "Is I'm 4 yet?"  Finally we can say "Yes!! You are 4!"

We had her cousins and her best friend Savannah over for the party.  All the little girls were asked to wear pink.  We read the Pinkalicious book, made crowns, played pin the cherry on the cupcake, and of course, ate pink cupcakes just like the ones in the book!

I had fun coming up with the decor and snacks for the party.  We ate cheese and crackers, strawberries, pink m&ms, marshmallows dipped in pink white chocolate, and drank pink lemonade.  Everyone took home a goodie bag filled with green treats and green candy to cure their "pinkititis"!

 

Thanks to everyone who came to Allie's party and for the thoughtful gifts!  She was a very happy girl!

Oh, that Allison...

The other day at dinner, Allie gets off her chair and says:

Hey everybody!  Watch my bum!

(and then she turns around)

Of course, this brings uncontrollable laughter from Corinne and Matthew.

So, obviously we have to ask:

Why did we have to watch your bum?

She says,

Because, it tooted!



I don't think we'll win any etiquette contests at our house.

Dance Festival

The end of the school year always brings the traditional dance festival.  I LOVE the dance festival!  It is so fun to sit outside in the gorgeous spring weather and watch your kids do the cutest dances.

This year Corinne's 5th grade did the "Cupid Shuffle".  It was pretty cute and Corinne did a good job.

(Don't be distracted by the super uncoordinated boy on the left,
bless his heart.)  

(Actually, we know him well and he is a sweetheart.)

Matthew's 2nd grade did "Footloose".  It was SO cute.  They were told to wear a red or white t-shirt and crazy socks.

I don't know why it always works out like this, but my kids dances are always the best ones!  :)  (I'm not biased, right?)  It was a fun end to a great school year!

2nd grade program (with a video!)

The last couple of weeks of school are so busy and fun for the kids.  Matthew had his 2nd grade class program filled with songs, choreography, and a speaking part:

Matthew was lucky enough to have this amazing teacher two years in a row.  She was awesome!