Literacy Breakfast

I joined Alexa at school this morning for her literacy breakfast. She is an awesome reader.

Integrated Arts Night

Last night was Alexa's Integrated Arts Night. She prepared us by letting us know that she would be the teacher and we would be the students. She taught us some of the watercolor techniques that they learned in the creation of their woodland animal books.

 

Our teacher was very serious. It was all business.

Some students were more grumpy about the event than others. However, initial complaining aside, she joined right in.

Our first creation.

The teacher wanted to photograph me too. Kind up close.

The author with her book on Chipmunks.

Daisies

Alexa has wanted to join Girl Scouts for sometime now. Last year I spoke to the leader of the Daisy troop about her joining, gave her my name and number, and waited to hear back. And waited, and waited. No room at the inn. The troop was too full. This year I filled out the registration form online, and check the box that indicated she wanted to participate in a troop. I was told that they would find her a troop, so we waited to hear back. I waited, and waited, and around about November, we finally got the email. No troops available. Now, I know what you are thinking. I thought it too. I could just bite the bullet and volunteer to start a troop for her to join. I did look into it. The very excited representative sent me the link indicating the course work I would have to do to become a leader. Really? Course work? Now, I don't want this to come off as arrogant. But I thought really? Surely you mean that for other people. Not me. I mean I hold a K-6 teaching license and have been a classroom teacher for close to 16 years now. I hold a Master's Degree in Teaching. Can't you just hand me the book and let me wing this one? I think I got it. The Girl Scouts do not wing it. I look at my sad little Lexa face. I looked at her enviously eyeing Chloe's vest gaining badges. I looked at my already over scheduled self. I have maybe 30 minutes of down time a night. I know there is no way I can do this during the school year. Maybe this summer I can complete my Girl Scout Training course. But that still leaves a sad Lexa. So we did some research.

We found a Daisy by Mail program. We signed her up and paid the fee. For the next eight weeks she logs onto a blog and listens to a story, reads about an activity or watches a short video clip, and we do it. At home, when we have a minute. They mailed her a little packet of additional activities. We ordered her a little vest, and she is happily earning her petals. This week was making your own bubble soap and bubble wand. Here she is happily exploring her bubble.

Thank goodness. We didn't even have to sell cookies with this one.

Easter

I thought I was so efficient. The kids were visiting their dad and wouldn't be back until Sunday. I thought I would just hide the eggs Saturday afternoon. Then they would be all done and I would be able to get a run in before picking them up. Silly me. I hadn't counted on the squirrels. I woke up to find chewed plastic eggs strewn all over the yard. "I found a chewed egg in my driveway," my neighbor shared. Yeah. Me too. Only I found about 20. Who knew squirrels had such a love of chocolates? Off I went at 9:30 on Easter morning to the Rite Aid to find more eggs and chocolates. I wanted to tell the cashier, " I was not this unprepared! I was ruined by squirrels." But let's be real, he didn't really care. This time I hid them just minutes before going to pick them up.

"You guys are going to want to head right out and hunt eggs when you get home," I told them, "The squirrels got some of the ones the Easter Bunny left."

"I found lots Mom, I don't think the squirrels got hardly any."

Ha! If they only knew.

Easter Eggs

On Friday we completed our annual decorating of the Easter eggs. I swear they get more elaborate every year. Ultimately they would like to decorate twice as many, but I draw the line at a dozen. I mean there are only so many boiled eggs one can eat.

The finished product.

Snow Day

Last day of winter and we had a snow day! We were pretty excited. Chloe is now basically convinced she can make them call a snow day by wearing her pj's inside out and putting spoon under her pillow. I know where I will be looking when the silverwear drawer gets low. At any rate, we busied ourselves with some art this morning.

Then I enforced my snow day rule. If you get no school for a storm you must go play in the snow. Out we went. Much to their joy it is very sticky snow.

I got to be the Snow Princess for the castle. You are all jealous.

The throne gets a bit cold on the butt though.