Rockin' America

For the past several months, the chorus kids have been meeting once or twice a week before and after school to get ready for the End of the Year performance...Rockin' America.  Matt and I attended this afternoon's performance and I get to go back tonight for the final show.

 Allison and her dance partner and friend, Grace.

 Faith, Zoey, Allison and Lorien

 Allison, Lorien, Faith and Kylee...best buddies all year.

 Allison and her dance group carried signs saying LOVE, PEACE, and GROOVY and danced to "You Say You Want a Revolution", "I Am Woman" and several others from the same era.  They were super cute!

I loved this performance because all of the songs were ones the audience could sing along to and Mrs. McBride does a great job accommodating so many 3rd, 4th and 5th graders that want to perform!

Family Picnic Day

 Today was the Annual Family Picnic Day at TTES.  Luckily, it fell on one of Matt's days off, so we were able to go together.  We picked up El Pollo Loco and sat at the lunch tables (too hot for the field) to have lunch with our almost 5th grader.

 It wasn't long before her friends and their families joined us at the table and the girls were off playing together.  Matt and I were left chatting with the parents as usually happens.  The local businesses must love all of the extra lunch business they do!!  Another great turnout and wonderful afternoon spent with Allison and her friends!

Poway Country Shootout

 Hawks GU11 Black was excited for our first real tournament as a team on the 11v11 field.  We had a great venue at 4S Ranch in San Diego and the girls were ready to play.

 Suited up and ready to take the field.

 Allison spent most of the weekend in the goal.  We had an early lead in the first game against Carlsbad Wave, but fell apart at the end and lost 3-2.  Allison had some nice catches in the net, but couldn't stop them all.  After a few hours to eat lunch and hang out with teammates, the girls battled hard against Poway with a 1-0 victory.

Sunday morning, we were back at the field for a must win game against the Hotspurs. 

I think the girls get more excited about their cheer than they do for the game.  This time, maybe a little too excited as they all fell while spinning in the circle.

Allison got challenged a lot...allowing a goal in off of a corner kick header and two others throughout the game. Unfortunately, the offense couldn't put any in and we lost 3-0.  A rough finish that didn't match our expectation, but a lot of great lessons to learn from and proof this team has some growing to do.  I love their commitment to each other and the great friendships they are making.  Now we just hope for better results on the field when we play again in a few weeks.

Our Turn

Our State Cup 1st place trophy is making the rounds.  This week, it was our turn to display it at our house.  It's almost as tall as Taylor and a great reminder of all the girls accomplished last season!!

4th Grade Open House

Tonight was Open House...a great time for parents to look at all of the hard work the kids have put in this school year.  

 We had to come straight from practice, but enjoyed taking the classroom tour.  First, Allison took us to her desk and showed off her salt map of California, her Meet the Masters Art Portfolio and her 4th grade Memory Book.

Matt spent some time reading her 5-paragraph essay on "The Talkative Turtle."

 Tear Art California Poppy

 Allison's Glyph, which described characteristics through symbols.  My favorite!

 Allison and some of her classmates on the Kindness and Compassion Award wall.

 The Seal that best describes her...Maui, dogs, One Direction, Hershey's chocolate, swimming pool and soccer.

All year the students have been trying to read their way across America.  I love this board that is displayed outside their classroom.

Pioneer Living

Today was California Day for the 4th graders.  It is a great, interactive way for the kids to learn about California history and pioneer living.  It is also a fun time for me to volunteer and spend the day with Allison at school.  She was part of the Claim Jumpers and spent the day visiting four different stations.

 Her first stop was Pioneer Living.  The MPR was set up with several interactive stations and artifacts.

 The kids learned about doing laundry, panning for gold,

food preparation,

shaving, bracelet making and wool spinning.

Station #2 was Branding and Tortilla Making and Station #3 was the Virginia Reel.  I didn't get any pictures of the Virginia Reel because I was one of the volunteers teaching the kids how to do this fun square dance!

 Station #4 was Mosaic Tiles before wrapping it up for the day.  It was a fun-filled, sometimes crazy day, but the kids learned a lot.

 Some cute pioneers...Lorien, Allison and Marley

Faith, Allison and Lorien

Mother's Day Photo Shoot

Gone are the days of visiting the Portrait Studio every few months, but it has been far too long since I have taken any pictures of the girls.  How could they say no to me on Mother's Day weekend?  Taylor curled Allison's hair and they picked out these cute tops to match.  We drove to a few scenic spots in town and I love what we captured.  These girls sparkle and fill me with so much joy!  I'm so proud to be their Mom and love them to pieces!!