Miss Jordan's Preschool

Several months ago, Jordan asked me if she could have a "preschool" for a week during the summer.  I agreed on the condition that she would do the work, and I would be just the assistant.  And boy, this girl has teaching in her blood.  She started making plans and never looked back.  She enlisted Ashton's help as a teacher aid, and those two did a great job!  We have several wonderful family friends who we knew would be moving this summer, so we thought we could have the preschool and hopefully give the parents some time to pack.  It worked out really well.  Each day, Jordan had an organized schedule- centers (play dough, games, art activity), circle time, snack time, P.E. (Ashton was in charge), an art project, science, and recess.  She had thought of everything- from job helpers to discipline to assessments.  We had so much fun....I really got into it too, remembering how much fun (and how much work!) teaching can be.  We have grown to love these little kids so much over the past few years, and we are going to miss them a lot as they move on....so it was great to have some time to play and learn together before they left.   As for Miss Jordan, I think she is well on her way to becoming a fabulous teacher!!!
(Oh yes, and there was this one little boy who happens to be related to her, who gave her quite the run for her money...I told her, every class has at least one!!!)
Center Time:

Circle Time: (notice the calendar and the x's on the floor)

Time for a snack and then outside for P.E.

Art and Science!

We love this group of kids so much!!!

End of School

Yes, school did indeed end a month ago, but I had a few more pictures I wanted to post to wrap up a great year.  First, Regan had her spring dance recital.  What a beautiful, talented little dancer she has become.  She knew her dance really well, and all of us "non-dancers" even survived the recital....except for Grandpa and Ashton who took off for a soccer game.

We enjoyed the annual 2nd grade picnic at the park with Jordan.  It was a beautiful day and a fun time to celebrate a wonderful school year.  Her teacher this year has been simply the best.  Jordan's request for the picnic was that I bring tacos.  Even Daddy-o got to join us which was a special treat!

Regan finished up a smashing season of soccer (seriously, to our great surprise, this girl was really good and aggressive on the soccer field!)

And she graduated from her third (yes!) year of preschool...finally all ready for kindergarten!

Ashton came home from school bearing an art masterpiece...her paper machie horse mask that she had been slaving over for months. Also her self portrait created using charcoal.  Yes, they have an amazing art teacher!

Jordan created a picture of a neighborhood scene.

And here they are on the last day of school!

Hello Summer!!!!

Double Digits

Ashton turned 10 over the weekend!  It's hard to believe I have a child in the "double digits"!  What a fun celebration we enjoyed.  On Friday morning, we had her friend party.  We had really gone the rounds trying to figure out what to do that would be "cool" for 10 year olds, but also not break the bank.  She finally settled on something pretty unique...a morning spent at Wild Cat Den State Park, complete with breakfast, painting pet rocks, hiking and wading in the stream.  And it turned out to be fabulous.  It was so much fun...such a cute group of bubbly, happy, nice girls.  I always think it is so interesting to watch kids in nature because given the opportunity, they really love it.  In fact, we literally had to drag them away from the place because they would have stayed all day long, I think.  It was gorgeous weather which was amazing since the day before (and the day after) were so rainy!

 My girl...I love her so much.

At the "Devil's Punch Bowl".

 These two boys were just like game wardens making sure the girls weren't getting into any trouble.  Cole is so much like his dad.

 

The next morning we were up bright and early as it was the last day of soccer season.   We also had to squeeze in Ashton's annual birthday tradition of breakfast at McDonald's.

 Then it was on to the soccer field...it has been another great season and we are sad to see it end!

 Finally, it was home for some presents and ice cream!  Ashton was so cute...so grateful for her gifts and so sweet to make her siblings feel that she loved what they had picked out for her!

We ended the evening with a "breakfast" dinner with some of our best friends.  They have been such a wonderful part of our lives for the past few years and all of them are moving this summer as they have finished school.  Ashton just loves them all and wanted to share her day with them.  It was great to just have time to visit and relax together.

Some things about Ashton at age 10:

-  She is such a good friend.  This year as some "girl drama" unfolded, I had several moms tell me that their daughters loved Ashton because she is just so nice to everyone.  To me that is one of the best character traits you could have.  She is sensitive to others feelings and often sticks up for the under dog.  We are so proud of her.

-  Ashton has become so helpful and and is almost always willing to help out in any way.  Many times when we have friends over from church, they have young children and she is so patient to play with them, help them with the Wii, or do whatever they want.  During Jordan's countless softball games, she is always taking all the little kids over to the playground and watching them.  What a big help!

-  This is one "smart cookie!"  There were not too many tests this year that this child didn't ace.  She had a great school year and did really well.  She continues to love reading and writing.

-  Ashton is good at sharing.  As the oldest, her younger siblings are always wanting her "stuff".  And she is so good about letting them share.  For her birthday, she got these fun hair accessories, and the very next day, Jordan and Regan were wearing them.

-  Ashton continues to be very musical...she is excelling at violin and piano and this year, has loved being in choir.  She is one of my best singers in primary.

-  She loves nature and animals....especially dogs and horses.

-  She continues to love all sports and all things active....especially basketball, soccer, and bike riding.

-  Her excitement for life is contagious.  She feels things very deeply, and helps me remember to "enjoy the ride"!

We are so proud of this girl.  We love her so much for all that she adds to our family.  Happy 10th birthday Lu!!!