Tag: Preschool

Abby Graduates from Pre-K

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Well, Abby made it! She was fever free for over 24 hours (without the aid of medication) and woke up today feeling well enough to graduate with her Pre-K class. She was very excited! Over the last few days the absence from school was starting to get to Abby and I could tell she was getting upset that she might not be well enough to go. But she woke up chipper, happy and ready to leave Pre-K.

Ellie waiting patiently to watch her big sister

Their ceremony was short and small. This is Pre-K after all. Each child had their names read aloud and Miss Foster had some lovely and kind words for each student. The class made their own caps and also helped put together a photo slideshow for the parents. It was fun to see them grow through the year through photographs.

After the ceremony, the school put together a small luncheon for the children and their families. It was nice to sit and talk with some of the parents one last time before we parted ways for summer break. We live farther away from the preschool than most families, so Abby wont be attending the same school as most of her classmates next year in Kindergarten.

Walking down their road. Miss Foster read “Oh the Places You Will Go”. Not a dry eye in the house.
Abby recieves her “diploma” and the gift she made for mommy and daddy.
The Pre-K graduate! She wants to be a doctor for moms and babies when she grows up.
Sisters!
A proud mommy and her little graduate.
A very proud daddy and his graduate.
Miss Foster with her little graduate and future student. Ellie will be in Miss Foster’s class next year!
After graduation, we took the girls for a celebration lunch at their favorite place, Red Robin. Abby had a yummy lunch and received a special gift from us. To commemorate her day, she got a new backpack. A big kid backpack! One that a Kindergartener would take to school and can fit big kid folders and homework. Abby is very excited that she will have homework. (We shall see how long that feeling lasts!).

Lunchtime smiles and silliness. I cannot believe this girl is going to be in Kindergarten!
Opening her “super big” present!
Showing off her “big kid” backpack and some of the goodies that were tucked inside. Lots of fun for the summer and next year!
Ellie recieved a little something too! A perfect little pony backpack for her year in Pre-K. She wouldn’t let me take a picture of her with it. Shocking.
Yay for big kid backpacks!

Today was a great day and everyone was healthy again! Yay for celebrations and fun times. Its even better when daddy gets to take a day off from work too!

Bunny Birthday Bash

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Abby’s friend from preschool was celebrating her 5th birthday and both of the girls were invited. They were certainly excited for a birthday party in general, but when the girls found out that there would be bunnies there…. all bets were off. What a fun and happy birthday party and who can resist a cuddly fuzzy bunny! I know I couldn’t and neither could Shaun! We called him the bunny whisperer. They all seemed to calm down and snuggle up with him every time we picked one up. So cute!

Waiting patiently to hold the bunnies. A few rules first.

Look at that sweet face and wittle bunny nose!

Bunnies and school friends!

So happy to be bunny snugglin’.
So proud to be holding a bunny
Surrounded by bunnies!
Love this little girls smile!
Another bunny!!
This little bunny kept coming up to Ellie for loves and snuggles. Who can argue with that?
Are you still in there little bunny?
Such a big smile! Its amazing what an animal can do.
Daddny helping Ellie wrap up a bunny. This little guy was super calm and happy to be held by Ellie
Makes my heart melt.
This little guy couldn’t get enough love from Daddy and Ellie
Daddy, the bunny whisperer. This little guy snuggled right in and started to fall asleep!
Carrots!
Bunny love. And no… I wasn’t allowed to take one home!

Preschool Family Picnic

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Every year the preschool puts on a family picnic at the park so that all of the families and teachers can get together, relax and spend a few hours together before the end of the school year. Since the preschool started this tradition, the day of the picnic has always been rainy and wet, but they still had fun and made the best of it. 
I dont know if we brought extra luck with us (being that this was our first year there) but the day of the picnic was sunny, warm and perfect.  The kids had the chance to run around and play on the really cool playground, eat hot dogs and cupcakes and enjoy time with their friends outside of school. It gave the parents a chance to mingle and talk as well. 
Elli and Abby with Ellie’s favorite teachers assistant, Mrs.Suket. Ellie absolutely adores her!
My little climbing monkey
Exploring the fossils on the wall.
Playing and thinking… the usual. 🙂

The picnic was a big hit and the beautiful sunny weather was the icing on the cake. To top it all off, the kids in Abby’s Pre-K class even found a dead snake and decided to share it with everyone!  There were a few terrified screams, especially from the mothers of the boys who carried it over with big grins on their faces. Priceless!

The Fire Department Comes to Preschool!

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Today the fire department came to Abby and Ellie’s school. Don’t worry… it was planned. The kids had a great time visiting with the firefighters and Abby and Ellie were very excited to see that one of them was a girl! Such a great role model for both boys and girls to have.
I love the idea and reasoning for having the fire department come. They do it not just to show off the trucks and people but also to teach the kids. Yes there is fire safety to teach but its also about showing children what a firefighter might look like in full gear so that if they need to be helped, they aren’t afraid of them. These guys, and lady, did a great job doing that today and boy oh boy did they have to field a lot of questions from some very curious preschoolers.

Firefighter Kelly and her crew talk with the preschoolers about the jobs of a firefighter.

Ellie and Edie waiting and watching as their friends ask some very interesting questions

A little unsure about this big red truck and the people standing in front of it.

Ellie liked the truck but wanted out right away. My shy little monkey.

Abby loved the fire truck!

Checking out all of the equipment.

Firefighter John gets ready to show all of the equipment he has to wear.

Piece by piece he puts on his important gear.

Piece by piece he puts on his important gear.
Piece by piece he puts on his important gear.

Piece by piece he puts on his important gear.

Everything is on… but its still firefighter John underneath.
Taking a look at all of Firefighter John’s gear and to see that it really still is him under there.
Setting up for the end of their visit.
Lots and lots of questions for Firefighter Kelly!

The best ending to a fun day… seeing the fire hose in all its glory!

Thank you Bothell Fire Department for coming out and visiting at the preschool today. You made a lot of kids very happy today and taught them some very important things. Thank you for your visit and all that you do for our community!

Mother’s Day Tea with the Girls

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Today was the Mother’s Day tea at Abby and Ellie’s preschool. The girls were both very excited about today and I, of course, could not wait! We had lovely tea treats, some wonderful gifts from the girls and I was so happy to spend this lovely time with them.
Yummy tea time goodies
Mommy and her beautiful little girls. Thanks for making me a mommy!
Abby made me a coconut and lavender sugar scrub! Yummy!
I loved her answers for the questionnaire and the hand prints and poem had be tearing up in public. Oh my I love these kiddos.

Learning to Write

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Those who know Ellie, have quickly learned that she is stubborn and insists on doing it all  by herself. That comes to everything, including writing her name on the sign in sheet at school. I have to say, she does a darn good job at it! Cant wait to see how this changes over the next few months! 

Christmas Time Performances

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Christmas break is about to begin! But before school breaks for a few weeks, each class performed a few songs and poems for parents and family. It was very cute and I love the reindeer hate that Abby made. Ellie was a tad shy, but that’s ok. She still looked adorable and had a fun time. 
Listening to the Nativity Story. One of their guest teachers had a great book for young children that teaches all about the Nativity.
That’s one cute little reindeer!
Ellie sitting so quietly and patiently during the Nativity story.
The performance is done! Now its time for cookies and hot chocolate. Maybe even a present from her teachers too!

Tricks, Treats and Lots of Fun!

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Happy Halloween! What a fun filled day we had today. All I can say is that it sure is fun to be a kid. For Abby and Ellie the fun began at school. We lucked out that Halloween fell on a Thursday this year, which allowed for both Abby and Ellie to celebrate the day at school together. 
All classes were encouraged to dress up and the girls gladly did just that. As a compromise, they wore costumes that were different from the ones they planned to wear Trick Or Treating, that way nothing was ripped, torn or damaged before the night time festivities began.
Abby and Ellie all dressed up for their school Halloween parties! Ellie was Rapunzel and Abby was Merida.

Abby’s teacher made these awesome monster faces with petri dishes and jello for the kids. Such an awesome idea!

Slimy guts and brains! (Spaghetti for those without an imagination)

Ready for some Halloween artwork.

Halloween cookie time for Abby and her classmates.

One of Abby’s cookie creations.

Happy preschoolers with Halloween cookies.

Merida and a Ninja Turtle having a chat. 🙂

Ellie had the chance to make Halloween cookies too, she was very focused on the decorating part.

Super cute Rapunzel, if you ask me.

Love thier little class and all of Ellie’s friends. They get along so well and seem to have a great time together.

One of Ellie’s cookie creations. She ate the other one before I could get a picture of it. No shock there.

 After school we came home and attempted a nap, but I think the excitement of their time at school plus the anticipation of the night made sleeping just a tad difficult. As the witching hour grew near, we started costume prep and then waited for daddy to come home from work before out night time festivities began. As soon as he walked through the door, Abby and Ellie were off to the races.

Our porch with our cute and creative Jack O’ Lanterns.

Jasmine and Izzy reporting for Trick Or Treating duty!

Our funny faced little girls. Super cute if you ask me!

Pumpkins!

The weekend before Halloween we drove around town scoping out neighborhoods to go to. Being that we live in a town home community, we knew that the girls might be a tad limited to what they could do. So we found a few places that had some great decorations and headed that way. It was well worth it and the girls had a great time collecting their “loot” and enjoying some of the very creative decorations. Several of the homes took a lot of courage for the girls to explore but they did it and had a blast scaring themselves in the process. Ah, to be a kid!

Walking door to door through our chosen neighborhood.

This house had quite the setup with mannequins, antique cars, lighting effects and great sound effects too. Abby and Ellie weren’t too thrilled about some of it but we sure enjoyed it.

Spooky, creepy and just the right amount of Halloween fun!

Abby did not like this part but once mommy walked through, unharmed, she was ok.

We certainly missed our favorite spots back in California to Trick Or Treat and we especially missed going with friends but we found something new and fun. I am sure the more we become settled into life here in Seattle and make more friends things will change but for being new to the area again, we managed to find some fun and excitement. After a night of begging people for candy we headed to Red Robin for dinner and then it was back home yo put two tired little monkeys to bed. The car ride home was silent, so you know a good time was had by all. Until next year!

Abby’s Trip to the Farm

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After a fun filled weekend, it was Abby’s turn for a trip to the farm. She was very excited and because we found a wonderful babysitter to watch Ellie, it also meant that she had the chance to have some quality Mommy and Abby time. Yup, mommy was excited too! Its not often that I get the chance to have some quality one on one time with my girls.
We were hoping the day would be sunny, it was supposed to be, but the morning brought cold weather and heavy fog. It was chilly, very chilly but that didnt stop Abby from having a great time. She had heard Ellie talk about it so much over the last week and now, she finally had the chance to experience it for herself.

We finally made it! Its cold and wet but Abby is ready for some fun!
First up… the Barn Maze and slide! Abby went down the slide several times before she was told we had to leave.
Abby really loved the goats. She says she wants one. That and a puppy.
Petting the new little kittens at the barn. I was so proud of her for petting them. She also pet the farms old basset hound too! Way to go Abby!
Not only did she pet a kitten, she pet the kittens mommy who was keeping watch near by.
Abby and her buddy Nathan
On the tractor heading out to the patch to find the perfect pumpkin.
Out with all of her classmates, searching for the right pumpkin to take home.
Abby found the one! It was heavy and she wanted to put it down right away, hence the look on her face.
Playing in the corn house with her friends from school.
Wranblin’ some steer on the farm.
Rubber Ducky races…
Abby’s ducky won!
Waiting for the real duck race to begin…
Go Ducks Go!
And they finally pass by. The white duck in the lead, named Aflac, is the one Abby chose. He won!
Farmer Abby is finishing up a few chores before quittin’ time.

The day at the farm was perfect and Abby found a pretty amazing pumpkin. After the tractor ride, the kids had ice cream and then it was time to leave. Now Abby had so much to share with Ellie when she got home. I loved seeing the excitement on their faces when talking about the farm. I have a feeling we will be going back there again before Halloween. Hopefully Daddy will be able to come with us!

Ellie’s Trip to the Farm

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One of the things we love about the preschool we chose for the girls was the fact that they take the kids on a few field trips during the school year. The first of them comes during the fall. Each class goes to the pumpkin patch to explore and pick their very own pumpkin! Today was Ellie’s class trip and I don’t think she could have been more excited about it. It was mostly rain last night but this morning the sun was out, shining and giving Ellie’s class a perfect morning for an adventure.
Taking mommy through the barn maze. We were in search of the slide at the end of the maze.
We found the slide!
Checking out the goats with a few school friends.
Taking a look at the ponies with her friend Edie.
Checking out the brand new kittens at the farm. Ellie was so excited to pet one.
Giving mama cat a few loves too! And mama was more than happy to get them.
More ponies!
While the class waited to ride the tractor out to the fields to pick pumpkins, they were given the chance to play on the “bubble”. Because of the rain the night before, the bubble was wet and slick but that didn’t stop the kids from having a blast. Ellie and Edie bounced and giggled and had a grand time.
Bouncing and having lots and lots of fun!
Catching some air!
Roar!
Killing some more time in the corn house. What a cool idea! Although I have a feeling we will be picking up dried corn kernels for months after this. Oh well, fun was had by all so it was completely worth it.
Riding along in the tractor with on of her teachers.
Ellie found the perfect pumpkin! Cute as a button just like her!
The sun started to disappear again behind clouds, but it was a beautiful morning at the farm!
Ellie’s preschool class and friends. So cute!
Two beautiful sisters enjoying pizza and some special time with mommy.

After all the fun that was had exploring the barn maze, the farm animals, the “bubble”, the corn house and the pumpkin fields it was time to head back to school and pick up Abby. Ellie was so excited to tell her big sister all about her day at the farm and all that Abby could expect next week when its her turn to go. I took the girls for pizza as a treat and a chance for all of us to talk about the fun day. These are definitely special times to remember with our kiddos.

Ellie’s First Day of School

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Today is Ellie’s very first day of school… EVER! Oh my goodness my baby is already in preschool. All I did was blink and now we live in Seattle and my youngest is starting school. Ellie was so excited and just like her sister it was hard to get her to settle down so that I could get her ready. I have a feeling Ellie will thrive just like here sister when it comes to school.
For her first day of school photo, I asked my little three year old what she wanted to be when she grew up. Without skipping a beat, she looked at me and said “a champion”. That’s our Ellie. She knows exactly what she wants.

Ellie’s first day of school picture. She wants to be a champion when she grows up! Yup, that sounds exactly like Ellie.
Walking into school with Abby and Daddy. She was so proud of her backpack and the fact that she was going to school.

In class, happy and painting… I think she is loving school already.
Enjoying a little bit of paint time on her first day.

When we arrived, Ellie was a little shy and clung to us a bit. By this point I was expecting a tearful meltdown when it was time for us to go. her teachers were great though, allowing us to hang a little and explore the classroom with her. Once we found her cubby and hung up her backpack, we took a look around. Every day when they come in to class they pick up their name tag and they get to choose their “greeting” for the day. They can choose to say hello, give a hug, give a high five, or shake hands with their teachers. Ellie, being Ellie, chose a high five.

After her greeting. Ellie immediately took to painting and seemed to melt right into what she was doing and started to smile and have fun. When it was time to go, she gave us hugs and kisses and said goodbye. We left without a tear. Another confident and happy Wharton kiddo. I was so proud.

At the zoo and so happy! I love this goofy little girl!
In the “penguin caves”. Can you tell Abby was less than a willing participant in this picture. Ellie was happy though!

After school, lunch and a long conversation about her first day of school we headed over to the zoo for member appreciation night. We thought it might be fun to go but soon found that it was a madhouse! I think just about every zoo member was there! We did what we could, visited the penguins and walked around a bit before bailing out on the night and heading home. From what we could tell, the zoo wasn’t expecting the turnout they had. Usually member appreciation night falls during rainy weather and keeps the crowds away, but tonight was beautiful and warm. Oh well… we will give it a try next year. Aside from the that, the day was wonderful and a great start to the year!