Merry Christmas

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and may 2013 be better than 2012.

Santa, repeat

Last year, Sophie cried when she sat on Santa's lap.  It was the same story this year.

 So, we all had our picture taken with Santa.

Later that afternoon we saw Santa at the nativity play.  He asked Lillie what she wanted for Christmas and she replied, "Don't you remember, I told you earlier."  Good thing Lillie wrote Santa a letter earlier in the day, so he could remember.

Recitals and Nativity

Last week, Lillie had her first Piano recital.  She played her Twinkle sequence, Jingle Bells, and Jolly Old Saint Nicholas. She had fun and she did great.

This past weekend, Lillie had a Holiday Dance recital. She had fun.

On Sunday, she was a dove in the Nativity play at church.

Wassailing

The Richland Wassailing was 2 weeks ago.  At the Wassailing Lillie petted the reindeer.  Sophie didn't want to.

After seeing the reindeer, we went to Jack and Jill Preschool to say hi to Mrs. Hoard, make a reindeer antler craft and introduce the school to Sophie.  The sand table and shape/light table were a huge hit.  After visiting the school, she is interested in visiting again.

Sophie's 1st visit to the Dentist and Lillie's School update

Sophie went to the Dentist for the first time today.  She let the Dental Hygientist count her teeth and look in her mouth, but she did not want her teeth cleaned.  After they applied the flouride to her teeth she got to pick out a toothbrush, sticker and bracelet.

Lillie loves school and she is doing great.  Last week, her teacher, Mrs. Barber, had the reading specialist test her reading level.  She is at a 3.4 (3rd grade, 4 months). She can read up to 6th grade, but she began to get frustrated at 4th grade reading level. I was worried about Lillie’s leveling off in her reading but her teacher and reading specialist both said that they wanted to keep her at her accelerated rate.

Her reading comprehension is a solid 2nd grade level.  Mrs. Barber is going to stop having her do the kindergarten reading activities and build a reading tote for her to do, when the rest of the class is doing kindergarten reading.  She is also going to have Accelerated Reading time with the reading specialist and the librarian.  I saw the reading specialist in the hallway last week and she said that she enjoyed reading with Lillie.  Reading with Lillie made her day.  Everyone noticed how happy Mrs. Hoffman (reading specialist) was the day she tested Lillie and it was because of Lillie.

Today, Lillie was pulled out of class to spend time in the ExCEL program with the 1st graders.  They don't offer it to Kindergartners until later in the year, if at all.  ExCEL is a program where students meet with an instructor for approximately 1 hour each week. This is an curriculum program in addition to their classroom curriculum. The program is designed to help them continue to strengthen curriculum, thinking skills, research activities, enhance thinking skills, and develop responsibility and interpersonal skills.

Go Huskers, beat State

Brian and I went to the Nebraska game at Michigan State on Saturday.  

We saw the Cornhusker marching band play before the game and at halftime.

After the game started, we were surprised at the number of unfilled/sold seats.

 We saw this crazy Spartan fan.

 It was a great game and we are glad that the Huskers won 28-24.  It was so cold, (36 degrees) that we were hoping that the game didn't go into overtime.

Election Day 2012

Lillie stood by the election signs 4 years ago, so I thought that Sophie should this year.  She slept in her stroller while I voted this afternoon.