Treyton's Last Day of Pre-K

Treyton had a program for his last day of pre-K.

 They started it out how they start out their class, with the pledge.

 I love hearing little ones say "indivisible".

 Then they sang songs like this one, "Shake a Friend's Hand".

 They recited poems.

 Each kid was asked what they liked best about the year.

 My boy said reading books!  The teacher in me leaped for joy!!!!  Now if I could only get him to be excited to try to read at home.  We've got to practice, kid, don't you know?!?!

 Knowing him, he'll really start to read when he's ready.  And it includes something about science.

 The last song they did was a tear jerker.  It was something about never forgetting you, loving you forever.  These kids are all off to kindergarten next year going their different ways.  I don't think I'll ever get over the sadness of the end of the school year.

 Here are his AMAZING teachers.  On the left is Miss Kendra, the assistant teacher.  The lady on the right is Miss Debi.  She is so enthusiastic about kids' learning it makes me feel humbled to be in her presence.  She's very good at what she does, needless to say.

 And the class photo.

 With their silly faces.

 Just me and my boy!

Galina's Last Day of Preschool

On the last day of Galina's preschool, the kids put on a program for us.

 They said the pledge, recited poems, and sang songs

 And recited more poems.

 And sang more songs.

Brielle and Treyton were able to watch her as well.

And give each other zurbits.

 Here's Miss Galina getting her certificate with the lead teacher, Miss Yuma.

 Then to the assistant Miss Nan for a super summertime send-off package.

 This woman, Miss Yuma, was so patient and kind.  She was just what Galina needed as she joined the class half way through the year due to our move.

And Miss Nan did a great job loving on Galina too.

 Me and my babes, see how they grow!?!

Easter Egg Hunt

This year we participated in an Easter Egg Hunt and brunch that someone from our church organized.

Here's Treyton, one very excited egg hunter, just before taking off.

Since Brielle was the youngest, she got to have a wee-bit of a head start.

Galina wasn't sure how she felt about that.  Actually, she was sure and she didn't like it.

But she lost no time when they released her.

Brielle has wonderful finding skills.  It's from Bryce.  They both pay good attention to detail.

I would've been scared to stick my hand in a hole like that.  In Brielle's case, ignorance is bliss.

Galina's all business.

She's more of a big picture sort of girl, like her mom. 

And Treyton was in his detective mode having a blast.

He's also good with details.  Except when it comes to unscrunching his socks before putting them in the laundry. 

Look at the teamwork!  Actually the competition.  Keeping it real here.

Brielle stayed out of it.  Smart kid.

Here they are enjoying the loot.

And some brunch.

Happy Belated Easter, everyone!

Say it Ain't Snow

Yesterday I woke up to this.

Yes, it snowed here in Colorado on May 12.  I don't remember that ever happening before, even in Minnesota.  I remember once on May 1st, but never this late!

These pictures were taken around 7:00 in the morning.  It snowed until noon.

Daisy didn't seem to mind.

But the crazy Colorado weather, all of it melted before the next morning.  Now that wouldn't have happened in MN, to be sure!  Their snow LASTS.  But not here.  It was nice enough that we even ate lunch outside in the sunshine!  Happy spring!

Book Review: Off Limits

This book should be required reading for any concerned parent.  My naiveté about sexual abuse has made me an ill-prepared to arm my children in this increasingly dangerous world.  Off Limits: A Parent’s Guide to Keeping Kids Safe from Sexual Abuse helped bridge this gap for me.  It was a superb book.

Topics include identifying traits of those who abuse, learning the process those abusers use to get a child to submit, equipping children with a plan on how to handle a situation if they encounter one, teaching children about body safety and making your home safe, and  talking to caregivers about safety, to name a few.

The book is filled with nuggets or “safety tips”.  For example, one was making a rule about not keeping secrets in your family.  Surprises are okay, but secrets are not.  Surprises are fun to keep and are eventually told.  Secrets don’t feel good to keep and are not ever meant to be shared.  It’s important for kids to learn the differences and to teach them how to respond to a potential abuser.  The “my family doesn’t keep secrets from each other” comment has actually dissuaded admitted sexual abusers.   They simply found another kid who would keep a secret.

Off Limits also covers on-line predators, an increasing danger with the explosion of media use among older children and teens.  The book even goes on discuss how to help a child if he is abused or how to help children/teens who abuse others.  There are many resources included in the appendix as well.

So thorough, so researched, so informative, so practical.  I strongly recommend Off Limits by Sandy Wurtele and Feather Berkower.

Here's their website for more info: http://www.parentingsafechildren.com/

Grandma Ruth's Peanut Butter Cookies

Bryce's Grandma Ruth is a superb baker.  Her peanut butter cookies are the best I've ever had.  So incredibly scrumptious.  She sent me the recipe and I made them that minute.  Literally!

Grandma Ruth's Peanut Butter Cookies

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup shortning

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 egg
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Mix sugars, butter, shortning, peanut butter, and egg. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and refridgerate at least 3 hours.  (Try not to eat too much dough during this time or there will only be 2 dozen instead of 3 when baked....not that I would know or anything.)
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Shape dough into 1 1/4 inch balls (I just drop by teaspoon) on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten in crisscross pattern with fork dipped in flour. Bake until light brown, 9-10 minutes. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet. About 3 dozen.

Nothing better than fresh, warm cookies right out of the oven.  Mmmm, mmmmm good.  Thanks, Ruth!

Visitors in our Back Yard

Look who came to visit us the other day.

 A pack of wild turkeys!

 I'm just grateful that Bryce didn't go try and shoot one for dinner.

I am not in any frame of mind to learn how to pluck a turkey.  In fact, I don't think I'll ever be.  But they sure were pretty.  Come again feathered friends!