Thursday, June 25, 2009

School's out!

I'm in desperate need of a blog-a-thon to get caught up but somehow it's not hitting the priority list. I need the relaxation from blogging more than you need to hear about our life so I'll try to snatch it in little snippets and catch up in bits and pieces--maybe in no particular order!


School got out almost 3 weeks ago! We're so excited to have Hayley around more during the summer and she sure is ready for the break! But before we get too carried away with summer fun...here's a quick catch up on a few school related events that happened April-June.

The Book Parade. I thought this was a really fun idea! The kids came dressed as their favorite character from a book then carried the book as they paraded around the school grounds.

Maya and Alice helped me cheer our little princess along! (I must confess that when I first talked to Hayley about who she could be I had high hopes of a more classic and literate character...but I had to admit...we had a book that had Cinderella in it and we had the costume so I guess she qualifies! Someday we will dress up as something besides princesses, right?!?!)





The School Arts Festival. Hayley tried out to be in the annual arts festival and made it. She recited two poems about mice...so dressed the part too! I forgot to take a cute picture outside so this is what I got in the school gym.

They set out the mats and we brought picnic lunches to watch the show. It was a cute program and good experience. It surprised me that my little confident actress actually got a little scared up there. But with mom prompting from the wings she did great and loved the lime light!

As a child I attended British school. At one point I took diction lessons with one other girl. We would memorize poetry and learn to present it "properly". I guess because of that experience I like to teach the kids fun poems. Hayley has a talent for learning them faster than me! Here's the two she performed...maybe you can try teaching your kids if it sounds fun. (Hint: We tape them up in the kitchen and practice while we eat meals). A favorite poetry book that we check out from the library from time to time is "Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young" selected by Jack Prelutsky.

Mice
by Rose Fileman


I think mice are rather nice.

Their tails are long,
Their faces small,
They haven't any
Chins at all.
Their ears are pink,
Their teeth are white,
They run about
The house at night.
They nibble things
They shouldn't touch
And no one seems
To like them much.

But I think mice
Are nice.

Good Neighbors
by May Justus

A little old woman
And a little old mouse
Live in the very same
little old house
She rocks in a corner,
He scampers in the wall,
And they never, never get
in each other's way at all.




Eating lunch with Hayley. This isn't really a one time event but I did remember to take pictures one time. We love going to eat lunch with Hayley. The school lets us come any time we want. I tried to make it once a week--helps me keep up to date with current friends and chat with teachers. Maya and Alice love carrying their lunch boxes in and eating with the big kids.





"Around the World" Fashion Show. Another cute event that the school held. Hayley wore my old school uniform and represented England. It was a fun and well organized event with cute kids dressed up, a few classes learned some ethnic dances, and the MC spouted out interesting and funny facts about the various countries throughout the show.

4 comments:

Rhonda said...

What fun school activities! Hayley looks so cute in all of her costumes. I especially love the one of her of your old school uniform. I am glad you held on to it for so long!

Nancy said...

Wow, what a fun school! I love that minnie mouse outfit, where did you get it??? Also, I love your short hair. So cute!! Love the pictures.

Anna said...

Seems like dress is high on the agenda for schools!! It's funny how all the girls were princesses! Good memories - school really can be fun.

melbel said...

I am loving the idea of memorizing poems and how you help them learn it! Thanks for the idea!

I'm anxious for more blog posts!