Catching up, again

We've been so busy that posting blog articles has fallen to the long list. A quick review of the first half of the school year - in a paragraph or two...

Brock is thriving in kindergarten. He has made new friends, loves learning, and actually gets sad that the weekend arrives. I can only hope this enthusiasm continues through high school. High hopes, I know. He started the school year identifying letters and sounds and is now an up and coming reader!  In the classroom, he has a reading specialist that works with students in small groups to help them get to the next level and Brock enjoys working with the specialist very much. His confidence is building. BOB Books are a real help at home to reinforce his reading. They are short books with repetitive wording that are perfect for learners. Brock feels very proud of himself when he finishes a book. Wouldn't it be dandy if he could read books to Cade this summer? That's my goal, at least. As much as Brock enjoys reading, he has a joy of learning in all subjects. Math might be his favorite subject if you asked him. That could be because Dad volunteers in the classroom on Math Lab day.

Outside of learning in the classroom, Brock and his classmates performed in three assemblies. Stone Soup was the final assembly presentation. Brock played the part of Soldier #1. He has a natural presence on the stage. He definitely got into character - he says to me, "Mom, I need to act tired and hungry". Personally, I didn't think he needed to dig too deep to find that character within. :-)

Soldier #1 in Stone Soup

Every Turkey Can Tango - cha, cha, cha (school assembly)

Quite fashionable, yes?

6th birthday

6th Birthday

First sleepover with his best buddy, Raheem

Dr. Seuss Week - read across America

Date night - Mom and Brock went to the high school's play of Midsummer Night's Dream 

Cade is in love with his preschools. He especially enjoys the day I work in his classroom. The ever happy-go-lucky Cade captures the hearts of everyone. One of his preschool teachers said that Cade is a friend shopper, meaning, he doesn't have one or two friends he's grown quite fond of, but rather, has a large group of friends whom he loves the company of equally.  He is budding in his skills - developmentally and socially. It is difficult to say which subject is his favorite because he bounces from activity to activity with the same level of enthusiasm. If I were to guess, I would say playing in the sand and snack time are his favorites.

Outside of the classrooms, Cade is quite the fan of dogs. Real and stuffed. His collection of stuffed dogs is growing at a steady pace.  If we can get Brian and Brock on board, perhaps a new family member in the furry category will join us.

Cade and I have some convincing to do...

Christmas cutie

Listening to Teacher Karla during circle time

Riding the dolphin in Ventura

 Aside from school, we have had some memorable times over the past months. Holidays came and went, visits from family, visits to family, Spring Break, birthdays, to name a few. Life is blessed, that is for sure!

Cousin time!

Brock's uncanny portrait of me.

Stealthy Ninja Halloween costume

Christmas 2015 was no doubt a blast! Having the whole family under one roof for several days filled with movie outings, wine drinking (had to have some adult fun, too!), scooter riding, and visiting local friends was a perfect way to wrap up the year.

Thanksgiving 2015

And now we are in 2016 and time hasn't slowed down. We have already finished basketball season, are in the thick of baseball season, and look forward to summer camps in a few more weeks.

We took a day trip to Calaveras Big Trees in early March to let the boys experience snow for the first time. Brian grew up in Calaveras County so it was fun for him to drive us through his memory lane. We saw his former elementary school and the old neighborhood.

Green Dragons Y Ball - go team!

I'm out of time and will write more soon. We have many more tales to tell. So stay tuned!