Yankees Wrap-Up

Jackson's team didn't fare so well this season.  The Yankees (aptly named) placed #6 out of 6 teams.  Oh well!  Jackson had fun and learned a lot - even if they only won 3 games.  He ended up the season playing third base and is pretty darn good at it (It's a mom's prerogative to brag, right?).



Determination - Can you see the tongue?



Running the bases



Ready to head home...I could never catch him with my camera crossing home!



Most handsome third baseman EVER!

  

Here comes the tongue of determination!





He ended up getting this kid out!  I didn't catch it for two reasons - #1 I was way too excited.  #2 My camera's not fast enough :(



Receiving his award at Closing Ceremonies

 

Can you tell how hot it was?

We weren't the only ones who saw Big Jack's improvement this season.  He made All-Stars.  We're so PrOuD of him!  He is VERY excited that he gets to play again since his team didn't make it to the city tournament!  And I'm happy not to have to root for the Yankees anymore :)

Verse of the day - "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

Blessings,
Kelli

How in the world did this happen?

Jackson has officially completed the 1st grade.  Okay, okay he completed it weeks ago, but I'm just now getting around to blogging about it.  How did this happen?  How did he become my seven year old second grader?  Wasn't he just born yesterday?

Here are a few highlights from the last few days of school...




Jackson and his Play Day buddy



Fun times at Play Day



More games on the blacktop



Popsicles to start the end-of-year party...

 

Then bubbles to finish up a great day!



Bubble blowing machine!

 

We have a "1st Grade Autograph Party" during the last week of school.  It's so much fun for the kids.  All the classes head down to the cafeteria (easier to write on the tables) with pencils and books in hand.  I love watching how they interact with each other. 

 

Fun memories!



Jackson and Mrs. 7e...Two of most favorite people!  We take our picture with each of the the kids at the end of the year.  We give them a copy in a frame to take home.  I keep my pictures as my screen saver so I can say a little prayer over each of them during the summer.  Jackson's picture with Mrs. 7e is on his nightstand :) 




Awards Assembly!  Jackson receiving his awards from Mrs. P and Mrs. Lopez.  Mrs. P (Michel) and I handed out Mrs. 7e's awards while she was out with her back injury.  It was my first awards assembly without her! :(




So proud of this boy!  Commendable Attendance, 4.0 Honor Roll, Outstanding Citizenship, Music Award and Reading Award

Can't wait to see what 2nd grade has in store for our little man, but I'm relishing every second I have with him this summer!!!

Verse of the day - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Blessings,
Kelli

I like the way she says her name

During May, Jackson and I attended his friend Taylor's birthday party.  Taylor and Jackson have been in the same class for the past two years and have become pretty good friends.  She is a precious girl!Taylor is also my friend Cheryl's niece and her family is WoNdErFuL!  Don't tell Jackson I said this but he thinks Taylor's pretty cute.  After countless dinner conversations about Taylor during kindergarten, Zach asked Jackson what he liked most about her.  Jackson's response was "I like the way she says her name."  Sweet boy.




I think this horse was named Cinco.  One was Cinco because she was the fifth horse born and one was Mayo because it was born in May.  Such amazing creatures!



Two of the other horses at the farm.



The birthday girl waiting for her turn to ride.  Look at those pink ropers - so cute!




Jackson's turn to ride




Listening to instructions - I should have blogged this right away because I forgot this patient, kind man's name.  His house, land and horses were beautiful!  Such a great place to have a party!



Ride em!



Precious horse cake




The birthday girl's turn



There was a trampoline for the kids to jump on while they were waiting on their turn to ride the horses.  Such fun!



I love this picture!



Presents!



Could Cheryl look any cuter on that horse!!!  (This is pre-back injury, by the way...) 



Jackson LOVES pinatas!  Especially since his mean momma is too scared to let him have one at his parties!



Happy Trails!

Verse of the day - "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you." 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Blessings,
Kelli

They call me the Fireman...

1st Grade took a field trip to Firehouse 6 towards the end of school.  We had a great time!  I think these kinds of field trips have sort of become extinct.  What a better way to celebrate our city's local heroes than to visit the fire station that services the area around school.  We even went green and walked to the Firehouse.  It was about a mile and half round trip - not to bad on the way there, but kind of toasty on the way back to school.  The kids did great!  They were very well-behaved and had a great time.  The firemen were so nice and patient with the kids!

Fun car!  The kids got a big kick out of walking by Miss Elizabeth's painted car.  Miss Elizabeth is a high-school student (oops, she's now a graduate) that worked in Mrs. 7e's room this year.  She is also a former Wheelock Whippet.  She and her friends painted her car before graduation. 

 

A fire hydrant mailbox - so cool!


 

Part of our long line - ready to go in!


 

Listening to "Lumpy" (his nickname, I'm not being cruel) describe Engine #6



Describing all the tools inside the engine



You should have heard the boys loud excitement over this bad boy!



Lumpy's dog Yoda - he was so cute!


 

They got a call while we were there and had to leave for a few minutes.  The kids were so intrigued by the fact that they had to leave their shoes behind.  It was pretty neat to see how fast they get geared up and out of there!




Half of us waiting patiently for the engine's return.



And the other half - they were so well-behaved!

  

Yay!  They make a triumphant return to applause and adoration!  Luckily, it was just an alarm that went off without an actual fire.


 

Demonstrating how to pull your partner out of a fire - very impressive!

 

Of course the batteries in my camera died so the rest of the pictures are from my phone.  Suited up in full gear - cannot imagine how hot it must be!



Jackson's class



Michel, my amazing teammate, got 60 firehats donated from Firehouse Subs.  At the end of the day, everyone got a firehat!  Of course, we had to hold them down on our heads with one hand so they wouldn't blow away in the West Texas wind.

Thanks to all the firefighters for what they do each day!  They give selfishly of themselves to serve our community.  What great examples of courage and character they are for our kids!  I know we had a lot of 1st graders change their career choice to firefighter that day!

Verse of the day - "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13

Blessings,
Kelli

Nastics

Also known by non-three year olds as Gymnastics.  Kendall had a Gymnastics program at school at the beginning of May.  It was really amusing - in a proud Mom sort of way.  When I tell people I teach 1st grade, most people say "Oh, 1st grade!  I could NEVER do that."  When I think about teaching Gymnastics to two and three-year olds, my response is pretty much the same.  Seriously, her sweet teachers were so calm, patient and encouraging.  They definitely have crowns of jewels waiting on them in Heaven.


Kendall and her friend K waiting for their turn on the mat.  This was our first attempt at letting her wear her hair in a ponytail to school.  Lots of curls do not make for an easy "pony", but it stayed for the performance.



Backward Bunny Hop



"Vaulting" over the mat



Backrolls down the mat



Hear no evil, Speak no evil, Smell no evil
They were actually singing a cute little body part song.




Kendall and her sweet friend C admiring their medals




So excited about the medals!





The whole class




Yommy came to watch, too!  She's the best!!!




So proud of our girl!

I CANNOT for the life of me get videos from my camera to upload!  FRUSTRATING!!!  These are videos I took on my phone.  Ignore my voice in the background.

Verse of the day - "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul." 3 John 1:2

Blessings,

Kelli