Holiday Performances

December has proven to be a busy month, partially due to the kids' holiday performances. Owen didn't seem to enjoy the music time on Wednesday nights like Willow did, so we stopped fighting that battle halfway through the fall. We were grateful to have both sets of grandparents present to see her performance though! We were also thankful for the zoom lens on our camera to be able to see Willow from the balcony. She's to the left of the boy in the green shirt.

Christmas in the Air
Come Lord Jesus
Here We Come a Caroling
One God
Silent Night

Willow's school also performed the Nutcracker. She was really excited! Seating for the performance was ridiculous. It was 1st and 2nd grade performing and it would probably still be packed even if it was just one grade level. Here was our view:

Nutcracker

Owen's preschool sang songs for parents. Thankfully they've switched it to the evening so it's easier to attend. He was not so thrilled with being in front of a crowd!

Honestly, I think he was reading the lyrics on the screen in the back of the room half the time!

His "perfect match" might just be on the other side of the stairs!!

Enjoy watching his friends sing ;)
God Helps Me
Jingle Bells
Joy Down in my Heart
Together

Willow's writing and math!

Willow has impressed us with her reading but her math as well! They've been working on two-digit addition and subtraction in school and she's rockin' it! She's done really well with mental math too!

We haven't seen too much writing come home this year but what has come home has been fun to read!

Reading and Honor Roll!

Willow and Owen were caught doing this this morning:

She did a great job of being patient and helping Owen with words he didn't know. He's been super motivated to read some decodable Star Wars books I ordered for him recently. Reading level wise they're probably at his frustration level, but his background knowledge and interest level definitely take over and he's loving them! Check out this video of him!

We're super proud of Willow's hard work too! 2nd grade is the first time they've received letter grades and she's earned some good letters:

Among Willow's other skills is now jumproping on the trampoline! 

First day of School!!

Willow is off to a great start in 2nd grade! We had a chance to meet her teacher, Mrs. Settles, at Open House and think she'll be a great match for Willow!

We went to dinner to celebrate the first day of school and Willow came up with this word that she'd learned in school (answer below):

Self-reliant! And she could tell you what it means too!! Impressive!

Owen is also enjoying his first week of Preschool so far. He's going 4 days a week this year and is in a class with a few friends from last year. 

Lead teacher, Mrs. Deeter:

Assistant, Mrs. Gates:

We're looking forward to a great year!