popcorn

This is one of my favorite pictures of Sylvia ever.....so proud of this lady. 


As part of kindergarten, there are 40 "popcorn" words that they are all supposed to learn.  They are words that "pop up" all of the time, like "is", "the", and "of"...

Today, Sylvia's teacher sent us a sweet message that there was "great news from kindergarten."

Sylvia is officially part of the "popcorn club".  SO PROUD!!  She knows all of her words.  She is a great reader, and we knew that she knew those words, but so fun to make it official and celebrate it.  Sylvia brought home a certificate and a bag of popcorn, which is being saved for the next movie night.

Stella has loved learning some of the popcorn words, is very proud of Sylvia, and wanted her photo taken with the popcorn too :) 

 

xoxo  Keri

sweet Stella Bella

She didn't cry when she went to pre-school for the very first time.  She gave one little wave without looking back and walked right into the building. 

Even though some of the little 3 yr old ballerinas were scared to follow their teacher into the classroom for the first time, Stella had no fear.  She hopped right up, got in line, and when the class was over, she ran back to me smiling ear to ear.

She has rarely been separated from me, and on those rare occasions, she has thrown some crazy temper tantrums.  She tends to be shy, and has spent years clinging to my legs.  However, sweet Stella Bella has been beyond excited for these new challenges, and she has been braver than I've ever seen her. 

Stella suddenly seems so old.  She LOVES learning about letters, and is doing a great job recognizing her letters, learning to draw some of them, and figuring out what letter words begin with.  She learns so quickly, just like her big sister.  I feel like she changed from a little baby to a smart little girl over night.  Her memory is very impressive, and she reminds me of everything I have said all day long.  Don't ever make a promise to Stelly Bell that you can't keep.  She has just amazed me lately.

I am so proud of all of those things, but what continues to impress me most with Stella is her compassion.  Although she steals Jeremy's toys and teases him from time to time, she is so sweet with him it blows me away.  She is always paying attention to what he needs or wants, and speaks to him in such a sweet way.  The first thing she talks about when she wakes up from nap is almost always Jeremy.  She tends to say silly things like "Jeremy told me he want me to tickle his toes".  It's not always accurate information, but he is always on her mind.  Today she was trying to get him to play "dance class" with her..poor kid :)  But that Stella girl is definitely empathetic far beyond her 3 years.  She is going to accomplish amazing things.  Sylvia recently had to take 4 things that describe her to school, so I asked Stella what she would pick.  She said she would wear butterfly wings because she loves being a butterfly and she really loves to fly.  You were born to fly, Stella Bella.  We love you so much and are soooo proud!!

Here is a collage of Stella's first day of school, including my view peaking in through the door when we picked her up, Jeremy and Sylvia waiting excitedly to Stellla again, and Stella sitting next to her new friend, Kiera.

may you always know how loved you are

may you always make new friends as easily as you do now

[Right now you have a new "bff" every day, or so it seems.  That makes my heart happy.]

may you always value your old friends so

[You see neighbors and pre-school friends on the bus, in other classrooms, and in the hallways each days, and are so excited to smile and wave.  You've got your buddy Courtney on the soccer team, and another pre-school friend that waits for her little sister at dance class the same way you wait for Stella.  I feel like you are constantly surrounded by sweet friends, and that is an amazing way to go through life.]

may you always wake up so excited to start your day.

[The first day of kindergarten you hopped up and smiled saying, "Yay, I have school today!!"  Everyday since has been about the same.  As much as you love to sleep, I know there will be days in your teenage years (or sooner) that I have to beg to wake you up, but I hope you are always so excited about life.]

may you always be so excited about reading.

[At age five, you surprise your mom and dad (and lots of other people too), about how well you can read.  You are always so eager to learn new things, and I hope you always are.]

may you aways be so successful at the things for which you work so hard.

[You are kicking butt at this kindergarten thing.  There are 40 words you are supposed to learn by the end of the year - you knew them on day 1.  I taught you to count by fives in a day.  Today they tested your letter recognition skills and were very impressed.  I just know you have many amazing successes in your future.]

may you never give up when things become difficult.

[This makes me thing of the Dr. Seuss book, "Oh, the Places You'll go": 

Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don't.
Because, sometimes, you won't.

I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you......

things will not always be easy, and I wish for you the determination and confidence to persevere.  I am doing my very best to keep you challenged far beyond what is requested of you in kindergarten, but that is no easy task with you, my friend!]

may you always know how loved you are.

[You are such an incredible little girl.  We love how you hum and sing 24/7.  We love that you request brussel sprouts anytime you get to pick the vegetable.  We love that you have such patience and passion for learning.  We love that you still sleep with your blanket, Cubby, each and every night.  So incredibly loved you are, my dear Sylvie.]

Box Tops

Our Sylvie has had a super busy few weeks, and she is LOVING it. 



She loves everything about kindergarten, and everyday she tells me about some new "bff".  Sylvie has an assigned bus seat with Brenna on the way to school, and the very first day Brenna asked Sylvie if she wanted to be her friend.  Sylvia thought that was the best thing in the world.  She absolutely loves riding the bus, and Brenna instantly became bff #1.

After dance class tonight, Sylvie called out to her friend Alex that she is her bff too.  Stella heard the string of letters and felt the need to chime in...."S-T-E-L-L-A ........that spells Stella!!!!"  It was the funniest thing.  I'm so proud of both of them.

 

Sylvia was very excited for her first soccer game on Saturday.  All week long she wanted to know which team they'd be "fighting."  Last season her team scored one goal out of all the games, and I think the other team may have kicked it in.  This year, Sylvie has improved sooo much and their whole team looks great.  Coach Daddy put her in for the 2nd quarter, and I think it took a whole 30 seconds for her to score her first goal.  Ever.  Yay Sylvia! 

In all of her spare time, I've taken her running with me a few times.  So fun to have a little buddy :)




 

This is one busy little lady. 

 

one quick little note:  Sylvie's class is collecting these Box Tops for Education to raise money for her school and to win a party for her class.  I think most schools do the same thing, but if you aren't saving them for anyone else, and you think of it, they are on the tops of many cereal boxes, among other things:  http://www.boxtops4education.com/Image.aspx?Id=8358

Sylvia reminds me to save them all of the time, and I still catch myself throwing them away, so don't worry if you don't remember.

Great first few weeks of kindergarten, Sylvie babe!  You are going to have a GREAT year!!