The Miske's Visit

The first 4 weeks of summer were nice and leisurely.  We slept late, didn't make too many plans, and just enjoyed our days.

Then our summer took a crazy turn and we haven't stopped moving!

First up was a visit from family.  The Miske's came to visit!



The first night they were here we went to Izzy's Parable-looza performance which will get a post of its own!

The next morning we took a boat ride over to Morris Island.  It was 2.5 hours total (15 minutes to the island, 2 hours searching for treasures, and 15 minutes back).  It was the perfect kid friendly boat excursion.



On our way to Morris Island




We had the place to ourselves








We even found a couple treasures along the way - lots of shells, shark teeth, sand dollars and a ton of blue crab!




And no trip to Charleston would be complete without a trip to the beach





While Izzy and Katy were nearly inseparable...Drew hung with the big girls.
















We had some fun trying to create a "star fish" type picture


Flying our kite


And covering Pete in sand


And finally, while the beach is a must see, so is Jack's Cosmic Dog.

no one even looks at the camera, rather they just keep putting food in their mouths!

Thanks for coming to visit!

4th Fun

Have I mentioned how much I love our neighborhood?  Probably just once or twice, huh?

Our great group of neighbors / friends decided to stay low-key for this holiday by simply reserving the pool shelter.

The kids had a blast swimming from about 4-9 and then we lit some fireworks and ate some smores.  A great time was had by all and I am hoping this becomes our fourth of July tradition!







Drew and Jack spend a ridiculous amount of time going underwater and then jumping up.






Love this picture of sweet Austyn


Time for food and fireworks!












Can you say "trouble"


Drew is not a fan of loud noises...check out his face in this picture




At one point we tried to use some headphones as earplugs but they didn't work.  Eventually we settled for just squeezing the heck out of head by covering his ears.


We followed up with SMORES!








And when it got loud he talented enough to eat a smore while keeping fingers in his ears


And silly us...we tried to get some family pictures at 10:30...to remember the fun we had!

"Swim Meet" meet "Seizure"

Tonight one of my swim meet fears came true.  Izzy didn't begin her race with the buzzer due to a seizure.  It was an away meet, against Park West.  Izzy was in lane 3 (meaning she was favored to win for her heat).  I was at the far end waiting for her to finish, while Pete was working as a timer on lane 6.   Izzy got into the ready position, but then stood up.  Once she stood up I could tell she was having a seizure.  The buzzer signaled for the start of the race and Izzy stood frozen.  My heart sank - and I tear up now recalling it to type - I knew she would start late, if she started at all?  What was probably only 5 seconds felt like an eternity!  The timer in lane 3 happened to be our neighbor and she recognized what was happening immediately.  A couple other neighbors were standing near me and noticed as well.  Thankfully once Izzy snapped out of her seizure she dove right in!  By golly if that girl doesn't have heart!  She kicked and pulled like no ones business and managed to finish second.  I WISH I would have had it on video just so she could see what an amazing job she did.

I don't think I have ever been more proud (well I probably have but this was a really awesome feeling) of her and how well she swam.  The mom in me wanted to grab her a first place ribbon and give it to her ...cause she certainly swam like a winner that race.

These seizures sure do suck...but Izzy reminds me through her actions that they don't define her.  She sure is one awesome kid.

We Have a 2nd Grader!

Today was Izzy's last day of 1st Grade.
 



Not only did I have to get Izzy off to her final day as a first grader, but I had to get myself up and ready as well.  At 8 am I needed to be seated in her classroom for "Research Roundup".  Each student (thankfully only 16/20 were there) had to present a research project.  Izzy's paper was titled, "All About Dogs".  I was amazed at how much information was gathered for this project.  Each paper had a title page, author's page, table of contents, and then the information presented in fact form with a supporting picture for each.



I can't say enough good things about how great Miss Allan was as a 1st grade teacher for Izzy.  Just this evening as I put Izzy to bed she teared up and told me she didn't want to leave the 1st grade and Miss Allan.  Dealing with Izzy's medical issues this school year has been quite trying emotionally on me (not sure Izzy really thought much of it honestly) and Julie Allan was so wonderful.  She treated Izzy with the delicate touch she needed.  Examples would include:  Izzy failing to write down #4 on the spelling test...no problem, Julie would simply go back at the end of the test and repeat the words Izzy failed to fill in...math timed tests if Izzy appeared to not complete the typical number she would retest her at another time.  And really, she would just wait out a seizure, like we do at home, and then restate what she was saying to Izzy.


I found a great idea on Pinterest - each year have your child's teacher sign the book "Oh the Places You Will Go" by Dr. Seuss.  At the end of 12th grade it will make a neat keepsake for Izzy.  Here is what Miss Allan wrote.
Izzy, I know your first grade year with me was at the beginning of your journey, but I hope when you reach the end of high school the following things are still true: I hope you are still a kind and caring girl, I hope you are still creative and love learning.  I hope you still cherish your friends and enjoy being helpful.  As a first grader you were a ray of sunshine and a joy to teach!  I hope your life is filled with joy and that you remember the life lessons of 1st grade - be kind, care about each other, care about our earth and think for yourself.  I am proud of you!  Love Miss Allan

And here is what Miss Allan wrote on Izzy's stellar report card.
Izzy is going to be an awesome second grader.  She is finishing the year reading well above grade level.  She enjoys writing and grasps the concepts of organization and details.  She has grasped most math concepts with ease.  Keep her reading, writing and practicing math skills all summer.

She finished the year with her report card showing all "C's" - which means "the student consistently and independently mastering grade-level at this time."  Most of the year she had "c's" except for an occasional "S" (meeting grade level with some assistance) in "tells and records time to the half hour" and "represents the place value of digits to 999".  Both of these "S's" occurred last grading period.

So here is the low down on some Izzy stats based on the progress report that was sent home each week.  Chances are years from now I will have no idea what this even means!

Every day Izzy was given a color code based on behavior with green being the best.  I am super proud, and not surprised, that Izzy was on green every.single.day!

September:
Izzy started her reading level at a 10 (mid-1st grade level) and knew 91/100 sight words.  The words she missed were: use, these, would, write, people, water, been, oil and made.

End of December:
reading level of 17 (end of 1st grade level) reading with 97% accuracy and 100% comprehension
98/100 sight words.  missed: oil, these

End of February:
reading level of 23 with 96% accuracy and 100% comprehension

March the school switched to a new assessment program and reading levels are based on a letter system.  She was given a reading level "L" with 98% accuracy, 10/10 comprehension points, and a reading rate of 46.  46 is slow as the average is 90-120.  I found this surprising because I thought she read at a pretty good pace, but nonetheless her teacher suggested reading easier materials to increase her speed.

April: last reading level given was a level "M".

Spelling:  Izzy started as a late stage letter name speller and finished the year as a late stage with-in word pattern speller.  I don't know what any of that means, but hopefully will use it as a reference once Drew begins 1st grade.

Some Izzy stats per her (she is sitting next to me)

Favorite color: purple
Favorite food: steak
Favorite song: Call me Maybe
Favorite tv show: Shake it Up
Favorite Game: Club Penguin (on the computer)
Favorite Friend: Averie
Favorite Books: Katie Kazoo Switcheroo

Diffendoofer Day

Today was Izzy's last full day of school and it just so happened to be Diffendoofer Day!


What is Diffendoofer Day, you ask?
Hooray For Diffendoofer Day is a book that Dr. Seuss started and did not finish before he died.  The project was finished by Jack Prelutsky & Lane Smith.  The book is about celebrating the hard work that students and teachers do and a school with curriculum that is child centered.

Izzy's teacher said that the class had worked hard this year so they were going to have their own Diffendoofer Day to celebrate.  They were going to read, play math games and spelling games so the day would be academic as well as fun.

They were able to:
wear pi's
bring pillow and small blanket, and stuffed animal
bring board games

To make it even more special, Averie came to our house to catch the bus.  It should come as no surprise that these two wore matching pi's (and earrings!)

Kindergarten Bound

Bittersweet, I tell you.

Check out this handsome devil on his last day of pre-school!


I can't say enough great things about Drew's preschool teachers.  They were two of the neatest ladies and helped Drew to grow so much this past year.  Academically Drew has always been very strong, but his emotions sometimes get the best of him.  At his first conference in Oct/Nov the lead teacher remarked about how sensitive he was.  While he is still on the sensitive side (according to the end of the year conference) he has gotten SO much better.  I always thought Izzy would be like me - cry when another student in class got in trouble - but I guess it will be Drew.


Wednesday was his last day.


Thursday was his graduation.  Boys had to wear khaki bottoms and white tops while the girls wore white dresses.  I was fortunate that I didn't have to video any of the graduation because we were able to purchase a copy from a videographer!  I don't think I would have been able to video tape the ceremony anyway because I spend the majority of it crying.  Silent tears continually rolled down and while I tried and tried to stop them, I just couldn't.  I think even Pete felt bad for me because he just kept squeezing my hand.  ...heck, I am tearing up just typing this...  How was I not supposed to cry with those sweet little voices reciting poems and singing songs.  ...and don't get me started on the video montage set to sappy music!

Walking in, Drew had the whole place laughing as he announced "Boy, they weren't kidding when they said this place was gonna be crowded!"



The Pledge


Prayer Hands


A Poem



Each child was given a "christian characteristic trait" by their teachers.  Drew was given the trait of LOGIC (his teacher told me she debated between logic and humor).  As he was called to get his diploma his teacher said, "Drew's Christian virtue is logic.  He has a keen mind and ability to reason - we can almost hear the gears turning.  Clear thinking is definitely an asset to the Kingdom of Heaven!"


The celebration party after...with Jack of course :)


Drew with Miss Leigh, Miss Jean and Jack


And no graduation is complete without a gift...Skylanders!


I can't believe this mama loving boy will be in school all day next year.  My heart aches at the thought! My greatest comfort is knowing his sister will walk him to his class each day and keep an eye on him!