Sidewalk Chalk

 The theme in Julia's Kindergarten class is owls and her teacher taught her how to draw an owl.  She came home and even showed us how.  I love her drawing of Dad and Julia owl and she even says art is her favorite special and I can see why...she's very good at drawing.

It looks like Andrew rolled around in the chalk but I can assure you that didn't happen but boy oh boy is he a messy little guy!  We had to take off his clothes in the garage and get him right into the tub before he could eat dinner...he had chalk everywhere.  He's such a messy boy but he loved every minute of playing with chalk and of course he wanted to use it the next day.  I should have taken a photo of Julia for comparison as she was quite clean.  Such a difference in my two kids!

Homework

Recently Julia started getting homework and it's much different than the homework I assigned while teaching second grade but of course she is only in kindergarten.  She gets a homework choice board and they say pick 2-3 a week but of course we do more than that and return it at the end of October.  Thus far, she has played hopscotch with numbers from 11-20 and I must add I was amazed at how good she could hop.  Her balance has definitely come a long way!  She's practiced writing her numbers in sand and on the ipad along with playing some learning games online.  She's also done some more traditional homework like practicing writing her first and last name and different ways to show a specific number.  Thankfully Julia is very much into doing her homework and we have no trouble getting her to complete her assignments...let's hope this continues as she gets older.  

Wiped Out

Andrew was my shopping buddy today and apparently I wiped him out.  He looked so cute sleeping I had to snap a photo.  Actually most days Andrew falls asleep in the car on the way to pick up Julia from school so it must be a comfy car seat because he often takes a snooze while on the road.

OWL of the Week

Each student in Mrs. Parker's Kindergarten class gets a chance to be OWL (Outstanding Wise Learner) of the week.  Julia was so excited when it was her turn.  Each day they do something to recognize the OWL of the week.  On Monday she shared her poster so the class could learn more about her.  Tuesday the teacher read her favorite book which she picked If I Could Keep You Little and on Wednesday they invite the parents to lunch and on Thursday they read a special letter written by a family member or a friend and on Friday the class comes up with words to describe Julia.  Julia loved being the OWL of the week and felt super special.  Here's her poster that we worked on over the weekend and the letter my sister wrote to Julia during her special week!  It's the sweetest!


Julia

It's your Aunt Kimberly and I wanted to write you a letter during your special week. 

I remember the day you were born. I spoke to your mommy and daddy and asked them your name. When they said Julia Kimberly Brown...I thought it was the sweetest name ever. I can't believe we share the name Kimberly. I also remember holding you when you were a baby and it made me really want to have a baby. 

I have so many great memories of you but here are three: 

1) I love the way you played with Victoria during our visit to Atlanta and our beach trip. You are such a caring and funny little girl. And you came up with the wiggle dance which made everyone laugh!

2) I love how you take care of Alexander and Andrew. I have so many pictures of you holding their hands and it makes your parents, Uncle Bradley and I smile. 

3) I remember when you gave gifts to Alexander and Victoria. You always seemed so excited to give them presents which means you have a sweet gentle heart. I hope you remember how good it feels to give others presents as you get older. 

We are so proud of you being in kindergarten. Remember to listen to your teachers and be nice to everybody as everybody needs a friend like Julia Kimberly Brown! You are a wonderful niece and I'm so happy I know you. 

Love, Aunt Kimberly (and Uncle Bradley, Alexander and Victoria)
Oh, Alexander says hi and wants to come visit!

Daddy Daughter Date

Julia and Daddy went on their first ever official Daddy Daughter Date complete with flowers and ringing the doorbell to pick her up. We thought it would be fun since Andrew was sick and of course it doesn't hurt to reinforce how men should treat a lady on a date so as she gets older she clearly knows to accept nothing but the best.  Obviously they've gone out together alone but this time we called it a 'date' and Thomas asked her out earlier that day.  I painted her toenails and nails and she wore perfume and a tiny bit of eye shadow just for fun and funny enough Julia said she was a little nervous.

They went to Ichiban for dinner along with Barnes and Noble to pick out a special book and then had ice cream for dessert.  Sure sounds like a great date to me!  Andrew and I stayed home since he was running a fever and watched Cars.

Ballet/Tap 2014-2015 Season

Ready for another great season of dance at Cumming Dance Academy.  This will be Julia's 4th year enrolled in dance and we think it's such a great activity for her.

Getting ready for dance class to begin.

Julia is ecstatic to be in the same class as her BFF from preschool, Grace, especially since they aren't at the same school anymore.

Another friend of hers Jennifer is in her class too.

Sweet girls in dance class together.

1st Tooth Fairy Visit

Don't really want to believe it but the time has come where Julia has lost her first tooth.  We knew it was loose but didn't realize just how loose it was.  Another milestone in life which is a reminder of my little baby girl growing up.  Seriously is she old enough to be loosing her teeth?

Close up of her pretty smile!

Julia lost her first tooth at school and didn't actually realize what happened and literally lost the tooth.  When she got in the car she told me she had a hole in her tooth and I said your tooth fell out.  We went back in and I dug through the garbage since she said it fell out during snack but couldn't find it.  No worries since she came home and wrote the tooth fairy a note explaining what happened.  She ended up getting $5 from the tooth fairy along with a receipt.  Since then she's been telling everyone she lost her first tooth and she's very excited about it.