Writer's Workshop

Tayson's favorite subject in school is Writer's Workshop.  Just recently he finished his 3rd set of high frequency words flash-cards so his teacher sent home a different activity to do each week at home.  Tayson's been doing these in school, but I never realized how much I would enjoy doing this with him and watching his creative juices flowing.  

First:  He draws a picture

Second:  Writes a story (around 5 sentences) about the picture containing: beginning, middle and an end all on his own spelling the best he can

Third:  We go through the story together and Correct spelling and punctuation.

Fourth:  He colors his picture.

I couldn't believe how well he did and how impressed I was by his spelling.  At one point during his story he looked up at me and asked why I was smiling so big and I just told him how pleased I was with how well he was doing and I couldn't help but smile.

He wrote a lot faster than I realized he could and he didn't have a hard time at all spelling his high-frequency words.  I'm so impressed with how much he has learned so far in Kindergarten and I'm looking forward to doing these stories each week.

Our First Garden

A few weeks ago we had bought some seeds and put them in our window so they would sprout.  We finally decided it was time to plant them, so we had a good time together working on our little potted garden.  We had made a new year's goal to learn to grow a garden, so it was nice to get it started.  We planted: broccoli, carrots, basil, butter lettuce, red lettuce, cherry tomatoes, green peppers, parsley, and green onions.  This is first time for us, so we'll just have to see how everything turns out.  Wish us luck.

Tatum decided playing in the dirt wasn't quite enough.  She had to taste it too.

Kara's 28th Birthday

February 12th was my birthday.  Jay and Tayson woke me up in the morning saying "Happy Birthday" and brought me breakfast in bed.  Then I walked downstairs and there were balloons and streamers decorating the whole house.  Then they brought me my gifts to open.  I got a really cute purse/diaper bag, a wallet planner, a hoodie, a book about mothers and sons from Tayson and a beautiful family Willow Tree Plaque.  It was a great morning.  We went about the rest the days as usual.  Tayson had school, I was volunteering at the school, etc...  That evening we went to Romano's Macaroni Grill and they sang to me in Italian and we had a delicious dinner.  The turtle cheesecake at the end was my favorite.

The "Birthday Girl"  I can't believe I'm 28.  Time has gone by so fast.

The handsome husband who was so thoughtful.  He knows I love surprises, so he got off work at 3:00 A.M. (he works mids) and came home to get everything ready.  What a sweetheart.

Tayson showing me how I'm supposed to look when the waiters/waitresses come to sing to me.

Tatum liked the singing too.

Showing us how big his next bite is going to be.

"I love Food"

Lounging in my robe with my great gifts

Tayson's First School Project

Tayson did a great job on his project and his presentation.  He made a stoplight that was first patented by Garrett Morgan.  He had to tell his class about it and he remembered everything he needed to say and received an CD+++ (meaning constantly displaying).  It was crazy to me for kindergartners to be doing such a big project, so I was quite impressed by his efforts(with the help of Mom).  His class even got an article written about them in "Stars and Stripes" (Military News Paper).

Cherry Blossom Festival

We went to the Cherry Blossom Festival on our way back from Okuma.  We made it just a little too late though to be able to see the whole mountainside covered in pink.  I was glad we were at least able to see some.  The trees were so beautiful.  They were such vibrant pinks.   We stopped at the booths that were setup for the festival and had some ice cream and let the kids play at the play ground.

This is a shisa-dog we saw on the way up. 

Okuma Feb 2-3

We had some friends invite us to Okuma for a couple of days to watch the Superbowl (showing Monday morning here).  We had a great time.  We stayed in the bungalow.  We enjoyed playing games and spending time in the beautiful weather.

Entrance to the maze

We had fun riding around on this pedal cart.  It was hard work for Jay and me, but Tayson and Tatum really enjoyed it.

Jay is searching for shells for me.  How sweet!

Tatum enjoying the shells and studying them

Tayson being a crazy zombie

Random Post

New Year's Eve party

Jay's name painted on the jet that he is the dedicated crew chief for

Tayson looking handsome all ready for church

Tatum and Tayson enjoying their ride in the grocery cart 

(well at least Tatum is)

Tatum and Mom at the Christmas festival

Tatum's Personality

Here is our little Tatum and her fun personality.  We enjoy watching her learn and grow everyday.