What was your favorite gift?

I will post some photos of Christmas later, but I had to write this down before I forget....

I got one of the sweetest gifts from my kids.  Olivia LOVES to play hairdresser so I bought her a Hairdresser set with a chair and stand with mirror and a place to put all of her accessories in.  Corey asked the kids what they should get me for Christmas and he mentioned maybe a spa day to a get a massage or get my hair done.  Olivia said "I can do her hair!" So she wrote me a coupon for 100 FREE Hair do's.  Luca said "I can give her a massage!"  So he gave me ONE coupon for a free massage.  They were soo sweet because it came from their heart.  Love them so much.

I asked Olivia today, while she was doing my hair in her new hair dresser studio, what her favorite gift was and she said "My favorite Christmas gift is....LOVE."  She's seriously the sweetest!

Balloon

Olivia had a her Christmas dance recital yesterday.  Olivia's bff who lives down the street, Ashlin, goes to the same dance studio as Olivia.  Her mom and I coordinated to get them in the same class this year so we can carpool them to dance class each week.  I was bummed because the first two months, Olivia had to take a different class because her soccer practice fell on the same day as dance.  She ended up starting her dance class with Ashlin in November. I was a little nervous because she started to learn the other dance class' recital so she seemed a little behind to  me.  Last year, I had taped her recital performance during dance class and learned it myself so I could teach it to her because I didn't realize the teacher would be standing on stage with them!! So she knew the entire routine last year.  This year, I taped it and she didn't want to practice at home at all.  I was so nervous that she wasn't going to know her dance,  and she did AMAZING!  She totally stands out and her moves with her hips just make me smile!  She really is a natural.  After the recital, we went to Red Robin to have a really late lunch.  The  kids always love getting balloons there.  On our way out, Olivia fell down and her balloon popped.  She was crying not because she was hurt, but because of her balloon.  Luca did the sweetest thing and said "Here Olivia, you can have my balloon."  It made me want to cry it was soo sweet of him.  He also was very attentive and watch during her performance and even told her she did a great job.  He can be soo sweet!!!

Interim Report

We received Luca's Interim Report and I started to tear up in the car when I read the note that his teacher, Mrs. Reo, wrote.  "Luca is continuing to do quite well.  He continues to be a very good listner & a leader by example.  Thank you for your support at home."

He also had no checks which a check means that he needs improvement. 

This was soo nice to hear as sometimes Luca can be challenging and not listen at home.  I am so glad to see that he listens to his teacher and that "he is a leader by example." That brings me so much joy to hear!!

"I want to be the goverment!"

We really try to limit the time the kids have on their I-Pad and Kindles.  They actually don't play with it very much because they are involved in so many activities that they just don't have time after homework, reading and site words.  But when/if they are on it's hard to peel them away from it. 

Luca had asked us if he could get a new app which I've been avoiding "Mindcraft" I've heard it's very addicting.  This week, he started taking Ju Jitsu class which HE LOVES and he told me he wanted a ju jitsu app that he found instead of Mindcraft.  We told him if he got clipped up to Pink at school he could get it.  Well, yesterday he got clipped up to Pink.  He told his friend who is in 3rd grade that he was getting this app and his friend looked at me and said "that app is for teens!"  I had no idea. I took them to see Santa and Mrs. Claus after school (which I will post pics when I get time).  During dinner he brought up the app again and we told him that it was for kids 12+ he got so upset and said "I wish I was the government so I can make all the rules!"  It was soo funny, but he really was so upset. 

Email from Olivia's Teacher

Since I use this blog to help me put together the kids yearly scrapbook that I give to them every year on their birthday, which Olivia's birthday was in JUNE and I haven't even finished hers yet because I've been soo busy with work!! Anyway, thought I would put a sweet little note from her teacher on here so I can make sure to put it in her Shutterfly Book. 

AR = Accelerated Reading Tests.  They basically read a book then go on the computer and log in with her username and password and answer 5 multiple choice questions about the book.  She wanted to do this on her own after school because she sees Luca do it and he talks about it all the time and she was up for the challenge.  So proud of her.  She got 4 out of 5 right, she said she guessed on the 1st one because she wasn't sure what to do as she's never taken a test before. LOL

Hi Mr. and Mrs. Andres,

Just a little email to say how proud I am of Olivia.  She has been participating more and raising her hand more in group discussions.  I also noticed she was up to the challenge in taking an AR the other week!  I am going to try and start sending home some books starting next week that she might want to try for more AR points.  She is always kind to her friends and very polite (even thanking me when I am handing out work.)

Wanted to pass along a happy little note your way~

Julie Greiner