Last day of school- 2014

This last year flew by in a whirlwind of fun and excitement!

------------------------------------------

August 2013-
1st day of pre-K

Jonathan and Bella started school this year- the very first year of time away from mommy! They did SO well! In fact, just this morning Jonathan counted BACKWARDS from 100-1 ... that has to be some kind of genius, right!?!? LOL!! 

August 2013-
1st day of pre-K

Our little town only does 1/2 day for the pre-K class, so it was just a preview of what "real" school will be like, but he loved every single minute! They went to the morning session, but often asked me if they could go back again and do class with the afternoon kids!! Jonathan is so very eager to learn. He asks tons of questions and is up in everybody else's business all the time trying to show off what he knows- perhaps better than everyone else (at least that's what he thinks!)!! 
Bella had a great year too- she learned so much and has come a long way. But her more shy-ish personality doesn't showcase her abilities as noticeably as Jonathan. Sometimes I worry that she doesn't get a chance to learn as much with him being SO very eager! 

May 2014-
Last day of pre-K

May 2014-
Last day of pre-K

So, we decided- and the school often recommends anyways- that next year they will be in separate Kindergarten classes! I'm curious to see how that will go for them, but I am excited too! I think Bella will really come out of her shell a lot! I think they rely on each other a lot, so it will be great to see their own circle of friends begin to develop separate of each other! 
They had THE BEST teachers this year! Mr. C and Mrs. L love each of the kids like they were their own kids... and my kids have all loved them too! Mr. C said yesterday that it's weird to think that this was his final good-bye to the Boni Bunch!! We love him and Mrs. L and will miss them dearly!

Mr. C- We love you!!

---------------------------------------
   

August 2013-First day
of Kindergarten

Asher finished Kindergarten this year. OH MY WOW- I can't even begin to share my excitement about his kinder-year! This year, my child found his voice! Last year, for more than half of the year, he wouldn't speak to his teachers, he wouldn't participate in activities, and he'd stare at the walls. The doctor said he has social anxiety and selective mutism. It helped us understand that he wasn't being rebellious, he was simply having mini-anxiety attacks and didn't know HOW to deal in the social setting of school.

May 2014- Last day of
Kindergarten

 So after 7 months of therapy with an AMAZING lady, he came out of his shell! He finished therapy the month before Kindergarten started, and we've all been amazed at the difference in him! He has so many friends that he talks about all the time! He even talked to his teacher... and during show-and-tell, he even talked in front of the class!!!!! He loves to write words, always asking, "How do you spell...." 
He loves math- he came home from school almost daily with his math sheets and almost always had perfect scores! I am so very proud of Asher and this year's transformation!

 Mrs. M- We love you!!

-----------------------------------------

August 2013-
First Day of 2nd grade
(Take 2)

May 2014-
Last Day of 2nd Grade
(Take 2)

Xander just completed his second year of the second grade. (Read HERE for more about that) I will NEVER question our decision to retain him. This year has shown phenomenal change in the oldest of my Bunch. He began the school year reading at a 1st grade level and is now right where he should be entering the third grade! He went from being held back because he was struggling so much with the 2nd grade, to being named the class Top Student- for excelling in the 2nd grade! He made straight- A's all school year. He was everyone's best friend. I spent 1-2 days a week in his class- working with his teacher and loving every single moment. It was great to see my little man with his peers. 
 When I asked the kids this week "Who is your best friend in this class?" almost every single one named Xander! He is such a sweet, kind-hearted, and loving friend! He was so patient- since he was repeating this year with Mrs. L, he was her helper - he'd read to the struggling kids, help answer questions, and run errands! He has grown up so much over the last year - sometimes I can't even believe the difference! He makes a momma proud!!

Mrs. L- WE love you!!

------------------------------------------

This year has been amazing! It was my first year to be able to volunteer in the school- helping the teachers and spending time with the kids! I learned so much about myself and my kids... 
who knew *I* would learn and grow by going to my kids' school!! 

Special thanks to Mrs. L for EVERYTHING, for Mrs. M for letting me play on party days, and for Mr. C and Mrs. L for letting me be a part of your pre-K for three different years! These teachers have been great... I can't imagine how our future teachers could even begin to compare!