Last day of 6th Grade and 1st Grade

Jessie and I were back in Illinois at GG's funeral for the last few days of school, so our dear babysitter Annalisse helped us out a LOT by picking up the girls from school and taking care of them while Mike was at work.  I'm so glad she was able to get pictures of both girls on their last day- it has become tradition!

See ya 6th grade!

Rian absolutely adored Ms. Hall and was pretty heartbroken to have to say goodbye to her. 

She wrote her a nice letter about how she was the best teacher in the world and after a big hug, felt a bit better.  

It's off to 2nd grade for this one!

Rian and Annalisse.

Two sisters very happy to be on Summer Break!

Rian's 1st grade Field Day

Along with ever other kid in the 1st grade, Rian was very excited to participate in Field Day this year.  Not only was it an entire afternoon spent outside having fun, it also signaled the end of the school year and the beginning of Summer Break.

It was a beautiful sunny day and everyone's spirits were high.  

The kids had to spin around with their head on a bat for one minute and then run across the finish line without falling. 

Scooter races.  

Obstacle course. 

Drying off after all the water games. 

Jamie, Kendall and Rian.

Leading around a "blind" partner and squirting others.

Potato sack race.  

Hanging with Kaylee.  

Jessie's preschool graduation

It was a bittersweet thing- Jessie was graduating from Paddington Preschool.  Part of me had waited for this day for a very long time, but a bigger part of me wanted her to stay little forever.  I guess this is the way it is with your kids sometimes, you want to protect them from the cruelties of the world (or kindergarten, rather) and you feel like you can only do this when they are with you all the time.  Jessie, however, was very excited to be graduating, especially because she would be doing so with her best friend, Tayteum, and her other good buddy Kenadie. 

Graduation was held at Lee Martinez Farm in Fort Collins. 

Jessie and Tayteum.

Jessie's good friend, Kenadie. 

Smiling after receiving her diploma. 

Ms. Jeanine explaining to the kids how to throw their graduation caps.

Congratulations, Miss Jess!

We were so fortunate to have found Paddington Preschool and Ms. Jeanine.  For three years each, Rian and Jessie were in her loving care.  

Ms. Jeanine's helper- Ms. Carey.

Ms. Jeanine holding an alumni from her school.  

What, doesn't everyone feed the goats in their fanciest dress and high heels?

After the ceremony, pictures and cake, we walked around the farm and saw all the animals before heading out to lunch to celebrate.  Happy Preschool Graduation, baby girl!!!

Inquiry Night

All of the 6th grade Gifted and Talented students had to do an Inquiry project this year outside of school.  Each student had to pick a topic they were passionate about and find a mentor within the community who could teach them all they knew about their subject. They had to meet with their mentor a minimum of six times and compile all their research into a presentation and a product.

Hayden's mentor was Dr. Tammy Jenkins of the Natural Health Center of the Rockies in Fort Collins.  She finally narrowed her topic down to Sugar, and all the ill effects it causes on the body. Here are some pictures of Tammy's office, and the vials she uses to test patients for different allergies, viruses, bacteria, parasites and just about any other health issue you can think of. 

Some of the natural supplements she uses in treating patients.

 

 

Working on Hayden's pamphlet.

Showing Hayden how muscle testing works. 

On Inquiry Night, each student had to get up on-stage in the auditorium and present a slideshow of their topic and their research.

 

Her presentation went off without a hitch.  She was poised, knowledgeable and threw in a touch of humor at just the right time.  She didn't appear nervous at all.

 

After the presentations were over, everyone headed to the cafeteria where each student had a display set up showcasing their topic, research and final product.  Community members walked around from student to student asking questions and obtaining information.

 

Hayden's display included information on natural medicine, antibiotics, symptoms of sugar withdrawal, alternatives to sugar, how sugar meets all the criteria for an addictive substance, and tips for living a healthier life.  Her product was a pamphlet with some of the information listed above, along with recipes and websites with additional information on alternatives to sugar (ie. honey, stevia, coconut sugar, etc.) 

She was really well received by her audience and people seemed genuinely interested in hearing what she had to say.  I think she was proud of the result and glad that all the hard work had paid off.

 

The exhibits by the other students were equally impressive.  What a talented bunch of 6th graders! 

Hayden turns the big 1-2!!!

Each time one of my kids has a birthday, I am completely baffled as to how another year has passed.  Last time I turned around, Hayden was graduating from 5th grade and anxiously anticipating middle school and here we are in the final few weeks of sixth grade.  It has for the most part, been a great year and Hayden has truly become a mature pre-teen. 

Rian got up early on Hayden's birthday to set up a "Birthday Queen station" for her.  She put pillows, blankets, a table with her Ipad on it, and a hand-typed spa menu for her to choose the services she wanted Rian to indulge her in.  ( I believe she picked a pedicure and massage!). 

Rian also served Hayden her birthday breakfast which included her favorite donut from The Donut Haas along with a banana.

Here is the birthday girl with her homemade crown from Rian.  Wow, I wish I had a sister so sweet! 

 

Hayden decided she would like to go rock climbing with a few friends to help celebrate her birthday.  Everyone met at Inner Strength rock climbing gym in Fort Collins to get their climb on! 

Sarah reached the top of her first climb, no problem!

Katie did equally well.

Hayden has always been somewhat of a monkey, and enjoyed challenging herself on some of the harder routes to the top.

Sklyar repelling down.

Jessie getting basic climbing instructions. 

That girl can climb!

Rian did great on her climbs too!

After climbing time was over we headed to TCBY for a well-earned treat.

 

According to Rian's face, picking out toppings is very serious business!

 

 

Still just a silly kid at heart.

 

 

At home that night, we celebrated with a cake Hayden baked and decorated completely on her own.  Happy Birthday sweet girl!!!xo