Corl Street Cougar Cat Run

Today was the Cougar Cat FUNdraiser at Jeffrey's school, it was a beautiful day very warm and sunny.  It was great to see all the kids so excited, happy and healthy - everyone did a great job running!  What a wonderful community spirit our school has, we love being a part of it!  Thanks for your support!

Meredith Starts the Thrillin' Threes Class

Meredith is having a great time in the three year old classroom at Stay and Play.  Most of her friends from last year have returned, and her new teachers are really fun.  They have gone to the park every day, and Meredith has lots of fun playing in the leaves.  She loves 'gathering' and has brought home special leaves or rocks every day.  Her teacher started a 'Wonder Bowl' at school for all the kids to put their nature treasures in after they return from the park. 

Meredith and Simon are in the Nature Center, they are examining Flowers using magnifying glasses and other tools. 

 Last week the class talked about insects and pollination, they had a special snack of cheetos and pretended the orange dust on their fingers was pollen, just like bees collect in on their legs.  There have also been many insect visitors to the classroom in the nature center - a praying mantis, wooly bear caterpillar, swallow tail caterpillar and more.

The class has also begun their alphabet unit, they started with A for Apple, then B for butterfly, C for Caterpillar.... and will continue throughout the year.  They have made a craft for each letter, see Meredith with her butterfly in the picture above.

Meredith is loving painting and crafting this year.  She brings home many projects each week, a favorite has been making friendship bracelets out of beads and pipe cleaners.  She is enjoying school so much and even stays for lunch and adventure afternoons once a week.  We are so glad to see her having such a wonderful time with her teachers and friends, she just loves school!

Jeffrey's Enjoying First Grade

Jeffrey started First Grade a few weeks ago.  We really like his teacher so far, and he has many friends from last year in his class.  He is very excited to have his own desk and to be #1 in the class. (Thanks to the last name of Axtell!)  I visited his classroom for parents night and found a tiny pencil in his pencil box, he tells me he is writing a lot, though I suspect he might enjoy sharpening his pencil.

I reorganized Jeffrey's room a bit so that he has a desk to do his homework and a small reading nook with comfy pillow in his closet.  He loves it!

I found a lot of useful information about all the students in Jeffrey's class on these worksheets which were on display.  Jeffrey wants to learn about 'Math' and 'Gold'  this year, while a few of his classmates were interested in learning about 'Diamonds' and 'Chocolate'.  It is going to be a fun school year! 

Summer Reading Program

Jeffrey is reading 'Ramona the Pest'

 Jeffrey participated in our Library's Summer Reading program.  We checked out a lot of books from the library this summer and I logged the number of pages that Jeffrey read.  I also got to log in the books that we read to him before bed.  Jeffrey read 3,919 pages so far and got to attend a Pizza party for kids who have read 3,500 or more pages.  Jeffrey was also so happy to win a game of free mini-golf as a reading prize too.  We really enjoyed the reading program this summer!

Summer Art

This year the weather was cool (and sometimes rainy) for Arts Fest.  Jeffrey was supposed to go to kids day with his camp, but the weather forecast was poor.   Instead I went to kids day and found some fun stuff for them.  I found a green ninja for Jeffrey to join his purple ninja from last year, and a glittery crown for Meredith.  I enjoyed seeing all the artwork created by our local kids, they were very creative and hard working!

Meredith and I went back for the afternoon and she decorated a visor and had her face painted.  We also enjoyed watching a dance performance and looking at artwork.

I also spent some time browsing and buying while the kids were in camp in the morning.  I really enjoy talking with the artists and seeing all the creative and wonderful items they are selling, it was very inspiring - time for me to get crafting! 

Summer Camp

The kids have been enjoying a lot of activities this summer.  Jeffrey and Meredith both got to go to summer camp at the Friend's School.  Meredith loved going to camp, her teachers said she was sweet and fun, and she talked about camp all day.  She did painting, crafts projects, chalk, played outside on the playground, and on the last hot day they had popsicles for snack and played in the sprinkler. 

Meredith loved camp and her camp T-shirt!

The weather was rainy for Jeffrey's camp so they went to a local indoor playground - Fun Unleashed, and also went to see the movie Monster University.  Jeffrey made a collage, mosaic marble painting and acted in a play with his camp friends about Lego 'Chima' (animal tribes that want the natural resource of Chi a source of life and destruction).  They played games and 4-square, water games - like 'drip drip drench' a variation on 'duck duck goose'  and went sliding on a gigantic slip and slide.  Jeffrey made some new friends, and had a great time with his friend Ian.

Happy 4th of July!

The kids decorated their bikes for the 4th of July this year.  We had fun at 'Airport Park' with our friends decorating and playing.  The bikes turned out great!

Meredith and I went to the parade this morning (Jeffrey is too fast for a little kid bike parade!)  We saw lots of our friends, and Meredith biked really fast!  She enjoyed it a lot.  Then she scaled the rock climbing wall with my assistance and we headed home.

Ella and Meredith are ready to go!

Jeffrey's Last day of Kindergarten

Jeffrey had a lot of fun at Kindergarten this year.  He loved learning to read, and had so much fun with his classmates.  We enjoyed a final music program by Jeffrey's kindergarten class and Jeffrey went on a kindergarten field trip.  All the Corl Street Kindergarteners walked to Mrs. Shoemakers house for lunch and games.  The teachers also threw water balloons at the kids! 

His last two days at school, Jeffrey ate the school lunch!  He chose Chicken Nuggets and Warm Soft Cheese Pretzel.  On the last day we walked home, Jill the crossing guard gave Jeffrey and Meredith popsicles and bubbles as an end of the year treat.  Jeffrey has grown so much this year, we have truly enjoyed our first year of school at Corl Street. 

Meredith's Last Day of Terrific Two's Class

Yesterday Meredith had her last day of school.  It was hard to get an end of the year picture because she was grumpy about school ending.  I bribed her with 2 m&ms and that mostly worked. Meredith and her class spent most of the day at Central Parklet (the small park next to their school) and in the big room. On her second to last day they ate fudgesicles and played in the sand box at the parklet.  It has been so much fun for the kids at school these last few weeks!

Memorial Day Fun

Memorial Day weekend, Mike and I walked the Black Moshannon 5K.  We had a babysitter watch the kids and drove up to the park for a chilly but sunny walk.  It was a beautiful morning with the sunlight sparkling off the water, next year we are planning on the 10K walk.  Then we enjoyed some crepes and coffee at the local cafe.  It was a great start to the weekend.

I finished!

 Although it was a cool weekend, it wasn't too cold for our kids to go swimming at the pool!  Jeffrey and Mike went to Welch Pool on Saturday and we all went to Park Forest Pool on Sunday and Monday.  (I didn't get wet though, too cool for me!)  Meredith loved the toddler pool, she even liked the buckets that dumped water on her head.  And Jeffrey spent the entire time going down the yellow water slide!  He was tired after all those stairs. 

We ate lots of cheeseburgers and hotdogs, and finished up with a backyard 'campfire' in our old Coleman grill for toasting marshmallows and eating s'mores.  Just a few more days of school for the kids, then its summer vacation.

Meredith's Spring Music Show

Meredith and her friend Caroline are excited to begin!

The theme for the show was animals.  The kids performed a song we have enjoyed at home by Laurie Berkner:

I know a chicken (I know a chicken)
And she laid an egg (and she laid an egg)
Oh I know a chicken (I know a chicken)
And she laid an egg (and she laid an egg)
Oh my goodness (oh my goodness)
It's a shaky egg! (it's a shaky egg!)
Shake your eggs!

Meredith Turns 3!

A week ago our little girl turned 3.  She insists that she is a 'big girl' and not a baby.  Her birthday was a Monday and she got to celebrate with her preschool friends by sharing a special snack.  We brought in vanilla cake mix cookies (with lots of sprinkles) and cheddar penguin crackers.  Miss Katie and Miss Beth gave her a birthday crown that she wore for most of the day. 

When she got home from school we opened presents.  She really enjoyed unwrapping every one herself, she was very excited.  When Jeffrey came home they played with the new camper, school, and woodland animals together.

Then after a yummy taco dinner we celebrated with a 'Strawberry' cake - the birthday girl's request! 

Reading

We had our spring parent teacher conference with Jeffrey's Kindergarten teacher.  We were so proud to learn that Jeffrey is reading at a level which is 5 times higher than the end of year kindergarten requirements.  Every day he surprises us with his vocabulary and the words he can read.  In the morning you will find him quietly reading to himself downstairs. 

Thank you Emily for lending us some books, the kids were so captivated they forgot to snack!

 His love of reading is evident every day.  We all enjoy our before bedtime ritual of reading together, and I am so happy when I see Jeffrey reading to Meredith or Meredith picking up a book to look at just because she wants to be like her big brother. 

Hey, I found these smart kids in a box!

Spring is here!

Feels like it is finally spring in state college.  Flowers are beginning to bloom, and Mike mowed the lawn today with his new lawnmower!  It started on the first try - thumbs up!

 

This week I volunteered at Jeffrey's school.  I helped in the Corl Street Garden, and assisted Jeffrey's class in planting seeds for snow peas, carrots, nasturtiums, violas and onion starts.  The school garden is very beautiful and it was great to help out.

Trellised area where Jeffrey and friends planted their seeds.

 

Meredith has been enjoying gymnastics this spring, I think it suits her.  She loves to run and jump.  

 Meredith is growing up, we are getting ready to celebrate her 3rd birthday.  Here she is all ready for school and  pictures with Jeffrey.  

Meredith's pretty spring dress is a gift from Aunt Paula!

Repainted Kitchen!

I have been hard at work repainting our kitchen.  We wanted an update from the 80's!  It has been taking a while to get everything done because of all the painting and priming.

After!  So beautiful!  It makes me so happy! 

Blah, before painting.

We have cabinet knobs now too!

Dr. Seuss and Spring Break

Jeffrey's school participated in 'Read Across America Week', by planning some Dr. Seuss activities.  The kids wore red, white and blue, then a color from the book 'My Many Colored Days'.  Jeffrey wore blue which represented kindness and peace.  The most exciting day was crazy hair day.  Here's Jeffrey's orange spiky hair, he really liked it!

Of course we don't need any motivation to read over here, every day is a reading day at our house!  Jeffrey has enjoyed checking out books at his school library too.  It is interesting to see what he chooses to bring home.  He brought a book about the Hindenburg home two times, and has been bringing home A-Z mysteries lately.

We had a low key spring break.  The kids had a fun time playing together, and a great time hiking with Daddy on the one warm sunny day.  We watched some movies together like Wall-E and the Hubble Telescope movie, with cheddar popcorn for a snack.  I am working on repainting our kitchen and assembling some new furniture I got from IKEA.

Over spring break we put the toddler bed in Meredith's room, and I got her a new star night light.  She loves her 'new' room and doesn't miss her crib at all, and she stopped waking up at night.  She's such a big girl now!

'I love my new bed!'

Jeffrey Turns 6!

 

This year Jeffrey turned 6!  We had his birthday party a few days before, there was a bounce house, a pinata, vanilla cupcakes and presents.  Jeffrey had a great time playing with friends and everyone enjoyed the snacks, and running around in the big room!  Jeffrey also really enjoyed opening his presents when we got home.  Thanks everyone for the thoughtful and fun gifts!

Jeffrey's Birthday was on a Tuesday, he was so excited!  I went into school to have lunch with him and to share mini cupcakes with his classmates.  Jeffrey and 3 others had the vanilla and 11 kids had chocolate cupcakes - we almost ran out of chocolate!  It was surprising how many kids preferred chocolate!  Then we played with hotwheel cars and big cardboard blocks until it was time to start learning again.  In the afternoon Jeffrey opened some presents, played with pirate legos, and with the castle and new knights.  

 Jeffrey's Birthday wish was to loose his 2nd tooth, and he did!  It came out right before bed.  He was so excited (and he ate 2 kinds of cake) I am amazed he went to sleep!

Jeffrey with his Polar Bear cake - it had Whipped Cream Icing, yum!

Jeffrey's Learning to Ski!

Poppy and Jeffrey are ready to ski!

This morning I took Jeffrey for a ski lesson at Tussey Mountain -  our local ski place.  We went with our friends, Jeffrey and Poppy were in the same ski group.  They did a great job and had a lot of fun.  First they got comfortable in their ski boots and then played some games and put one ski on to get used to that, then did some short skiing and practiced doing the 'pizza' wedge to stop themselves.  Jeffrey has good balance and is pretty comfortable in the skis and boots.  He was very excited and enthusiastic to learn.  Since this winter has actually been pretty snowy, we are planning on taking another ski lesson soon.  Jeffrey can't wait to ski down the bunny slope and ride the beginner chairlift.   I'm hoping to go skiing with my friends sometime soon too. 

Meredith's Music Show

Meredith is dancing like an airplane with her friend Caroline.

In January we enjoyed a visit from Aunt Paula.  She came to watch Meredith's Music Show at Stay and Play!  Meredith truly enjoyed performing her music class songs with her school friends.  They sang 'Row, Row, Row, Your Boat', and everyone enjoyed counting down from 5 and 'Blasting off' during the 'Rocket Ship Run'. 

'5,4,3,2,1...Blast Off!' with Ella

Winter in State College

The kids are back at school (when it is not cancelled or delayed by weather).  And are glad to be back with friends.  In elementary school everyone brings their snow gear and plays on the playground during recess!  Sometimes we play some more when I pick Jeffrey up after school.  It has been very snowy lately, and the kids really love it. 

Sliding like an otter at the school playground.

King of Snow Mountain!

 

 

O' Christmas Tree

This year Mike and Jeffrey went out to get the Christmas tree after a family breakfast at the waffle shop.  They got to Tait farm early and found a great looking tree.  This year we did our decorations differently - we put the tree in front of our front window, decorated our evergreens with colored lights, put our white LCD lights on the deck, and penguins visible out the dining room window.  This year snowed on the first day of winter, and then for Christmas.  A few days later we got even more snow!  The kids had the best time playing in all the snow and sledding in the yard.

The kids went right to bed on Christmas Eve wearing their new pajamas, and slept until 7.  Jeffrey was very excited when he woke up and we opened stockings with him and a big present (his new imaginext castle) in the playroom before Meredith got up.  Jeffrey helped Meredith with her stocking when she came down - she really loved his help and it was very sweet of him to concentrate on helping his little sister.  After Meredith scarfled down a chocolate bear from her stocking we had a delicious breakfast of traditional french toast, sausage and grapefruit before opening the presents under the tree.  The kids were so excited but they were happy and cheerful and patient.  They loved opening presents and were very grateful.  Jeffrey was a super helper and passed out presents to everyone.  We had a great Christmas!

Meredith and Jeffrey wearing owl Jammies on Christmas.