Christmas 2014

Maevy -

We opened presents from Santa, Mom, and Dad Christmas Eve morning. Santa brought you an Ivy & Bean early chapter book, and Mom & Dad got you your first Loom! Later that morning - we made this mini-scarf that you gave to M.

Obligatory Christmas Eve Mass Pics-

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas!

Smart Girl

I saw the first of your narrative writings (from school) last week. I continue to be impressed by your reading and writing skills. Here's a recent thank you note you wrote on your own -

Then last night -after your 1st piano lesson and dinner, you went to your room and wrote the following sign up sheets -

Syn (sign) up here for fun club - 
Syn (sign) up here for lounge club -

Both hilarious and smart. We decided to sign Carter and Daddy up for Fun club, and you and me for Lounge club.

Love you -

Mom

Kindergarten Class Pic

Fall 2014 - Kindergarten

Halloween Part 2

Here's how this year's costume - a make-up artist came about.

First you wanted to be Elsa (from Frozen). I said no for many reasons - including - there were going to be a million Elsas, it's not creative, and it's not semi-homemade. I tried suggesting other ideas inspired by the Lego Movie, Star Wars, etc..

Then one day you said you wanted to be a Food Artist. I said, "Like a Chef?" No, a food artist - someone that draws food, paints with food, and wears food. After more and more questions, the costume was becoming more and more elaborate and still no one really understood what it was. Daddy figured out that you were inspired by a random character on Busy Town, named Vincent Van Goat. We stopped talking about it for a few days, and then Aunt Robyn came to visit.

One night you got out your make-up and prettied up Aunt Robyn, Mommy, and Carter. Then I suggested - "Maevy- you should be a make-up artist!" We'll do your make-up and I'll get you bag with brushes for your make-up, and you can wear a black dress, black tights, and black shoes. Luckily- you said yes!

We added some accessories the night of - You're a pretty cute make-up artist. :)

I love the attitude you have in the rest of the pictures with your tiger-brother -

Random pose and Carter- roaring -

It ended up being pretty cold on Halloween night; so you had to wear your jacket and complained that you couldn't feel your feet. We made it down one side of the street, took a break to eat dinner, then just you and Mommy went down the other side of the street. When we came back, you helped hand out candy with Carter. At one point, we had a pretty big line, and you were trying to let people know we had 2 lines by shouting - "I've got jolly ranchers!"

Too cute. Happy Halloween!

Halloween Video

Cute video of a neighbor who guessed both you and Carter correctly - and you all handing out candy -

Halloween Part 1

For school you were supposed to dress as your favorite book character. How awesome it was to come up with 2 costumes! (jk) When I asked you what you wanted to be, you immediately said, "Oh I already know. I want to be the pigeon from "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" because he's funny."

I suggested all kinds of girly characaters like Junie B. Jones, Judy Moody, Marisol from Sky Color, or Ramona Quimby. You replied, "Yeah, but Mom it's not Mom picks out kid's favorite book character, the kid gets to pick."

Point taken. For a second you considered some Star Wars characters, but I told you that didn't count, since Star Wars wasn't actually a book first. Then I quizzed you (I'm horrible) - "Do you know the author of the pigeon books?" You replied - "Yes, Mo Willems." Fine, you convinced me. Pigeon, it is!

No face paint or masks were allowed. We made this simple hat and a quote sign. You picked "I'd thought he'd never leave!" which you think is hilarious.

Before school - I guess this is your pigeon face -

Your class picture - I love how committed you are to the costume. You wore it in the car and walked into breakfast with it.

 

Stay tuned...later you get to wear make-up!

All About Maevy

From your 2nd week of Kindergarten -

You brought home this little book - 

 Mommy, Daddy, and Carter

 This is actually color pink, yellow, and purple.

 Sorry - this didn't show up that well on the scan.

 Interesting..

Our favorite page - this a picture of you facing a big black box - watching tv!

I quizzed you about that last page. In order - you love watching tv, watching movies, and reading books. All things that involve lounging. You even said - "I like to lounge." 

I guess it runs in the family...

Love you,

Mommy

National Book Festival - D.C. Trip

Maevy-girl-

We just got back from an awesome long weekend in Washington, D.C. with Grandma. We met lots of Mommy's old friends, new kid-friends, and fit in a few touristy things. Here are the highlights with my favorite stories from the weekend.

Friday -
You are becoming quite the traveling pro. You've pretty much have all things airport-related down. We rode the metro from the airport to our place on Capitol Hill and quickly became obsessed with the metro map.

We headed to the Olivos for dinner where you met Lucas and Nathanial. After dinner we headed to the park where you and Lucas made up the "push Maevy-game". You hang suspended from the zip line and Mommy and Lucas push you back and forth as many times as possible. It was pretty fun.

(Totally forgot to take picture of any of this.)

Saturday -
First thing in the morning, we went to the Thomases for breakfast where you met Mason. He quickly showed you his train set and new room...and you loved Ms. Rebecca's monkey bread.

Waiting for Mommy and Grandma to grab some coffee. You were made yourself at home and read your book. 

Post-breakfast, we booked it to the metro/book festival; so we could see Jeffrey Brown speak. He spent a lot of time taking questions/requests from the kid audience. You quickly raised your hand and wanted him to draw Princess Leia, which he did eventually draw.

Right after he spoke, he had a book signing. You did pretty well in line, and your face was priceless when you finally got to meet him and he signed your book which included a picture of Princess Leia.

Most of the authors we wanted to see weren't till much later in the afternoon. So instead we did all the other kid-related activities which included - listening to some story-tellers, watching a cook demonstration, getting some free books, writing a story/coloring a picture inspired by a primary source, and "visiting" all 50 state-tables to fill up your passport. You were very proud of accomplishing the last task, and became a pro at navigating and slipping through the crowds. Oh and I almost forgot- you gave Curious George a hug. (Don't tell Carter.)

Other fun times at the festival - You and Mason running around in the open space. You attempting to teach him red light, green light. And Mason leading us out of festival on his "train". He was the conductor. :)

Caption bubbles in the PBS area - 

We finally called it quits at 3p, and headed back to our place for a power nap. I think you could have slept for hours, but we had to head out to Arlington. The Funks were throwing a pool-pizza party in our honor.
Even though Hunter is your age, I knew 8yr old Madeleine would be your favorite.

Post- pool party - you played with legos for a minute and got in your jammies. Hunter even asked if you could spend the night; so I think they were fan of MMT.

Sunday -
We slept in a little, but made it in time to eat breakfast at Eastern Market. They have the best pancakes which we all enjoyed.

Post -breakfast...checking out the DC Donut "machine" -

You've been obsessed with your book, Looking at Lincoln for a while now and really wanted to see "Abie" or "Linky" as you call him. So we headed to the Lincoln Memorial -

Obligatory photos -

 eyes closed...with Mommy

 With the Washington Monument and Gma -

We made it as far as you could walk - to the end of the reflecting pool and grabbed a car to the metro. Then metroed out to Marymount where we went on an Alumni tour. Mommy wanted to see all the new stuff at Marymount. I'm not sure if you were impressed, but you did enjoy the cookie that the tour guide hooked you up with in the dining hall. Grandma asked what you thought college was while we were hanging out at the Main House. Your reply - "It's where you go to learn more before you become an adult and start working." Sounds about right...I have no idea how you know that.

Not interested in a photo- while waiting for Ms. Faith to pick us up. 

After the tour - Mommy's old roomate, Ms. Faith picked us up and we headed to Rocky Run Park, this cool park with lots of stuff to climb on. You had fun taking off your shoes, and playing with Joey and Ellie.
Sweet pic of you holding Ellie's hand on the rope swing.

Saturday was little hot, but we rallied and headed to the American History Museum after the park. You really wanted to see Dorothy's slippers and the First Ladies dresses.
Eyed closed..on the mall -(it was too bright!)

With Dorothy-

Grandma asked if we could stop by the gift store to pick up a little something. You were very stressed by all the options, but seemed most excited about the little stuffed animal of Bo, the Obamas' dog. Bo came in this little carrier, and you were in love. For the rest of the weekend, you told Bo not to be scared on the metro, where we were going, and how to act. And when we got home from dinner, this what you told Zebra -

"Zebra, we have a new friend. His name is Bo, and he's a President." Zebra seemed cool with it.

Other random stories - we enjoyed the piccolo player that was performing outside the Smithsonian metro. On the way back from the museum he was playing "We're off to the Wizard..." and you thought it was coolest thing.

We spent Saturday night watching Spy Kids at home, and you got gummy bears and milk as an after dinner treat. We were all in bed early.

Monday - 

We spent the morning packing up, and then met Mommy's friend Allison, daughter - Caroline, and hubby - Curt for breakfast. You were sweet to Caroline, sharing your crayons and bananas with her. (Totally forgot to grab a picture)

We had time to do one thing that morning before heading to the airport, and decided to go to the National Building Museum, a museum that Mommy has always loved.

They had this cool maze - that took a good while to figure out. Grandma almost started freaking out, but we made it out okay. 

The Work-Build-Play area had large and small block, gears, etc. It become a running joke all weekend that most of your favorite things to do (watch tv, movies, and read) all include lounging. So what did you make - a chaise lounge, with a tv in front, and remote. (Hilarious)

They had this cool - food pantry - can exhibit. Even though you've never seen Wheel of Fortune, you picked it as your favorite.

 Lastly, Mommy and you helped some boys and other Daddys building a 7 foot arch a couple times.

Phew...what a trip. We headed back to our place, grabbed our bags, and made our way to the airport. We had some nice chill, time on the plane, and Mommy let you watch My Little Pony (still can't stand that show).

Grandma and I had a great time with you, and you were a wonderful travel-partner. I hope you had as much fun as we did. Let's do it again soon, okay?

Love you lots,

Mommy

P.S. Daddy took you to school this morning where you delivered your gifts - a book (My Teacher is a Monster) to Ms. Boles and the National Book Festival poster to the librarian. I think they were a hit.

Kindegarten Notes

Hi Maevy-

Here's your 1st day of Kindergarten note that Daddy wrote you. You, of course, forgot about it and didn't read it until you go home.

Since we aren't doing love notes anymore, Mommy still wanted to give you a little note or something each day. I found some downloadable jokes and a Kindergarten and 1st grade vocavulary list. So each day - you get a joke and a vocab word. Mom or Dad uses the vocab word in a sentence and signs the note.

Kindergarten seems to be very busy because you rarely remember to read the note each day. Oh well - we'll keep trying and or at the very least read the note after dinner each day.

Love you lots,

Mom

1st Day of Kindergarten

Maevy-girl -

The day is here! It's your first day of Kindergarten at Lockeland Design Center!

Lots of navy and khaki jumpers - check!
Lots of color polo shirts - check!
A couple cardigans - check!
New backpack - check!
School supplies - check!

You met your teacher, Mrs. Boles, and found your desk last night at Popsicles on the Porch. Most of the Holly Street Pre-K kids ended up in Mrs. Walker's class, but you do know already know a couple other friends - Loise and Mickey. Plus you'll still get to hang out with the Holly Street kids at aftercare.

This morning you came out of your room for breakfast all dressed and with your backpack on. It was pretty cute. We got to school way too early, with enough time to wander around and even play on the playground.  You seemed ready to get things started and not all at nervous. I've been telling you for weeks that most days, you'll get dropped off in the cafeteria and be able to eat a 2nd breakfast; so you were a little bummed that we weren't doing the normal routine. You really wanted that 2nd breakfast. :)

Last story - Shocker, Mommy is already turning you into an over-achiever. I asked your teacher last night if she wanted us to bring in the list of books you read off the Summer Reading List. She said sure - so we spent last night reviewing them all and marking the ones that you read yourself and the ones that Mommy/Daddy read. Your memory was amazing, and it was kind of fun talking about the books/plots that we remember. You proudly gave it to Mrs. Boles this morning.

Obligatory 1st day of school photos -

In front of our house -

With Carter -

In front of the school -

On the playground - posing -

At your desk -

Happy 1st Day of Kindergarten! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you, and know you'll do great!

Love you lots,

Mommy