First Book Report...

The Tale of Jolly Robin 

By: Arthur Scott Bailey

The first real, big chapter book that Julianna has read in its entirety.  All 22 chapters of it.  Written in 1917 this adorable book tells the tale of a happy  little Robin bird named Jolly and his adventures from hatchling to adulthood.  Julianna LOVED this book so much and we had so many fun discussions about it.  It led to studies on birds and migration. We even spent one day learning about katydids (one of the birds eats one I think which is what led to the tangent) we found out what they sound like and we went outside to try and find one! I made her read one chapter a day, although sometimes she was anxious to move ahead.  When she completed the whole book she had to do an official book report.  She made her own booklet by  writing 6 things that happened in the book in order and then illustrated them.  It's been about a week now since she finished the book and she is still talking about it.  Jolly was like a good friend and she kinda misses him now that he is gone.  That's the way a good book should be. 

The Tale of Jolly Robin 

by Arthur Scott Bailey

Jolly was born in a nest in Pleasant Valley. 

(Left side) Jolly's father taught him to fly.

(Right side) Jolly got a job laughing for Mr. Crow.

(Left side) Jolly travels south with Jasper Jay.

(Right Side) Jolly's cousin gets lost and they never see him again.  (Side note:  Jolly Robin's cousin was a bird called a Hermit Thrush.  Julianna looked up that type of bird so she could draw it right) 

Willie Whip-poor-will keeps Jolly up all night.  

The End

Eight, Eight, Eight is GREAT!

Julianna turned 8 this year.  She wanted a rabbit, her very own bike (since she's been riding a hand me down), and to be baptized.  

Eight.

I can't believe she's 8.  I still refer to her as 5.  I don't know why but I can't let her grow up. Eight is such an amazing age to be.  So precious.  So lovely.  So important in our faith.  8 is the age of accountability and the time where you can choose to be baptized.  Julianna decided to enter the waters of baptism and become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  To make this important day even more special she was baptized on her actual birthday.  She could hardly wait to be baptized, she was so excited! I took some photos and we also had photos taken.  She shared her baptism day with one of her good friends so we had photos are both of the girls taken as well.  It was a beautiful day for a beautiful girl.  (The first two photos of Julianna in her dress and the one above were taken by me, the next 5 were taken by April Kentner, my friend and real photographer)

 

 

Oh...and she got the bike she asked for.  She didn't get the bunny.  

 

Elementary School....

Well yesterday was the first day of school for Ashlynne and today was the first day of school for everyone else. To be quite honest I think it's so silly to start school on a Friday. It's like, let's get the kids all out of their summer "routine" throw them into ONE DAY of school and let them sleep in the next two days because it's the weekend and then hope and pray they are ready to wake up and start again Monday morning. Silly isn't it?!



This is a week to celebrate some awesome milestones. Beginning with Ashlynne's first year in middle school, this year also marks Brinton's last year in Elementary School! He is a big 5th grader, king of the school and totally ready for anything that comes his way. He will have the same teacher he had last year so I think the transition (which can be a little rough for him, year to year) should be pretty smooth. I totally forgot to get a picture with his teacher last night at Back to School night....I'm going to have to put that on the to do list.




Elise is a 3rd grader this year. She got a wonderful teacher, who she also had for science/social studies last year, as her teacher for this year. We were able to go to Back to School Night last night and bring her supplies and meet with her teacher for a little bit. Her teacher gave her a huge hug and told her how happy she was to have her in her class again this year. Elise had a smile from ear to ear.




Lastly, and this is a big one, JULIANNA STARTED KINDERGARTEN! FINALLY! She is so excited and soooooo ready to be there. She worked really hard for me all last year with our homeschooling efforts but her personality will really thrive in a classroom setting. Last night we were able to get a little preview of her classroom and meet her teacher at Back to School Night. She was so excited about all the toys and centers and the posters on the wall. She said "Mom, I think I'm really gonna LOVE this place." It was so cute. Her teacher has been a kindergarten teacher for over 26 years and she was just the sweetest lady ever, just like I remember my own Kindergarten teacher (about 25 years ago!)I am so excited for Julianna to finally get out there and be a real Kindergartner and just have fun.





This morning she was the first one to hop out of bed. She was dressed and ready to go in no time. She hugged me a couple of times a told me she would miss me. That really tugged on my heart strings. I had this idea that since I knew how ready she was to go to Kindy and she's my fourth chickie to leave the nest that I would be totally okay with her going...no tears, I was wrong. At the bus stop she was just so happy and I was so excited for her. I tried to hold her back from the bus for a minute so that I could get a picture of her getting on and it was all I could do to hold her back. She was so ready. As she climbed on the bus she flashed me a winning smile and said "I love you momma" and they were off and then my tears began to flow. Just a couple, small little tears that I quickly wiped away but they were there. I'm so proud of my little peanut, I hope she has a fantastic day in Kindergarten.