Student of the Month

Brenner was named one of the Students of the Month this week - for the second time this year! Woohoo, buddy - way to go! We are very proud of him!

 Here is our handsome guy! As a reward, he got to go to McDonalds for lunch. Prior to going, he said "You know they give us a coke, mom." I said you could ask for something else (he doesn't like carbonation) or you can have it since this is a special treat.  That night Brenner said "I got the coke, took a drink, and then asked if I could get something else. Then I went and got water." Yeah (mommy happy dance!).

 Brenner drew this for Nola - "I love you Nola" complete with pink hair! Such great kids!

 Nola then decided to put her own writing on it :)

 We had a tornado warning and then some hail. Brenner did not like going downstairs, but he read us a book and that seemed to take his mind off of things.

 Then we got some more hail :(

 Nola working on a masterpiece!

 Aunta-ta Theresa and Uncle Chuck sent an Easter box. Nola loved her new swimsuit! They also got the Frozen DVD. So we decided that Friday would be movie night and Brenner could pick out the menu since he was student of the month. He chose pancakes and bacon :)

 After Frozen, Nola wanted to dance and dance and dance!

 Brenner's class wrapped up the 2D shapes - he made a starfighter.

 Ugh - I continue to be dismayed at the worksheets that Brenner does in his intervention class (recall he is in the highest level). These are very simple for him so he is taking his free time to flip over his sheets......

 Recall last week that he counted by 5s so this time he decided on 10s. Good job, buddy!

 But I cracked up the next day when he decided to write as small as he could. Little stinker!

 This extra time led to Brenner drawing an alien with 3 eyes - one in side each other.

 Another great report!

 On Saturday, Nola and I went shopping with Grandma Val. Nola loved the shoe shopping and even got a pair of her own :)

The smiles say it all!

Imagination Station

Brenner and Nola never cease to amaze us with their imaginations! We see it daily in Brenner's classwork and for Nola, well you just have to listen to her stories during the day to know that her imagination is in full force!

 Our plants are sprouting! The kids love to check on them every day.

 Brenner's teacher sent this to me on St. Patrick's Day. The kids were hunting for the leprechaun that tore up their classroom while they were at lunch. The pot of gold was found in the Principal's office. When Brenner was in there, the principal told me that he asked lots of questions and was very engaging with her - great progress from our shy guy a few weeks ago!

 Brenner setting a leprechaun trap at our house later that day. The pesky little guy alluded us too :)

 Matt was on spring break this week - so we had extra Papa time in the evenings. We had pizza and game night one evening. It was fun! Nola always loses at Jenga but she doesn't seem to mind!

 Brenner is learning about 2D shapes. I was impressed how he came up with "honeycomb" as an example of hexagons.

 Brenner's class is doing a lot of writing. Mostly without instruction on what to write. Here he was channeling the Lorax. "Down where the grickle grass grows. Nothing sings except for old crows."

 "A couple days ago. I went to the park and was really.....

 ....excited to go. I went with my mom. I was a couple weeks ago."

 Brenner practicing using speech bubbles. "Do you want to play?' Answer: "Sure".

 Opps - forgot to rotate this one but I was impressed with his "extra" work - he decided to write by 5's rather than singles.

 This one is from Friday. He only misspelled a couple of words!!! "Next month I'm going turkey hunting with my Dad..........

 ......we are eating down there. It's down at Hermitage."

 Nola wanting in on my documentation of Brenner's school work.

 Nola seems to take Brenner's lead. Check out her awesome coloring!

 Nola drew this picture by herself. A picture of her friend Morgan, Morgan's mom (Melissa), me, and her. She even has us with different colored hair although that part is hard to see in the photo. Our budding artist!

 On Friday, Grandma Val took the kid with her so we could have dinner with friends. Thanks, Grandma! The kids went to a school carnival with Cousin Eadlin. Apparently, the two were inseparable.

 Matt and I picked the kids up on Saturday while also picking up an old stove from friends. Their son is in 8th grade but was a huge Star Wars fan. They gave Brenner this X-wing fighter. Brenner was literally jumping up and down when he saw it. The pilot is MIA for now but R2D2 was in place.

To top off the pickup, we had Chinese food with Aunt Lynnie and Cousin Colten. Nola adores Colten! (Yes, Brenner had to bring the X-wing fighter into the restaurant!).

An excellent third quarter

A big week for Brenner - he got his third quarter report card! Nola and I also helped to host a bridal shower for Krystee (or as Nola would say "we had girl time"). Papa and Brenner stayed home and apparently watched a lot of movies :)

The comments from Brenner's teacher. He is doing so well. We are very, very proud of him!

The kids wanted to have a picnic on Monday night. Isn't your picnic blanket full of snowflakes?!

Tuesday was absolutely gorgeous - aren't the clouds fantastic! We planted our kale, spinach, and chard. The kids were geared up to help.

Then Emi spotted a mole......

....Nola and Brenner thought she needed some help.

Since it was so nice out - the kids wanted a picnic on the back porch. The chose a dinner of waffles.

Brenner ate two whole ones!!!!

 Wednesday was my birthday which meant ice cream cake for dinner!!!!

I told Matt that I wanted flower boxes for the back deck. Nola was a big help in their construction!!! Yes - she dressed herself again - can't cramp her creativity!

For Krystee's shower, Grandma Val wanted me to make this cupcake dress. It was easy and turned out pretty (and yummy!).

Nola and Aunt Lynnie playing the piano before the shower.

Grandma Val, Aunt Lynnie, and Cousin Krystee at the bridal shower.

Nola helping Krystee with one of the games.

Nola trying some icing next to Aunt Ruth Ann. There was plenty of sugar between the icing, punch, etc. Nola did fall asleep on the way home.

When she woke up, Nola was a bit of a grump. I told her to share her dipped pretzels with Brenner. To which she shouted "No!" and pouted in her stroller.

Eventually, she shared with Brenner whom was quite pleased.

It only took Nola a few minutes to get in a better mood!

Sunday turned cold but that couldn't keep the smiles off of these two faces!

Brenner is learning about 2D shapes in school.

Brenner's writing about fishing at Hermitage (can't see it all as it continues on the back).

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Brenner wants to be challenged more. We get many worksheets with his "extra work" on the back. So, we will be talking with the school to see if he can get some more work in the class.