Oaks Park Tradition

For the kids' birthday, they received a coupon book in the mail from Opa and Kathleen, full of activities they could all do together!  The kids felt spoiled, and it was such a thoughtful gift.  The kids "cashed in" on their first coupon this week, heading to Oaks Amusement Park with Opa and Kathleen.  Plus, since we are staying in Eugene this week, more joined the day - Leticia, Genevieve, Willem and Meleesa.  We planned for a full day at the park, and we fit in a lot of rides, especially rides for the smaller kids - the carousal, Frog Hopper, kids' roller coaster, tug boat, etc.  Willem and Meleesa were great sports, going with the younger kids on rides.  I think the most fun for the older crew was the Rock & Roll ride (I loved it last year too!).  The craziest kid ride was the shaky, jolting roller coaster - yikes!  Vivian loved ALL of the rides, and had no fear, even if she was by herself.  After lunch though, all of the rides shut down when the electricity went out.  That was a bummer, since we had plans to go on big rides for the big kids next.  But we all took a ride down the giant slide, and then headed off after a great day.  We visited our new house (cabinets are going in and the floors are mostly stained, yea!!) and then hit up Yo Delish for frozen yogurt.  Thanks Opa and Kathleen for spoiling us all once again!!

(More pictures to come... :)

Antonia's Kindergarten Graduation

Miss Antonia graduated from kindergarten on June 9th, and we are so excited for her to be a FIRST grader!  Antonia has grown so much this past year.  She kicked off her first time visiting Mrs. Looney's classroom last summer with her head buried into my shoulder and unwilling to speak to or look at her new teacher.  But within no time Antonia was her outgoing, uninhibited self.  Antonia really became a social butterfly this school year.  She seemed to be friends with all the girls in her class, and even some of the dreaded boys ;)  She was surrounded by friends each morning when we would walk into her classroom, especially her friends Davina and Teckla (see the picture of Nia below with friends Anna, Teckla, Davina and Alice).  She loved having playdates this year, and begged for sleepovers.

The 2016 Forest Hills kindergarten grade had ~70 kids, split into 3 classrooms.  (Our Nia was the tallest girl throughout the year :).  This was the first year of all full day kindergarten at the school, and all the classrooms came together for such a cute song presentation on graduation day.  Next we all went to the individual classrooms for awards, where Mrs. Looney spoke about each kid.  Antonia received the "Problem Solver" award, and her teacher described Antonia as able to solve any academic or social problem that comes her way.  Next we learned about Antonia's thoughts from her year...

This year I learned... "to do math, and draw feet and hands and arms."
My favorite thing this year... "was being Star of the Week."
I will be a good role model for next year's kindergarteners... "because I am good at following the Three Bs (Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful)"
My goal is 1st grade is to... "be better at math."

Afterwards the kids had an ice cream social... in the rain no less!  Even though Opa couldn't join us this year (he was in Holland), Kathleen was able to make it and she played a congratulatory voicemail from Opa for Antonia.  It was great to have Kathleen, Grandma and Grandpa there to celebrate Antonia's fun day.  Jacoby couldn't join us since he had class, but we ran into him at recess and I was able to grab a picture of the three kids just like two years ago here.  Afterwards we celebrated more at Starbucks.  What a great elementary year for Antonia and a fun morning to celebrate!