Heritage Report

March 27, 2013

Grace literally just informed me at 10:00 PM that she would like some pictures of "her ancestors" for the social studies heritage report.  Me: "Can't this wait until Monday so I have time to find the pictures?"  Her: "No, it's due tomorrow."
If only I could refer her teacher to my blog, here is what I would give her.

Great grandparents Sigsby& Blannie with Grandma Joyce

Great Grandparents, Great aunts/uncle & Grandma (aka the Tadlocks)

Daddy with Great Grandpa & Aunt Kathy

Grandma Mary & Daddy

Great-grandpa Sigsby

Hinse Great Grandparents & Grandpa Andy, Grandma Joyce & mom

Grandma Joyce, Grandpa Andy & mom

Hynes Great Grandparents with Grandma Mary & Great Uncle Jim (funny about that Hynes-Hinse similarity, isn't it?)

Grandma Mary & Great Uncle Jim - I just love this picture

The Halter kids: daddy & my aunts plus Hildy

Grandma Mary & Poppy Tom

Mom & Aunt Jennifer

Good ol' mom & dad

Of course all these pictures are stored in my photo albums and I don't want to go rummaging through them at 10:30 at night.  Well, I better go find something for her to turn in.

Middle School!

August 8, 2011

Today Grace started middle school!  She wasn't nervous that I could tell.  She had picked out her outfit last week and spent the last few days packing and re-packing her backpack.  Then she came home today and took everything out and reorganized it yet again.  OCD anyone?
She looked adorable and even grown up with her newly shaved legs.  yes, you heard me right, she we spent a loooong time last night learning how to shave.  I don't remember when I first shaved my legs, but middle school seemed like a relatively appropriate age.  She said it was "so fun" then after about 45 minutes she said it wasn't that fun any more.  Really?! Big surprise.  See how FUN it is 30 years from now.  Not so much.

Here is my beautiful big girl on her way to 6th grade.

 And my beautiful baby girl on her way to preschool many years ago...how time flies.

Last Day of School ... in the middle of summer

June 23, 2011

As you may have noticed, I took some time off from mid May to mid June.  It was extremely busy here.  I will (eventually)  catch you up to speed on what happened during that busy month.
Both kids had milestone end-of-the-years this year.  Tommy finished middle school and Grace finished elementary school.

I am having a difficult time wrapping my brain around the fact that Tommy will be in high school.  I remember high school.  I know I am old, but I can't imagine him being ready for that experience. But, I guess he is old enough.
Grace is a bit nervous about going to middle school.  I think it is because the 8th graders look like, well, high schoolers.  For a 6th graders, that seems really mature!  I agree; some of those girls have more curves than I do.
Here are their end-of-year action shots:
Grace & her favorite teacher, Miss Keeler

 Here is a painting Grace made for her teacher (Miss Keeler loves Paris)

The 5th Grade awards assembly:

 Here she is getting that Presidential Fitness Award she worked so hard for:

Tommy's award assembly.  He would not stop for any photos.  

These are the last day of school parties: 

Election Day

September 13, 2010

Grace is running for Student Body President.  Yep, my little go-getter is setting her sights high.  Only the 5th graders can run for office.  I am afraid the competition is fierce at this young age.  She has to win a "primary" election in her classroom.  She has one competitor there.  If she wins, she goes on to give a speech on the morning announcements and hangs her 1 poster in the cafeteria.  I thought we'd be spending hours making oodles of campaign posters, but some thoughtful teacher at the school implemented a 1 kid: 1 poster rule.  Thank You!  So instead she spent an hour or so on her campaign speech and this poster, which were both completely her ideas. . . not that I am the least bit creative so I really had nothing to offer.

Notice the little speech bubble:  (sorry it is sideways, I'm too tired to fiddle around to rotate it because it's not that obvious on here how to do that)

Here is the speech:

I should be President because I represent the six pillars of character.   I am caring because I am kind to everyone I meet.  I am a good citizen because I like to be in involved in making my school a better place.   I am responsible because my friends can depend on me.  I am respectful because I am open to other people’s ides and I am a good listener.   I am fair because I follow the rules and treat people equally.  I am trustworthy because I am honest.  I will not tell a lie.

         You should also vote for me because I am a great leader.  I will be there and on time to all student council meetings.  I will be there to greet you at every Hopi event.  I have lots of school spirit.  I’m not afraid to take charge.  I’m creative and have lots of ideas, such as working to bring back the 4^th and 5^th grade geography baseball game on the morning announcements.  I will also try to bring a pet supply drive for needy pets.  These are some reasons why you should vote for Grace to be your student body President.

Now, wouldn't you vote for her if you were a fifth grader?  

P.S.  Disney post is coming.  There are a LOT of photos to go through.

Last First Days!

August 9, 2010

Today is the first day of school.  Because in Scottsdale, we like to start school in the middle of summer when it's literally 112 degrees and everyone is lethargic and cranky from the heat.
Why not crank up those huge school A/C units in the hottest month of the year?

This year is a big one in the Halterhome.  Grace is in her last year of elementary school and Tommy is in his last year of middle school.  So it is the last first day for each of them at these schools.  Since Tommy is a teenager AND in middle school, I did not follow him around this morning with my camera.  I just got a picture before he left for the bus.  Aren't I a cool mom?  Ha!

Grace is still at Hopi, so I felt like one of the crowd following her around snapping shots despite her whining that I don't have to take a picture of "everything she does."

Grace & Alex, buddies since they were infants....

A very clever mom brought this fun sign for the picture-happy moms....

The last classroom shot....ever.  : (

I still have this week off, so I'm off to do fun stuff . . . and nap.  

Karen

First Day of School

August 10, 2009 First day of 7th grade for Tommy and 4th grade for Grace. It is way too hot here to start school. I wish someone could explain to me why the school district people think it is a good idea to send the kids to school in early August. Crazy! Anyway, here are the annual bus stop photos:



Middle schoolers (all boys...that could be trouble):

The Graces:

While the kids were at school, I enjoyed my day alone and made "First Day of School Cupcakes" for them. I could learn to like staying home, even though it's just a dream.
Karen