Fun Friday Foto - Reba's Week

We are so proud of Reba and her success in Kindergarten!  Each day, she starts on "green", and she has the chance to either "clip up" with good choices/behavior/participation or "clip down".  Here is what her chart looked like this week.

She "clipped up" to the pink level each day for a whole week!  She is the first in her class to do so, and because of that, she got to pick a prize out of the treasure chest.  She chose a Dora the Explorer playing card set.  It came with the games "Crazy 8's" and "Go Fish".

She was so proud of herself, and Doug and I are extremely happy with her work too.  We pray that she always loves school this much, and that she wants to set a positive example for those around her.

Until next time...

Reading Reba

This week was the second week for Reba to bring home her "Book in a Bag" homework.  The bag contains beginning reader level books for the kiddos to practice their reading at home.  Last week, the book was super simple for her (The only words were: The mouse can.  The monkey can. {Repeat}).  This week was a bit more of a challenge, but still pretty easy for her.  Make sure your volume is turned up high, because she reads pretty softly.

Until next time...

Fun Friday Fotos - Test Success and School Pictures

This big guy was so excited (and proud) to share with me his reading test when he got home from school today, and I don't blame him!

Dallas was actually pretty nervous this morning before school about taking this test (as in he was in tears and didn't want to go).  He has one of these reading tests every Friday, and unfortunately, he hasn't had much success with them.  His teacher has had him retake 2 of them because he had such low scores, but not today...Today, he got a 100%!  To celebrate, we had strawberry milkshakes for an after school snack.

In addition to the awesome test score, check out what else came home today...

Dallas Matthew Bergman - 2nd Grade

Reba Elizabeth Bergman - Kindergarten

Doug and I love them!  I mean...how can one not love those smiling faces?
Click here to look back at previous years' school pictures.

Until next time...

First Day of School - 2015

How can it be that the kiddos are starting a new school year?!?!  Enjoy the traditional "back to school" pictures that every Mom and Dad is obligated to take...

Reba Elizabeth - Kindergarten

Reba's teacher split the class in half - she was in the group that went today; the other half will go tomorrow and she will stay home.  Reba has 19 students in her class (6 girls, 13 boys).  Most of her class returned from Pre-K, plus they have two new faces.  It should be an exciting year! 

Dallas Matthew - 2nd Grade

Dallas' class is down one from student from last year; making 10 in his class now (4 boys, 6 girls).  He also has one of the three new teachers in the building!  The former 2nd grade teacher had her first baby at the end of last school year, and she decided over the summer to take time away from school to be a Mom :)  Dallas is most looking forward to taking his 1st Communion in the spring!

Do you have any idea how difficult it was to get all 3 looking and standing still at the same time?

Have I mentioned that I love our school and staff?!?!  The principal stands outside every morning to welcome the students with a smile and high five.  Today, she had balloons and snapped pictures to add to the school's Facebook page.

Here's to another great year!

Until next time...

End of Year Program

Tonight was the big night Reba has been excitedly preparing for...her end of the year program!

Enjoy the video I put together of the program (once again, the opening song may get a little loud)

After the program ended, and before they ran to get the juice and cookies, I was able to get a pic of Little Miss and her best friend, Calvin.

Reba also paused long enough for a photo with her teacher, Mrs. Gries

Can you believe she is off to Kindergarten in the fall?

Until next time...

Last Day of Kindergarten

Look out world!  Dallas is now a 1st grader!!!  Yesterday was his last day of Kindergarten.  I can't believe how fast the school went...even with all the snow days this winter, we only had to extend the school calendar one day.

Big D's Last Day of Kindergarten
Height: 47 in
Weight: 50 lbs

Big D's First Day of Kindergarten
Height: 45 in
Weight: 46.5 lbs

Of course, our family changed dramatically this school year with the addition of Julianne.

Our kiddos at the start of the school year

Our kiddos at the end of the school year!

To celebrate the end of the year, the school had field day competitions in the morning (tug-o-war, three legged race, etc).  The PTO then sponsored a picnic lunch for the students and their families.  Daddy was able to slip away from work and attend!

Dallas and one of his best friends, Dylan.  Their other buddy, Ryan, wasn't at school that day.

Until next time...

Dallas' Spring Field Trip

This past Friday, Dallas' Kindergarten class took one last field trip.  Along with the first and second grades, we headed to Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville.  Doug and I have taken the kiddos to the zoo on a couple different occasions, but it has never been as crowded as it was on this trip!  I guess all the other local schools had the same idea.

We lucked out and had a very nice spring day.  The forecast had called for rain in the morning, but it held out until all the kiddos were back on the bus at the end of the day!  Aright, on to pictures...

The first animal we came across was the Jaguar!

Dallas' best bud, Ryan was with us (along with Julianne - she refused take her milk from a bottle; therefore, I didn't think it would be a good idea for her to spend the day with a babysitter).  Ryan was most excited to see the wolves.  You can't seem them in the picture below, but they were out and about playing that morning.

The zoo recently opened a new history section.  I didn't realize, but Mesker Park Zoo is Indiana's first zoo!

We had a little bit of time to watch the monkeys play before we had to head over to the shelter houses for lunch.  I told the boys we could go back after eating, but the little monkeys were not in the playing mood then.

Luckily, we found a place where my two monkeys could play!

The zoo has a lot of peacocks that roam freely around the zoo.  On more than one instance, we had to step to the side as they passed us on the sidewalks.  Unfortunately, the only one we saw with his tail feathers spread open was quite a bit away.  I only had my cell phone for a camera; therefore, the pictures didn't turn out well.

A few more random photo opportunities around the zoo...

Dallas' Kindergarten class

Back Row (L-R): Dillion, Dallas, Katelyn, Maddi, Ella, and Lily
Front Row (L-R): Emily, Catelyn, Payton, Elliot, and Ryan

Until next time...

Fun Friday Fotos - Art Show

Dallas' school had an "Art Show" one day last week (in conjunction with the last PTO meeting of the year).  It was right after their tball game, so we skipped the PTO meeting and quickly went through the art displays.  Here are a few pictures I captured of Dallas' work...

If you look closely, you will notice a 3rd place ribbon below his painting.  When I asked what the painting was, he told me "a ship".

The kindergarten class has been working on creating sentences using quotation marks and special characters.  In case you can't read it, it says, "Don't let the Pigeon scream in the bathroom," said my sister, Reba.

"Some bunny loves you.
Yes, siree!
Some bunny love you.
And it's me!"

There was also a table with a few different books the kindergarten class has made this year.

Ms. V rides to school in a van.

Dallas' drawing of what he will look like at age 100 (they made these in conjunction with the 100th day of school).

Imagine that...still wearing a red shirt!  And look at all the hair he thinks he'll have!

Until next time...

Happy Hair

Before Christmas break, Dallas' kindergarten class made their own Happy Hair people while they learned about the letter H. Thankfully, the teacher took them home and kept them watered so after the holidays the "hair" was growing!  The kiddos were able to bring home their Happy Hair in early February.

The teacher told them they could even give Happy Hair a haircut!  So the next morning before going to school, Dallas had to give the little plant a trim.

I forgot to take an "after" picture, but I'm sure it won't be long before Happy Hair needs another trimming!

Until next time...

2014 Grandparent/Special Persons Day

During Catholic Schools Week (Jan 26 - Feb 1), Reba, Julianne, and I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with Dallas at school on Grandparents/Special Persons Day.  After lunch, we were able to spend time at the book fair, touring the school, visiting the classrooms, and play games before a special Mass to end the day.  As Dallas was taking us on a "tour of the school", I was able to see a lot of his recent art work hanging on the walls.  Enjoy!

Each kindergartner completed the sentence, "Kindergarten is..."

The teacher traced their silhouette (which, I love because my mom still has mine from Kindergarten framed and hanging up at her house!).  The kiddos also drew a picture of what they want to be.  Dallas' says a construction worker.

A diagram and writing about their senses.  Might I add how impressed I am with how Dallas' writing/letter making skills are developing.

A little thank you and love note!

Until next time...

St. Wendel Christmas Program

Tonight was Dallas' school Christmas program.  I have a few videos to share, but I want to apologize for the shaky quality.  Doug headed north this afternoon to attend a funeral for a dad of a friend, so I was holding Julianne in my arms and Reba was squirming on my leg!

The program was entitled "365 Days of Christmas".  Each grade represented a different part of the calendar year as to how we can show our love of Jesus and His birth all year long.  Dallas' class had Halloween, that's why they are dressed in Halloween costumes.

Opening Song

Dallas' Class

Closing Song

Until next time...

Book-It Pizza

Who remembers doing the Book-It program in elementary school?  Yep, Doug and I have our hands in the air, too.  Dallas' class started turning in their "reports" at the beginning of October.  He has to complete 4 reports in the month in order to earn a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.  We are pleased to announce that he met the goal; so last week, we headed out for pizza!

He was so proud of himself!  He only ate one slice that night, but brought the rest home for left overs.  Now, he can't wait to get started on this months goal!

Until next time...

Fun Friday Fotos - School Pictures

Dallas Matthew Bergman

Kindergarten 2013

Reba Elizabeth Bergman

Preschool 2013

Click on the previous years for past school pictures
2012
2011

Until next time...

Sharing

Last week, Dallas brought home another traveling book.  This one was about the things the students like to share.  Here is Dallas' page...

In case you can't tell, the pets Dallas is sharing are the chickens.  I asked which one was Dallas, and he said the one in the red shirt.  I really should have known, because his favorite color is red (4 out of the 5 school days, he chooses a red shirt with blue pants!).  I also asked if he was sharing with Reba, and he said no, it was a buddy at school.  I think he even called me silly, adding that Reba doesn't have brown hair.

Smart alec kid.

Until next time...

Little Van Gogh

A couple weeks ago, I spoke with Dallas' teacher as part of his mid-term progress report.  She had lots of wonderful things to say about Dallas and how pleased she is with his progress.  She also mentioned how impressed she is with his drawing abilities.  I thought I would share some proof of what she was talking about.

Dallas' kindergarten class has done a handful of "traveling books" so far this year.  These books have had different themes and each students contributes a page.  Then, they all take a turn bringing the book home to share and practice their reading skills.

One book Dallas brought home to share last week was inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's self-portrait.  The students each used a mirror to look at their reflections as they drew their own self-portraits.  Here is Dallas' masterpiece

The other book he brought home was about things the students like to do.  This was Dallas' page (sorry the page behind his is showing through)

Until next time...