End-of-school parties

Audrey and Kate's teachers held end-of-school celebrations in their classrooms today. In Kate's class, the kids read poems they had written (unfortunately the footage in Dada's phone camera of Kate's reading was blurry) and received memory books their teachers had prepared. They also took home big packets of art and classwork they had worked on throughout the year. Audrey's class had an ice-cream party, to which Audrey had contributed two types of sprinkles.

Kindergarten concert/open house

It was Open House night for grades K-2 at Audrey and Kate's school this evening. GG, Honey, and GPA came for the event, which was kicked off with a concert by the kindergarten classes. Afterwards, Audrey and Kate showed off their classrooms and recent projects and artwork.

Kids lead the church service

To mark the end of Sunday School for the year, this morning Audrey and Kate and the other kids at Augustana helped out with the 8:30 church service. Kate was a greeter and helped bring up the gifts -- she carried the wine jug -- and Audrey read the First Reading. They also sang some songs they had been practicing.

Take Your Kid to Work Day

Today was Take Your Child to Work Day, so Audrey and Kate spent a couple of hours sampling office life this morning. Audrey went with Mama to her office. They commuted together on the bus and MAX, and the big activity was helping Mama run a webinar. Kate drove in to work with Dada, where she helped him organize and decorate his workspace, make copies, and try out the new whiteboard walls. A main highlight for both girls were the treats that were in and around the offices: a big coffee shop muffin for Audrey and abundant supplies of free and vending-machine candy for Kate. They met up at Mama's office and then headed to school for the afternoon.

Making the case for a kitty

Audrey and Kate are lobbying to get a cat; two, actually. Kate took to the laptop this evening to articulate her case. Her note reads: "I need a cat, Mom. I will feed it. Please. I will scoop up the poop. Please. I do not need your help. I will care [for it]. Please. I will make [my] bed by myself. Please. Write back. From Kate."

Audrey, songwriter

Audrey, Kate, and their cousin Lily sing a song Audrey wrote the lyrics to.

Kate starts to write

Among Kate's first writings (no help from us, except the first word): "Nonfiction. About me: I like horses and owls. I love my mom and dad and sister and friends and teachers. I like chocolate and candy. : )"

Settling into kindergarten

Kate's transition to kindergarten continues. Today she went to the computer lab with her class for the first time, met her fifth grade buddy, MacKenzie (whom she wanted to make a card for), and went to a special assembly with African drummers to kick off the Run for the Arts. She also got hot lunch for the first time, choosing chicken nuggets and grapes.

BFFs

Audrey and Kate were discussing with each other who their "BFFs" (Best Friends Forever) were. Mama and Dada weren't sure where they picked up the term, but they've decided Kate's BFF is Finley and Audrey's is Hannah.

Reading buddy

Audrey practices her reading by reading a Barbie story to Kate. As often happens with the girls and books, they spend a good chunk of time negotiating which of the characters in the book they wish they could be.

Tooth loss continues

Audrey lost her sixth baby tooth this evening. Mama accidentally snagged the wiggly tooth with a washcloth during bath time and dislodged it.

Yet another tooth gone

Only six days after losing her fourth baby tooth, Audrey lost her fifth one today. This one she pushed loose with her tongue.

Art update

Audrey and Kate have been prolific artists lately. Audrey's latest works include princess drawings and a rendering of Keith and Allison's wedding photo (in which she switched the white wedding dress to a pink one). Kate has been studying the human body at preschool, and made a picture of a skeleton using Q-tips. She also made a reproduction of a portrait of her and Audrey.

Another tooth gone

Audrey lost her fourth baby tooth today. It was a top incisor that had been loose for weeks (maybe months?).  It was hanging by just a thread of tissue, and with some encouragement from Honey, she pulled it out herself. She wrote a note for the Tooth Fairy.

Keep out!

After a sisterly squabble, Audrey made her feelings known with a note on her door.

Holiday art

Audrey and Kate have been working on holiday-themed crafts at school. Kate made a decorative ceramic plate with her handprint on it (the yellow one to the left in the first photo) at preschool, so with the one Audrey made last year we now have a set. 

Audrey got to decorate a gingerbread house during her kindergarten class' holiday party today. Dada had volunteered to make a batch of the icing for the houses, and Mama and Dada had to search all around town for an exotic ingredient -- meringue powder -- called for in the specific icing recipe the teacher wanted made (we did eventually find it, at Sur La Table).

Audrey's also been working on Christmas-themed writing exercises. The text in the third picture reads: "Santa is great because he brings presents on Christmas Eve. We open the presents on Christmas Eve. The end."

Taking it back

After putting to paper some disgruntlement with Dada about something he would not let her do recently (picture one), Audrey had second thoughts and expressed her regrets, writing out the letters in "sorry" as she heard them (picture two).

School skills

Audrey and Kate are both picking up new skills at school. Audrey's starting to put letters together into "words" based on their sounds. In the picture below, she wrote "Bunnies eat carrots." Last week, Kate learned to sew and made a pumpkin pillow.

A badoodoo to you, too

A few months ago, Kate coined the word "badoodoo." We're not sure if it was originally meant as a term of annoyance or affection. Likely the former, since she has called Audrey a badoodoo during one of their squabbles. However, we've been using it affectionately, as in, "Good morning, badoodoo!" But like anything else that is instantly uncool the minute your parents start using it, Kate doesn't seem to like it anymore. Now if we call her badoodoo, she protests, "I'm not a badoodoo, I'm Kate Marie Stiefvater!"