Kindergarten Rocked...

It's hard to believe that these kids are finished with their first year of school. I feel like just yesterday they were toddling about in "Bumblebees" just learning how to talk, recognize numbers and colors, and write their name. And they kind of had to do that all over again with the dual language program. What a joy it is to see them all grow and change and recognize their unique talents and gifts all while growing their friendships. 

I was so nervous about this year - I knew that Radley would LOVE school. I knew that he would have lots of great days and a few not-so-great days. I knew he would enjoy learning new things and telling us all about his newfound discoveries. I knew he would make new friends and love hanging out with his old ones. All of my silly nerves became 1000 of his successes and I wasn't surprised a bit.

I am so thankful for his teachers, aides, and administrators for contributing to his great first year of school. 

And I'm especially thankful for our village that we do life with each and every day...celebrating each success together with this amazing group of kids.

Kindergarten Awards...

We headed back up to CHE for one more celebration with Kindergarten Awards. We won tickets in the silent auction at the Paw Print Festival, so we walked in just in time to snap this pic before the awards began.

My parents have similar picture of me smiling at them in a sea of kids on the giant blue gym floor at the old Robinson primary. 

The girls were thrilled to be at "Radley' school" again and were pretty much the cutest things ever as the clapped along to everyone that was acknowledged on stage.

While Radley and his friends waited patiently to be recognized as well. They began the ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance, Texas Pledge, CHE School Pledge and singing Grand Ole Flag followed by a moment of silence. This is the same routine they follow every morning and I love it.

Each kid was given an award that recognized their talents or interest. Radley won the "animal expert" award for his knowledge of sharks, snakes and mammals. He informed me later that he could have also won the "great question asker" award or "level K reader" award. 

(But he was super happy with this one!)

There was no hoping for a group picture.

:)

We had a great morning celebrating this kid and all of his friends!

So thankful for a great kinder year!

Kindergarten Circus...

We picked the girls up early from school for one of College Station ISDs finest traditions...

the CHE KINDERGARTEN CIRCUS!!!

I am not sure I can adequately describe everyone's excitement for this show. Emmy and Landry were thrilled to be there so we got there in plenty of time for some front row seats.

Mrs. Rankin introduced the show by going over it's 50 year tradition at the school. She asked if anyone in the audience had been part of the circus when they were in kindergarten and several parents and GRANDparents raised their hands. 

How stinking fun is that?!?! 

And then... it was on with the greatest show on earth... lead by the cutest ringmasters around!

Now I would apologize for the amount of pictures that are about to be posted, but I'm not sorry. 

At all. 

(I will apologize for the terrible indoor flash photography.)

But y'all. This circus... was literally 50 years in the making. Each kid had a part complete with a costume that I can only assume has gotten cuter and and cuter over the years. 

They all beamed with pride as they walked around the gym to wait their turn to perform.

Every lion, tiger, snake, and clown had a special role in the show.

And this kid got to be a ringmaster. 

:)

There are 8 total kindergarten classes so 4 classes performed in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. Each class had one or more student represented in each "act" as well as their own ringmaster, which I am positive was a volunteer role as in... "Who wants to talk on the microphone" and the kid who raised their hand first got the part.

Seriously, these kids are the cutest.

First up was the clowns...

Complete with homemade clown cars.

Then it was the jugglers.

(Please note his face).

And then the famous strongmen.

And elephants.

And of course no circus is complete without lions and tigers.

Or painted horses.

Or dancing bears.

(Which was in my top 3 pick of favorite acts).

Partially because the teacher was so adorable showing them their dance moves.

But mainly because they rocked!

Tight rope walkers...

seals...

Ringmaster ;)

snakes...

(which was also in my top 3 pick because oh.my.word. those paper tongues).

Acrobats...

and more clowns.

They put on the greatest show and I had lots of happy tears throughout watching these kiddos perform their little hearts out. Especially these two... crib mates to classmates. 

His biggest tiny fans...

and his adoring fan club.

How we love this kid so!

And I'm so glad that Ryan was able to be there, too.

Rad the Ringmaster...has a nice ring, huh?

He was lead by the happiest of clowns...

that helped him smile, laugh, and learn all the way through this circus of a year!