Kindergarten Graduation

Kindergarten Graduation is a huge event here.  David and I estimated that over 100 people attended the graduation for a class of twenty students.

Bria about to walk up to the stage at the beginning of the ceremony.

Bria receiving her diploma.

A panorama of the gift tables and the audience.  Each child had a large pile of gifts.

The kids performed a special farewell poem, a couple of songs, received their diplomas, presented their eighth grade buddy with a special gift, presented their high school helper with a special gift, and had a reception following the whole ceremony.  It was an exciting moment for Bria.  She is ready for 1st grade!

The Last Week of School

The last week of school was packed with activities.  We were very busy the whole week.

Special Awards Ceremony

Bria received the Character Award for Responsibility (equivalent to student of the month)

Spring Concert

The Kindergarteners sang a really cute song called “Tony Chestnut” (from The Learning Station).  The actions that they did with the song made it the talk of the town.  They did an encore presentation at their graduation.

Track and Field Day

Bria doing the standing long jump.  She is just about to jump.

Bria running the 25m dash.  She also ran the 50m dash.  It is so funny to watch kids this age run a race.  They slow down before the finish line because they are afraid to go through the string.  After the first group runs then the kids are not afraid of the line and they do much better.  Bria got 3rd in her first race, and 1st in the 50m dash.  The kids are only allowed to do three events, and Bria’s last event was the cone race (weaving through cones while running).  At the end of the track meet all the kids get a special treat.  Bria wanted to wait for the treat, so we hung out for another 1 hr and 15 min.

Clean Up Day

The day before school got out the kindergartens cleaned out all of their cubbies and collected any papers that were theirs.  Then they got a special ice cream treat when they were all don’t.

Graduation

Friday was the Kindergarten Graduation.  Check out the next post.

To Grandpa’s and Grandma’s

Immediately after Bria’s graduation we headed to David’s parents.  They had a special event they wanted to take the grandkids to at the Children’s Museum.  Cousin L was also at their house, and the girls were excited to go.  David and I came back home Saturday night so we could attend the high school graduation and all the parties we were invited to.

That made for a busy weekend.  David and I have most of the week without the girls.  Grandpa and Grandma will be bringing them back in a couple of days.

Working Cattle

Working cattle is something that happens every spring here.  Once all the calves are born it is time to give vaccinations to the cattle and brand them.  Our good friends ask David to participate and allow the girls and I to come watch.  It is always a great family atmosphere, training the young generation in ranching.  Kids are always welcome, whether they are old enough to participate or not.  We want our kids to know what hard work is, and get some farming and ranching experience like David and I both did.  After all the work was done, we were all fed a great meal.

Bentley made a new friend.  Here they are standing on the corals looking at the calves.

Bentley getting a front row view to “working” the bull calves.

Bentley and her friend waiting for the calves, which they helped herd into the coral.

This year Bria was not able to participate because she was in school.  The following day they worked a few more calves and David was able to take Bria with him to be a part of it.  She was so sad that she couldn’t attend the big day, but she did enjoy getting her own special time to go out and help.