The "Pumpkin Patch"

I was a little disappointed that we were unable to go to the pumpkin patch this year. We tried to go, but when we got there it was extremely crowded. The workers directed us into the lot, so we were hopeful, but as we made our way through the very muddy parking lot, we never found an open space. Katie was flexible and decided that she could just go to the "Pumpkin Patch" at our local grocery store instead. It won't hold the same memories, but at least she got a pumpkin she liked.

The store had plenty of pumpkins to choose from, and they were already clean! 

I found the perfect pumpkin right away! Aunt Jennifer helped me dig it out of the bin!

Gifts

After my mom was away for a bit, Katie was thrilled when she got home for many reasons. Of course, she also loved getting some gifts!

I couldn't wait to see what was inside the bag! 

I loved my new doll! 

I was also happy to get a new book! 

It didn't take me long to pull out my Barbie motor home and introduce Barbie to her new friend, Briar!

A Lost Tooth

After much anticipation, Katie finally lost her first tooth last week. She was happy and a little bit worried at the same time. She was worried that her no one would recognize her with a new look!

My mom wanted a picture with my lost tooth. I was really worried that people wouldn't know me, so this was my "smile." 

I made my smile a little bigger, but I was still worried. 

Do you still recognize me? 

For my bedtime story, I wanted to read my Peppa Pig story, The Tooth Fairy. I thought it would be funny to put my tooth on the book to fill in Peppa's missing tooth gap. 

When I woke up the next morning, I was so happy to find that the tooth fairy left me two quarters!

Magnetic Letter Fun

Katie usually comes to my classroom after school and hangs out with me until it's time to go home. She always finds things to do, and I'm usually ready to go before she is. Last week, she found some large magnetic letters and spent at least an hour spelling words with them.

When I was packed up and ready to go home, she said, "Wait! Let me just make 3 more words!" Then, "Wait! Let me just make 5 more words!" I guess it's a good reason to stay late at school!

Who wants to go home when you can make words? 

I never knew my mom had so many fun things at school! 

After I make the words, I like to read them.

I don't know if I like making words or reading them better.

Working Hard on Reading

Ever since Katie began kindergarten, she has been so excited about reading on her own. She now usually wants to read me bedtime stories each night. Sometimes it takes a long time, but she loves the process.

I take time to study the pictures. 

Then I carefully read each word - or at least try my best!

It's My Twin

Katie was watching a music video with Jennifer when she got very excited. A girl appeared on the screen, and Katie thought that the girl looked just like her when she was little.

She might as well be my little sister!

Royalty in the Making

For a long time, Katie has told Bailey she was a princess. Recently, she told Sophie that she could be a princess too. We had a whole coronation. As part of that, Katie made up this song.

I was so excited to have a new princess in the house.

Expressing Feelings

As most of you already know, Katie loves the presidents. Because of that, she has been interested in the current presidential race. Recently, she decided to write a letter to Hillary Clinton.

One of my friends suggested that I might not want to post the letter on the blog because of so many of the strong emotions that seem to be tied to this election. After some thought, I decided to post her letter anyway. She has a right to express her feelings, and she's doing it in a respectful way. Why would someone have a problem with that?

As Donald Trump entered the race for president, Katie was excited to learn his name, just as she was excited to learn the other candidates' names. As a mom to a young child who looked up to all of the presidents, I tried to keep my own views out of her opinion. Every time she was excited to hear of another candidate, I was excited with her.

It didn't take long though before Katie heard Donald Trump on television. The first time she heard him call someone a mean name, she got very upset. She told me that it's mean to call people names. She told me that being a president is an important job. She told me the president needs to know how to be nice to others, just as she had learned at home and at school.

Unfortunately, Katie continued to hear and see Donald Trump act in a way that she wasn't accustomed to witnessing. It didn't take long before Katie didn't want him anywhere near the presidential election. Not because of what I said, but because of the actions and words from Donald Trump.

After the two main candidates were chosen for the presidential race, Katie decided the next president should be Hillary Clinton. There was nothing that she saw from Donald Trump that made her like him at all.

Then one night, I was watching a PBS show on the two candidates while Katie played with her toys. Every once in a while, Katie would stop playing and look up and listen. Eventually, Katie sat beside me and learned more about Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. After hearing about Trump's dad dying, she had one of those moments where childhood innocence meets infinite wisdom. She looked at me very seriously and said, "Did you hear that Donald Trump's father died? Maybe that's why he acts the way he does. Maybe he just got mad and started using mean names instead of just crying when he was sad?" It made Katie feel better when she figured out that there might be a reason behind the poor behavior. It didn't change her mind about wanting him to be the president, but it gave her more patience.

I think we have a lot to learn from children. They have strong opinions. They have a strong sense of what's right and what's wrong. They can be disappointed in people but are always willing to look at situations in a whole new way. They look for the best in people and situations. They are full of wonderment.

Before Katie writes her letters, I always have her practice what she wants to say orally. Then we work together to organize her ideas into the final letter. This was her first practice.

Katie's Book Recommendation

Katie has been wanting to do some book recommendations lately. Here is what she wanted to share about The Story of Peppa Pig.

"This book has a sparkly cover on the outside. When you read it, you learn all about Peppa and her family. I got this book on my birthday. Peppa Pig is a nice pig. She has a red dress, just like the red in a rainbow! Peppa has a little brother called George and Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig. They are a nice family. I think everyone would like it - even teachers."

I really like this book! 

This is a picture of Peppa and her family! 

I like it when Peppa's family moves to their new house!

Anyone for Ice Cream?

Katie never gets tired of certain toys. Play-Doh is one of them. She loves to imagine and create with it.

I think my ice cream cones look delicious!

Reading to the Dogs

Katie still loves to read to the dogs. With age, they have become a little better at sitting and listening to her books.

I'm just trying to educate Sophie a little bit!

Spelling

Since starting kindergarten, Katie has realized that she's a reader and a writer. She is so proud when she realizes she can spell a new word. She loves to practice!

Hard Work Pays Off

It's well known that Katie loves dancing. For a long time now, she has been working on her balance to continue to improve it. The other night, she tried one of her ballet moves and was so happy when she realized she could finally balance steadily with no wobbling at all. There was such satisfaction after her long lasting hard work!

I'm so glad I never gave up!

A Bookmark Contest

As part of the Book Fair at the school, there was a bookmark contest for the students. Katie decided she wanted to take part. When she heard the theme of the Book Fair was "Bookaneers," she knew right away that she wanted to draw a parrot. She then knew she wanted to add a treasure box with books in it. She ended up doing a really nice job!

I was proud of the bookmark I created! It was fun!

A Gift From a Friend

Kai came over for a play date with Katie, and he brought her a birthday gift. He gave her a game called Busy, Busy Airport, and she loves to play. We have flown her planes all over the place! It was a perfect gift for her.

 It was so nice of Kai to get me a birthday gift!

I just love my new game!

Enjoying Magazines

Katie recently had her magazine delivery day, and she has been loving everything about them.

I love the sticker pages in my magazines!

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Katie couldn't wait to celebrate my mom's birthday! She loves celebrating!

Grandma wanted an ice cream cake for her birthday, and I got to pick the perfect design…fairies! 

I made sure to decorate her card in a special way! 

I couldn't wait for her to see it! 

I was glad she liked it. 

We got her a warm hat to stay warm. Sophie really wanted to eat it. 

We also got her warm socks. Bailey really wanted to eat those!

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Preparing Something Special

When I told Katie that her grandma's birthday was coming up soon, she knew just what she wanted to do to celebrate…have a special tea party! As soon as she thought of the idea, she started practicing.

I put fancy make-up on and decided to practice my tea party. 

Happy Almost Birthday, Grandma!

A Good Imagination

Katie always seems to find ways to entertain herself. She often puts her imagination to good use. On this morning, Katie took some of her blocks and decided to build a grocery store with a drive-through in the middle of it. She used her Shopkins for customers. As she explained her set-up to me, it seemed as though she didn't forget any details in her design from cash registers to bags to a food prep station.

I couldn't believe how many customers wanted to come to my grocery store!

Getting a Card

After Katie's gift had arrived from my brother and his family, she got a card in the mail. She was so thrilled to open it and find Tinkerbell!

I always love getting mail! 

Oh my goodness! It's Tinkerbell! 

Thank you for my card!