Skiing in St. Louis

Sophia's fifth grade year has been a bit of a downer. Her expectations were very high. She was hoping for a year on top of the world to finish out a great career at Captain. The realities have been less than stellar. However, yesterday included one reality that lived up to all her hopes. 

Every fifth grade group takes a field trip to Hidden Valley, in Eureka, for a day of learning to ski. She has been looking forward to this since she first learned of it a few years ago. Erick and I were both unable to go along, but I think that turned out to be a good thing.

Apparently, she sailed through ski school, and started trekking around the little ski resort in no time. By the time we were able to get there to pick her up, she was hopping off the ski lift like a champ.

Six hours of skiing on her first day to try, and this was still her face at the end of the day. Today is less of this and more tired and grumpy. But I'm glad that it lived up to the hype!

First Day of Fifth Grade

Sophia headed off to fifth grade this morning. It's her last year in elementary school. Captain makes fifth graders feel special all year, and they do a wonderful job of helping them transition to middle school. She has had a rough few weeks of nervous energy and fears around the beginning of school, but she was off and ready this morning!

Leo and I are adjusting, but maybe a little sad...

It really does promise to be a great year. And the routine of school is going to be a lift for all of us! I'm excited to see what this year brings. For me, it looks like I'm going to still be at home - spending my time volunteering and with a small job. I get to focus on helping Sophia and myself, and Erick when he needs it, through everything that comes next!

Captain Tradition

Every year, the Captain fourth and fifth grade chorus sings either the National Anthem or God Bless America at the beginning of a Cardinals game. We have been to the game to hang out with our school friends most years, but this was Sophia's first year to get onto the field herself. They sang God Bless America and did an amazing job. Sophia was little nervous. She was more nervous about getting back  to her seat than singing the song, but the music teacher has yet to lose a kid on this trip.

I'm putting this picture here because I love it so much. These two people are just the absolute best. And they are at their happiest at a Cardinals game. So I had to take advantage of that.

I am deeply in debt to our friend who taught Sophia to keep score. She always prefers to watch the game to talking or playing, but now she is fully engaged in each play. Far more than I am.

The hardest part for me to believe is that she only has one more year of this tradition. I hate this growing up thing. It really puts a different twist on things. 

Fishy Field Trip

In fourth grade, Clayton kids get to go fishing in Forest Park. Here's the key. There is one little set of ponds that are not open for public fishing - just fishing by school groups and such - because they stock these ponds with countless fish to ensure these kids have a positive experience.

Sophia's group of five girls caught (and released) probably fourteen fish - bluegill and sunfish, but still! It was quite exciting for them. It was messy work for me and the dad that was with our group because we had to take them all off the hooks. Actually, that's not completely accurate. If I held it still, Sophia would take the hook out of its mouth. And on the final fish, she did the entire thing by herself!

It was a great time. A gorgeous day in Forest Park to hang out with some sweet little girls. I never forget how lucky I am.

Humane Society Field Trip

I don't always go on the field trips with Sophia any more, but her teacher said that at the Humane Society, they split the kids up into small groups and parents are very helpful. I'm so glad I went! 

Sophia's class had the chance, not only to tour the facility, but to read to the dogs. The big dog on the right was a barker. He barked most of the time we were in that room, but when Sophia read to him, he calmed down and listened. It was very sweet. 

After reading to the dogs, the kids got to see the whole facility, including the surgery room, where two dogs were being neutered. They were not phased by it at all, though I didn't love the sight.

The hats are because it was Cat in the Hat day at the Humane Society or something. Their communications person videoed each of the girls reading to the cats, too. It was pretty adorable. What a great field trip!

Next stop, Jeff City!! I'll be going on that one too...

First Day of School

Sophia is a little less giddy about the first day of school, but having friends around certainly helps! Can't wait to hear about the first day of fourth grade.

Third Grade is Almost Over!

 Third grade has not been the best year at Captain. Now, that's not to say it's been bad. The first three years were each special in their own way. This year has been one for significant growth for Sophia, but it's not one that will go down as "special." Nothing more needs to be said about that at the moment.

The end of the year is always jam packed with extra things. Most of these things end up being my favorite things from the year, and that is still true.

One day last week, all the third graders gave presentations on a country or countries of their choice. I say countries, but only one third grader chose to do two - that would be Sophia. There are some conflicting reports about why she chose to do two, but it comes down to excitement and words. She has them both.

As a matter of fact, she didn't do a report on Kenya as she originally planned; however, she says she'd like to spend some of her free time researching it because it seems cool.

Her choices were Argentina and Venezuela. Here, Erick's holding the 13-page book that Sophia wrote about these countries. We were so proud to get to see the result of all her hard work. It really was a big project, and she threw herself into it.

Then there's field day. It's really and truly one of my favorite days every year. Maybe I'm reminded of the day Erick and I noticed each other as 16-year-olds, or maybe it's just that the excitement of the kids is catching. Regardless, I love it. My job this year was to take pictures of the kids. I had so much fun doing it. Here's Sophia with a few of her fellow "Brick Breakers."

And here she is showing off her skills as an egg carrier. She thought it was funny that she holds her mouth like that when she's concentrating. I think it's cute. Also, I'm doing it right now as I type. Sometimes, she really is like me.

The end of this year also brings the end to my administration as the PTO president. I may have more to say about that later, but for now I need to buy stuff for the end of year picnic...

Sophia honors her Kindergarten teacher

We have made no secret of our love for Sophia's school. Captain is a marvelous place that encourages kids to be kind to one another and themselves. Of course, they teach many things for the mind as well as the spirit. All that started, for us, with Mrs. Wilson, Sophia's Kindergarten teacher.

She is a lovely person who gets to know and care for each of the kids that comes through her doors. Sunday was a reception for her and three other members of the Captain community. Sophia got to do the speech for Mrs. Wilson. As with everything she does, she took it very seriously and went at it with gusto. The result is just right. 

School Starts Again

It's been a month since my last post. The reason for that is simple: school started last week. That means that Sophia and I were trying our hardest to pack the last of summer with all the things we didn't get to do on her list. It also means that I was trying to get ready for the new year in PTO - I'm the co-president again this year, and it falls on me this time around.

Sophia was excited to go back to school. Looking ready as can be. A week in, third grade is getting mixed reviews, but I'm hopeful that it will pick up pretty soon.

Just seeing her friends alone was enough to get this response after the first day. She loves school in general, and I am sure this love will carry her through to the other side of any challenges she faces.

These are a few of the faces that she looks forward to seeing every day. She's a lucky girl with some very great friends.

Now that the year has started, I might be able to get some more posts in, but no guarantees! 

My Magic Charm - by Sophia Creach

About 2 days ago it was black history night. Black history is a night that my school thinks about how we can care for one another. It was the first year I got to speak. I wrote a poem. It was about a magic charm. We all have one. But my most powerful one is my amazing friends. The things they do for me and the things they do with me. It was a great opportunity to get to express myself to other people. 

Here is my poem: 

My magic charm is my friendship 
I know my friends count on me and I count on them. 
They are my magic charm. 
The best one you can have. 
They help you get by when life gets hard 
we don't run when life gets hard
because life is life and life is hard. 
Scaredness comes and goes 
but friends stay.


I leave you with this question. What is your magic charm?

Second Grade

I have several posts that need to be made at some point, but the one that I cannot afford to abandon is the first day of school. Some day, Sophia will look through the archives of the blog and want to put together each and every one of these memories. I would hate to let one slip through the cracks just because I'm tired. 

I am tired, by the way. Although I really couldn't tell you why. I assume it has something to do with not enough sleep, but that hardly seems credible. 

Anyway, school started last Wednesday for Sophia. She is now in the second grade at Captain Elementary. Her teacher is Ms. McD. And, apparently, Ms. McD is the coolest teacher at the school. This is what I gather when I tell people who Sophia's teacher is, and everyone responds with, "Oh. Wow. Sophia is going to have a fabulous year." 

What I have learned so far about second grade, however, is that there is less talking allowed. So, there's that. You can imagine how my Sophia and her classroom BFF feel about this heightened enforcement.

This BFF of Sophia's did not end up in her classroom this year, and Sophia was shocked to see that they are no longer the same height. She actually made me take a series of pictures with their backs together just to be sure.

It does promise to be a good year. I'm excited for Sophia to really get back into the swing of things. Other things that are different this year are: spelling tests, harder math and the principal. So, wish her luck!

First Grade Field Trip

Today was Sophia's first field trip of first grade. To say that she was excited would be a gross understatement. The funny thing is that she was going to the zoo, which she goes to dozens of times every year. Riding the bus the five minutes that it takes to get there apparently kicks the zoo up about a bajillion notches.

Because there were so many parent volunteers, I had a group of three little girls. Easy peasy. That's not sarcastic. It really was. At least as easy as walking around the zoo all day ever is. Did I mention they were three chatty girls? As long as I nodded occasionally and looked like I was paying attention, they were happy as three cute little clams.

No matter how many times we go to the zoo, it never gets boring or old. But, apparently, you can have more to say about it. Chat-ty...

Look how excited she is to get on that bus. It beats walking, which is what she knows I'd make her do...

And it begins...

...Again.

Sophia started first grade this morning. She was very excited to get the day going. She doesn't even pretend that she doesn't love school, although she insists that she doesn't like math.

Maybe that's what she's thinking about as she gives her lip a little nervous chew...

The nerves didn't hold out very long, but she wouldn't give me another smile. I'd used up my quota in the back yard apparently.

When it came time to leave, this was her response. I think she's relieved just to get it started. See what this big kid first grade thing is all about. I can't believe it. No more Kindergarten. No more cute little songs. Now she's just hanging out on the blacktop with all the big kids! Sigh. She seems to think she's ready.

I certainly hope she's right!

First Grader Sophia

The last day of school was much more difficult for Sophia and for me than the first day was. Maybe it's just because the school year was such a huge success and she is so loved by her teacher.

Regardless, I was teary. Sophia was "so very sad." I fully expect her to be over it by tomorrow, but  it might take me a little longer to soak in the no more kindergartners thing.

Every day ends with a hug from Mrs. Wilson. Here Sophia is getting her last one.

Here are two of the newest first graders in St. Louis. Apparently, one celebrates by wearing an unusual hat... Why not?

The Last Big Hoorah

Captain has a special Ice Cream Social for the Kindergarten class. There is no graduation the way that some schools have it, but it's their celebration of the end of their first year of being big kids. Mr. Mayer is the music teacher, and he does an incredible job of helping these kids learn all these songs. The kids and Mr. Mayer seem to have a great time with it, and he is so full of praise for them when they finish. He's the kind of teacher the kids do not want to disappoint, so all he says is "Children," and nearly 60 five- and six-year-olds get completely silent and attentive. It's a very impressive gift.

The children had a wonderful time singing loudly for us and for one another. Such sweet friendships that they've made over this year.

Love these smiles.

Ice cream was enjoyed after the entertainment. This made it a little late. And it made Sophia a little grumpy after coming down from the sugar high. This was the best of the family pictures we were able to muster... That face!

Here is a video of the sweetest song. I'm sure every Kindergarten does it, but it's a great message! And they really enjoyed singing it out. 

Sophia said the Kindergarten Wall song was her favorite. The chorus is:

Of all you learn here, remember this the best

Don't hurt each other and clean up your mess

Take a nap every day, wash before you eat

Hold hands, stick together, look before you cross the street

Remember the seed in the little paper cup

First the root goes down and then the plant grows up!

This other song is called Hawaiian Rainbows. And I'm posting it because they're so cute. And because Sophia loves to hula.

Kindergarten Field Trip

That is way more fun than it sounds. Honestly, the threat of rain just made these kids so giddy and grateful to get to be on their field trip that they were all a complete joy to be around today.

I was thrilled to get to walk around the Botanical Gardens and see as much as we possibly could in our 90 minute walk.

It's been a challenging week for Sophia relationally. She's been figuratively stuck between these two, but at least for the day, they were happy to be a trio.

After the garden, we had a picnic and play time at Forest Park.

These are the kids that Sophia has spent her year with. Getting it together so I don't cry. They are amazing. And Sophia has her mouth going. So the picture is perfect...

Even with all the excitement of the field trip, all the kids were primarily excited about the bus ride. Captain is clearly a neighborhood school... School buses are still the coolest.

In Preparation for Cinco de Mayo

I went to Sophia's school to see her and her class do the Hat Dance for Cinco de Mayo. Along with watching, we parents also performed. Being good sports and good examples and all.

Sophia videoed said event.

Several things: I'm the one in the comfy blue sweatshirt and the butt that is always in the picture - or at least it certainly seems that way to me. But I'll put this on here anyway because I love Sophia's laughter so much that I'd pretty much do anything to make her giggle in that way. I'll put on Youtube the video of her class dancing as well...

The Good News and Bad News

We had Sophia's parent/teacher conference last night.

It was our first genuine conference with the teacher, so we weren't sure what to expect. Sophia had to come with us, and we were very surprised at how much of the conference was actually driven by her, the student.

First, she read through her self-evaluation with us. She got to choose "yes" or "sometimes" for things like "Listen to the teacher," "Do my best," and "Keep my hands to myself." Then she got to rationalize her thinking aloud to all three of us. The only "sometimes" was keeping her hands to herself. When asked why she has trouble, she told us that she sometimes feels "trapped in the learning and just wants to have fun with her friends." Fair enough.

After her self-evaluation, she got to read a story to us. A story from her real life that she had written and drawn out in book form. It's one of the things they do in Kindergarten these days. And it's the one thing that Mrs. Wilson went out of her way to tell us that Sophia does really well. She does the rest of school well, too, but this seems to be a strong point. She was very proud to read us her story (and the rest of them when we got home.) 

Mrs. Wilson then asked Sophia what should be done again in Kindergarten next year and what could be different. Sophia leaned back in her chair, looked around carefully and said that she "would consider" doing more with what they call the "toy store" on the bulletin board. I was impressed that the teacher would ask these kids and genuinely care about the answers. I love that, in Kindergarten, they are already learning that what they have to say is important and valuable. I would love to hear what all the others had to say. I certainly do not want to teach Kindergarten, but I would love to hear more of what happens in their brains. 

At the end of the conference, Sophia left to put something away and Mrs. Wilson said, "She's a very social child, as you know. That will be the good news and bad news of her school career." 

I wonder how many times, over the next decade, we'll hear that statement. Honestly, I hope it's pretty often. Then, summing up the good news/bad news scenario, Mrs. Wilson said, "She is just so.... Sophia." After which, I was very confident that Mrs. Wilson knows our girl. Only once you truly know her do you realize how fully she defies description. 

Same Thing

Still caught up in Diamond of the Week here in the Creach house. Sophia has been very excited about being the center of attention. She said pretty much that on the first day. I asked what her favorite part was about being Diamond of the Week on that day, and she said, "Well, I had the attention of all those people." Those people being her fellow Kindergartners...

The week has kept giving in the attention part. Here are two of my favorite things about the Diamond of the Week phenom. Of course, all of you parents out there have had similar experiences, although I think it's normally called Star of the Week and such. Still, this is my one turn at being the parent of the center of attention. So I'm going to share.

Here's the poster that is on the door all week.

She obviously captioned all the pictures. "I am on my cousins" for the one with Aaron and William. "I love my friends" for the one with Blake and Madilyn. She picked the pictures out of twenty or so that I narrowed down.

The other favorite thing is this book.

Every one of the kids in Sophia's class draws a picture and tells a story about one of their favorite memories with Sophia. And each and every one ends with (at Mrs. Wilson's direction, of course) "Sophia is my friend."

I just love this tradition. I figured it would be right up Sophia's alley, and it is. I captured her second read-through since she's been home. There have been several Diamonds of the week so far, and she could remember what she wrote for their books, too. She already has a good one in mind for Emery's book next week. I was just as happy that she takes it seriously for her friends (and she says that even when she's not forced), and not just when it's her turn.

Ride, Sophia, ride!

Yesterday was another Sing Along at Sophia's school. They added the Camel Song this time, and it was awesome. Sophia got to play a part in one verse. You can see that she's a little nervous to start, wanting to get her riding just right... 

I think she did an amazing job. Sooooo cute.