Last week of Kinder!

hangin with the besties at Leadbetter Beach
last field trip of the year

Pen had an incredible year of kindergarten at Peabody Charter.

There were so many field trips (Lane Farms Pumpkin Patch, Art from Scrap, Hendry's Beach, SB Fair & Expo & more-- and special school functions (Jog-A-Thon, Harvest Festival, Sports Day etc).

She made new friends and learned so much!

The last week of kinder was action packed. 

There were dance parties, field trips and special performances.

Here are some of the highlights- including her first day of summer!

dance party with Mr. Silva!

homemade blueberry jam (with blueberries she helped pick!) for teacher gifts
a little taste of summer!

running into one of her fav teachers Ms Perkins at Padaro Beach Grill
last day of school

latte date with mommy for her first day of summer

nail date for first day of summer!

sushi date for first day of summer!

hanging out with sis at the zoo after her preschool day was over
first day of summer

zoo date with sissy
first day of summer

last field trip- Leadbetter Beach
with buddy Lyla

hilarious kinder dance party

movie party with her fav Chinese takeout
followed by mom sleeping in her room for her last night as a kinder!

mom sleepover!
Not to worry they definitely slept in their own beds ;)

Pen Plays Piano

Penelope has been taking piano lessons off and on for a little less than a year now.

Its so fun to see her progression.

Her teacher says she has a great ear for hearing the music.

For example, when she's playing her scales she can tell if a note sounds off.

I think thats great for someone so young who hasn't been playing for very long.

In the fall Pen started taking lessons from one of her teacher's students.

This arrangement has worked out great for her.

A few weeks a go she had the chance to play in the spring recital.

I could tell she was nervous, but she played so well!

At the end the master teacher, Ms. Kerry, gave everyone a medal with their names engraved on it.

Pen also was given a frame of a photo of her next to the piano, and a music note "word art" filled with personal things about her (the songs she played, her grade, favorite animals etc).

It was a very sweet and personal gift.

My parents came to watch and so did her nana.

Penelope has told me more than once how proud she is of herself for doing it and for getting a medal.

She's learned that all that practice (even when she didn't feel like it) had a payoff.

Hopefully this is a lesson that carries her through the rest of her life, and she never forgets that feeling of self-accomplishment and pride.

Way to go P!

these two were crazy as usual

her teacher Isabella receiving an award from Ms Kerry

she's star of the week!

In Penelope's school the kindergarten has a really cute tradition of honoring each child by letting them be the "Star of the Week"

Penelope was given a poster to fill out that had questions about her family and favorite things etc.

At the end of the week she gets "interviewed" by the entire class.

What I liked best about this was that at the end the teacher asked the students to offer up compliments to Penelope.

Then her teacher wrote all of them on the back of her poster.

I thought this was so touching, and such a great way to build camaraderie among her peers.

Plus its got to be great for their self confidence right?

sign me up!

We did not have this when I was in school.

Well, at least I don't remember it anyway. ;)

her poster

the compliments ;)

a video snippet of her interview

some of her "compliments" ;)

Have a little.... patience

Pen's school has a fun tradition of honoring particular students each month for something specific.

Each month has a different goal for the kids to work on.

Examples would be kindness, helpfulness, positivity and so on.

Penelope was chosen for patience this month!

She didn't know she was getting this award, but WE did!

Its so cute how the school does it... they bring all the kindergarten classes together in one assembly.

There the teachers each take their turns making an announcement about how they decided to choose each child. Then the kids get to go up, accept their award, be applauded and take pictures.

I love this idea of rewarding good behavior.

What a great incentive to give the kids each month.

Great job Penelope!

We love you

Penelope turns 5!

Penelope turned 5!

Craziness.

We celebrated at school, we celebrated with family, we celebrated with friends and we celebrated at Disneyland!

Penelope you are truly a remarkable young lady.

You have such a sweet spirit.

A strong heart.

A giving soul.

We love you so much and are so proud of you.

the big reveal

school treats

celebrating at preschool

gymnastics birthday with her birthday twin, lyla

family party

birthday breakfast

sushi at the drive-in