Colton 4 Year Old Photos

Wow! I have so much to tell you about this month alone. Every year, the months of May and June are so overwhelming and eventful for us. I won't overwhelm you in this post, but will tell you a little each time.

Colton turned 4 years old in the month of March. Normally, I like to take annual birthday photos of my children either right before their birthday or soon after, depending on the weather. We've had such a wet Spring that I've had to wait a long time to have a chance to take Colton's photos. The one day, I had a chance to take pictures, Colton wasn't in the mood. Plus, I did try to push him by going to more than one place to take pictures. Yeah, I know better. However bad it seemed, I did get a few good pictures of him. I'm pleased.

 

He is my little stinker winker.  Always on the go because nothing stops him.  LOL!  Family members remind me how he never stops.  He has gotten so tall these past couple months.  I haven't bought him anymore 3T pants because it is getting Summer time, not thinking about the cool nights.  You can't help, but giggle when he does wear his pants.  They are so short, they resemble capri pants.  I've also had a few people tell me to buy the boy some pants as well.  I was really hoping to wait until closer to September or October before I had to fork over the money for pants.  

A little update on Colton.  One thing I've noticed is that he gives equal opportunity for all of his toys.  He'll pull out all of his Angry Birds and play with them for a couple of months.  Next thing you know, he is asking me about his dinosaurs.  We pretty much have to keep the dinosaurs in constant rotation.  I guess they are a good "go-to" toy.  He loves 'em!  We went shopping with Doug's parents a couple of weeks ago.  The toy store we were at had the Dinosaur Train characters.  Well, Colton just had a fit.  Then, he found a hard rubber dinosaur that made noise when you press a button on his neck.  He was in heaven!  

I picked up Katie a Kids Bop 23, I think that's the number.  Anyway, it has the Gangham Style song and Taylor Swift's latest song on it.  She loves Kids Bop CDs anyway, but this CD is one of both Katie and Colton's favorite.  I've got it in my CD playing in the car and we pretty much listen to it everyday.  Colton's favorite song is "Gangham Style."  Of course, the only words we understand in the song is "Gangham Style," but that is really all ya need to know.  LOL!  

When the new Iron Man 3 movie came out, we had family day and went to the Matinee.  Colton couldn't keep still, but absolutely had his eyes glued to the screen.  He loved it!  I won't say it is the best Iron Man movie, but it did seem to have more action than the others.  It seemed as if it will tie to another chapter in Iron Man's career.  I know there is another "Avengers" movie in the making as we speak and can't wait to see it.  While watching the previews at the movie theater, we noticed that Thor is coming back.  YES!  He is pretty to watch.  This time, Thor is coming back for Jane.  What is Loki up to in order to get back at his big brother?  

For the past few weeks, he has been driving me crazy every time we go to Walmart, which is every week, to get supplies and groceries.  They've been selling pre-cinema tickets for the new Superman "Man of Steel" movie.  Unfortunately, he doesn't understand this ticket sell.  He thinks that the movie is out already and has been begging me to get it for him.  Ugh!  It can be so exhausting at times.  Meanwhile, he watches the previews on YouTube.  

 

Way To Go!!!

I mentioned several months ago about Katie's A.R. points.  What is this you ask?  A.R. is the acronym for Accelerated Reading.  It is the progressed monitored by a software assessment that is used by primary and secondary schools.  This program assesses the student's reading level, suggests book titles for that particular level for the student to read and monitors to see if the student completes that level and is ready for the next reading level.  Last I was told, Katie's reading level is 3.8.  She is currently reading at a third grade level, which is where she needs to be.  

Accelerated Reading software keeps up with each student's points.  The lower the reading level (mostly picture books with less than 69 pages) have .5 points.  Chapter books get a full (1) point.  How do you get the point?  The child has to read the book(s) at least twice and then take a AR test on the computer. If they get every question correct, they are awarded the full point.  If they miss a question or more, they are deducted a point or more.  

Katie's school makes it a competition "who can make 100 points within a certain amount of time?"  I forgot the exact date, but it was before Christmas when the first 100 points was due.  Poor Katie missed the deadline by a day or two.  She was so upset.  I guess it gave her the determination that she needed to make the 200 point deadline.  The deadline isn't until May 10th and she already has over 200 points.  We are so proud of her and she has worked very hard to accomplish this task.  A few days before she met her goal, she was getting all worked up and worried that she wouldn't make it.  All I could do was to remind her to just do her best.  The day she made her 200 points, I picked her up and she was all smiles.  You talk about a huge self-esteem boost.  SHE DID IT!!!  

For all students that meet the deadline, they get to have pizza with the school principal and a field trip to  the water park later in the month.  The kids are excited!  Katie made the mistake of telling Colton about it.  Now, he thinks he is going to the water park as well.  Ugh!  

We could not let the day go by without rewarding our little bookworm.  I gave her a choice between McDonalds for supper or ice cream.  She LOVES both places and have been begging to go there a lot the past few days.  It was a rough toss up, so Colton did what any brother would do.  He decided for her.  McDonalds it is!  LOL!  

I am seeing school winding down.  Katie's class has finished both reading books for the year, so no assigned book studying.  Of course, it's been Teacher Appreciation this week.  No homework other than Word Wall Words (4 or 5 words).  Katie just needs to know how to spell, write a complete sentence with the correct punctuation.  Plus, she has to read for 20 minutes every night.  

With Summer fast approaching, we are scurrying around getting prepared.  The kids and I are signed up for VBS.  Now, I hope and pray that Colton's swim lessons are not during the same week.  Ugh!  Our swim instructor has always waited until the month of May to call and tell me what week he/she is scheduled.  Every year, I don't like to make any commitments during Summer until I hear from her.  She is the best swim instructor and is in great demand.  Thank goodness we've had her since Katie was 3 years old and us being friends helped as well.  

We have no big vacation plans this year.  We did our big vacating during Spring Break.  Doug still wants to get a membership to the water park, so I guess we'll be there the majority of the Summer.  {smiles}  This could be very good.  I won't have to worry about cleaning out a pool, making sure the chemicals are balanced, etc.  Just load up and spend the day.  Thank goodness it's not far from our house.  

What are your plans this Summer?