Parental Pride

It seems like it's been a while since I posted and I didn't really have much to say, but I just had to sit down and get my latest news out there as soon as I could because I'm just bursting with Parental Pride.

I went to get the mail this morning from Saturday because it was raining that day and we never went out to get it. In the stack of bills was a letter addressed to "The Parents/Guardians of Cooper Johnson" from our school district. I opened it up and my eyes started brimming with tears as I read:

GIFTED & TALENTED EDUCATION (GATE)

IDENTIFICATION PACKAGE - GRADE ONE

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Your child is eligible for formal identification in the ___ Unified School District Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program....

On the enclosed identification permission form the test name and Cooper's score were written in.

Test: Nagliari

Test Score: 99%

I don't know how many of you recall Cooper's other great achievement but I'm telling you that my Parental Pride is just overflowing. This is one special kid and I feel so blessed to be his Mother. He hasn't even heard the news yet. He's still at school.

Bishop's Pumkin Farm!

I was able to go with Cooper on his first field trip this year. All the Kindergarten and K/1 classes went and I'm betting that everyone had a great time.
Firstly, it was great weather. Our first storm of the season was moving in so it was cool and cloudy but not cold or windy.
Secondly, we were going to a pumpkin farm in Wheatland, maybe 15 miles away, that has a miniature train for the kids to ride, a hay wagon to take them out to the pumpkin patch to choose their own pumpkin (no restriction on size), barnyard animals to observe and interact with, a great play area, including a real railroad car, and the most delicious smelling bake store! Here are some of the highlights!

Getting ready to get on the field trip bus with his friend David. Being a chaperone I was in charge of 4 kids. Cooper, David and two of the kindergarten girls, Victoria and Vanessa. (You'll see pictures of them coming up)

The Bear class. I thought this picture was so cute!Cooper is in front, third from the left. Victoria and Vanessa are just right of him.

Here's Cooper inside the real train car. It was dark and dirty and scary in there but some of the kids spent 30 min straight inside that car.

This is one of my favorite pictures. I remember many years ago when we came here with Cooper and taking this same picture. I wish I had it on hand to compare but we'll just have to compare future pictures with this one.

First graders on the train. It took us on a trip around part of the pumpkin patch, some horses' fields, a walnut grove, and many scarecrows and old farm machinery.

Pumpkin picking! I'm so glad that I was able to spend this time with Cooper. He's such a sweet boy and I'm just thrilled that he's growing up to be such a fine young man.

1B496AFB-4E8E-6778-7CB0-B6E9B8B67505

1.02.05

1st Grade

Cooper started 1st grade this morning at his new school. I think it will turn out to be a great school with a great teacher. He's actually in a combined K/1 class which I was initially apprehensive about but the school has 3 or 4 of these classes so they must have a good routine down. Tuesday - Friday he goes from 8:50-2:20 and Monday goes in at 7:50 and gets out an hour early.

Cooper says that he had "a lot of recess today!" I asked how many and he said 3 or 4. He also said that Tuesdays and Thursdays are "recess days" and that he needs to have tie shoes. I'm guessing those are their PE days.

His classroom is nicknamed "the bears" and the kindergarteners are called "cubs". His teacher seems to be a hands on, caring teacher that wants to help each student learn to the best of their ability. (she gave Cooper a hug when I came to pick him up)

Poor Catelyn was ready to go to preschool today as well but I've been unable to get her in one so far. She went around half the day wearing her backpack w/ her snacks in it saying she was ready for school. I told her that her school hadn't started yet and "her friends" weren't there either. Poor girl.

Super Duper Cooper

Cooper has had a busy last couple of weeks. School has ended which means that he is now a 1st grader. I am so proud of the young man that he is becoming. He has really stepped up with helping around the house and now takes out the garbage and unloads the dishwasher every day. He is such a sweet boy that wants so much to do what is right.
Last week his school had an end of the year patriotic celebration where all the children sang patriotic songs. Cooper practiced every day, standing up on the fireplace hearth, going through each song, making sure each beat and note were right.

Tuesday was the last day of school and the last of the awards days. Every 90 days the children are honored for their great achievements, both academic and social. The school gives out these great awards that are dog-tag style, with wonderful graphics and colors on them. All the kids have necklaces that they wear them on and by the time they are in 5th grade some have quite the crowded necklace. Every awards day Cooper earned at least one award (Math Wizard) and sometimes three. Here is Cooper wearing his dog-tag during the last awards day.
And now today Cooper lost his 6th tooth. (speaking of which I know a tooth fairy who still needs to do her job tonight). He's growing up so fast and I am so proud of the wonderful boy he is.