More pictures from Thursday

Restoring Order

Our week got a little crazy. Tuesday evening, Ian and Isabelle's school called with the news that school was canceled for the rest of the week. They had some type of mechanical problem, and needed the time to get if fixed. Unfortunately, the nice weather we had been having gave way to chilly, rainy days.
It was nice to have them home, but it definitely changed my plans for the week. I did want to tackle one more organizational project this week, but by Wednesday night, I still had nothing done.
Yesterday, things got even crazier. A couple who is in the morning class needed last minute child care for their two kids. I knew Ian and Isabelle would love that, because the kids are about the same ages.
Fortunately, I was able to work on organizing Isabelle's crafting supplies while keeping an eye on the kids. Her crafting supplies are stored in the bottom of a closet. I reorganized them with her after Christmas, but they didn't stay that way for long. Part of the problem was that we needed a system that she could keep organized mostly on her own. It was a little too hard for her to get things out and put them back in the same spot. She ended up just shoving things wherever they would fit, and then the next time she would have to dig through them to find what she wanted.
I had put off organizing this because I didn't know what would work with the limited space that we have.

I finally thought of a few things that would help, and Isabelle and her friend happily crafted away while I rearranged some of my stuff to make it work. I love the looks of concentration on their faces!
Once I was ready to start on her stuff, we dumped everything out and sorted it into different containers. I explained that we could only keep what would fit, and she was willing to get rid of quite a few things.

Now we have the same containers, but not as much stuff. The bottom drawer holds makers, crayons, pens, and pencils. Each is in a separate plastic bag to help keep things tidy. She can just take one bag out to use it and then replace that bag.
The next drawer has all of her paper and stickers. The box on top has the notebooks and school papers that she wants to keep. When it gets full, we will have to get rid of some.

We used the small container with drawers to keep all of her stamps, stamp pads, scissors, glue sticks, and glitter glue. This will stay out on the table with some crayons and construction paper. I'll have to see how that works.
The link for this week is not up yet, but I will add it later. I am happy to have some motivation for organizing.

Book Launch: Part 3

Above are Ian's teacher and student teacher. His student teacher was responsible for organizing most of the talent show. It was also her idea to have the kids publish a book. The kids were all so proud of themselves! I know that it was a lot of work for the teachers, but they made the time very special for the kids.

Ian busy reading "his" book. There were desks set up all around the gym, and the kids each had a place with their name and some business cards to hand out.

Here is Ian signing a copy of the book. Many of the teachers and other workers from the school took their books around and had all of the kids sign them. Ian was willing to sign other people's books, but he didn't want anyone writing in his.

This is Michael Sweet. He gave a short speech at the end of the program, and went around and talked to each of the kids afterward. He helped them all feel important.

Book Launch- Part 2

After we ate, we gathered in the gym to watch a talent show. The kids had various things that they had prepared. Ian was with a group that did the chicken dance. (Except that in French it is the duck dance or Danse de canard.) They were funny. Even the two teachers got in on this one!

At the end the students sang a song together called "All About We." They all did a really great job.

Ian's book launch

We now have another published author in the family! Ian's third grade class has been studying community. They read books, had visitors come in and talk about community, and went on four field trips to see different parts of the community.
They each wrote various essays and poems during the course of their studies. Their student teacher contacted Michael Sweet at Learning for a Cause, a non-profit student press. He was instrumental in assisting Ian's teachers in the process.

The class worked together on making a map of their community. They each had their houses and some of the places they had visited. They worked very hard!

We started the evening with supper. The parents brought sandwiches, fruit, veggies, chips, and dessert. The room was also decorated with posters and flowers that the kids had made. (Isabelle is giving the flower bunny ears.)

Waiting for the school bus

Each morning, the school bus comes about 8:20. Ian and Isabelle are always excited to go outside and wait for the bus. They both always want to be the first one on the bus.
Ian is wearing his new glasses. He just got them on Saturday, and has done well with them this week at school.Isabelle has been wearing her sunglasses a lot since Ian got his glasses. She says they help her see better. I think she may be a little jealous. We have reassured her that she will probably need glasses too.

And of course, we couldn't leave out our neighbor.

Restoring Order

It was harder to get things cleaned and organized this week, because we started back to class. Stephen is now in the morning, and I am in the afternoon. (The opposite of the last two semesters.) This semester the focus is on conversation. It is hard, but it is very good practice. I have enjoyed the classes more than when we are just learning lots of new grammar.
The main thing that I wanted to get done this week was to organize the pantry. I usually rearrange things after each large shopping trip (every 2 weeks.) There wasn't much that needed to be done, but I did take things out, sweep the floor, and rearrange a little bit more. Now it looks much better. Of course, I forgot to take a before picture, but here is the after.
And what post would be complete without at least "kid" picture? Here is Caleb sound asleep after our walk yesterday. After Ian, Isabelle, and Stephen go to school, Caleb and I have been enjoying the lovely weather outdoors. (Except for today, it is raining outside.)
For more Restoring Order posts visit That's What It's All About.