Stonewall Jackson Auction 2017

This years auction theme was 'Race For the Stars' (as in Derby 'Run for the Roses') and it did not disappoint! Mint juleps, seersucker suits, and fancy hats - it was a BLAST!

An appropriately themed SJE hat by one of our teachers :)

Although I was technically in charge of the 'Hat Project', where we asked students to create derby hats that we sold (to raise money for the school) a couple weeks before Auction, I didn't even make one myself! gasp! I decided to take it slow this year. This kinder year is all about getting my feet wet...I'm just trying to understand everything before I dig in full throttle. Plus, I'll be here plenty of years :) I digress...

Anyhow, as I was saying...I didn't make my hat. I bought it from Sam Moon. So random, but they had quite a nice selection for a very low price.

All dolled up! 

And Kevin's outfit (blazer & white pants) was Stein Mart off-the-rack. lol. Another derby gold-mine. Not kidding...if you ever need ANYTHING bright or seersucker Stein Mart is your place. They killed it. 

Love that Kevin's sister lives down the street. And that our kids go to the same school :)

She's like my cool older sister I always wanted.

We met up at a neighbors house and Uber-ed from there. 

And then we were off to The Hall of State at Fair Park. 

The drink of the night. Admittedly I didn't have one - I knew mixing in liquor might be troubling. 

Loved the venue! 

Lacey and Heather were this years auction hosts and they did an amazing job!

Free My Music VIP party sponsors, very fun neighbors and also fellow kinder parents - The Staffords.

And we were off to the races silent auction!

I did have a plan of attack, kind of. My main goal was to sign up for the parties (adult & kids) and to win Ryan's kinder teacher for a night of babysitting. Anything else would just be bonus. I know that doesn't sound like an exciting auction but there were a ton of actual items and experiences to win too. Tickets to Bruno Mars, VIP parking at North Park, Interior Decorating packages, Four Season Resort stay, ect...

Another fun thing each grade does is put together a 'basket' of goodies to auction off. We did an exercise themed bag - but here are examples of other grades. 

so fun!

One of the items on Big Board that I really wanted was the PHOTillustrator. I love the entire concept behind this and would love to get one done. We have lots of space in the dining room - and it would be such a great conversation starter! Too bad I didn't stay on top of my bids...this one slipped away.  Luckily I have all the info I need :)

Instead of paying attention to the auction items, I was off gabbing. All night. 

Michael and Sarah doing a little bidding at the table. 

And this picture cracks me up because it was CLEARLY taken at the end of the night.

Proof of how much fun we all had!

Oh and I guess the important question is, What did we "win"? Well...apparently I was too busy gabbing and I wasn't keeping track of my bids. I am still waiting to hear the final outcome. Although I was told that I did win Mrs. Littlefield for babysitting! Wohoo!

And then there was the after party....

Yup - we stayed out until 3am like we were in college. Please note that between the six ladies above, there were 17 sleeping children that were going to be up and ready to go in less than 4 hours.  #seemedlikeagoodideaatthetime 

Unit next time....

KG Field Trip

In the spring the kindergartners take a field trip to the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. 

It was a beautiful day for a field trip to the arboretum, but seeing the crazy amount of buses that were coming in was a little intimidating. There was mass confusion on where the kids were going to be dropped off - seems like there was a lack of communication within the arboretum but it wasn't a big deal and we finally saw our kiddos unloading! 

 Walking in with their partners!

Since it was 10:30am (and Kinder is used to eating lunch at 10:45) we headed straight to the picnic area for lunch. 

Should have brought some picnic blankets! I'll be prepared for Grayson and Hayden :)

After lunch the moms helped take kids to the restroom. While the rest of the kids waited Mrs. Littlefield entertained them with some games. 

We got to the children's garden at 11:30 and broke into small groups. We had an hour to explore before meeting back up with the rest of the class. 

First up - the maze. 

We have actually never done this before because its on the right side of the garden - we always walk in and go left to the little kid area and then spend all of our time over there. Anyhow, the kids thought it was pretty cool and it was nice that they were kinda trapped in there - only one entrance/exit. 

We explored quite a few areas - some were more crowded than others. 

 The tree house was kinda crazy - and with all the kiddos climbing up it, it reminded me of an exhibit at the zoo!

KG 2016/2017

Silly faces!

Weekend FIVE - 4.2.17

1. Kindergarten Cowboy Cookout! 

The kiddos have been learning all about Texas and to finish off the unit they celebrated with an annual kinder tradition - the cowboy cookout! All the kiddos were encouraged to dress up. They spent the morning rotating between obstacle courses, photos with bluebonnets, and 'cowboy dancing' (Ryan's words). Afterwards parents were invited to have a picnic lunch with them - so much fun. And the weather was perfect! We grilled hotdogs and had s'mores too!

2. Kevin and I had Lasik!

We have both been saying we need to do this for 10+ years...and we finally did! I had my surgery Thursday morning and then I was able to take Kevin to his Friday afternoon. We both went to Dr. Smith at Lasik Plus in Plano - the whole experience was great! 

3. Lemonade Stand

The kids have been begging to have a lemonade stand for months. So we decided today was the day... 

They made lemonade, signs, and decorations. 

They were ready!

A few tidbits from our selling:

- Sometimes they would accidentally quote $25 instead of $0.25

- They would all get so excited when a customer came that it would cause a fight on who would fill up the cup with lemonade

- Hayden poured herself a cup every time a customer came. And then she put her cup back in the cup pile when she was done.

- Ryan described the lemonade to customers as "The yellow is homemade and the red is fake".

- They had so much fun and even said "This is the best day ever" a few different times. lol

4. Rosie + Belle

A friend of mine launched her new clothing line this weekend and all of us girls were there to support her! The concept behind the line is based on the fact that not all body types are the same - so why should all clothes be made to fit one body type? Chelsea has come up with three different body types that most people will fit within - and her dresses are custom made to fit those body types!

Meet Poppy, Cora & Hazel. 

More info here.

I am a Hazel - what are you? 

The launch party was a lot of fun - I loved seeing all the dresses and I even bought an adorable custom made clutch! I'll post a pic soon. 

I am wearing the crossroads and my friend Jenni has on the flutter minidress. This dress was a size too big on me here, so it doesn't do it justice - it's adorable! I can't wait for my custom one to come in the mail. I debated between the citrus and indigo, but in the end went with the indigo.  It's timeless. 

5. Sunday Funday

We had a lazy Sunday morning. Lots of legos, paint and paw patrol :)

It was nice to get out that evening for dinner with friends. Can't go wrong with Marianos!