Pillow Pizazz Workshop

 Ashlin attended a pillow making workshop for beginning sewers last week.  This is Ashlin's second time to sew.  First, everyone in the workshop had to practice sewing on the machine with no thread on a piece of paper.  The paper was marked with straight lines, curvy lines and squares to sew on.  Then after showing an adult their papers they could sew on fabric.

 Ashlin chose to make a patchwork pattern pillow out of four squares for the front and four squares for the back.  The patterns are to be alternated and the goal is for the seams and corners of the alternating fabrics to match.

 Of course, there was a snack time to refresh between sewing and stuffing the pillows.  After stuffing the pillow, then each beginner had to learn how to hand sew the pillow closed using a hidden stitch.  That was probably the hardest step for each of them.

Another project completed for the fair!  This pillow matches Ashlin's room and she did a great job sewing and getting the seams and corners to match almost perfect.

Take care,
Michelle

Mesh Wreath Making Workshop

When school is out for the summer, the reality sets in that the fair is not that far away and we have many 4-H projects to be completed.  I love workshop and project days because for a small fee the girls can attend and they come home with a project complete and ready for the fair.

 Yesterday the Extension Office hosted a mesh wreath making workshop.  Erica and Ashlin were signed up to make a wreath.  I made Cara go along to help Ashlin because I had to take Justin to the dentist.  Therefore, Cara got recruited and she would learn how to make the wreath also if she decided to make one.

 This project was pretty easy and fast to complete.  You need to complete: a 16-in wreath frame, 21 x 30 feet of mesh ribbon or burlap ribbon, scissors, pipe cleaners/floral wire and embellishments.

Now, I'm thinking Cara needs to make a burlap one for my front door.  We'll see if she agrees.

Take care,
Michelle

Kindergarten Circus

 

This year was the 27th Annual Kindergarten Circus.  The circus was started in 1987 by Mrs. Hammond.  The Kindergarten classes look forward to this event for weeks.  It is their chance to perform in front of the students, parents, grandparents, and friends.  Even some high school students sneak over to be entertained with the circus.  Every Kindergarten kid remembers what they were in the circus.

Before make-up with Bailey.

 Justin picked to be a clown for his Kindergarten circus.  He had so much fun acting silly and putting on a show.

After make-up with Bailey.

 The Kindergarten circus has a ringmaster to announce all the performers.  Then the acts this year included:  lions with a lion tamer, tight rope walkers, scooter riders, tumblers, an elephant with a trainer, strongmen, snake charmer, and the clowns.

 This was our last circus performer.  The girls were a tightrope walker, a tumbler and a scooter rider. 

 The snake charmer act had not been chosen by any students for about 7 years, but it made an appearance this year.  It was my favorite act.  These two boys, Oliver and Mickey, were just the two to pull this act off.  Oliver loves snakes and therefore, it was the perfect part for him.

Take care,
Michelle

Banana Split Party

The reward in 3rd Grade for learning your multiplication tables through number 12 is a banana split party at the end of the year.  With each new set of tables learned, the student earns another item for the party.  For example, ones - the bowl, twos - a banana, etc.  Each student had to bring an item for the party.  Ashlin had to bring 5 girls gifts.  She took small cans of pop, gel pens and lip balm.  The students were very excited that they had all completed this task.

Take care,
Michelle

Kindergarten Graduation

Wednesday was a bittersweet day at school.  It was the last day of school for this school year, it was promotion for the 6th Grade students, it was the 5th Grade's annual talent show, it was Kindergarten graduation and is was Mrs. Hammond's last day at Sacred Heart.  Mrs. Hammond has taught Kindergarten at Sacred Heart Elementary for the last 35 years.  This lady will not say that she is retiring, but she chose to step down so that no other teacher at school had to lose a job.  Next year's Kindergarten class is small and we only need two Kindergarten teachers instead of three.  I had the privilege of working this past school year in her classroom and she is an amazing teacher and loved dearly by her students.  Cara and Ashlin both had Mrs. Hammond in Kindergarten.  She will be missed at school in the fall.

 It was a day out of dress code for the Kindergarten students since they were graduating in the afternoon.  Graduation was at the end of the day and they were so excited to get their certificates.

 They had to line up by class in alphabetical order.  They listened to the speeches by the teachers and by Mr. Berryman and then finally they got to shake his hand.

 Fifty-seven Kindergarten students received a certificate and they will be the graduating class of 2026.  We were so proud of Justin on his big day and he is ready for 1st Grade.

Mr. Berryman gave Justin his certificate.

 Justin and Bailey are friends.  She always likes to put her arm around him or pinch his cheeks and mess with the back of his hair. 

Mrs. Bowder will stay teaching Kindergarten next year, but Justin will move on.  Mrs. Bowder was also Erica's Kindergarten teacher. 

Here's to 1st Grade in the Fall!

Take care,
Michelle

Piano Recital

 The rule at our house is that you have to be in 3rd Grade to start piano lessons.  You must be old enough to be responsible to practice and learn the music.  Ashlin could not wait for last fall so that she could start piano lessons with Mrs. Nissen.

 Last night Ashlin showed off her piano success with her first recital.  She played "The Purple Cow" and "Money Can't Buy Everything" for the audience.  Mrs. Nissen lets the students choose their selections to play for recital.  It was fitting that Ashlin play "The Purple Cow" since both Cara and Erica played that song at recital.

 For it being Ashlin's first year taking lessons, she is coming along wonderfully.  She is playing out of the second set of books, she plays with expression in her pieces, and she loves playing.

Take care,
Michelle

5th Grade Spring League Champions

Last night this group of 5th Grade girls completed spring league volleyball as champions!!!  They were the number one seed in the tournament and won two games in straight sets to take the championship.  They worked together and had fun.  Now they are ready to move on to summer league volleyball in about two weeks.  So proud of these girls!

Take care,
Michelle

Jr High Award Night

All of the end of the school year activities are one right after another.  One night we attended the Junior High Awards Night.  This was a night to recognize the 7th & 8th Grade students for their academic and athletic achievements for the year.

 First up were the silver & gold academic awards for the 7th & 8th Grade.  A silver award is a 93-94% average for all four quarters.  A gold award is a 95% or higher for all four quarters.  Cara received a silver award which was awesome!  She has had to work hard this year balancing homework with sports and having the transition to the junior high.  It has been a work in progress and she has gotten better as the year as gone along.

Cara received athletic participation certificates for volleyball, basketball and track.  She voted by her peers as the "best hustler" in volleyball.  Other volleyball awards included:  Emma was voted the "MVP", Charli the "most spirited", McKinzie the "most improved" and Bree the "most coachable".

Assistant Principal, Mr. Hale, may had said it best when he gave his closing remarks at the end of the evening.  He told the kids that the students at Norfolk Catholic are probably most known for their athletic achievements.  But then he added that if people could see how many of those athletes also achieved academic success they would be impressed.  He congratulated them on their dedication to being successful at both.

Take care,
Michelle

Taylor Creek Angels Baseball

 Justin started baseball practice a few weeks ago and on Wednesday this week he had his first game.  Sorry there are no photos from the first game due to the weather being really cold and windy, plus Keith, Cara and I were all snuggled under a blanket while sitting on our lawn chairs.  These photos are from a practice on a night when the weather was nice.

 Justin is on the Taylor Creek Angels team.  The Angels won their first game 12-8 with the game tied going into the bottom of the last inning.  In his first game, he played between first and second base on the edge of the infield.  He had a few grounders hit to him, he fielded the ball, and threw the ball to first base for a few outs.  It was so cold, but he was having fun.

 Justin is playing coach-pitch baseball this year.  He had a few hits the other night, but he did have to use the tee one time.  He is learning and still trying to figure out if he is a right-handed hitter or a left-handed hitter.  He throws best with his right arm, but batting he is able to bat from either side about the same.

Take care,
Michelle

Spring Volleyball

Norfolk Public Schools is hosting a spring volleyball league for 4th-6th Grade students.  Norfolk Catholic has a team in each grade level.  Erica jumped at the chance to be back on the court playing volleyball again.  This is a warm-up for summer league and for summer volleyball camps.

 Our 5th Grade girls have been a little rusty, but the dust is coming off.  They play much better when they talk, call balls, work together and have fun.  There are 5 teams in the 5th Grade division - Randolph, Norfolk Catholic and 3 Norfolk Public teams.

 The girls have been practicing once per week and playing games one night per week with two games each night.  This is a chance to work on serves, bumping, setting and improving with touches and game experience.

Take care,
Michelle

3rd & 4th Grade Track & Field Day

Getting instructions before the day starts.

 Ashlin had 3rd & 4th Grade Track & Field Day last Tuesday.  She was very excited and was up at the crack of dawn.  She even had picked out what she would wear the night before and had her bag packed with essentials (meaning sunscreen).  The weather was beautiful, not too hot and a little windy.

Coming down the stretch in the 200M.

 Each student could compete in two field events (Frisbee throw, softball throw, football throw, long jump) and two running events (50M, 100M, 200M, 400M).  Ashlin had signed up for the softball throw, Frisbee throw, 100M and the 200M.


Lined up for the 100M.

Ashlin had a great day at the track.  She finished 5th in the 100M, 2nd in the softball throw and 1st in the 200M.  Ashlin was the only 3rd Grade girl to run the 200M; therefore, she placed 1st.  But, they put her in a heat with some 4th Grade girls and in the heat she placed 2nd.  She ran her heart out!

Take care,
Michelle

Kelly's Softball Dye Dash

Saturday morning, bright and early, Keith and Cara participated in the Kelly's Softball Dye Dash.  You could run/walk 1 mile or complete a 5K.  They both ran the 5K.  Our friends, the Neuhalfen's and Kassmeier's, are both softball families in the Kelly's softball organization and encouraged Keith to participate.  He talked Cara into running since Emma was running.

 Cara finished in 17th place and Keith in 19th.  Keith said that Cara was a little in front of him and he wanted to call out to her to wait so that they could cross the finish line together, but he didn't have the energy to yell. 

Keith couldn't get Erica to run, but she cheered them on.  Keith and Cara have now decided to participate in the Laugh & A Half 5K in June and the Norfolk Catholic Dye Dash 5K in September. 

Take care,
Michelle

Ring & Run - May Day

 When I asked the kids this week who was ready to ring and run, Justin's hand went up immediately.  Cara was not in and the other two girls weren't so sure.  But, I went ahead and bought the stuff for May Day treats.  In our solo cups this year were:  small cans of pop, gummy bears, gummy worms, starbursts, skittles and popcorn.  I think we made about 18 cups for friends.

When Cara was little, the kids in our neighborhood were all ringing doorbells and running between and around houses for cover.  But, quite a few kids that used to ring & run are getting big.  I realized that one of those kids is a girl that is graduating from high school in a couple weeks.  Where does the time go?

Justin and Ashlin started popping popcorn and filling cups as soon as we got home from school and then the sneaking began.  First, they went over to the neighbors behind us.  It was a success and they weren't caught.  Next up, was Preston and Elliot, on the block over.  Preston was outside mowing the yard so this required them to have to wait between the houses for him to move to another side of the house.  If you look closely, Justin is laying in the neighbor's rocks watching the mowing. 

They may be getting big, but they had so much fun!  Ashlin even caught Ryan from next door, but she didn't give him a kiss. 

Take care,
Michelle