Talent Show 2016

As this year's talent show approached, our family (Scott, Andrew, and Olivia) had mixed opinions about carrying on the family tradition of participating.  The weeks leading up to the big night were filled with a lot of business travel for Scott, and Andrew is beginning to care more about what his peers think of him.  I guess dressing up like a clown and performing a family skit is no longer the cool thing to do.  With all that said, Olivia pulled the "it is an established tradition card", and reluctantly everyone jumped on board.

 Unfortunately, Andrew was diagnosed with strep on the afternoon of the performance and was granted an acceptable excused absence from his sister. 

That night we realized that our participation is not only a family tradition but also a school tradition.  Everyone seems to enjoy watching our family stumble across the stage, crack ridiculous jokes, and make absolute fools of themselves.  Several even commented on the fact that they had wondered if Olivia would still fit into her green polka dot dress. Many were concerned that Andrew had officially become too old to carry on the tradition.  

I guess there will be a Holman family act in the annual talent show for at least the next 11 years.  

Olivia's fourth grade class performed the "Green Eggs and Ham Rap".  It was so much fun, and we were super proud of the star of the act.

Back to School 2015

Andrew and Olivia have been back to school for a little over two weeks, and our entire family is still deeply mourning the loss of summer.  

I am finally posting our first day of school photos.  

There were tears. There was sobbing.  There were upset stomachs. 

(I didn't even pay attention to how Andrew and Olivia were feeling.)

Summer, we enjoyed every single second of your visit.  You really showed off this year.

We will be eagerly waiting and planning for your next visit.

Fun Day 2015

Friday was the last day of school for the year.  Wow.  That went fast..too fast.  Anyhoo... the kiddos had a lot of fun celebrating summer with their friends.  

Andrew and Olivia finished the year with all A's.  I don't share that to proclaim that they are super smart or perfect.  They worked extremely hard everyday and put forth their very best efforts for 9 solid months.  This year that equaled A's.  Hard work, determination, strong study skills, and consistency are what they learned again this year.  In my opinion, those are the true measures of success.

Yeah for summer and NO SPELLING LISTS!

Fourth and sixth grades will just have to wait because this momma has a summer of fun planned for her cutie patooties.

Daddy/Daughter Dance 2015

Olivia and Scott attended their 5th Daddy/Daughter Dance at CA on Friday night. 

 This year's theme was "An Antique Carnival".

Talent Show 2014

Friday night was one of my favorite nights of the year...Talent Show.  I love to watch the kiddos of CA work together and showcase the talents that God has given them.  This is the third year that Scott has put together a skit for our children.  Jaxson made his debut, and he was absolutely perfect.  About half way through the performance, Jax discovered me sitting in front of the stage.  He got so excited.

Andrew's class performed a funny skit about math class.  Every time the teacher turned her back, a dance party would erupt in the classroom.  Thanks to an extra sweet gal, I found myself dancing on stage at the end.  

Olivia's class danced to the YMCA Despicable Me style.  Olivia was the ever adorable Agnes.  Her teacher performed with them as a purple minion.  It was so funny and adorable.

Don't let Jaxson's expression fool you.  He loved EVERY single second of the evening.  In fact, he threw a fit when Scott handed him to me after this photo was taken.

Have I ever mentioned how much I disliked spelling in school?

Well...I dislike it even more now that my kiddos are in school.  

Andrew and I have spent countless unhappy hours practicing dreadful spelling words.  Thankfully, we have fallen into a great spelling routine this year.  Every Sunday evening, we look over the words together, discuss the tricky words, and define the unfamiliar words.

This evening we came to the word, Mississippi.  Andrew excitedly spelled the word, giggled, and shared that the word says "pp".  He followed that statement by saying, "That was so immature of me."

We quickly came to the word, imagine.  I asked him to read the word.  He responded, "I'm a Gene?"

Show and Share

I absolutely adore the rewards system in Olivia's second grade classroom.  They can earn rewards such as a day sitting at the teacher's desk, a day sitting by a friend, a pick from the treasure chest, a day without having to wear shoes, a hat day, Pet Shop (get to snuggle a favorite stuffed animal all day), or a show and share.  

Oli earned a show and share this week.  Any guess as to what she wanted to share?  Yep.  Jaxson Man.  

This morning she shared her baby brother with the rest of her class.  Olivia didn't have much to say, but Jaxson had plenty to share!

(Seriously mom!  You are embarrassing us.)

She earned 2 picks this week.  Yeah Oli!  She will also be spending the day without shoes.

First Day of School 2013

Today was the very first day of second grade for Olivia and fourth grade for Andrew.  I was only a tad bit sad, and I may have cried a few tears in the van on the way to school.  With that said, I am confident that they are exactly where God wants them.  Trust me...I have prayed all summer about our school decision.  

Andrew has been so excited about school that he decided to organize his closet.  Ha!

We are absolutely smitten with their teachers.  Should I be concerned that both of my kiddos are seated front row center?

Daddy/Daughter Dance 2013

Last night, Scott and Olivia attended their third Daddy/Daughter Dance which just so happened to be a Masquerade Ball. 

Scott ordered Oli a charm bracelet and a heart shaped daughter charm.  He plans to add a charm every year.  She was incredibly proud of her new piece of jewelry.  

(BTW...I did her hair all by myself.)

 In this photo, she is overcompensating for her fake smiles.

 Notice her nails.  She insisted that one hand be painted turquoise and the other be painted purple.

It was such a special evening for all of us.  Scott commented that this was his favorite dance yet.  Olivia told me that she felt beautiful, and I managed to do all the "girly" things without having a mental breakdown.

As I look through the photos, I tear up thinking about how much she has grown the past 3 years.  I am confident that next year she will have lost her 2 front baby teeth, have grown several inches taller, and be more aware of who God has created her to be.  SO thankful for my sweet Oli Grace!

On the other hand, Andrew stated at dinner that he is very glad that he isn't a girl.  This getting dressed fancy to go to school to dance sounds like an evening of torture to him.