What's New With The Carter Family

Every year at Jem's school, they have an end of year Walk-a-thon.  It's to raise money for a selected project (each year it's different).  This year they were raising money for technology....to provide each middle schooler with an iPad, to buy a rolling cart with 24 laptops for the 3rd - 5th graders, and to buy some other things for the K-2nd graders.  It was a huge success - the goal of $60,000 was smashed by over $35,000!  The kids were very excited about this...and at the pep rally Jem kept repeating (in a very shrill yell) "I have a squeaky voice!".   Not sure what that has to do with anything LOL but I guess we all express our excitement in different ways.   Brandon was just excited that he got to squirt all of the poor little kiddos on the day of the walk.   Look at his evil smirk.  Finley was just happy to be there to support her big brother.  Go Jem!

I love this time of the year! I always look forward to attending Jem's school Christmas concert, and this year we added a Piano Recital to the mix! Here is a collage of pictures from the two events.... I even managed to take a short video of Jem playing his two songs at the Piano Recital....Click on the video below... And another video montage of Jem at his Christmas Concert...Click on the video below...

This year, Jem was awarded a "Student of the Month" award for the character trait of Knowledge. Once again he was totally surprised to hear his name called, and did not see his daddy and I in the audience. I loved surprising him! He had a big smile on his face when he saw me sneak up to the front for a picture. His certificate, given to him by his teacher Ms Quigley said: "James exhibits the character quality of wisdom by always seeking to do what is right, even though it might not be the popular choice. He also listens attentively to teachers and other adults." Way to go Jem, we're so proud of you!

A week and a half ago, my 'little' boy began his first day of FOURTH grade! I'm still in a state of shock. I mean, really. FOURTH grade? That's one year away from fifth grade, which we all know is one year away from MIDDLE SCHOOL. How can my baby be almost old enough to be in middle school????? I look at these 'first day of school' pictures, and all I see is my three year old boy getting ready to head off to preschool. I wonder why on earth he has to carry such a seriously huge backpack. I'm in serious denial. Have a great year of school Jem! I love you bunches :)

Jem's annual end of school year celebration is a "Field Day". The kids really get excited for this day to come around, not so much because it signifies the end of school and the beginning of summer...but because it's a fun day spent with their buddies! This year both Brandon and I were able to go and watch the games...and the weather held out! Here is Jem during the tug-of-war....it's boys versus girls and.........THE GIRLS WON!!!!! Here is Jem with his best school friend, Garrett. Honestly, the best part of the whole day for Jem was getting to play with Garrett the entire time! Here's to hoping we have a great, long, warm summer!

This year's Fine Arts Fair was held on Friday, May 13th. Last year the same event was called "Best of Elementary".... and I'm still not quite sure why it got a name makeover. Nevertheless, it was a fun couple of hours which started with the kids walking into the auditorium (see picture above) to perform some songs. Click on the video clip below to see a snippit of the 3rd grade classes' performance. Here is Jem standing by his project (which this year he completed at school, ON HIS OWN -- Yeah!) and giving some "interesting facts" about his chosen sea life animal - The Jellyfish. Go ahead and click on the video below for Jem's "Jellyfish Facts". I thought he did a great, independent job. Well done!

When we got back from Spring Break, Jem was one of a handful of recipients of the "Student of the Month" Award. He was TOTALLY surprised by it, and had a smile a mile long as he bounded up onto the stage to accept his certificate :) We were notified of this event a few weeks ago, and it's been really hard to keep it a secret (you know me, I wanted to spill the beans sooooo badly). But I swore to myself that I WOULD NOT tell Jem. I wanted him to be surprised, and I'm so thankful that I kept my MOUTH SHUT! The look of pure joy on his face was priceless - he was beaming from ear to ear! He was especially happy to look out into the audience and see his dad and I, cheering and clapping for him. This month the students were being recognised for "Courage", and Jem was being acknowledged for being courageous and standing up for what he believes is right. I couldn't have been prouder of my little guy! And yes, I made him pose for another picture once we got home,...

Jem's annual NCA Christmas Concert was held this past Monday.... it was called "Star of Wonder" and the kiddos (as usual) did an amazing job! The kids sang 8 songs throughout the play. Here is a short clip of the last carol medley....and in case you can't spot Jem, he's the one in the white vest and pants :) After the concert the kids went back to their classrooms...where I snapped this picture of Jem in front of the class Christmas Tree!

This year your 3rd grade class had a "Harvest Party" , and everyone was told that they could dress up as their favorite Storybook Character ! Of course the first thing you wanted to do was dress up as "Luke Skywalker", since you already had the costume and you thought you could 'kind of' find a book to match LOL. Instead I gently suggested that you dress up as a character that you really DO read and DO love.....for example "Greg" from the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. You agreed! The room moms did an awesome job of planning this party...each child got to get up and introduce themselves (as their character) and tell a little (or read a little) of the book. Both you and Justin C. were dressed as "Greg", so you went up together, agreed on a part, and read it out loud :) When everyone was done, there were games (musical chairs & bingo), food (including hot apple cider!) and even some seeds to plant and take home! It was a great party, ...

Seriously. 3rd Grade already. Are you kidding me? How is this possible? Wasn't he JUST starting preschool? I mean, I think that his first day of preschool was one of my first blog entries here. THIRD GRADE???? What crazy world do we live in where kids keep growing up? CRAZY! So I know I've been anxious for summer to be over - this has been a weird summer, probably the saddest, most drama filled summer EVER. But the reality of my little boy starting 3rd grade didn't really hit me until I took him outside for his traditional "First day" photos. He just looks so BIG. So.... 3rd Grade-ish! You know what I mean? Tall, right? Love that smile! The "Mario Bros" backpack he got for his birthday this year, from his best friend Heather :) In front of his school.... ....and with his best friend Heather! Hope you have a GREAT year Jem - love you to infinity and beyond! Mommy xoxox

Every year NCA holds a field day for Grades 1-8, the day after school ends. Field days are SO MUCH FUN! It's basically a chance for the classes to have one last fun event together...as they move around the field, competing in events against the other classes in their grade level. I was a little worried about the weather this year...it had been raining all week, and it was overcast and yucky....but thankfully the rain held off while the kids were outside and Jem had a great time! Here are some pictures from the day... The Boys in Jem's class against the boys in Mrs Hill's class! Heather passes the ball over to Jem, who then needs to pass it under to Sabrina! Best buds Abby, Jem and Heather! One of the challenges - racing to open a starbust WITH GLOVES ON! (And yes, they got to eat the Starburst when they were done haha!). Jem and buddy Ben. What a fun class, what a fun year!

Can you believe that a WHOLE YEAR has gone by already? Wasn't I JUST talking about Jem's first day of 2nd Grade? Wowsers, this year has really flown by....and it's been a great one! On the last day of school, Jem's class celebrated with an "Aloha" party....they played lots of fun themed games and had some yummy treats (like fruit kebabs, hawaiian rolls, popsicles). Here are a couple of pics from the party! Aloha 2nd Grade!

Every year, at the conclusion of the school year, each grade participates in an "Awards Ceremony". Here, each child is awarded with a Character Award and an Academic Award. The second graders were honored yesterday, and Jem was given the Joseph Award for Imagination and Creativity, as well as the Sportsman Award for Outstanding Sportsmanship! Here are some pictures of Jem from the day, as he awaits and finally receives his awards...

This year's "Best of Elementary Fair" started with a performance in the auditorium. Grades 1 through 5 were represented, and the second graders combined talents with the first graders to sing a couple of songs (one of which was Yankee Doodle Dandy -- super stinkin' cute!). All grades came together at the end for a grand finale song....here's a picture of Jem getting ready to start singing. How fortunate (pure luck!) that we were sitting in the row right next to where he was standing :). If you click on the video below, you'll hear some of Jem's grand finale performance. You can also see his best friend, Heather, singing behind him. She's such a sweet little girl, Jem was truly blessed to have her in his class 2 years in a row! At the end of the performance, the kids went back to their classrooms where they had their projects displayed. Here's a photo of Jem and Heather by his project.... Jem was also happy that his Grandma Carter was able to make ...

Once again, Jem is participating in his school's "Best of Elementary Fair". His second grade class will be showing their "Body" projects - and Jem has been working on the "Lungs" for this past month. Check out his poster - doesn't it look great? He worked really hard on it! Here's a video of Jem practicing his "presentation" of his project -- so cute! His explanation of his model of the lungs is adorable too...I kept waiting for him to say "diagram" instead of "diaphragm" (because he kept getting the two words mixed up ever other time), but he got it right! Go Jem!

Last Wednesday at Chapel, Jem was honored as Student Of The Week! His teacher, Mrs Inks, chose Jem for the week's character trait - Respectfulness . She had some nice things to say about Jem as he was called up to the stage.... "You are polite and kind to others. You do not interrupt others. You are careful with other people's possessions." Way to go, Jem! Brandon and I both snuck in to the auditorium to watch him be 'surprised'. Come to find out, he'd SEEN US when he walked in with his class and then KNEW he'd be getting the award LOL. Kids. Too smart for their own good!

Okay, so I know I'm a little "late"....updating this blog, I mean. Better late than never though, right? Here is a picture of Jem during his President's Parade at school. He was assigned President William Taft, and his beautiful wife is Mrs Helen Taft (aka best friend, Heather). They were absolutely ADORABLE together....and I even managed to capture a little video of Jem saying his two 'interesting' facts. Unfortunately my video cut out before I could get Mrs Taft's facts also :( But trust me, she was adorable too!

This year's Christmas concert was great :) As a second grader, Jem learned and performed songs with the third grade classes....so unfortunately he had no speaking part this year (that honor always goes to the older class). Nevertheless we thoroughly enjoyed listening to him sing the songs he'd long practiced -- my personal favorites were "The perfect 10" (a song about the Ten Commandments) and "I Trouble" (a song about man's selfishness). Great job Jemaroo! Here he is after the concert with his best friend, Heather. And a picture with his second grade teacher, the lovely Mrs Inks.

I can't believe that Jem is now in SECOND grade!!! Wow, time sure does go by fast....wasn't it just yesterday that he was starting first grade with Mrs York??? Whew! Well Jem is just LOVING second grade...he is in Mrs Inks class with lots of familiar friends and best of all, his "best friend" Heather :) He even sits at a little desk now (not the big shared tables of Kindergarten and first grade!) and is still going by "James" at school *LOL*. Here is a page I scrapbooked (at Sarah's house this week) of Jem's first day of Second Grade!

This was Jem's LAST DAY........of First Grade!!!! They celebrated with a Field Day -- a half day of school, where all the kids participated in group/class games outdoors. It was a TON of fun.....and it was nice to see everyone together one last time :) The day ended with a Pizza lunch and free ice-creams thanks to the PTF! What a great year it's been! Lindsey blindly pours the water to Jem..... .....who then pours it into Joseph's cup! And down the line it goes! Jem with some of his school buddies...Kassidy, Heather, Jem, Maci and Jeffery (with Amanda at the back). Jem with his "best" school pal, Heather :) Then Jem and Ysabelle get ready to do the "Sponge Run"! Drip Drip the water goes....Wet anyone??? Getting ready for the "Dress Your Teacher" competition.... Here she is! Let's give a big "Thank You" to Jem's FABULOUS First Grade teacher, Mrs York!!! We'll miss you!!!