Blue Owl

Each quarter, Shelby's school holds an awards ceremony, honoring students for perfect attendance, no tardies, scholastic improvement, and being a good person. Earlier this week I got a letter stating that Shelby would be receiving an award. I didn't tell Shelby (the letter said to keep it a surprise), but I told her this morning that she would find out what the secret letter was about. The ceremony was at 8:20, which is soooooo difficult for me to make with everyone ready, but I was able to do it (only Declan was still in his pjs, but I'm sure he didn't mind). We actually got there early and waited for the kids to come in.

Payden sat next to me with her writing journal and a pencil. She was really cute throughout the ceremony. She would draw . . . alright scribble actually . . . and then turn to the lady behind us and show her. She had to show the lady everything the entire time. It was too cute.



Taylor, who has been out of control when we pick Shelby up from school, was put into the stroller. At first she dealt with this okay, but by then end, she was NOT happy. We actually had to leave early because she was throwing a fit; fortunately, Shelby had already received her awards at this point. I'm just hoping Taylor will remember how much she hated the stroller and decide to not run around and be crazy at Shelby's school any more.

Finally the kids arrived and the ceremony started. The first set of awards were for Perfect Attendance. We were excited to get this for the 1st quarter this year because last year it took until the 3rd quarter before Shelby got this award; we were just tooooooo sick.

Next they announced the students who had not had any tardies. We were EXTREMELY excited for her to get this. Last year we NEVER got this award (I say we because I definitely play a part in her getting or not getting this). We tried, but we just couldn't do it. I think that says something about how bad my pregnancy was . . . it's a lot easier to get 3 kids and a newborn up and out the door then 3 kids with me pregnant. We honestly tried so hard all year long, but always had at least 1 tardy each semester, so we are sooooooo, sooooooo, sooooo excited that we finally did it. Yea for us!!!

Then it came time for the Blue Owl awards. This award is for "Outstanding Achievement in citizenship, courtesy, kindness and/or thoughtfulness." When it got time for Shelby's class, her name was announced. We are soooo proud of her. She got this award the 1st quarter last year. She does such a good job at school - both academically and socially.

They had all the 1st graders who received this award stand together for a picture. It was interesting because 4 of the other award recepients are Shelby's friends (Taylor S., Mikayla R., Sandra S., and Christian C.). I couldn't get close enough to get a good picture because I had Declan in my arms, Payden following me closely, and then Taylor started screaming because she couldn't be with me because she was stuck in the stroller. She was trying her hardest to scoot the stroller to me, but I'd put the brakes on. Anyways, this was the best photo I got.

After the Blue Owls were given out, they still had to award the the Gold Owls, which are basically for improvement in academics. By this time Taylor had had it, and Declan was ready for a nap, so we headed home. Since we hadn't got a great picture at school, I had Shelby pose for one more picture. She was too funny; she'd had the pin they'd given her for the Blue Owl on her shirt, but she wanted things to be exactly as they were when she received the award so she took off the pin and put it in her hand along with the award certificate.

Anyways, congratulations, Shelby!!!! We are so excited for the good choices you make. Keep it up!!!! You are such a good example, and it makes us sooooo happy!!!