Spring Break is off to a great start. Gwen reached a goal and earned her reward, and we are in Chicago!
To explain Gwen's reward, I need to go back to what was going on in November. Earlier this school year, Gwen was having some trouble with being a good listener at school. They use a behavior system called a clip chart in which the kids can clip up for doing their work in a timely manner or just for caught being really good. The kids can also clip down to a lower level if they are not doing as they are told or if they are not doing their work. Everyone starts on a 4 each day, and a 6 on the chart is a very good day. At the time the deal was made, Gwen was coming home from school with less than a 4 most days just for not following directions. Also during this time, she really started to request that she have her ears pierced. So, a deal was made (not expecting that it would actually be reached I will admit). The deal: Gwen can get her ears pierced if she comes home on a 6 from school 5 days in a row or she turns 10....whichever happens first. We shook on it and the deal was sealed.
Since then, Gwen has been working very hard to be better at school and has much improved in the following directions area. This last week she actually came home on a 7 three times, a 6 once, and a 5 the last day! (In her defense Friday was an odd scheduled day with end of quarter celebrations and an awards program, so she didn't have as many opportunities in the classroom to earn a clip up). An exception was made about the 5 and the deal was considered reached!
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| Check out those new earrings! Pretty pink flowers are perfect for Gwen! |
Monday morning, the kids and I set off for our adventure north. We waved good bye to the spring weather we were having at home, and headed for snow in Chicago. Gwen and Wyatt have been having a great time playing around and hanging out with Bubba, Mimi, and Kelley. This morning we surprised Gwen with a very special birthday present... her first trip to the American Girl Store!
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| After taking a few minutes for the surprise to sink in, Gwen was ready to do some shopping! |
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| Within a few minutes of the shopping, Wyatt decided he was done and took a minute to lay down on a couch and take his shoes off... |
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| ...and then he discovered the Lego store conveniently located right next door... |
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| Gwen even came over to see what this was all about, and found a giant girl made out of Legos! |
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| This is the biggest Lego thing we've ever seen! |
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| Since Wyatt also had a birthday here recently, Kelley treated him to a little something! |
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| We enjoyed lunch at the American Girl Cafe--Wyatt wasn't even the only boy there, but he didn't want too many pictures taken. |
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| Some of the ladies who joined up for lunch |
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| Tigie even got to sit at the table..."Say cheese!" |
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| As always Wyatt and Mimi are being silly-"Look, I'm Olaf! I like warm hugs!" |
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| Being a very good tiger at the table |
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| Gwen was loving every minute of our lunch and then enjoyed another surprise...a birthday cupcake dessert with a candle and a song! |
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| The waitress brought Wyatt a little buddy to sit with him! |
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| I just loved getting to spend the time together like we used to do and share the fun with my own kiddos! The day brought back great memories and many new ones were made! Thanks Mimi and Bubba for all the fun! |
After our fun lunch, we headed to Bubba's office to have one of Gwen's baby teeth pulled, and then home to change dolls into their new clothes and put together a Lego truck, trailer, and boat! It was a very fun day and we will get to continue the fun tomorrow with Kenneth and Lilly!!!!
