Preschool Graduation

Last Tuesday I was able to go with McKinley to her parent teacher conference at preschool. We were given instructions and paper to take notes for nine different stations. McKinley was able to show off everything she has learned in the year of preschool. It was so fun to see all she has accomplished and I was surprised at how smart she is! She loves math! (This may cause problems in the future when I can't help her with her 3rd grade homework and we will have to wait for dad to get home!) She could name all the continents, she knew the concept of fractions, she could build words, I could read words to her and she could find them, she knew most of the letter and compound letter sounds, and was great at addition.

We visited with her teacher and she said McKinley is great at reading and math. She catches on to math concepts very easily; they just make sense to her. However, she gets shy and is too nervous and not confident enough to go first or answer questions, even though she is usually right. She is good at working with all different personalities and in big or small groups. She is great at working independently. She can be given instructions and gets right to work. Her teacher said she was so kind to the other students and was a joy to have in preschool.
Thursday was preschool graduation! We had a fun morning celebrating her preschool accomplishments! She was given the kindest student award and we couldn't be prouder! Her teacher said she is the first student to help others and is very kind and polite. She was very excited about her award and her gift from Mrs. Jenkins. We have already read the first book in the set many times.

Ellie and McKinley

Brinley and McKinley

We are so proud of our McKinley! We have loved having her in Mrs. Jenkin's preschool, she was a wonderful teacher! She has learned so much and we are so excited for her to start kindergarten. She has received her 4 required immunization shots and is all registered for kindergarten! We can't believe it!

Petite Competition Dance Team!

This post may contain a few proud mama moments, so just go with it!
A few weeks ago at McKinley's dance class her teacher handed me a letter. I opened it and immediately began beaming! McKinley's teacher has asked her to be part of a new petite competitive dance team! There were only 15 students out of all the 4-6 year old classes asked to be part of the team. Ms. Kim said McKinley is very focused in class, flexible, follows directions, and catches on to dances quickly. I was very proud of McKinley for being a good little dancer. I love watching her dance!

It is still pretty low-key. The practices will only be once a week for an hour and half, they will compete in 2-3 local competitions, and perform two dances at the Christmas and year-end concerts. I was so proud and just told Joe, "It's begun!!" Love my little dancer! I can't wait to have Kylie start in the fall as well!

THANK YOU!

We wanted to do an official, big THANK YOU to our family for all support they gave us the weekend of graduation! We were thrilled to have Joe's parents, niece Charity, Josh, Becky, Jayden and Jackson, Emily, Devin, and Clara, and Steve come down for the graduation. We were also thankful to my parents for flying down, Brent and Tasha for making the drive down, and Gram and Gramps Parsons for coming!! Wow, we are so lucky!

We are also grateful to everyone who gave Joe graduation cards and gift money- Grandma Naylor, Leslie and Don Terry, Seth Naylor, Matt and Sarah McFarland, Grandma and Grandpa Uptain, Gram and Gramps Parsons, and Rich and Janet Rife! And of course to my parents for Joe's awesome MacBook Pro computer, he loves it! What an awesome graduation present, and much needed! Thanks Mom and Dad!!

THANK YOU!!

Graduation BBQ

I forgot to mention that we had a graduation BBQ at the park after Saturday's graduation. It was fun and easy to have all the family together at the park. My mom was lots of help in getting ready with all the food. We sure were glad to have a weekend to celebrate Joe's amazing accomplishments.

Air Force Commissioning and UNLV Graduation

Saturday morning we attended Joe's Air Force Commissioning Ceremony held at the dental school. We were able to leave the girls with a friend which was really nice! It was a very patriotic ceremony where each branch in the military was honored, I was able to pin Joe's new rank on him, and Joe was commissioned into the Air Force as a captain. Dr. Hamilton conducted the program and did a fabulous job. He currently works at the dental school but served in the Navy for many years. We are also very grateful to have my parents, Joe's parents, Josh, Brent, and Tasha attend the ceremony. We wished my Grandpa Parsons could have been there- he would have been proud to have been recognized as a member of both the Army and Air Force. He and Grandma have been very supportive of us in the Air Force the whole time.

Graduation the night before was a little emotional because I know how hard Joe worked to get there. However, I got teary-eyed at the commissioning ceremony. I felt very proud of Joe, and our family, for choosing to be a part of the Air Force. I know Joe isn't fighting for our country but I still feel proud of being a part of something so big, so patriotic. I felt reassured, once again, that our decision to join the Air Force was the right one. And might I add... Joe looks pretty good in that blue uniform!! Wow!

These three are the only ones from there school in the Air Force. Danielle and Nate Fry will be stationed in Ohio next year.

Last was the UNLV graduation where the dental students were hooded. Although the ceremony was rather unprofessional and they didn't recognize the dental school at all, it was nice to finalize the graduation with the ritual of hooding the doctors. We were lucky enough to have the dental school go first and were therefore able to leave after only an hour and a half. Thanks to Joe's parents, my parents, and Brent and Tasha for attending. And now it's official! He has graduated from dental school!!

Dental School Graduation

Friday we all attended the much anticipated Dental School Graduation. It was held at Ham Hall on UNLV campus and was really wonderful! I loved how they showcased each student and his/her accomplishments and future plans. It was an awesome evening to celebrate 4 years of hard work from Joe and his fellow dental students. We sure appreciate the support of so many family members to this event! I am so proud of Joe and so excited for the changes coming up for our family and especially Dr. Joseph Winward! Ahhh... doesn't that sound good?!?
After the ceremony, we all went to Santa Fe Station Buffet to celebrate! My brother Brent and his wife Tasha left Friday afternoon and arrived just in time to join us for dinner; they are the best! Congratulations Joe! I can't believe this day has finally come and is now over!