Nearest and Dearest: Zoo Phonics

Zoo Phonics is a system that many schools use in order to help children learn their letters and sounds. Maddie has been learning an animal each day along with the corresponding sound. When they finished all the letters last week they spent the day at the zoo. The day didn't start out very well because Maddie had it in her mind that I was going to ride on the bus with her which wasn't possible because another parent had already asked. She then decided that she was going to ride with me which also wasn't possible because the school wouldn't allow it. So, I had to encourage her to get on the bus and it eventually took two volunteers to remove her very strong little hands from around my neck. Somehow she managed to make it to the zoo on the bus while I followed in a parent carpool. We had a lovely time dashing through the zoo looking for all of the animals that she studied about.

Maddie and her friend Makai (they have been in class together since they were 2 years old)

Gordo Gorilla (Okay, it is really a mama and baby but the Zoo Phonics song says Gordo!!)

Panda eating (no name for him)

Kangaroo Kate

Timothy Tiger

Maddie tired, hungry, hot and C-R-A-B-B-Y!!!!!!

Maddie and friend, Meena

Maddie's Kindergarten Class

Today was the Zoo Phonics parade at her school. Each Kindergartener got to select their favorite animal and decide on a costume. What really happened is that each child got to select an animal and then mom and dad had to scramble to put together a costume. Maddie chose Zeke the Zebra and so I got up at 6:00 this morning to prepare my zebra for the parade. I think I did a pretty good job but I was put to shame by some of the costumes. Maddie actually sang the little song along with her class which was a relief because she wouldn't participate when she first started school. All was well until it was time for mama to leave and then once again it took two people to pry those little hands off of my waist. I hope that when she is 16 she will remember how she never wanted to be away from my side.