Popping The Top...

Earlier this school year, Mason told me he wanted to be the first 1st grader to Pop his Top (of a canned lemonade) at school, which is a big honor each first grader gets to do in front of the whole school over the morning announcements, once they've reached a certain number of Accelerated Reader points.  I was very proud of Mason for making this his goal, regardless of whether he would accomplish it or not.  He worked really hard, reading new books every night and testing on them every day, and he tried his best to mentally keep up with his points so that he'd know how much he lacked to reach his goal.  Over the past few weeks he knew he was getting close.  But finally yesterday I got a call from his teacher stating that he, and another one of his classmates, had both reached their goal, and the two of them would be the first 1st graders to 'pop their tops'!  The kids all get so excited about this, and it's such a big honor that the families are even invited to attend and watch as the students are broadcast over the televised announcements.  Matthew even found someone to cover his class for 20 minutes so he could be there to watch too.  Mason was so excited to get to school this morning--he emerged from his room at exactly 7 a.m. dressed and ready to go (an entire hour before we actually had to leave.)  Here are some pictures I got of Mason and his sweet buddy, Gabriel, both excited to be the first to receive the award this year:

Popping their tops

...and wearing their new t-shirts that say "Accelerated Reader. Independent Reader."

The boys with their principal, Mrs. Happ:

Way to go, Mason and Gabriel!  We're so proud of you both!