Popping her Top

On Wednesday at school, Brooke got to "pop her top". Now, you may be asking...what is this you are talking about??? Well, I'll tell you.

At her school, when they get 10 AR points, reading all their books independently to get those points, and proving themselves by reading at least three of those books in front of their class....well, then they get to 'pop their top'. What that means...is they get to go around the school getting all the teachers to sign their certificate, then on a separate pre-arranged day they get to be on morning announcements (and these are video'd morning announcements..not just over a speaker), get a Tshirt that says "accelerated reader" (or something to that effect) and get to open a can of lemonade in front of the whole school (hence the 'pop your top' part). The parents come and watch and then they get to have their lemonade back in their room the rest of the day. Its a pretty huge deal. I know. I know. It sounds dumb. But the kids LOVE it. It is a Big. Deal. to them.

So, on Wednesday, Brooke was the first one in her class to pop her top. All the 1st graders will at some point during the year...but Brooke was the first in her class! And the 2nd one in the whole 1st grade! On the day she did it, another girl in another class was doing it too. Which actually worked out... she gets quite embarrassed being the center of attention so it helped to have an acquaintance there. ;)

Here she is with her lemonade can and her new shirt!

And then waiting for the announcements to begin and her turn to come up....

The crowd waiting in the back to watch... (it just so happened my mom was in town and Brad's mom was there that day to volunteer so they all got to watch too!)...

The moment arrives...

And the ceremonial first sip (haha!)...

I was almost just as proud that she opened the can! It was quite a traumatic ordeal practicing beforehand... but they really help them out by getting it started for them and all.

The two proud poppers afterwards waiting for the announcements to be over...

One more quick picture before heading back to class...

Then on the way out, there was a class there that did the wave for the two girls as they passed by! So fun! I'm telling y'all...its kind of a huge deal for these kids. :)

(and pay no attention to the pants she was wearing - or what all the other kids were wearing - it also happened to be pajama day for Red Ribbon Week at school ;).

So proud of her for being such a great reader and reaching this milestone! :)