Back to School

Savannah started first grade on Wednesday, August 17th.  This year there were no tears and no sad faces.  Last year the first day was the day after returning from Grams' house so I made sure that we returned earlier this year.  She was more than excited to go this time! Her teachers are Mrs Wahlen and Mrs Schaal in 1A which is the class she secretly wanted.  Most of her friends are in her class as well.  We're looking forward to a great year of learning and growing. 

thumbs up after a great first half day

then to the pool after school

second day was a gym day

W and I enjoyed a run while S was in school

first full week and she already earned Teacher of the Day

W and I worked lunch duty before his school started

The day before Walker's first day was a walk through day.  We were able to play in his classroom and meet his teachers even though we already knew he would have Mrs. Pyle in the Duck class.  This year he will be going 5 days a week and is now able to stay for lunch bunch---woohoo!!  His first official day of school was Wednesday, September 7th.

walk through day

heading in for his first day

a great first day calls for frozen yogurt after wards

It's starting off as a great year in Preschool and First Grade! Let's hope the momentum keeps going.

Back to School

Savannah started kindergarden on Thursday, August 20 at St. Thomas More.  That first morning brought a lot of tears and a lot of "I don't want to go to school" but I think that was due to the sadness of just leaving Grams' house.  Thankfully the second day went much smoother and now we've establish a groove.  The early morning is still tough since she doesn't like to wake up early but we're slowly adjusting.  She never gives a lot of details about her day but every now and again she will say something that lets me know how much she is enjoying her new school.  Yesterday it was playing games on the iPads in her classroom and today was how fun P.E. is.  She went into the first day with no friends in her class and now she rattles off names of all 24 students.  I think it's safe to say that she's easily making friends and settling in.

sporting her P.E. uniform

alternate school uniform (side note....why does she look sooo old?!?) 

Walker is going to two different preschools this year.  He will continue at Resurrection Preschool on Mondays and Wednesdays and he will now be going to Westminster on Thursdays and Fridays.  Resurrection started on Wednesday, September 2 and he walked into his classroom without ever looking back at me.  He is more than comfortable here where he knows the place, knows the playground, and recognizes the teachers.  Westminster has been a little more of an adjustment.  At meet-the-teacher he was hesitant and shy and he kept coming back to me to sit in my lap.  He still calls the place "sissy's school" so I can tell that he's not too sure about being left there without her even though he did wonderful there all summer during camps.  He even knows one of his teachers really well so I'm hoping he will come around quickly.  Unfortunately the first day didn't end so well.  He got in trouble for fighting over toys and he even bite a child on the playground.  I've heard that the first month of school is a big transition time and there's usually lots of acting out especially at home.  I've noticed this especially with Savannah.  She picks on Walker more which is causing him to act out more.  Let's hope this transitional period quickly passes and we can get back on track soon.    

first day of the school year at Resurrection Preschool

his first day at Westminster Preschool

perks of being friends with his teacher--she sends text pics 

So we're fully in the swing of this school year.  The mornings are still rushed but we're all getting used to waking up earlier and getting out the door sooner.  The afternoons are becoming full with tennis and Daisy meetings so are days are just generally busier all around.  We welcome the weekends more now than ever before.  Speaking of which, is it Friday yet......????

Summertime Fun

The kiddos actually spent most of their summer attending summer camps.  Savannah attended 3 Westminster camps, a tennis camp, and a pottery camp.  Walker went to 4 Westminster camps.  Rarely was there a week when we had nothing to do and even then we stayed busy at the pool or around town.  Here's a brief sampling of all that we did while at home:

crafts at Kidzu

birthday party

homemade snowcones

pool fun

all dressed up for church

swim team friends

diving in for freestyle

hanging out at swim meets

going into camp together

waiting for the choo choo train

arts and crafts at home

at the movie theatre watching InsideOut

my big girl on her final day of camp at her beloved preschool

happy campers

lounging poolside

I can't believe the summer is almost over! Every year it seems to go by faster and faster.  I remember it flying by as a kid but I think it goes by even quicker as an adult.  We've got one week left that we're spending in Texas and then Savannah immediately starts school.  Fastest three months of the year!!!

Last Day of School

Walker finished up his first school year on Tuesday, May 19th.  Of course he had new clue what the fuss was about and to do this day every time we drive past Resurrection UMC he says "Wawa's sool".   Overall he had a fantastic year in the PMO class!  I never received a single negative comment about his behavior.  He played well with his friends and established a little bit of independence.  And by the end of the year some of his take-home artwork included a little more than a single line across the paper.

sweet boy on his last day

first day of school/last day of school

Savannah had her final school day at Westminster on Wednesday, May 20th.  I can't believe my little girl is finished with her preschool days!!  It was a challenging year where she learned so much; ranging from the foundation of reading and mathematics to learning how to control her temper when things don't go her way.  We all absolutely loved her teachers, Mrs. Morris and Mrs. Neil, and we're so thankful for all their patience and guidance in dealing with our sassy Savannah.

such a big girl

the preschool graduate

with Mrs Morris and Mrs Neil

first day/last day

first day at Westminster/last day at Westminster

Now who's ready for 2-year Preschool and Kindergarten??!!  Not this mama.....not just yet!!!

My Second Favorite Day of the Year

Mother's Day!!! Oh how I LOVE this day! It falls right behind Christmas as my favorite day of the year.  I mean, I whole day devoted to ME!! It's even better than my birthday which is so often overshadowed by Christmas festivities.  Savannah had been planning my Mother's Day surprises for a couple of weeks and the night before she told me that I was not allowed to leave my room until after she woke up.  So considering that I tend to wake up before 7:00 and she could sleep until 9:00, I had to wait a long time.  Once she finally woke up, her and Oscar went downstairs to make my breakfast. One would think that they weren't going to let me eat the rest of the day based on my breakfast: oatmeal, waffles with blueberries, and a breakfast sandwich.  Usually I only eat one of these items but they thought I needed options.  Thankfully Savannah and Walker ate the oatmeal and waffle which left me with the sandwich.

my breakfast in bed

Savannah said I needed to wear a crown all morning

After breakfast I opened my cards and gifts.  Walker gave me a school-made necklace (I about cried!) and Oscar gave me a couple of Lilly items.  Savannah's school-made gift had to wait until Muffins with Mom the following morning.  Then I did a quick 5 mile run on the treadmill before heading to lunch at the country club.

my greatest joys!

The next day I stayed with Savannah at school.  We had coffee and snacks, watched a musical performance with all the pre-K students, then planted a flower in a pot that the children had decorated for us.

ready to sing

with my mini

S and her friend, Amelia

I really am the luckiest girl around!!!  Soooo beyond thankful for my little family and I am sooo very blessed to be able to stay home every day to watch these little people grow and to shower them with love and attention.  Greatest job on the planet!!!!