8.3.12...

This is what the 4th grade looks like in our house.

1st day of preschool....

Today Carson started preschool.  It did not start off good. 

He threw a fit with the outfit I wanted him to wear; he was thinking up ways to get out of going while we were driving; he just about ripped out my heart when I had to leave him in the classroom.

Someone was NOT happy with me and my camera....

A very bad picture but I love the face on Carson.  At this point he was ready, as soon as we pulled out of the drive way he was not ready anymore...

 We found his cubbie and put his backpack away.

 Mrs. Owens had made these for all the kids ~ supper cute.

 When I went to pick him up he was all smiles and talked a mile a  minute telling me all about his fantastic day.  He was very, very happy.  We went to Target to get him a game he has been asking about for  a while.  He was so excited to play, he wanted to go home and "spend time with mommy" ~ his words ~ as soon as we ate lunch.  I could not have asked for a better way to spend my afternoon.



One hurdle down on the path of my baby growing up.  This is one memory that I will not forget.

1st day of school...

My oldest started the 3rd grade today!!!  He has an amazing class (most of his soccer buddies) and a great teacher.  I can feel this year will be the best yet.

I always dreaded the 1st day of school pictures my mom would take of me and my brothers.  Looking back at them now I am so grateful that she did it (thanks mom).  Griffin was not to happy get his picture taken, but it took less than a minute and was not painful.

After school and soccer practice, we headed out to dinner to celebrate G's big day.  I am stuffed to my capacity but so worth it.

the shopping is done...

I got a late start with school shopping this year.  I think it's because I really can not believe that school starts in 7 days ~ how can this be????

I started feeling like a bad mom so I loaded the kids up, stopped at Starbucks for a treat and headed to the mall.  Lucky I only have boys so I was able to shop in one store.  5 pairs of pants, 7 shirts, 5 pairs of socks and a pretty adorable hat later, my boys are set to start the new year (remember I have boys, they need so little). 

The Gap had the little girl section right next to Carson's section.  Oh my, I just about died looking at the cute outfits, adorable shoes and tutu's.  I even heard C make a few cute sounds.  I think I even asked him to try a few things on, he shot me down.  Oh well, all that money I saved on girl clothes goes into the shoe/purse fund.  I like being the only princess in this town.

it's here...

Tomorrow is Griffin's 1st day in the second grade. 

I remember when I was little, how excited I got the night before school started.  I would have butterflies in my tummy and would be unable to fall asleep for a long time that night before. 

My wish for him for this school year is to have fun.  I can't wait to see what he learns.  To see what stuff he brings home.  To watch him grow and become older.  My little boy is going to be in the 2nd grade - how can this be!?!

finally some pictures...

Here are some pictures of Griffin's last day of 1st grade.

1st day of school part two...

To celebrate this new school year we took the boys out to dessert at the Cliff House.

The views where amazing and we had a great time; its fun to embrace the new schedule and to get G excited to learn.

getting prepared...

So I made this little chart for Griffin to help him get ready in the morning. Daddy is on his own for school days; hope this helps streamline the morning routine! It is hanging above his bed and we have gone over it a few times today. I will let you know how tomorrow goes.

he did it...

My oldest baby is now a first grader.

Today was Griffin's last day of kindergarten. My parents and I headed down to the school for a farewell song the kids sang to the tune of "New York, New York". As they lined up and began to sing their song tears filled my eyes. I had a smile the size of Texas on my face. My heart swelled with pride.

They have come so far. They have learned so much. The have grown so big.

It's summer vacation, long days, staying up late at night, play dates, ice cream and just plain fun. I hope Griffin savors his summer time. We will be working a bit each day (starting next week), gotta keep those reading skills up to par for next year.

Happy Summer!!!!

harvest time...

I got my 1st job as room mom, organizing our Harvest Party (Halloween Party). I am so excited!!!!

i've become one of them....

I joined the PTA. I am now an active mom in the school system.

I had to sit on my hands to keep from volunteering for everything. So far I am on two committees (yeah).

Hope I can keep up with these ladies, the meeting got a bit intense and there was some tears. Wow!!!!

room 24...

This is the room number that Griffin will be in for the next 9 months.

His first day went great. Tears were at a minimum (yes, I shed a few, could of done more but held back). Randy and I took him to school; helped him put his supplies on the table, find his cubie and his name tag. We only stayed for a few minutes then we walked out of the building, leaving him there, all by himself (ok, a bit dramatic, but I earned it!).

Carson and I walked back to pick him up at 3:30. He came out, saw us and had a huge smile on his face. So happy he had a great day. This is the start to a very long road (13 years of public school). I know we will have some rough patches, but kindergarten is so fun, so new, so exciting.

We chatted all the way home; this is the part I was so looking forward to. I have always wanted to be the one picking my child up at school, being there when he comes home to feed him cookies and talk. So far the dream is coming true.

I fixed his favorite for dinner (mac and cheese), than we headed out for a walk at the water front. We stopped at Anthony's for dessert to celebrate Griffin's big day. I think we will make this part a family tradition (I love creating new ways our family can celebrate our family).

Daddy and I are so proud of you Griffin!

growing pains...

Well, today was the day. Griffin's last day of pre-k. I am going to miss that program.

When Griffin first started at Little D's a few years ago, I was not very impressed. I thought about changed schools but decided to stick it out - so happy I did. When he started the Pre-k program in September my feelings changed. I loved the energy of that building. Loved the way it felt, how Griffin responded to it, how the teachers made me feel welcomed and loved. I am very sad that Griffin's time there is over. He has changed there. He has grown and learned so much.

There was a great celebration there today. We were able to have a one on one teacher conference to go over how our child did through out the school year (that's when the tears made their first entrance). Next was a fun game in the sand box followed by a pot luck lunch. After we stuffed our bellies, it was time to do the ceremony. Each child was brought up and both teachers said a nice little something something about them. Then the child was presented with their art folder. Can you say HUGE! I had such a great time looking through it once we got home (and yes, I cried a bit more reading all the great things the kids and teachers had written in there).

I am so proud of Griffin. So happy I am the one who is blessed to raise this little boy. Thankful that my love and joy for him is molding him into the person I know he can be. Growing up hurts, in good ways. It's painful to say goodbye to our past but happy to look ahead and wonder what the next phase of his life is before us.

am i ready for this....

So, today was the day I took Griffin to his "big boy" school. I thought I would tear up but I was to frustrated tyring to find a parking spot. Am I really going to turn into on of "those" moms. The annoying ones with the soccer mom outfits, parking wherever they want, chit chatting to all. Please help me!!!!

Had a great time. We walk our way to the Kindergarten area (had to follow yellow cut out foot prints) and sign in. The kids had to sign their names and then we wrote their name under it. Next, they took a picture of each kid and their parent with the kids name printed on a sheet of paper. Cool way to put names and faces together. Our last name was spelled wrong - big surprise. I wonder if the teachers sit around with the pictures and use them like trading cards. "I'll give you two of these for one of yours".

Next, the kids went into a class room and had story time. Us parents were banned to the hall way. Afterwards, the 5th graders took us on a school tour. Very fun to see it through their eyes. Randy and I were amazed at the size and maturity of these kids. Just 5 short years (ok 6) and that will be Griffin. Yikes.

I am sure I will be a wreak the first day of school. We have to go back in August for testing and then the day before school starts to see who his teacher is. Boy, I am so not ready for this.

tomorrows the day...

Griffin and I go to visit his new school tomorrow.

I am so excited to see where he will be starting his education. See where he will spend the next 6 years at. I so remember visiting my kindergarten class, meeting the teacher, playing with the toys. I have vivid memories of a lot of activities that I did in that room. Freaks me out that the memories that Griffin is making right now, he will look on and remember for the rest of his life. I pray that all are good and that I can be the kind of mom I really, really want to be.

Wow, so much pressure! I am so looking forward to tomorrow. My baby is growing up.