First Day of School 2018!

The 2018 school year for Atticus and Grace began with their Meet the Teacher / Parent Orientation nights the week before school started. Atticus thought this was no big deal, of course, and we found out his home room teacher was Mrs. Haas, but he would go to Mrs. McGuire for English Language Arts every day for two hours. So, he really has two academic teachers. It was a good night because Greer was also in his class!

Grace's Meet the Teacher was the following night and she was much more timid. Each night, all of the kids went into a room to watch a movie, for about 30 minutes. This let the parents go to Parent Orientation in the cafeteria. Grace did not want me to leave her and I hated leaving that room knowing she was a little scared. But, after orientation, we went down to the Kindergarten hallway and found out her teacher would be Mrs. McGarr. Right away, I felt like Mrs. McGarr was the perfect match for Grace. She got right down on her level and talked to her and was so excited and animated and even though Grace was glued to us and wouldn't talk, I was feeling so good about her teacher. After we walked in the door, we checked out things all around the room and Grace was much happier when we left. It's a big transition to go into Kindergarten, so I was prepared for Grace to be hesitant. I was just really praying that the first day would go well and she wouldn't have any tears.

 This was the reading corner - Grace really liked it!

 Here she is spinning around - so clearly, she perked up before we left.

 And here is Grace with Mrs. McGarr. Notice that her puppy had to go with us on this night also. 

As the week went on, Grace was nothing but excited for her big day. Atticus was half excited/half not excited to start school again. He loves school, but he didn't want summer (and playing with legos 24/7 to end). The night before, we read some back to school books and put the Ready Confetti (that her teacher gave her) under her pillow and they went right to sleep! School began the next day, August 21.

 The kids said goodbye to GG and Hazel (Everly was sleeping).

 

 I love cute backpacks. Grace picked ballerinas and Atticus picked MLB mascots this year.

 

 

 Atticus was an easy drop-off. We didn't even walk in the room with him. Next, we walked Grace in and she hesitated at the door, but we quickly started distracted her with putting her backpack away and getting her sat at her table. She was happy and smiling and it really helped that she immediately had colors and a coloring sheet (her favorite). We walked out the door and looked back and she was happily coloring with no tears or even watching us leave. Whew!

 Our third year of school drop-offs in the books!

 Sadly, this was also Vic's first day back to work after two weeks off with us for Hazel's arrival. So, off I sent them all! I was excited to hear about everyone's first day!

Last Day of Kindergarten

Last night, out of the blue, I realized I forgot to blog about Atticus' last day of Kindergarten! First of all, May was a busy month. For Kindergarten, there was something going on constantly for the A to Z countdown (a theme for each day - crazy sock day, dance party day, bring a book, bring a game, fun snacks, etc.). There were field trips. There was Muffin with Moms. There was Field Day. There was Literacy Cafe. There was Singalong. And then on the last day, there was Kindergarten Celebration. For preschool, even though we only go two days a week, there was still PTO teacher luncheon and their end of year program that, of course, was on a Monday, so it meant an extra trip to preschool since we only attend Tuesday and Thursdays. On top of that, we were finishing up dance and had the recital and were finishing up T-ball! May was busy. And we were just barely crossing that finish line to make it to school on time those last few days!

But, for as busy as it was, I love a crazy schedule. I LOVE downtime and relaxing time, but I still get excited when I see my calendar full of activities. So, although I was definitely ready for May 25th to arrive, it was bittersweet because that meant Atticus's year of Kindergarten was over.

It was a great year. Atticus became completely comfortable with Kindergarten early on. We had some tears a couple of times when I would come for an event and then leave (and he didn't want me to). But, otherwise, he fell in love with school. He loved "being a panther" and anything to do with Pebble Creek Elementary. He wanted to participate in EVERYTHING. He loved his friends and every activity in his classroom. He loved his teacher, Mrs. Downs. He went from not caring about letters or spelling to ending the year on Level F for reading. I am just so proud of him!

The only thing he didn't really love? Running in P.E. Haha! Mondays are running days, and from early on, he would realize it was a Monday on the way to school and would complain that it was running day. He loves to run and play, but running just for fun is not high on his list. I hear you buddy! Vic is going to have to show you why he loves it!

The other thing I found funny throughout the year was his handwriting. We used to spend every day after school writing the alphabet or making sight word word wall charts or writing whatever was on his mind. At first, he was obsessed with continuing school once he got home and doing whatever they had done that day. And, getting those letters and numbers right was important. But, by the end of the year, he had much sloppier handwriting and some backwards letters and numbers. Even the "S" in his name, that he writes all the time, usually has a backwards S. I'm sure 1st grade will set him straight.

I wasn't good to document Kindergarten all year long, so I'll just post a few pictures here. But, I want to say how much we enjoyed Mrs. Downs. She seemed structured but still so fun for the kids. I think she might be just what Grace needs for Kindergarten, so I'm hoping maybe we get to repeat with her! Fortunately, all 4 teachers seemed great and I never heard a bad word about any one of them, so I'm already curious (yes, over a year in advance) who her teacher will be!

Also, for the last day of school, during the Kinder celebration, Atticus proved how comfortable he has gotten in Kindergarten. He was a crazy mess up there! I'll post a couple of videos too. He was just a ham while they sang and he and Greer were the cutest talking to each other and laughing. In fact, while I didn't get a great photo, I will not forget how funny he was walking into the gym. Each class walked down the center aisle to the stage in line. Atticus came in laughing uncontrollably behind Greer and yells "SAY CHEESE GREER" while laughing and laughing, his little face so red. I have no idea what was so funny except that there was music and when Atticus hears music, he just wants to dance and sing and have fun. However, the singing performances were really cute and the choreography and songs were really cute too! After it was over, we went back to their classrooms to say goodbyes. It was around 10:00 am and the day let out early at 12:45. Most kids went home, but Atticus told me he wanted to stay with his friends. I think there were only 5 to stay and they were all Kids Club, except Atticus. Well, Atticus had the best day ever! He was so excited when I picked him up...except he wished I would have sent him clothes to change into for comfort. Oops! Anyways, he got to go through the class books and bring some home (like when the class would write about thanksgiving and then Mrs. Downs would bind each kids writing into one class book). He got to bring home some more school supplies (because we need more crayons...but I mean, they were Mrs. Downs' crayons so he needed them, of course). He got to go to each Kindergarten classroom to see what everyone was doing. I think one was watching a movie and one was playing games and I don't know what else. He got to go in the hallways, or in the gym, or somewhere to watch the 4th graders walk through for their end of year celebration. He got to play on the Ipad in his class AND eat a snack from the snack drawer. I have a story for that one - so, earlier this January, he started coming home to tell me he wanted to buy a snack from Mrs. Downs' snack drawer. I had never heard that they could buy snacks at school and I already sent his snack every day, so I would tell him he couldn't and that I didn't think Mrs. Downs' sold snacks. I would also tell him I wasn't sending money for snacks. Then he told me that they were free! Well, none of this made sense and we were reminded monthly to not forget to send snacks so I doubted Mrs. Downs' was just passing them out. So, I emailed her and found out that some parents send snacks for her drawer for when kids forget them. So, she said if I wanted to send some up there and then "forget" every once in awhile, then she would let Atticus have a snack from the drawer. So, I did and he loved it! But, I didn't do it often so when he got a snack from her drawer the last day, of course, it was special. And, then finally, when I picked him up, he was the ONLY Kindergartner in her class to come out as a "walker" and for whatever reason, he thought that was cool too.

Oh Atticus! I hope you always love school and everything that goes with it as much as you loved Kindergarten! I know the older grades will just get tougher and be more work, but I think Atticus will always love learning. And, I think we are at such a great elementary school, so I am just so pleased.

Anyway, here are some pics from the last day!

 

 This is when they were walking in for their kindergarten celebration.

 Lots of whispering going on up there!

 Waiting to begin - there were 4 classes with about 75-80 kids altogether in K this year. And the year was heavy with girls. I know for Atticus' class, there were 11 girls and 7 boys. The other classes were similar.

 Crazy, loud singing.

 Leaving...or trying to. Still so wild.

 Last day with our beloved Mrs. Downs. 

 Friends.

 And then we have these four friends! Atticus and Greer have been best buds all year long and while they played T-ball, Ellie and Grace became fast friends too!

 When I picked him up from school, I attempted a cute picture in their cute outfits. #mamatried

And, that evening, we began a last day of school tradition: dinner at Torchy's Tacos! 

And now, here are some pictures from the year!

 In the spring, he got to read the day's lunch menu during morning assembly.

 He dressed up like an old man for the 100th day of school. He loved this day all year long. From early on, he would come home and tell me exactly what day it was. So, to finally reach this day was so much fun!

 At their Kindergarten Rodeo day, I got a picture of what Atticus called "the four friends". These guys had so much fun this year playing together: Greer, John, Atticus & Charlie.

 Crazy sock day. Vic loves crazy socks to wear with his business dress attire each day at work. So, Atticus loved picking out pizza socks for this day.

 Oh my. This is the view I had when I dropped him off for school in the mornings from my car. Some days I would walk him in to watch morning assembly, but as the year wore on, I just dropped him off in the car line. But, this view. He ALWAYS waved and ALWAYS told me he loved me and many times he would yell it back to me as he walked away. These little moments are just he best. Between regular 6 year old behavior always lurking about, he is just the best kid.

I just have to document this because right before school got out, he made a list one night of every kids in his class, their birthday, their age and their gender. I'm not sure he got it all right or not, but he was obsessed all year long with who had birthdays and when. Since he is April 30, he had to wait ALL YEAR LONG to turn 6 and watch everyone else turn 6 first. So, I think he memorized most of these.

 This was a picture Mrs. Downs took and put on her facebook page the first week of school. If this doesn't show how excited he was about school and learning, I don't know what could!

 This was Mackenzie, who dubbed herself his girlfriend early on. They were pretty cute though as many times they would just hold hands randomly. Mrs. Downs even thought they were such sweet friends to each other. This was on the way back from the Oil Ranch field trip on the school bus.

 Pajama day with Greer. And the fact that Greer also had a Star Wars backpack was one reason Atticus hit it off with him from day 1!

 Vic helped the kids carve a pumpkin back in October. I think our table was not only the wildest and loudest, but had the least perfectly carved pumpkin. I thought the kids should get to draw the design and help carve it, but later we saw that the other table's parents pretty much did the drawing and carving. I couldn't stop laughing because clearly, Vic likes good work and our pumpkin was a hot mess! But, those kids had fun!

And, this is from Book Character day. Somehow, the night before, I managed to come up with this costume. It was total luck to find a solo blue fleecy girls coat, although in size 12, at Walmart to to use! And I just cut and glued and pinned a bunch of felt together and it worked! He was the cutest tickle monster ever! Oh and it helped that the book came with a set of "tickle monster hands".

And, if you are still reading, here is the video. Why are his hands in his mouth? I don't know. It's been this crazy habit for about 4 months. We thought it started because he was always feeling for loose teeth, even though he had none. But, either way, it made me crazy! As I type this, he has recently stopped doing it so much. Good, because I'm tired of saying "get your hands out of your mouth". haha! Here's the video: https://youtu.be/N17tmxcr_uk and then my camera battery died. ha! 

What great memories from his Kindergarten year!

Friday Favorites: (For the past month!)

Here's what has been happening recently:

ONE (Bachelor)

A few weekends ago, we went to DFW for a quick weekend. The kids went to stay at Grandma and Pop's for the night, while Vic, Everly and Charley hung out at Ana & Charley's apartment so Ana & I could go to a party! Since I never do things like this, I had really been looking forward to it. As you may know, Ana & I love to follow Mix and Match Mama's blog. She is Shay Shull, who is the sister to a former Bachelor, Sean Lowe. I found her blog back when he was the bachelor, but then after Bachelor was over, I started following it because her life is so fun to follow. It's about adoption, travel, recipes, life with kids, etc. Plus, she has this group of friends who have similar blogs and I love to follow them all. Of course, Ana & I are pretty sure that one day we will all live in McKinney and be friends with this whole group! Anyways, we saw on her blog that her sis-in-law, Catherine (who married Sean!) was having a one year anniversary party for her stationary company, LoweCo. She was advertising on her social media, and you could buy tickets, so we did! It was at a venue in Dallas. We arrived and it was pretty scarce of people, although we spotted Mix and Match Mama and her friends right away! We also saw Catherine and Sean. The room wasn't big; there was a bar and some snacks and a raffle table of goodies. And there were 5 pinatas hung up that were later hit until goodies dropped out. But, we were super surprised more people were not there. We guessed about 70 were there? Maybe a few more. It was kind of awkward sometimes because there wasn't really anything to do but hang out. There was a fun photo booth! You could dance, which is right up Ana's alley, but there was not a lot of dancing happening. I just expected 100's of people to be at this thing, but it seemed like about 75% her friends and 25% bachelor fans! (or for us, also MMM fans!) Anyways, once of MMM's friends, Kara, befriended us to go dance and we found out she was an Aggie! (then, after I got back that weekend, and posted a pic, my friend Taylor said they were roommates in college! how crazy is that!?). We really wanted to go visit with Shay, but again - all kind of awkward and she was having fun with her friends. So, Ana realized we might run into her in the bathroom and we did! We told her we'd come find her, but didn't until we realized they were all leaving early. So, we ran up, introduced ourselves, took a quick picture and then left after they did. Looking back, we really should have gone up sooner. She seemed super nice and I bet she would have visited a little. I also met Erika, her friend, and we visited with her. Anyways, this post is mostly for my memories, but it was still a fun night! Oh and Catherine seemed super fun too! We saw Sean, but he seemed to hang out in the background so we didn't try a picture with him. Anyways, fun night! I'd do it again but I would be braver! ha!

And while we had a night out, the kids had way too much fun with Grandma and Pop!

TWO (100 days of school)

A couple of weeks ago on a Wednesday was the 100th day of school for Atticus. On Monday, they sent home a note to let the kids dress up like a 100 year old person. So, I had less than 2 days to figure something out. Well, I ran to pick up suspenders and a hat, but that's as far as we got. I didn't have any glasses for him to wear or a cane. We really needed an old person to borrow from! And we put on gray eyebrows and a mustache, but he did not like the feeling of paint on his face so he wanted it off. Oh well! He has been so excited about this countdown to 100 days since the beginning of kindergarten. Constantly, throughout the year, he would come home and tell me what day it was. So, Wednesday was a fun day for him! And here he is, although he looks more like Super Mario Brothers in the first picture and more of a 1920's newspaper man in the second picture. Still a cutie!

THREE (Co-sleeping)

Vic was gone Sunday through Wednesday a couple of weeks ago. 2 of the 3 nights, I had kids come into my room throughout the night and get into bed with me. I actually don't mind it at all, but when Vic is here, he prefers they be in their own beds. And 4 of us do not fit great, so I agree. But, if just one sneaks in, it doesn't usually bother me. Anyways, they were pretty cute when I would get up each morning.

FOUR (our snuggle bunny)

This girl loves her daddy and gives the sweetest snuggles!

FIVE (Date with Atticus)

A couple of Friday's ago, Vic had to come home for the afternoon to talk to the Dish Network guy so I went to pick up Atticus from Kindergarten alone. As soon as I got there, he asked me what Blue Baker was and then asked if we could go there. So, we had a spontaneous date! I remembered they had cookies and so I thought it would be fun to just take him and then run a couple quick shopping errands. And it was fun! He is really growing up so much and is so smart and inquisitive. He ordered the biggest cupcake they had with chocolate milk and just talked and talked. Oh and apparently. his teacher had a drink from Blue Baker which is why he even knew about the place!

SIX (Fun in the car)

The kids LOVE to play in the car after school or have me drive them around our neighborhood without seat belts. On this day, they were being so silly and I just had to have a picture. Everly was being a seat belted, well behaved baby in the back.

SEVEN (Grace Plays)

I just want to keep recording how much Grace play. Atticus is really into Star Wars toys and building his own Lego ship creations right now, but this girl is always into playing something "girlish" as she says. Princesses, baby dolls, dress-up, you name it, she plays it. Oh and I may have mentioned in the past her love of playing "Mrs. Summer and Hallie". Last year in preschool, she would come home wanting to play teacher/student and would use her friend's name and her teacher's name for us to pretend to be. Well, one of her current "best friends" is Hadley so it's recently changed to Mrs. Summer and Hadley. But, we play whatever it is in the moment she has on her mind. Many times, she just pretends to come to school and bring a toy or tell me (Mrs Summer) about made up scenarios of what is happening in her life or she will sing songs. And in the past when Atticus would play, his name would be "Crosby" (another friend last year) and she will still incorporate him into playing even when he is not here. She is just so funny! And she is into playing with Everly but also getting VERY upset now that Everly crawls to wherever Grace is to play with her toys. Grace will yell about it when Everly is at least 10 feet away. I am trying, over and over, to tell Grace that Everly might not even touch her toys and that there is no reason to scream everytime. Ah...little sisters! 

EIGHT (Dinosaur Zoo)

Atticus's friend, Greer, gave us tickets to see the Dinosaur Zoo this past Sunday. It ended up being only me and Atticus going, but I loved having another date with him. They were giant puppets but it was a cute show.

NINE (Swings)

2 -3 afternoons per week, we will stay at Atticus's school after he gets out and play at the park. To the side is this little tiny park with one slide and two baby swings. Grace still fits so she and Everly got to swing and Atticus pushed. It was such a fun afternoon. Everly couldn't stop laughing and LOVED being pushed. Her weight kept getting pushed to the front of the swing and it was so funny to watch her hang there. I have pictures and video of Atticus and Grace (when Grace was around Everly's age) and it's funny to realize how long it has been since we've been to this park to play.

 Happy Friday Everyone!