First Day of First Grade

Before the alarm even went off this morning G was in our bedroom ready for his first day of first grade. He has grown so much since his first day of Kindergarten last year. We got all his things ready last night. Picked out his going back to school outfit (new green shirt that matches his new green superball shoes). Decided what he would want for breakfast. And got his backpack all packed with the papers we had to fill out. Lunch box was out and ready to be filled. We were ready. Our morning started out fairly easy.

We all took G to his classroom this morning and I really thought it would be a lot easier than dropping him off at Kindergarten. But my emotions got the best of me and I tried really hard to hold it all in until I walked out of the school. I did pretty good but cried the whole way home. I was thankful for my sunglasses again. :) I can't believe my little man is all grown up and in first grade. FIRST GRADE! He is so big now. And so excited. I hope and pray that he has an amazing year and that his love for learning and school continues to grow!

We are back to the ol' routine. Not sure I am quite ready, but he sure seems to be.

And the Big Five Year Old Cheer Party

Ellie and Lexie are used to having parties together. They even had a baby shower together while they were in our bellies. :) Being born four days apart, they have pretty much never known life without each other and I love their little friendship. So when we asked them if they wanted to have their birthdays together again this year, they were excited. We had a cheer party for them today and they LOVED it. Can't believe these sweet girls are FIVE!

A Five Year Old Birthday in Pictures...

She chose what we did the entire day. Food, activities, all the way until bedtime. She had a great fifth birthday!

FIVE

Today my big girl turned 5. FIVE. I can hardly believe it has been FIVE years since I gave birth to her and met her for the first time. What joy she has brought to my life. From the second I found out she was a girl, I had all these dreams and thoughts about what it would be like to have a daughter. I am so in love with her and lucky to be her Mommy. She has really grown up a lot this last year. She is an awesome big sister to Hadley and a great little Mommy to her. She is always looking out for her and consoling her when she is sad. She is in LOVE with her Daddy. IN LOVE. Definitely a Daddy's girl. And she wants to be just like her big brother and she learns so much from him. She is starting to have her own opinions about what she wears, what color she wants her nailpolish, and what jewelry she wants to wear. She is starting to want her hair done the way she wants it. (Lately a side pony that I can never do quite right because she wants it to look like the side pony from the 80's) Guess you could say she is getting really independent. It makes me sad to watch her grow before my eyes, yet happy for her and proud of her for the little girl she is growing to be. She is so excited to grow up. She is a determined little girl and knows exactly what she wants to be when she grows up- a singer- on CMT. LOL. Slow down Ellie, your Mama is trying to take it all in.

I love you Elle Bells. Thanks for being such a sweet, loving girl and an amazing daughter!!

Happy Fifth Birthday!!

August 20, 2005

And now:

First Grade

Tonight was Meet the Teacher and to say that we are excited for Gavin would be an understatement. I have heard nothing but good things about his new teacher, Mrs. Bruno. Funny thing, the year that I left teaching (because I was pregnant with G) Mrs. Bruno came in and was in my old classroom halfway through the semester. And now G has her. She is so nurturing, sweet, and you can tell she is going to be a lot of fun. Gavin was also super excited to find out that his best little buddy from his Kindergarten class, Grant is also in his class. Could First grade get any better?!? I think not!! Needless to say, we feel very blessed to be at such a great school with such great teachers. Every time we think of moving, it's the school that holds me back. I can't believe that on Monday, I will have a first grader at the school where I used to teach first grade. Where I was pregnant with Gavin in my belly. Gavin has been in a first grade class before, he just doesn't remember it. :0) Crazy how time flies.

Here is my big man and his first grade teacher:

I did this exact bulletin board for years. I guess some things have stayed the same since I left first grade. :) G was excited to see his name!

Cheer Camp

Ellie just finished Cheer Camp this week and did she ever love it!! She has been very excited to do this camp all summer. She had a blast every day. We debated starting Cheer last year but decided on ballet and tap instead. But this year she is doing Cheer and is super excited. Especially after completing cheer camp. She is so in love with cheer camp that she goes around the house clapping hard and cheering things she wants to say to you. "I.... AM... REALLY HUNGRY." "CAN. I. GO. PLAY. OUTSIDE." All while clapping and using her cheer voice. It's quite hilarious and adorable all at the same time. I am excited for her to try something new.