Preschool graduation

Lincoln’s preschool does a pretty good job at the whole graduation thing. They rehearse songs, they put on ceps and gowns and even have a little reception with (healthy) snacks. 

Each night for the last month, he would sing me some of the songs they were learning and I was so excited to see him perform on his big day. Never mind that big day was smack dab at the start of a tournament, right when the girls were BOTH playing softball. 

He was simply adorable up there. No wonder why people tell me he’s going to break hearts someday. Gosh he’s such a sweetheart! 

And his plans for the future?....I hope he changes his career plans. 

First day of school 2017

With the calendar moving into September, we've had the "unofficial" start of fall....the beginning of school. Labor day weekend came and went (insert tears!), and the kiddos all started a new journey in their school careers. We now have 3 pick ups and 3 drop offs each and every day (insert more tears!). We're working over-time here folks and wishing with all our might that we could hire an afternoon nanny to manage the chaos from 2:30-4:30pm! Wishful thinking. 

With the new year, brought Regan to a new school. She entered middle school and left the familiar faces of elementary school behind. Sixth grade has all sorts of adventures waiting for her and she was eager to get started. Few nerves and no tears (on her part...I may have shed a few as I dropped her off on that first day). 

Sidney continues in her elementary school, this year with a homeroom teacher above all the rest. We hit the jackpot again by scoring the same 3rd grade teacher that Regan had. We adore her and cannot wait to hear all about Sidney's 3rd grade stories. 

Lincoln, although is in the same school, moved up to the big kid preschool room. He was hesitant, but excited, for his new journey and surprisingly, let me leave without crying and outstretched arms! I was shocked. My baby is growing up and I'm so glad he feels secure in his school, because it sure makes me feel far less guilty leaving him! 

Here's to a new school year! 

End of an era

Three days/week, Sidney has spent the last 4 1/2 years at her "home away from home" while we were at work. She was about this age when she started her journey with New Horizon. And throughout that journey, she met some amazing friends and was cared for by some loving caregivers. 

Today, we said 'goodbye', one final time. 

And it broke my heart a little. 

I cannot tell you how much she loves these classmates. Many of them, having known her since infancy. These kiddos grew up together. 

They shared more than crayons and books.

They also shared boyfriends and laughter. 

Smiles and tears. 

And as we walked out this afternoon, after saying our final goodbyes, I'm caught with tears flowing down my cheeks knowing my baby is growing up. 

It's the end of an era. 

Next stop: Kindergarten

Preschool Graduation '14

Another preschool graduation is in the books for our family. Two down, one to go. And trust me, I'm not rushing on that next graduate. He can take his sweet time turning 5! 

Isn't she the most precious thing in her cap and gown?! She was beyond proud of herself. 

Sidney was adorable as can be singing songs like "Kindergarten here we come!" and a tune with the lyrics telling the kids to "make new friends, and keep the old". Because oh my, has she made some great friends. 

 She has been going to this "school" aka daycare center, since she was 4 months old. That's a long long time when you're only 5! She has made some incredible relationships and grown exponentially. The director/instructors put together a slide show of pictures, set to music that made this mama cry, displaying these kiddos from babies to toddlers to preschoolers. Oh talk about a tear jerker! 

She talks about her friends everyday. And by everyday, I really do mean EVERYDAY! It's incredible. We hear story after story (though I'm convinced that many of them are made up) about adventures and friendships. 

This past year, she was in the "High-Five" classroom. Her teacher really got to know her as there were only 10-14 kids in the class on any given day. It was wonderful for us to watch her come home with pictures, lessons and exciting stories about things they were learning about. She's pretty excited to spend the summer with Miss M too, as this summer means field trips for these High-Fivers! 

The grandparents came back up to join us for this wonderful event and showed Sidney their support by cheering (and crying) in the audience too. 

 And don't worry, these two knuckle-heads were present too; they solved all of the world's problems from their seats in the audience while the rest of us snapped pictures of all the graduates. 

Congratulations Sidney! We are so proud of you and cannot wait to see what Kindergarten has in store for you!
We love you!!

Sidney's artwork

Sidney has been busy at school helping to decorate her class with all sorts of art projects. Most recently I saw this hanging on the wall this week...the description is that it is Sidney and Regan making snow angels. Awwwww :) 

Star of the Week

Sweet Sidney is our star of the week! Well, technically she is a star to us every week, but this week she gets to shine at school too. 

We brought in all sorts of pictures, wrote a letter about her and she filled in an "all about me" poster.
I think she's most excited about "doing the calendar". I don't really know what that entails, but I sense she gets to lead the class in saying the day/month/year. Whatever it is, she is sooo very proud of herself! 

Happy Star of the Week Sidney! 

Back to school

It's that time of year again, today we headed back to school! Regan started the first grade and Sidney started Pre-K. They were both a little nervous the nights leading up to today. Thankfully they both slept amazingly well, woke up happy and we even had time to play a game of Old Maid (their favorite card game) before heading out for pictures. Unfortunately, Sid was being a stinker and wouldn't partake in any picture taking this morning. I didn't argue, as I tried to keep her in a good mood. 

Regan was up first for drop off. First grade here we come!

 Mom and Regan

 Dad and Regan

 First grade friends

 Getting acquainted with her desk. When I picked her up at the bell this afternoon and asked about her day, the first thing she wanted to tell me about was how she organized her desk. She went on and on about where she put the crayons, erasers and scissors in the box, the folders, and notebooks and other supplies in her desk. Someone follows in her mama's organizational style :)  

Not only would Sidney  not let me take her picture at home, but she wouldn't let me take pictures at school either :( Oh, and she picked out her own shoes today....pink with sparkles of course. 

She's a girl that knows what she wants! 

Little did she realize that I brought along my phone and snapped a few as she entered her class, elated to see 10 of her friends were joining her in the new PreK classroom! 

I picked up the girls early from school, as tradition, and both of them complained that I came too early! I guess that's a great sign on how their day went. Here's to a great year! 

P-A-R-T-Y!

The girls have been in a summer program 3 days/week each summer since Sidney was born. It's a slight break from school but enough structure to keep them on track with discipline, fun and building relationships. Today the program held their annual summer celebration with music, food and of course more fun! 

It was a Hawaiian theme and we joked last night that they were going to have a pig roast...unearth a pig in front of a crowd of 2-6 year olds. 

Thankfully they did not. 

Regan's favorite teacher, Miss Katie, does everything 100%. 

"Bright colors" was the theme.....she did well (rocking out to Kidz-Bop):

 I took my hand at stenciling  face painting butterflies and flowers onto the girls' cheeks. 

 And both girls made lei's out of cut straws and paper flowers. They proudly sported those lei's all night!

 The girls really excel in this program. The friendships they have created are like no other. I'm amazed that sweet Sidney has a group of friends she prefers to be with (and that she tells me who is her boyfriend as well as that of her BFF). Regan has been on more field trips than I could have ever imagined! From building their own burgers at Fuddruckers, to a behind the scenes look at Cub Foods to having a blast at local parks and  discovering indoor adventure lands. She really loves going on these big-kid trips and we love having her experience them all while learning as much as her mind can soak in. 

Star of the Week

Sidney was given the honor of being "Star of the Week" this week. The picture below speaks a thousand words, she was so proud of herself! There were pictures and comments all about Sidney on display for the entire week in her classroom. She thought it was pretty cool; expcept she scolded me when I brought in pictures with her AND Regan together.....let's just say she wasn't thrilled to be sharing the spotlight this week.

WE LOVE YOU OUR LITTLE STAR!

Preschool Open House

We have chosen the best preschool for the girls. It's official, the best! Tonight was their usual summer open house and they've out-done themselves again! The girls had so much fun showing us around and exploring the many "fun" activities in store for the evening.

The directors brought in yet another jumper and despite the 90+ heat and humidity, the girls had so much fun on this fire truck slide jumper!

Sidney insisted on going down with her big sister but then wanted to back out at the top. Regan's been around long enough to know about "forced fun" and just tugged on Sidney and down they both came together.

Crazy hair and face painting were a part of the fun too :)

And what's a party without food and ice cream!

SCHOOL!

The girls with their faces painted.

Tonight we had the annual spring open house for the girls' school. Unfortunately I forgot my camera, although that might have been a good thing given how chaotic it gets and trying to keep track of our girls in a sea full of kids, games, babies, food, prizes, jugglers and fun is a job in itself! Regan got her face painted (a pumpkin) and when Sidney saw it, she had to have one. No one thought she'd sit still long enough, but her teacher was super fast painting an adorable heart on her face. She was so proud of her heart, she walked around the rest of the night pointing out her heart to all of her friends and teachers. She also showed us just how much she really does love school by greeting all of her teachers (past and present) with a giant sized Sidney hug (have I mentioned how great she gives hugs?!). She likes to pretend she dislikes school these days with letting out an enormous cry/tantrum when Ryan drops her off every morning. It's nice to see she really does like it there. Regan enjoyed all of the games and prizes tonight and even got her very own Rootbeer float! Which by the way, she sucked down without sharing.

The chaos rang true as Sidney rounded a corner just as a bigger kid came from the other direction and WHAM, they collided. Blood eveywhere and coming from both her mouth and her nose. He felt terrible but it really wasn't anyone's fault. She's a tough cookie and after a few kisses, forgot all about it.