We made it! First Day of School 2011

We made it through the first week of school!
I've so much to catch up on here - but that will have to come soon... But I definitely wanted to get the photos of the girls up from their first day of school and their arrival home.

They both were a bundle of nerves the day before... it helped that we had a trek up to the airport to say goodbye to my parents (sniffle sniffle - I should say it was hard...but the distraction helped) and that we had a HOORAH to summer last fun activities planned for the day! Sweetpea came with me and we went to learn how to do a super neat "Twister" quilt (very cool way of doing 'pinwheels' in a table runner). And BooBooBear went with Daddy and got to go to the driving range!

Sweetpea did most of the sewing while Momma cut & helped

What a drive! 40yds...better than her momma!

I would have liked to do a "back to school dinner" and have a neat little evening discussing our "theme of the school year" an idea I loved from NieNie Dialogues blog and have been doing for a few years now. We did a really fun and good for you taco meal and discussed our theme, worries, excitement, questions, and what we did for our activity that day. It was a wonderful family evening.

We were all ready Monday! Sweetpea was excited and nervous for her first day in the "big" middle school. She came with Mr. Safety Man and me to drop off Boo. Boo was a little clingy and nervous but settled right in... after several "to do's before you leave Mommy"'s.  ("Mommy can you help me write my morning note, Mommy can you sharpen this pencil, Mommy can you help me empty my backpack) -it was hard to leave (I'd like to say on both of us... but I think more so on me) - but she's got the same teachers (2 years in this school) again this year - so she was ready and calm.

 It was good that we had to rush out and get Sweetpea over to her middle school. I think that helped me not feel sad to say goodbye to Boo. But I was nervous too. I still cannot believe my big, baby girl is in middle school. The three of us met our friends and followed them by car to the school - I think this helped Sweetpea a lot. She was really hoping to walk in with her bff and was able to! It was SO cute to see them walk in together.

Here they go

A little hand hold for comfort...

And there they go... 

I did Ok...a few little tears for me but Mr Safety Man was there and we were talking about all the details of the morning. I think the big kicker was the next day when she got out of the car and I was on my own after she got out with just a "Bye Mommy...(me:"have a good day") I WILL! (me: "I love you SWEETPEA") I love you too Mommy! BYE" and she was skipping off down the driveway. sigh. tear...tear... tear.

 

It was so neat to see them get off the bus after their first day's of school. I was really wondering how it all went... but their smiles and big hugs told me everything that I needed to know... 

It has come...

No matter how hard I tried to avoid it... the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL came!! Oh my girls were so cute and ready to go. Ms Boo was a bit worried the night before. She has 2 new teachers this year...so a lot is changing. And well... Boo doesn't do well with change. Her room, where she sits when she comes off the bus, lunchtime, where to catch the bus all are different this year. She was full of questions and worries and I answered and re-assured as best as I could with love & hugs.

curls for the first day

We started the morning with a nice breakfast and the obligatory photos leaving the house...



We drove the girls to school in the pouring rain!! Bleck - we were SOAKED!! But they kept smiling!!

We dropped them off in their classrooms.

Kyky's teacher was the same as last year so she was as 'cool as a cucumber'... or is it 'a cat'? O schmo... I dunno what's the right saying?? - but she was like "SEE YA Momma and Daddy!!". It was so cute!!

When they got off the bus in the afternoon... they were all a-smilin' and all had a great day! Boo's first comment - "I LOVE MY NEW TEACHERS! They are so nice!" *YES*!
They even like their new bus driver! *Double YES*!!

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!! It's going to be quiet now...

First Day of School... and all is well!

HOLY COW! We made it... it was a bit crazy after our vacation to BOOM! just start school one day later... but we did it! And I am happy to say we were able to iron out out who gets what for uniforms/supplies (ouch those both cost a bundle this year), but also a GREAT schedule that works for everyone.

I really wanted to get this schedule nailed down (minus the extracurricular activities that happen weekly) so that the girls could start from the get-go, a very structured day. In this way they would know what is expected of them and what they needed to get done. Last year was a little too chaotic for me. On top of everything else - I will be having spinal surgery this Fall and I wanted Daddy to have something that he can rely upon - to help him get through the days that I am recovering... Anything to make the entire "school process" go easier on us all.

The family theme for the year really seemed to excite the girls and Daddy - and seems to be working rather well (so far!!)!! At one point Ky didn't really seem to be listening to something at dinner and a gentle reminder that we are Listening and Following with our Hearts seemed to bring her right back and focus. Now don't get me wrong... I still had repeat things a few times, and there were constant questions... "What's next on the schedule (to-do) list?" - which cracked me up! BUT at least they were really feeling involved in the planning and participating in the execution of our family plan! So neat to watch them become a bit more independent each day.

Morning before 1st day of school!

Walking the girls to their classes

We dropped the girls off at their classrooms and they were a bundle of nerves and excitement. Boo's teacher was the same from last year and same class - so she really felt right at home. Ky's 4th grade was ALL new and she was a bit anxious - but really determined this was going to be a fun, exciting year. She is thrilled to have so many of her friends in this class!! I think it was harder on Momma seeing them off (as usual) but I got through it and had the support of Daddy there with me - so that was good!

Ky going in to her new FOURTH grade class!

Boo going in to her FIRST grade class!

Watching them come home and get off the bus was just so rewarding. Two girls were just ALL smiles and happy to see Mommy and Daddy... it was so sweet. They both just started talking ALL about their day. Ky's comment on her teacher... "she is the best teacher ever"!!!. So sweet!! I am so relieved to have my girls in such a FANTASTIC elementary school and that they have such wonderful teachers and great support from friends!!!

Boo has "Buchu Bunny" to help her ride the bus... happy to be home!

Ky...such a big girl now... sigh!

One day down... how many to go?

School musing...it can't be time for this already can it?