Back to School

Livi has been back to school for 2 weeks now and Colson started pre-school last week!  That leaves me with just Miss Kendall three mornings a week :)  Livi started on August 15th-it seemed so early!  We found out her teacher was Mrs. Duckworth the week before school started and Livi was so happy.  She keeps getting the teacher she wants, which makes the start of the school year so much easier :)

The littler kids and I had some errands to do in Peoria that day so we had lunch together :)

Livi has been loving school so far!  She has homework every night, so that is something for us to get used to!  She's doing so good though and I can tell how much she has matured since last year :)
Colson started school last Tuesday, August 26th.  He is going to Punkin' Patch at Princeville United Methodist Church, just like Livi did.  Miss Chris and Miss Kayli are his teachers.  He was ready to go!

Colson did so great his first couple days of school!  Thursday morning came around though and the poor kid was coughing up a lung.  He sounds TERRIBLE when he catches a cough and I hated to send him "sick" the first week.  So we kept him home and he's getting over it now-poor guy.  I blame grade school-Livi caught it her first full week of school but since she's in 'real' school, she has to go as long as she doesn't have a fever!
This is what our "sick day" looked like-ha!

 I hope both kids have a great school year, it would take a lot of worry out of my life :)  In 2 short years, Baby K will be joining them too :(

Last Days of School

Colson's last day of school/Mother's Day Out was May 15th.  I'm so proud of how far he came this year!

He was so nervous at the beginning of the year and by the end of the year he looked forward to school!  He made friends and did so well!  I'm so glad we did this for Colson, I think he will do so much better in pre-school next year.

Alyvia's last day of school was May 30th.  She had a fabulous first grade year!  Her teacher, Mr. Melick, was great and she is ready for 2nd grade!

I am super excited for us to be home together this summer!  It's the first summer where I'm working only part time and I feel like I get to spend so much more quality time with them.  Livi is already listing off all the things we should do!  Here we go!

2013 PGS Christmas Program

Alyvia's Christmas program was this past Thursday.  After school, we hurried to gymnastics (as usual) and then we hurried home to be back at school by 6:30!

I love these 2 so much!

 Alyvia's music teacher is Mr. Delbridge.  Alyvia is always talking so excitedly about music class and how fun he is!  I love that she loves her music teacher.  She is such a lover of the arts already :)

"Fives" with Mr. Delbridge

 The first grade class sang 3 songs, the only one I knew was Jingle Bells-ha!

She's singing her heart out!

Livi did a great job performing.....the girl is in her element on the stage (or risers in this case)!  Her grandparents all came to watch her too, she was so happy :)  Way to go Livi, you did a great job!

Colson's First Day of MDO

Colson is starting "school" this year!  He's actually going to a Mother's Day Out program at First Federated Church in Peoria.  He goes on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.  Today he and I went together (only for 1 hour) for his first day.

He did really good!  He talked to all the teachers, said hi to the other kids (when prompted) and played really nice.....for about 30 minutes :)  Then he was done and "ready to go home".  He begrudgingly sat through a story and song while whining a bit.  BUT, I consider it a success.  He was such a nice little boy and his teachers loved him already :)  Next week is his first real day, all by himself.  Say a little prayer for him if you remember <3

He's so cute with his little backpack!

Ready to go!

He did so good at school, we went to McDonalds for lunch :)  Always a good treat!

Baby's first McDonalds meal-Fruit N Yogurt parfait and apple juice :)

First Days of First Grade!

Alyvia's first day of school was on Friday, August 16th.  She is in Mr. Melick's class this year and she is so excited about that!  She looks so grown up in these pictures :(  She wanted her pony tail to be low and on her shoulder (like the older girls wear it!). 

 I have many worries about school this year.  Alyvia is so smart, but she tends to hurry through her work and she gets very frustrated when she doesn't do it correctly (that must be from her dad- wink, wink).  I hope we can work together on her school work and have calm attitudes with each other.  I also worry so much about her having good friends.  I know she has friends, but little girls can be so catty amongst themselves.  She will be in school with these kids until she graduates high school, another 12 years!  I want her to make at least a couple good friends that will protect her heart and "have her back", it's one of my biggest worries.  I want her to be a good friend too.  To stand up for herself and away from the drama.  Maybe I'm getting a little dramatic myself :)  The first days have been good so far!  She is happy when I pick her up and hasn't had any homework yet :)

Good luck in 1st grade baby girl!  You've got this!

Fancy Nancy's Mothers Day Tea Party

The kindergarten class had a mothers day program at school today.  The theme was "Fancy Nancy" and everyone was supposed to wear their faaanciest clothes to the party.

Didn't my girl look beautiful?  The kids all went up on stage and performed a few songs for the moms.  The first song was my favorite.  It was an alphabet song, and I have the video, but it wouldn't upload :(

After the performance, the students and their moms each were announced and walked out on stage to have their picture taken.  Each class had made Mothers Day gifts too.  Mrs. Schaffer's class had potted flowers and the pots had pictures of each child modge podged on it.  I love it!  We had cookies and lemonade to end the party.  I was so thankful that I was off work and able to be there to with Alyvia.  What a great Mother's Day gift!

1st Report Card

We got Alyvia's first report card this week!  No letter grades yet, but a good report.  Her teacher included this note with the report card. 

I love that her teacher calls her stylish, Alyvia loves her clothes!  Good job Livi, we are proud of you!

Party Time!

Alyvia had her Christmas party at school today-it's also her last day of school until January!  Colson and I headed over to school to help out this afternoon.  I was in charge of the craft and I had such stress, about a craft for 4 year olds (I know I need help)!  I actually made an early morning Wal-Mart run to add to my craft-but anyhow.....  The party turned out great, the kids LOVED making my snow man craft and everyone seemed to have fun-even Colson!

Alyvia's finished snow man!

Harper and Alyvia making reindeer puppets

Alyvia & Colson eating snack

A-TI-TUDE..as per usual!

Cole insisted on being in the middle of the circle game!!

He would NOT be unincluded!

Alyvia's Christmas program for school was scheduled for tonight, but her teacher's husband passed away unexpectedly this week so the program is being rescheduled.  We are saying prayers for Miss Mary and her family.

Our First Last Day of School

Today was Alyvia's last day of 3 year old preschool :(

How could it be her last day when it seems like it was just her first?

1st day of school August '10

I can't believe that she has 1 more year of preschool and then she'll be in kindergarten-say it isn't so!  She just continues to grow up, faster and faster.  For her last day of school they had a party all day long, played outside and had lunch.  She loved school this year and I think she will be just as excited next year.

Katelynn, Paige, Alyvia and Noelle

This cutie had fun playing too!

After school we went and picked up Nana for lunch at Avanti's.  Then Livi and I picked out some flowers to plant and we took Colson for his 8 month pictures, busy day!  Tonight Livi and I planted our flowers after Colson was in bed.  We found ants in the yard and Alyvia was so mad at them!  She said "they (the ants) think this is their home, but it is our garden!  I am so mad at them!"  She cracks me up :)  She continued to stomp around the yard with her hands on her hips-too funny! 

One more story, just for the memories when she won't let me lay with her anymore.  Most nights that I'm home, I am the one to put Alyvia to bed.  Sometimes we read books in bed, but I always tuck her in and then turn off her wall light.  She says "I can't see you!" and turns on her monkey soother with the blue backlight.  I then lay in bed with her for "5 minutes".  She talks and talks and talks.  Tonight she rolled toward me and put her arm around my neck.  When I get up to leave, I always have to walk to her side of the bed to give her hugs and kisses and sometimes we do XMO's (eskimo kisses).  Most nights I tell her "you're my favorite girl" and many times she replies with "you're my best mommy".   I love this time of the day, quiet time just me and my girl.  I know too soon she won't need me to lay with her at night.  Until then, I love the time to cuddle my favorite girl each night. 

Our First Last Day of School

Today was Alyvia's last day of 3 year old preschool :(  How could she already be done with her 1st year of school?!

1st day of 3 year old preschool

Last day of 3 year old preschool

How does time go so fast?