Fantastic Frogs Revisited

Abby Kate had her first day of pre-K-3 today, and seemed to love it!  She is a "Fantastic Frog," in the very same class, with the very same teachers that Christa had 2 years ago.  Abby Kate fit right in then, tagging along for Christa's class parties, and jumped right in today, too!  The weather was overcast this morning, and I wasn't quite as efficient getting everyone ready, so I didn't even bother taking pictures in the "new location."  We went straight to the trees by the driveway and snapped away.

 Happy girl, eager to sport her backpack!

It started to rain, just as I was getting pictures of both girls.  Cline jumped in and tried to get me to snap a quick picture of he and Abby Kate by the trees, but I made a run for the garage, and missed the shot.

 So we had a preschool interview and more pictures inside.

 Then it stopped raining.  So we tried the "tree" pictures again, but the girls were convinced that an umbrella was still necessary.

And sure enough, as soon as Daddy jumped in the picture, it started to rain again.  Again, I made a run for the garage, but Cline was not going to miss his picture with Abby Kate on her first day of school.  So, we made do - I stood in the garage, and they stood with the trees in the background.  Never mind you can hardly see them because of the overcast lighting...

 Ready to go to class!

Being greeted by Mrs. Allison, a fantastic teacher!

Christa slipped and fell on the way in.  It took a few minutes to console her and then to get my pictures of Abby Kate in her class.  I walked Christa upstairs after we were finished, and although we were in the building right on time, we were technically about a minute "late" getting to her class.  No one cares at this stage, but Christa noticed.  The kids were all in the room next door playing, instead of in her classroom when we got there.  She walked in and said, "Aw Nuts!  I'm late again!"  It was hilarious, and I suppose it's a cue that I need to make sure we're extra prompt this year :)  Everyone was all smiles when I picked them up!

Real School... Almost

How does it go from this:

Christa - 15 months

to this:

Christa - 5 years

 ....so quickly????

Needless to say, we all survived Christa's first day of Kindergarten yesterday.  I must say, I think she picked out a very stylish outfit for her first impression!  Aunt Alicia should be proud.  Although I did have to talk her out of wearing her new Keds with crew socks - just didn't go with the leggings :)

 I changed things up on Cline and moved the photo session to the front porch instead of the trees by the driveway, where I normally take "first day of school pictures."  He noticed, and let it be known there would also be pictures taken at the "traditional" spot!  I thought the porch looked better, and the first day of Kindergarten is a big milestone, so memorializing it with a nice backdrop seemed worth the extra steps.  Plus, I'd remembered getting great 15 month pictures there, and wanted to compare for years to come.  My sweet husband is a creature of habit, though, so it doubled the picture-taking workload that morning!

 Although, I must say, we had quite the photo session!

 Cline all but insisted on being the one to drive her to school.  We had to take two cars because I ripped the bumper halfway off of the minivan, and it needed to be repaired.  (Not my fault, and the owner of the Chinese restaurant building will be getting an ear full about the metal spokes that need to be sawed off of their concrete curb bumpers)!  So, we split up - he took the minivan because Christa wanted to ride in her booster seat, and I drove his truck.

 Mommy and Christa

 Mimi generously offered to stay home with the two little girls so that Abby Kate didn't get upset about not getting to stay.  (Her class started a day later).

I had several "on-site" pictures I wanted to get.  We had several stops to make on the way to school, including swinging by Aunt Bethany's house so we could lead her to the school.  (Chas, Bethany, and the cousins just moved to the area over the summer, so they're still learning their way around town).  Lala wanted to give Christa a "lucky buckeye" just like Cline took on each of his first days of school.  So a stop at the school she works at was in order, too.  We arrived at Christa's school right on time.  But by the time I found Cline and Christa and got my pictures, we were pushing the edge of being "late."  Christa was anxious to see her friends all morning, and finally said, "Mom, I'm ready to go into my class already!"

 So a quick kiss from Daddy....

 .... and that was it.  She was officially out of the "preschool" phase, happy as could be.

 I think it will be harder next year when she's at a big school that goes all day, all week.  This is kind of an "in-between" class.  It counts as "real" Kindergarten if you want it to, but it's still at the preschool, and it's 4 half days a week.  I felt the tiniest lump in my throat as I walked away, and felt so thankful that our morning was everything it should have been.  I'd gotten up early and made her chocolate chip pancakes and managed to get out the door without frenzied yelling.   I love her, and know she loves us.  We would miss each other, but she's got the confidence and desire to go out into the world and do what she's supposed to for the day, even if I can't be there with her every minute.  And the same is true for me!

When we picked her up, we celebrated with a treat at our favorite bakery!  I have a feeling it's going to be a great year!

Summer Days Slipping Away

Hello all!  It's been a big few weeks in our house!  We've been winding down the lazy-ish summer mornings and planning out our activities/schedule for the school year.  I've got a few things going on for myself, but more on that later (good things and no, it's not another baby - everyone has been asking me that, lately).  The summer seemed way too short, for sure, mostly because Cline worked so much of it.  I had fun with the girls, though, and although it feels a little early for school to be starting back, I am looking forward to the "routine" that brings.  Christa's school had a little pool party for all of the Kinderkids at our neighborhood pool last week.  It was a great opportunity to catch up with some of our old friends who we've been missing over the summer and welcome some new kids into the class.  I love her little school!

 We were among the first ones there (a nice change of pace:)!  Cline started off playing with the girls in the pool.  We left Elizabeth at home with Mimi.  She (like her mother) does not love the sun and isn't thrilled with the pool.  Plus, it was nap time.

 A few friends showed up for the party and thought Mr. Cline looked like a lot of fun.  He pretty much entertained the the class for the whole party!

Abby Kate perfected her swimming skills.

And we got our very first class picture!

The girls were pretty worn out by Sunday - the day before school started.  We all got a great Sunday afternoon nap!

The girls (Elizabeth) have been destroying the train tracks lately, and I'm tired of re-building them all the time.  So, I'm packing them away, but this is such a great play table.  I had, what I thought was the brilliant idea to collect all of our plastic dollhouses and make a "town."  The girls thought it was a great idea, but lost interest in it after about 5 minutes.  Elizabeth loves it, though, and maybe I will play "Town" by myself sometime!  I think it looks like a blast!

Elizabeth decided she was a big girl over the summer.  Time to pack away the baby toys, because dolls and kitchen sets are her thing now!  The older girls created a great little game they call "Sweetie."  It's basically a game of "house" that involves Abby Kate being the mommy and Christa being "Sweetie."  They walk around calling each other Mommy and Sweetie and acting out various things.  Often, I will respond when I hear "Mooooommmmm," thinking someone needs my assistance.  I am quickly told, "No!  I'm not talking to you my mom.  I'm talking to Abby Kate Mom!"

I don't have a picture of it, but we've recently discovered a fun game called "Doc MacStuffins."  One of us is sick, and the other gives a "checkup."  Or as Abby Kate says, a "sheckup."  We sing the cute little songs from the TV show, and it has been hours of fun lately!

Well, I'm off to post pictures of the first 2 days of school!  Have a great day :)