Big Kindergarten Kid!

Yesterday was Ashley's 1st day of kindergarten! She was so excited she couldn't contain it!!! We met with her teacher on Tuesday and it was almost torture for her to leave the school. She was so cute in the morning with all her excitement. Here she is in her new dazzling outfit... FULL of sparkles... down to the shoes.Sammy was ready to be the big sister and show her around. She even persuaded Ashley to get the same jeans and same tops just different colors. And Ashley was loving that Sammy was being so nice to her.
And of course Katie was up bright and early at the crack of 6:50 ready to have a day with mommy all to herself.

(Ashley and Gracie) They are in the same class this year and I'm not sure who is more excited.

And of course we have to get all 4 girls... Katie refused to get in this picture.

(Sammy, Ashley, Gracie, Emma)

At the bus stop...

She gave me a big hug and kiss and didn't hesitate at all to get on the big Twinkie.

And she's off!!!

While Sammy and Ashley were at school all day Katie and I had plans of our own. After I was finished with some things around the house we went to a pool party (for those left behind) at our friend, Betsy's house. So at about 10:50 we walked up the street to meet Erin and her kids and then drove over for some swimming on a very hot day. It was perfect!!! The last time we went to Betsy's house Katie clung to me in fear of drowning. Near the end she swam around with floaties and a noodle. This time around she started with the floaties and noodle. After a little while the other little kids started jumping off the diving board and Megan Kotter would help them to the side. I asked Katie if she wanted to try and she said, "No way! Not the diving board." I was able to get her to jump off the side with the first few times landing practically on my head. I would scoot back just a tiny bit with each jump. And finally she was jumping off the side without me catching her and telling her to swim to the side. (She's never had swim lessons.) I told her I wanted to jump off the diving board and asked if she wanted to try. She was timid, but agreed. So the first time off I held her hands and dropped her into Betsy's arms. She realized it wasn't scary because Betsy was there to catch her. She swam to the side with Betsy's help, climbed up the ladder, ran to the diving board, and jumped off all by herself! I couldn't believe it!!! She did it about 10 times and she even went all the way under the water and popped back up. Betsy is so kind to let us come and swim at her house... and even more kind to catch my baby as she jumped off the diving board. That's a lot of work! Her pool is WAY nicer than going to a public pool! It's so clean and she has tons of fun diving toys, water noodles, and floaties. Katie was couldn't wait to tell daddy all about her day!

When the bus dropped the girls off Ashley came running into my arms! She had a fabulous first day and couldn't wait even one second to tell me all about it. She had the biggest grin on her face as she told me all about reading The Kissing Hand, her art project, recess, and the lunch room. I am so thrilled that she is eager to be in school. Now we have to wait 5 whole days before going back... the downfall of full day kindergarten. :(

2nd Grade!

First day of school! First day of school! First day of school! When my kids start I feel like Nemo on his first day. I LOVE when they start again... and so does Sammy if you couldn't tell. I ran this morning and was back by 6:55 and she was already dressed and ready to go. She had sparkle galore and snazzy new jeans and shoes. She couldn't contain her excitement!

Here she is with our neighbor, Emma... the big 5th grader!
She reported back home with a big smile on her face. She said, "I loved it! I had so much fun and I really like my teacher. She's nice."