Monday, August 24, 2015

First Week of School

We had a successful first week of school!  It was hectic but we survived.  Whew!  The Sunday before school started, Audrey and Sawyer invited us over for a swim party with Izzy and Levi.  Justin was sick that weekend so it was hard to juggle both non-swimming kids.  Thankfully I had some help from Raymond and Robert who helped keep my kids afloat.

Kate had a couple minor (and one major) meltdown the first week but overall she handled all the new changes like a champ. Her major meltdown occurred when Daddy picked her up on the second day at Killearn before she had finished her art project.  A minor meltdown happened when she very attached to a library book called "In the Pond" and didn't want to return it. She held onto it for a couple days and one morning told me she couldn't return it because they would throw it away.  I couldn't help but smile when she told me that.  I was proud of her when she checked out another book on Friday for the weekend but guess what she checked back out today? :) 
The week had finally caught up with her.  She fell asleep on the way home from church.  She had been going strong for three full days.
 
This little boy has also had a big week, starting his school year in a new class with new teachers.  He is now in the Puppies class and reminds me almost every day "I big".  On Tuesday, my dad was driving Mason and I to meet Justin and Kate and we suddenly heard (and felt) the back door of the car open as we were driving down Park Ave.  Of course when you need a red light you can't get one.  But I held the door closed until we could stop at a light. This is why child door locks were invented - for mischievous kids like Mason!  100% boy.
The little stinker also did something funny this past weekend.  He walked over to the wedding picture I have on my nightstand and said "You nakee Mommy" and walked out of the room.  I didn't think anymore about it until I looked back at the nightstand - he had turned the picture around.  Haha.

 
The kids (Kate) has done a lot of artwork this first week that I have to share:

 I adore her family portraits. 
From left to right: Mommy, Kate, Daddy and Mason

 The first assignment she completed in Kindergarten:
 A picture of her with Ms. Hughes and Ms. Daniel.
 
Her first homework assignment:
I wish I could say she completed this drama free but that wasn't the case (not yet anyways).  She struggled writing some of her numbers (she wrote them back words) but we convinced her she had to finish the worksheet when she tried to give up. 
 
My name: Kate
Birthday: 9-17
Age: 5
My favorite food: Mac & Cheese
My favorite color: Blue
My favorite animal: Zebra
My favorite subject: Art
When I grow up I want to be: a mom
 
Mason's artwork:
One of my favorites he has done. So cute!
 
This weekend we celebrated finishing up the first week of school.  On Friday, Justin surprised me and took the kids to his parents house for the night where they all spent the night.  It was SO nice to have the evening all to myself and sleep in on Saturday morning.  On Saturday, Mason spent the morning at Nanny's house - just the two of them.  I heard they had a great time and I'm sure he'll be back for another Mason/Nanny day soon.  He loved it!
 
On Saturday night, we met the Mullinaxes and Cowarts for dinner at Red Elephant and dessert at Nuberri.  The kids were bouncing off the walls but I told them they had to sit for a picture if they wanted some frozen yogurt.  It worked! 
 Sunday after church, we headed up to Chili's for lunch with the Reavis family. 

Happy first week of school!

Monday, August 17, 2015

First Day of School 2015

Life as we know it will never be the same.  Today was the start of a new school year!  Mason started his first day of 3 year old Preschool in the Puppies class and Kate started Kindergarten at Roberts in Mrs. Hughes' class! It's hard to believe she is old enough to start Elementary school. Kate jumped out of bed and quickly got ready this morning.  She even wore her backpack around the house from 7:00 until we got in the car at 7:40.  Daddy fought back the tears but mommy did great - no tears!

Before we left, I took a couple pictures of the kids with the signs I made!  They amused me for a little bit but I did have to resort to bribing with candy towards the end.  
 

 
 
 Can't wait to hear how their first day went! 

Friday, August 14, 2015

Kindergarten Orientation!

Justin and I attended the Kindergarten Parent Orientation at Roberts on Wednesday night.  The amount of information was overwhelming, but we both felt better once we were able to meet other parents in Kate's new class and talk with her teacher, Ms. Hughes.  Yesterday, Kate and I attended Kindergarten Orientation where she met Ms. Hughes, the intern Ms. Daniel and some of her new classmates.  There is one little boy in Kate's class that will also be attending Killearn's afterschool program so both Justin and I felt better knowing she will have a friend in her class going with her.
 Our Kindergartner...how did she get so big so quickly?
 Excited and nervous to start at Roberts!

  Kate and Ms. Hughes
Kate and Ms. Daniel
And of course, Aunt Katie is just a classroom away.  It's such a comfort to know that Aunt Katie will be there. 
 
We are so excited for Miss Priss to start Kindergarten and I can't wait to hear all about her first day.  She asks us every day how many more days is it until she goes to Roberts.  Only a few more to go!

First Annual Touch-A-Truck

Last Sunday, we attended the first annual Touch-a-Truck event at Roberts Elementary School.  Aunt Katie worked hard to put on this special fundraising event and it was fantastic! There was a fantastic turn out and I know next year's event will be even bigger!
 
Playing on the playground before the event started...

 The school bus was one of the kid's favorites:


 She looks so grown up:





 Checking out the Sonny's BBQ Truck:

 We even got to spin a wheel and win free prizes from Sonnys such as free kids meals - woo hoo!

 The utility truck.
The double decker bus - so neat!  It was blasting the air conditioner inside and felt so good on that hot afternoon.

 As we were checking out the tractor, a photographer from the Tallahassee Democrat came up and took our picture.  We were featured in an article about the event the next day in the newspaper. So cool! Didn't know we were celebrities, did you?!
 
One of the most popular cars was the police car.  The officer who was assisting the kids was so nice, letting them turn on the siren and lights and talk into the loud speaker. 



 Mason was too scared to sit inside the police car but he still wanted his picture taken with it.
 
 Taking a break to enjoy some shaved ice...so yummy.
 
The fire truck was another big hit at the event.  There was a long line of kids waiting for their turn to blast the hose.







We had such a great time! 

Happy Father's Day!

I want to wish this special guy a Happy Father's Day!  One day Kate and Mason will realize how lucky they are to call him dad.  He coac...