It's hard to believe that summer is over. Grace, Ethan, and Joey all started school today. The kids had a great morning. Ethan wore a brave face. When I left he was holding his teacher’s hand and his chin was quivering fast and furious. I told him to be brave and have a great day. He looked up (chin still quivering) and said, “I know. I will.” It was very sweet. When we left Ethan's school, Grace started to get butterflies. She told me, “I think I’m starting to feel a little like Ethan.” Once we got to the school she allowed me to walk her into the school and to her class. In the end, first grade was much easier than kindergarten (for me that is).
Anyone who really knows Grace knows she loves to draw. I found this today on my computer and it made me smile.
In 2008, Grace wanted a new doll house. We told her that if she would learn to write her name she could have the new doll house. Grace promptly walked over to the desk and started scribbling. We thought she was drawing - a moment later she brought me this paper. This was literally the first time she let us know that she already knew how to write her name.
Well it's official - she's growing up whether I like it or not!
This morning as we left for school Grace discovered a loose tooth (bottom, center). She was thrilled (that's a huge understatement!). The thought of this freaked me out!
As Joey drove into the school to pick her up (I was on the phone) she declared that she lost a tooth at school. Un-stinking-believable! Who loses a tooth that fast?!?!
As I tucked her in tonight she told me how excited she is for the Tooth Fairy to come visit. She has some great ideas on what the Tooth Fairy looks like, "polka dot skirt, pink shirt, yellow hair, you know like any Tooth Fairy!".
It's been a long while since I've posted anything. I had to share Ethan's newest love, LazyTown. He simply adores Sportacus! My mom bought him this costume and he wears it every single day while playing around the house. My favorite is the top left - he's doing a one arm push-up!!!
Grace started her first year of school this year. She's adapted so well. She loves her class and her teacher. Just a few memories I wanted to share and more importantly, I didn't want to forget!
Grace's first day of school she walked into her class without looking back.
She thought it was SO cool that there's a nurse at school. She was quick to tell me what I have to do if she gets sick at school.
At curriculum night we had a chance to explore the work Grace did over the first week. Inside her notebook she had two notes that melted my heart. The first said, "I mis mi momma and mimie". The other note was on a page further back and said, "I misalis". Alice is her favorite doll she got for her birthday.
Favorite part of her first day: Lunch
Her only fear/worry was that she couldn't find her class room. It took a full week but today she finally came home and said she found her class all by herself!
This summer Joey and I decided it was time to escape reality and go on a family vacation. We found a beautiful spot on Lake Ouachita where we stayed for a week. It was beautiful. My only complaint was how quickly time went by. The kids LOVED the lake. My mom and dad came with us and brought the boat. The kids got to ride on a tube, dive off side of the boat to swim in the lake and even drive the boat.
I'm pretty sure there's no way my little girl is old enough to enter kindergarten. In my mind she's not really in PreK, just attending a Montessori school. My state of denial aside, Grace graduated PreK tonight. Hard to believe four (almost five) years have gone by since Grace entered our world. Over the past year she's shown so much maturity, humor and sensitivity. I love her independence, leadership and her decisive nature. She has a selfless heart and a tender love for family and friends.
Our experience with Grace and her school has been nothing short of spectacular. She's blessed with wonderful teachers who truly care about her well being. I'm so grateful for the tireless dedication they show to our children.
Just a few notes from tonight's events:
On the way to the school, Grace spent about five minutes telling Ethan the 'rules' and her expectations for his behavior. This included no crying, sitting still, no getting on stage, no wiggling (note: she did call him a worm - meant wiggle worm but forgot the wiggle part) etc. - Note: Ethan did not follow her instructions, he did in fact make his move onto the stage at some point.
Grace's class put together a show where they all sang songs followed by a ceremony where each graduate (Grade K) and participant (PreK) child was given a diploma.
At the graduation I sat up front next to one of Grace's best friends (Gracie T.) mothers. I think this made Grace's night, she and Gracie T. have worked for months to set up a play date or slumber party. During the graduation my Grace signaled to me to over and over that I was next to Gracie's mom (as if I didn't know this - LOL). Grace was insistent I seize this opportunity to set something up. Again, she was on stage through all of this!
After the short precession and diploma distribution we moved on to Ethan's favorite part of the night - Cake!
Grace, I'm so proud of you. Keep up the good work but most of all keep your personality, loyalty, decisiveness and tender heart. You worked so hard for this night and you did a wonderful job. We love you little one.
Today was a 'not-so-good-day' that can best be described in reverse order. This afternoon Joey and I had lunch (without the kiddos) at P. F. Chang. At the end of our meal Joey handed me a fortune cookie and jokingly said, "here you take the bad one". My fortune read:
"Life always gets harder near the summit."
This is true more today than ever before. This really dreary and rainy morning, Joey and I woke up with a very difficult task to take on. A friend of ours mother lost her battle to cancer this week. It's a new chapter in my adult life that I had to attend the funeral of a friends parent. After the service another friend made a comment that rings true, it could have been me today. Thank you God for the time I have with my family and my parents. Everyday is truly a gift.
It's not a big surprise to most that my favorite family, outside of my own of course, is Erin's family. A favorite past time has always been traveling to the farm in east Texas. There's nothing better than a weekend without television, a blackberry that does NOT work and friends I miss seeing everyday of my life.
This year there was a baby boom which kept everyone busy! Time flew by too fast, I wish we had more time to sit, share and just enjoy one another. We spent all of Saturday at the Texas State Railroad, most famously known for the Polar Express rides at Christmas time. It was the first time my kids had been on a real train. Grace cracked me up when we got on, she leaned over and told me, "I wish this thing had seat belts".
Hope you enjoy the pictures, I l-o-v-e the way a few of these turned out. Definitely some of my new favorites.
A week or so ago, we made a short drive to take pictures and see the wildflowers just west of Houston. I had no idea it would turn into more of a pilgrimage. It's crazy to see how many people had the same idea! We did find a little spot that was more beautiful than words can describe. The field was huge and just full of flowers.
For those who may not know, Grace created a move called "statue". Anytime someone says the word statue she freezes and strikes a pose. It's quite funny! All statues are different and evidently contagious. Since Ethan was barely one he's tried to do e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g his big sister does, including the statue move. It was only natural that the three of them (yes, Joey's in on this too) would take the chance to strike a statue pose together. They keep me entertained. This moment made the shot one of my favorites from the day. Other than being really windy and cold it was absolutely beautiful.
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