First Day of First Grade

I'm not sure how but somehow our baby started 1st grade today. I keep wanting to say Kinder, but she's not in Kinder anymore! As I was walking her down the long hallway today, our hands held tightly, I had a flashback of coming home from the hospital with this beautiful baby girl, dressed in a pink gown. Then I realized where I was and wanted to cry. I kept telling myself  "how can this be??"

Sweet Gracie did great but seemed more nervous this year than last! Last year she came bouncing in the school all ready but this year was different. She's been anxious, worried, upset. Very unlike her. Lots of new changes taking place in first grade for her but we are praying she does okay and has a great year! Her teacher is really sweet and loved her bribery teacher gift, ha! We sent cookies and she was so impressed. Whatever it takes, right? She did have a good day but was exhausted and starving! 

And I made Ramsey get in on the action too. I wanted a first day pic because I know at the end he'll be all grown up again! We did his yesterday and the ONLY thing that got him to stop walking was me singing "Itzy Bitzy Spider" (his favorite song!) Otherwise he was a giant blurry blob on all the pictures! 

Happy First Day! 

Last Day of Kinder

Somehow through all the craziness of ending the school year, our baby finished Kindergarten. Even now I know school is over, I can't wrap my brain around this year being done for her. She finished Kinder? How can it be?

What a big year this has been for my sweet girl. She grew a few inches, decided to grow her hair out, lost 4 teeth, learned to tie her shoes, ride her bike, and her reading soared. My baby....

Here's a side by side from the first day WAY back in August and her last day June 6th. She had a fantastic year. We were blessed with a very sweet, loving teacher that just made her grow, grow, grow. She met wonderful friends and loved going to school! What more can you ask for? I'm not ready to say I have a first grader!!

Gracie goes to Kindergarten

A BIG event has happened in our house. Our little baby has started Kindergarten! I can hardly believe it. I just cannot believe she's old enough! Last week we had some exciting events including a kindergarten picnic at her new school and Meet the Teacher. We didn't know any of the Kinder teachers but we were thrilled to meet her sweet, sweet Teacher, Mrs. C.

 She's really, really cute. She's new to the school but not a new teacher. She's from Katy, TX and just got married this summer. She's also taught 1st grade before so I think that's good to know where the kids need to be at the end of the year!




                              Kinder picnic (thank goodness in the gym so we didn't die in the 100 degree heat!)

Then the day finally came, the REAL day. They day she woke up as a kindergartener. Where things will be different forever...

 Her lunch was packed, breakfast was had (cinnamon rolls and fruit). The morning was nothing less than crazy. Her daddy had misplaced his school badge and was running around the house like a crazy person in frantic search of this little badge. He never found it so he was panicked and that made things very tense in our house that morning.    All was okay though until her Daddy said he was so glad that I was taking her and not him because he might cry. Well then I lost it. How was I going to take her? How did I get elected the job of taking the Kindergartener? He got to take the baby- which I wasn't that happy about him going to either.

 But somehow we made it. I held hands with my big girl all the way there. For 3 whole minutes of walking! We are so lucky to be steps away from school. It just just too good to be true. Holding hands all the way to her class to put her stuff in her big locker and find her spot.

      We had a quick pic with her new friend (but sadly in a different class ) before I looked at the clock and realized I had less than 20 minutes to get clear across town and ready for my school day. I panicked a little. Threw some kisses and had to run, well- walk fast! I ran across the street and had to speed a little (or a lot) to get to my work on time.

 I guess that saved me from crying big tears because I was so worried about being late! I HATE being late anywhere. Somehow we made it. I made it, Ramsey made it (thanks to GG picking him up early on his first day) We all survived. I was sooooo excited to pick her up at 2:45! She was beaming with smiles and said "Mommy!!!! I'm starving :)" She had a great day, loves her teacher, and loves school! Phew! I fixed her favorite meal and even baked a cake for the 1st day. Spaghetti and then chocolate cake for dessert. I even let her blow out a candle for a good school year.

 And Ramsey? Well, he's having to adjust to all new things too. New wake up time, new babysitter, new people, new schedules. It's all new. He's been waking up at night off and on but has gone back to sleep pretty easily. 2 days he did wake up at 5. Not the best thing, but not the worst thing ever. He's going to have his own post soon on what he's been up to! Growing fast, that's for sure!!

Gracie woke up every morning just happy as a lark to get going. She couldn't wait to wear "ordinary clothes" as she called them (shorts) to school on Wednesday. She's really into wearing her hair in a braid now which is fine but I miss the bows. 

She's been learning all about fun science things and letters. She loves her teachers' "Magic WAll" as she calls it. (the projector that makes it like a smart board) She just thinks its the coolest thing. She loves recess and lunch (of course!) But also likes PE. She has to be careful because her Daddy knows the PE teacher! Eyes are always on her.

Finally we made it to Friday!

Spirit Day, or Mustang Day! She chose a head band and it was still on her when I picked her up. Miracle!  See the cars across the street? That's the school parking lot. So close! We love it now! We've gotten into a little routine now. I have everything ready, walk her over around 7:15 then I run back to grab my stuff and go. It's not bad :) Just crazy busy rush, rush, rush.

                           Sibling Love. He loves her dearly!! He grabbed onto her shirt and was having a conversation with her. So cute!

Kindergarten

I can hardly believe it's true..... Our Gracie is in Kindergarten

 

She's actually old enough??? 

I still see her like this...

 

My little baby.

She is LOVING school. So happy :) More to come...

 

Gracie finishes Pre-School

Gracie finished up her Pre-k the last week of May. She was counting down the days!



-





Finally it was her very last day. Sniff, sniff!





When I picked her up at 1:00 her teachers were so sad. Especially Ms. Adun, she just loved her Gracie.


Every day Ms Adun told me over and over how sweet Gracie was to others and how helpful she was. I was thinking she was joking!


Her friend, Samantha

Her Pre-k classmates


One last good-bye!


It was so sad! I tried really hard to not make it a big deal for Gracie. Most of these friends (some she's known 3 yrs) she will never see again. She doesn't fully understand that!

Her last day stats:  42 pounds, 43 inches tall, size 10-10.5 shoe

Here's the class pic.


Gracie's Favorites:
Color: Pink and Purple
Food: Pizza (cheese) Thursdays at school
Snack: C. Chip Cookies
Drink: Apple Juice
TvShow: My Little Pony
Game: Chutes and Ladders
Game at School: Home Living Center
Best Friend at School: Samantha
Things about School: Doing work about school
Learned this year: writing words (her answer!)

When we got in the car she said "when does kindergarten start??" Off to bigger things I guess!


Here's a look back when she first started the Weekday School.

 

Aww, look at her little self! This was August of 2010- 2 months shy of turning 3. My sweet baby. She had to have that brown dog with her at all times! Look at her itty legs. She had just finished potty training but hated going #2 in the potty!! Time flies!

Gracie, We are so proud of you. You had a great experience at pre-k. We know you have wonderful things ahead of you. Bring on Kindergarten!!! 

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Gracie's Last Ever Pre-K Program

Gracie finished up her school year by having a super sweet program. One of the things I just have loved about her school is that they are a Christian day school. So you can actually talk about God and Jesus, say prayers, learn scriptures, and do sweet things (unlike public school). This year she was to dress in green for the rainbow.

This time Ramsey was there for her program! He was sound asleep until right when it started! His eyes got really big and he started squirming. We were thinking "Oh no!" GG took him and just stood up in the back with him and luckily the program is super short like 10-15 min short. Perfect! Afterwords Gracie showed us around her class and her awesome book she made. She's had such a great year. Actually a great 3 years! I can't believe she's been there 3 years!. Time flies :)

Great job in your program Gracie! You knew all the words and hand motions to every single song!

Gracie's Christmas Program

Gracie's weekday school had their annual Christmas program. She was really excited this year and said she promised she was going to sing her heart out AND do the hand motions. (We never know with her!!) Well her program came along and I was sick, like had been in bed all day couldn't breathe, fever sick. Bless her heart, she wanted me to go so badly and even said "Mommy, we have tissues at my school you can use." There was no way I could miss it. I pulled myself together and prayed no one tried to talk to me!

She looked so cute and was so excited! Their theme was Christmas attire so I let her wear what she saw Santa in. It was in the 70's that day too so it worked :)

Her class is the oldest so they were in the far back. Luckily they let the kids stand up on the highest step otherwise we never would have been to able to see her!

Well sing her little heart out, she DID! We were blown away! She sang every single word with full force and did all the motions full out. Maybe she has grown up ;)  GG had a Christmas party that night so she was so sad to miss it. Gracie has ONE more program in the Spring and that will officially be it for pre-school programs!

             Way to go Gracie, you made us soooo proud :)

Life with a 5 Year Old

Gracie has been 5 now for a month and a half. All I have to say is Holy Heck, what happened to my sweet little girl?  Seriously, our sweet little girl is now showing her not so sweet self lately. Now most of the time she's good. She's great at school and good (majority of the time) when we are out in public. But when we are home, the wrath of Gracie has come out.

She may look sweet and innocent but let me tell you- if this is what her teenage years are going to be like I am SO THANKFUL WE ARE HAVING A BOY AND NOT ANOTHER GIRL! I think God knew just what we needed and could handle :) Especially me!

As we go through the process of raising a 5 year old we are learning too. I am with her the most because now my afternoons/evenings are spent with her right at my side. Kelly works late and tutors in the evenings so she's attached to me. Even when he does come home she stays at my side.  My many years of teaching have given me prior knowledge on this. I had many  parents that could not believe how good I said their child was when they said how awful they were/are at home. My thoughts were maybe they are so good during the day at night they take it out on Mom. Maybe this is what is happening here. Not sure. She's just really into getting her way and wanting what she wants, when she wants it. I feel like all day I'm saying "No,!" and "Stop that." and "You are going to time out"- all day. She's been more in time out the past few months then she has her whole life. She pouts, whines, and does not take my first or 30th "NO" for an answer.

My realization is that she needs more discipline. It's very hard not to laugh at her when she says something naughty or does something bad. It's just funny. We don't know where she comes up with the stuff she does and says. Kelly and I don't always agree on parenting ideas either. I tend to be the one that disciplines her because I"m with her more.There are times when she's full of sweetness. She gives me 10,000 hugs a day and kisses my belly at least a dozen times a day. She has a very sweet, innocent side.

Don't get me wrong, I love my little girl to pieces. She makes me laugh, smile, and sometimes cry! I'm glad she has a personality and knows what she wants. I'm happy that she loves life and can show all kinds of emotions. I just wish she'd learn to control her emotions and learn that NO means NO!

I love you Gracie! I sure hope this is just a little phase and you are testing your Mommy to see how much I can take. But you are wearing me out girl!