Back to school!

Summer is officially over and school is back in session! Last Thursday the kids had back to school night where we got to meet their new teachers and principal. 

On Friday we took advantage of JCPenny's Salon $10 back to school haircuts. Madeline wanted to try something new and thought she would like to have short bangs. After talking with the hairdresser we decided to go for it! Doesn't she look great!!!???

She was super excited with how her hair turned out. James had an appointment too but his hair was still fairly short from his cut several weeks before, so he didn't get another cut.

Last night I got off work a little early which was good because I had to prepare the kids things for the first day of school. I've made it a tradition to write them a little lunch note on the first day of school.

We were up early this more (hence my front porch light still being on). Out the door we go to school, but first mom has to take traditional first day of school pics!!!

Can't believe how much my babies have grown and changed over the years.

These two have this year and next school year together at the same elementary school. Then they won't be together at the same school until they are both in high school!!

I walked the kids to class this morning. Madeline was really excited. They have a 2 story school but only the "big kids" in 4th and 5th grade go upstairs. Well she's UPSTAIRS now. :)

James was a bit nervous this morning, worried about what his 1st grade teacher would expect him to know already. I reassured him his teacher is there to help him learn! :) He felt better after getting to class and working on the fun coloring pages in the morning.

Madeline and James with their friend Ashleigh. Could hardly believe it but it rained this morning on the first day! It's never done that! I took a 1/2 day at work so I could be home for the kids when they got home today, they had a wonderful first day!

School Turkey Day & Soccer

On Friday the kid's school put on their annual Thanksgiving lunch where parents and grandparents can come and have lunch with their child. Their cafeteria staff cooks a yummy Thanksgiving meal. So I told the kids I would be there but Daddy had to work. Stephen actually took the day off so he could surprise the kids. First up was James' lunch hour. It was also his first time getting a hot lunch at the cafeteria (I pack the kids lunches everyday), so he was super excited about that too!

Madeline's lunch hour followed James, she was happy to have both mom & dad there.

James was full of giggles and joking with his dad the whole time. We met a bunch of his school buddies.

James enjoyed the yummy turkey and the pumpkin cake.

His lunch break went by too fast, but he enjoyed his first Thanksgiving lunch at school.

With Madeline we ate our lunch in the gym and then had our dessert in the cafeteria by her friends.

Can you tell she's a daddy's girl?

Madeline is such an excellent student and well liked by her teacher, school staff and friends. We received the letter bellow from her teacher on Thursday...

This weekend also marked the end of the soccer season for the kids, last practices and last games.

James' team, the Chivas, played 2 games at the tournament on Saturday. James scored a total of 6 goals. He's really improved this season compared to last season in the Spring. His coach was a Texas State student again. James liked him and enjoyed playing on his team. We asked James if he would like to play soccer again, he said yes but he is also interested in trying out baseball too. 

Madeline & Ashleigh's team, the Timbers, played 3 games at the tournament on Saturday. Their team has a lot of new-to-soccer players so they had a tough year. And although they all did their best they were yet to win a game. Well that finally happened with the 3rd and final game, they won 2-0!!!! Woo hoo!!! They were ecstatic. All the players received medals and patches. It was a great season. Good exercise for the kids and also fun! But now we're looking forward to no practices to attend for the next couple months and sleeping in on Saturdays. :)

School Pics

The kids brought home their school pics this week, I thought they turned out great! This is James' first school picture as a kindergartner. Our handsome lil guy!

And Madeline's 3rd grade school picture.

She just keeps growing and looking older and older each year!

My Babies Started School Today!

Time has really flown by! Today we have a Kindergartener & a 3rd Grader!

Last night we got everything ready. Had them take their showers and get ready for bed around 7:45. James thought it was strange they had to go to bed when it was still "during the day". Sun sets here around 8. They finally went to bed nervous and excited. I heard a thump late in the night, that would be James getting out of his bed and crawling into ours to cuddle. And Madeline woke in the middle of the night needing some water. Nerves...

First up, traditional photos by our front door. :)

I think Madeline grew a foot over the summer!

Our handsome baby boy!

James and Madeline will go to the same school together for the next 3 years, then they won't be in school together again until high school when Madeline will be a senior and James will be a freshman! Crazy to think of what the picture in front of our door will look like!

Madeline is a pro at this school thing now. But I still walked her to class as I always do the first week of school. Snapped a couple pics (not too embarrassing) & said goodbye!

The Kinder teachers always make their classrooms and hallway so cheerful, bright and colorful! When we went school clothes shopping this summer James insisted on wearing his favorite colors, blue and green, on the first day. Doesn't he look handsome!?

He was happy to see his teacher whom he met last Thursday. She told him to pick a cubby to hang his backpack. He of course picked cubby #5, it's his favorite number since he's...well ya know 5!

He found his desk and sat down right away and started coloring.

 I think one of the things James is most excited about in going to school (besides learning really fun stuff and playing on the playground) is meeting new friends!! I would say both my kids are on the shy side with new people, but James is definitely more social able. He asked me, "Mommy can I talk to the kids in my class and on my bus even though they're strangers?" or "Mommy can I make friends with the kids that sit next to me on the bus?". Of course you can! So when Sandra (his classmate who sits next to him) sat down this morning I heard James say to her, "Hi what's your name again?". :) Then they started talking about what color crayons they were going to use to color their school house. It was so darn cute!

When we left the house this morning and he was still nervous he asked, "Mommy on the first day of Kindergarten your mommy gets to stay with you the whole day right?". So as he saw the other parents come and drop their students off I asked him, "Honey are you okay if Mommy goes now?" and with confidence he nodded his head yes. Gulp. I know he's going to do just fine! Can't wait to hear how their first day went!

3 Years of School Pictures

Madeline brought home her school pictures today, I'm so pleased with how they turned out. There is a comment box on the photo order slip for any tips for the photographer - I told him to say to Madeline, "Princess Smile! :) "....um ya she thought that was a little embarrassing. LOL I can't believe how much older she looks compared to her last 2 years...must be all the adult teeth she has now. :)

P.S. And just for fun, Madeline brought this baby picture to school this week - her teacher is having them do a show and tell about where and when they were born and to share a baby photo. Madeline was 6 months here.