First Day

First Day...

butterflies...

smiles...

pictures...

hugs...

goodbyes...

bus rides...

teachers...

friends...

school supplies...

lunchboxes and lunch notes from Mom and Dad...

recess giggles...

sharpened pencils...

clean desks and tables...

school folders and papers for Mom...

packed backpacks...

loud crowded hallways...

bumped and bustled...

kindergaten tears...

big brother and big sister...

waiting for Mom's car...

pickup...

chatting and crying and first day questions...

surprise afterschool school playground play!

First Day Success! 

Climbing the fence was apparently more fun then
going around...

Driving up to my kindergarten crying because she was confused and scared in the hallways made my heart race, but seeing big brother with his arm around her and whispering in her ear, while big sister watched for me and pointed to her to alert me; made me smile.

Proud of this school crew and their love and protection for eachother.

Weeping happy mama tears. 

It is all going to be just fine!

Last Day of School!

We celebrated the last day of school with Bruster's Ice Cream.

 I know it is always bittersweet saying goodbye to classmates and teachers and this year especially was a good one. It will be hard to top. 

But for now we will finally start enjoying summer!

Field Trips and Field Day

So I promised the kids I'd go on at least one field trip each year. 

So of course I waited for the last ones. 

Connor's was at the Rock Creek Nature Center. 

Which despite the rain was a whole lot of fun!

We had a hike and got to give feathers to the birds for their nests and saw all sorts of creatures!

Connor of course being the boy he is, wanted to pal around with his buddies instead of Mom. So I was left to watch most of the time. But that is my favorite part anyway so that worked out just fine!

Bella's field trip was at Baltimore Zoo.

And she got the bonus of having Daddy come too!

She is of course a lot different then Connor and wanted to cling to us for everything. Having us there I know was a mixture of excitement and anxiety for her. But we made the most of it and she LOVED it even though it was a LONG day! 

Field Day was also around the corner and my goal is to go every year and help out. 

This year I asked Bella's teacher Mrs. Burroughs (Connor's old teacher and who we've loved this year), if I could help her class during Field Day and go to Connor's Lunch. 

So that's what I did. I ran kids back and forth to go to the bathroom and fill up waters, or go to the health room. It was a work out but a fun day with the kids.

Picture Day... Again?

Connor Stanger
Mrs. Silvey
2nd Grade

Bella Stanger
Mrs. Burroughs
Kindergarten

Little Learner

This girl couldn't be more in love with school! 

And all that comes with it!

Homework, Art, Music, Reading Counting it is all the best and makes her burst with joy. 

Especially the special days in between...

100th Day of School

Wacky Day

Career Day

Veterinarian Bella

She loves creating things for school for projects or for her teachers or friends. 

I hope her love for school and learning lasts forever!

Gingerbread

And by gingerbread I mean graham cracker. This year I got to go to Bella's Gingerbread House Party at school. It was for all Kindergartners and was a big celebration.
(Bella's teacher was freaking out when I showed up so I was glad I was there, fortunately everyone else showed up too they were just later.) 

It was so cute to see her with all of her friends, giggling and chatting away like a little teenager... wait what!?!
She LOVED having me there and was only just a little shy.

A couple days later was a preschool gingerbread party for Piper and Syd at the church.
Which was only a mild disaster. Piper was freaking out about the candy and had fits when we tried to put them on the house. Syd was pretty independent but when she was done she decided to get a little too adventurous running all around the church and putting me in quite the frantic mom mode.

Either way gingerbread house building is a favorite in our house. And we are planning another session when we get to Idaho so Connor can get a chance in on the fun too! I am sure the girls wont mind a round 2!