Full Day Kindergarten

Last Monday, September 9th, Lillie had her first day of Kindergarten.  Again.

Clint and I had made the decision we were going to have her repeat kindergarten last December, but had a little bit of a struggle getting the school to be on the same page with us.  Academically Lillie did fine.  Socially she struggled a little in areas we hadn't even thought about.  While she still made friends easily and was very outgoing, we noticed that where she had always shown leadership characteristics in the past, she quickly became a follower who was really concerned about fitting in.  Her sweet heart was broken by a few not so nice kids a couple times throughout the school year and overall a majority of the kids in her class were just a little rough we thought.  (Her teacher agreed saying that every couple years a rougher class then most would work there way through.)

While her teacher thought she would do fine over the years, she understood our point of view being the mother of a late August baby herself.  She was kind enough to arrange a meeting for Clint and I to discuss our reasons for wanting to retain Lillie and let us know to be prepared, that we had a little bit of a battle ahead of us being that she technically passed kindergarten.  It was a little more work then I thought it would be, but we were passionate about our decision and did not waiver.  In the end, after several meetings and more then one person trying to persuade us to let her move forward, we won the battle.

Lillie has officially been in full day kindergarten for a week now and is loving it!  She has another amazing, yet completely different teacher then the one she had last year.  Her class is full of kids who seem to be super sweet and she is making friends easily.  Her teacher stated that Lillie definitely seems to be one of the leaders this year and is often the first to have her hand in the air when questions are asked or volunteers are needed.  While I was a little nervous that she might be the tallest in her class, she's not.  She fits nicely right into the middle and has no idea that doing full day kindergarten isn't supposed to be the next step after half day kindergarten.  

As for Clint and I, we our beyond excited that we get to keep our little girl home with us one year longer.  We will no longer have to worry about sending a 17 year old off to college, or having our child be the last one of her friends to get her drivers license.  Yes, it was a little tough to think about holding one of our children back a year in school, but now that the decision is made we are at total peace and couldn't be happier with our decision and sticking with it.

8th Grade

Today JK started 8th grade.  Which means, next year he'll be off to high school.  Sigh.

I'm not ready to have an 8th grader, but this sweet boy is certainly where he's supposed to be.  This morning I dropped off a completely cool and calm kiddo who walked into his middle school like an old pro. (His only complaint about the start of this school year was that he had to wear his leadership shirt on the first day.  In protest he refused to wear any of his new clothes stating that he had nothing to match the shirt and that it was to hot for jeans.)  Yeah...  He's kind of funny about the shoes, clothes and socks he wears all matching.   

Last year JK was selected as one of a just few 8th graders to be part of the leadership team that is in charge of welcoming in the 6th and 7th graders this year as his school transitions from a Jr high full of 7th and 8th graders last year, to a middle school.  He went from being the underclassmen to the upperclassman in just one year and he had no problem taking on that big guy on campus role today.

With the start of school comes a much busier and more structured schedule, that I just wasn't ready for.  I forgot how little time I have to work dinner into a night with two football practices.  So the kids settled for a big snack after middle school football and then a late dinner after his second football (and Lillie's cheer) practice.  I've made a few small changes to my schedule for tomorrow in hopes of finding something that works a little better for all of us. 

JK honestly makes parenting seem so easy.  He's super laid back, smart, talented, well liked by all of his peers and teachers, and so sweet hearted.  I have never really worried about sending this kiddo off to school because friendships and academics all just seem to come so easy to him.  I'm super proud of the fact that he was chosen for the leadership program and just love everything about this boy.  He honestly makes me so proud.  I know his 8th grade year is going to be a wonderful one!  

Catching up...

Wow!!  September, October and November have been busy around here!

Now that BOTH of JK's football teams and Molly's soccer team have played their last games for the season, we've finally got a little time to breath.  Lillie is still participating in both hip-hop and ballet, but both practices are on Mondays so we can handle that without feeling like we're running around like chickens with our heads cut off.

Both JK's middle school and rec team had great seasons.  His middle school team took 2nd place, loosing only once.  And his rec team took 4th.  Out of 17 teams, we were all pretty happy with that.  He continues to grow stronger and learn more every season and still really truly loves the game.  While he got a little bit of a chance to try out a few positions other then quarter back this season, it's definitely been determined by his coaches that, that will be his position.  So it's off to a few camps during the off season to grow and learn just a little bit more.

(I wasn't very good about getting pictures of the kids in action this year.  I think this sad collage is proof of that.)

Molly's team also had a great season.  They played in a new league with a little more competition, but they still did great.  I am always so impressed with the way our sweet little, quiet (well quiet around people that aren't family) girl can come alive out on a soccer field.  She's quick, aggressive and smart.  She's got great ball control and seems to have a good sense as to where the ball is going to be.  She really has some star potential!

Lillie is love, love, loving kindergarten!  While we're still not completely certain that our decision to enroll her this year was the right one, she seems to be.  She's making lots of new friends and learning tons.  She adores her teacher and begs for me to let her ride the kindergarten bus home from school, which I ocassionally do.  She is sweet and sassy and growing up much faster then I'd like.  Oh and if this isn't the cutest kindergarten picture ever taken...  

I am so not a fan of school pictures and never buy them, so I didn't put much thought into the fact she was wearing the same outfit as she did on the first day of school when I sent her off to picture day.  Then what do you know, they send a proof sheet home with this adorable little shot on it.  As soon as Clint saw it, he insisted we buy a sheet.  I mean seriously when did school pictures get so fancy?!

Let's see... what else have we been up to?

Well, we celebrated Halloween with our annual trip to Spooners pumpkin patch.  The girls dressed up and had lots of fun trick or treating while Clint, JK and I followed along possibly snacking on some of their goodies.

Clint and JK had fun playing in our little family and friend annual turkey bowl while the girls and I visited and cheered the players on before enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving feast with family.

Molly and Lillie mailed their lists to Santa and talked dad into buying them a ginger bread house kit, which they happily made and snacked on.

Oh and this sweet boy of ours made the decision to be baptized.  I am so extremely proud of the path he is choosing to walk out and I know God has great things in store for him.  

Just seeing these photos and knowing that he chose this.  He chose to be baptized and to make the statement that he chooses God for his life, in front of his friends and family makes my heart happy.  I couldn't think of a better way to welcome in his teen years.  I am so extremely proud of him!

 

Kindergarten

After going back and forth over the decision to enroll Lillie into kindergarten this year and then publicly stating that we wouldn't be, we did.

Socialy she was ready last year.  Academically, I'm not so sure.  She's smart and nearly everybody that knows her thinks she'll do great and really blossom this year.  Clint and I agree.  We've also decided that if for some reason she doesn't do as well as we think she will, we'll just repeat kindergarten.  Maybe putting her in full day next year.

Getting Lillie off to kindergarten this morning wasn't the emotional roller coaster I had thought it would be.  Her school encouraged parents to stay for the first day helping to get the kids familiarized with their new classroom and teacher.  I loved it!  Our little Lillie is going to have no problem making friends.  The girls flocked to her the minute we arrived wanting to know her name and what her favorite color was.  Her teacher seems great, but not in the sing, songy, hugs and cuddles kind of way I had thought she might be.  While I was a little disappointed at first, I honestly think she'll be great for Lillie.  She gets lots of love hugs and cuddles at home so a little more structure at school will be good for her.  

Now that all of our kids are off to school (Molly started 5th grade homeschooling at her other house) I had a small moment where I wished I had another little one at home.  That moment didn't last long though as I happily agreed to volunteer in Lillie's class every Monday.  I love the ages our kids are at right now and honestly have no real desires for another baby.  I do wish that I could find the pause button to keep all of our kiddos at exactly the age they're at just a little longer.  They are all so much fun and can all use the toilet which makes life fabulous! 

Jr High

Today was my sweet boys first day of 7th grade... Jr High.

I think we were both to nervous to sleep last night and spent most of the evening tossing turning and clock watching, making the 5:30am wake up call this morning all the more painful.  On our drive to school we went over his schedule, and locker combination and then I reminded him that it was absolutely okay to ask for help if he was struggling with getting into his locker or feeling a little lost.

Anxiety plagued me as I drove away with tear stung eyes.  I said a little prayer and waited for what felt like for ever to hear about how his day went.  Directly after school he participated in his first Jr high practice and I may have participated in a little drive by just to make sure he had made it to the field okay.  I could see from the smile on his face that I had nothing to worry about.

I was at the field waiting as soon as practice got out and excitedly listened to how much fun JK had.  He really likes all of his teachers and only ended up in the wrong classroom once.  He said he figured it out within just a few minutes and was only one door away from where he should have been.  His locker gave him no problems until the end of the day and he was thrilled to have a large group of friends sharing the same lunch as him.  

Now that I can breathe a huge sigh of relief, I think it's safe to say that JK's first day of Jr. high was a huge success! 

Ready or not, Jr high here we come!

Today was JK's Jr high orientation.  I was expecting this to be a day of taking care of business as we loaded into the car and headed to the school to pick up a class schedule, pay for an ASB card, sign up for Jr high football, and get a locker assignment and combination.

As we pulled into the Jr high parking lot, I looked at my sweet boy sitting by my side and saw the anxiety swimming in his eyes.  I grabbed his hand and reminded him it would be fine and that he would do amazing.  Because he will... He will do amazing.  He's just that kind of kid, the first born that makes parenting seem way to easy.

We walked into the Jr high (no longer hand in hand, that would be too embarrassing) and found the line for picking up class schedules.  After being handed a sheet of paper with seven classes listed and a teachers name that looked just a little bit familiar, my emotions started to overwhelm me.  It was staring at this list with my sons name on the top of it with to many classes, room numbers and a locker assignment on it that got the tears to swell.  It was looking over this list that triggered a picture of my sweet boy in the form of his five year old self wandering lost in the halls too embarrassed to ask for directions, followed by an image of him working hard to unlock a stubborn combination that just wouldn't budge as the bell rang and the halls cleared out ensuring him to be tardy to class.  It was in this same moment that these images took over my mind that I overheard my 4 year old saying "JK you are so lucky to go this school.  I can't wait until I get to go to school here, too!"  that I knew that I had to quickly wipe the tears that were getting too close to spilling over away and try my best to compose myself before the waterworks really started.

After I was able to take control of my emotions and we got all of the official business out of the way we went  off to explore the new halls that will be JK's home away from home for the next two years.  I assume we did what all parents and there new 7th graders do... We did a walk through.  We entered the school where JK will enter in the morning.  We then found his locker and walked to each classroom in the order that his classes will take place.  We did this three different times with me guiding and then twice with JK leading the way.  We then spent several minutes with him practicing opening his locker.  His bottom locker that he has to get on his knees to open.  I wish that they would take the size of kids into consideration when assigning lockers as opposed to doing it in alphabetical order.  A little girl scouting out her new locker just a few down from JK had to get on tippy toes just to get into hers.  :/

After spending two hours at the school and JK recognizing a ton of kids from his football team his nerves seemed to have subsided and he stated how excited he was for this new adventure he was getting ready to embark on.  My anxiety on the other hand had doubled.  While the school is beautiful, it seemed huge to me.  His class schedule has him moving between three different wings all day long and his locker is a pain to get into.  I know in my heart he will do fine, It's just my imagination that's out of control.

Oh, and the teacher who's name looked familiar to me, well that's because she was one of my teachers in high school!  She was so excited to see me and was even more excited to be teaching one of her former students children for the first time in her career.  She was amazing when I had her, so knowing that she is JK's advisory teacher certainly makes sending him off to the halls of Jr high, just a little easier for me to deal with.

Halfway Mark

Yesterday our sweet boy graduated the 6th grade.

Which means...

* That next year he'll be roaming the halls of a jr high. 

* That he's half way through with his "free" schooling.  He will attend college!

* That girls are beginning to look a little more... likable.

* That he has yet to figure out the right amount of cologne to apply and leaves a little scent trail  lingering in the places he's been. :)

* That he's becoming less of a boy and more of a (gasp) man.

* That I may need to go back to work full time just so we can afford to feed him. 

* That his emotions are all over the place!

* That while striving for more independence, he still NEEDS more hugs, direction, and support from us then he may think.

* That we've got just 6 more years to love, nurture, and take in the every day quirks this boy has to offer before he leaves the nest and heads off to college.  

JUST 6 YEARS!!  THAT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE NEARLY ENOUGH TIME TO TEACH AND SHOW THIS BOY ALL OF THE THINGS I STILL WANT HIM TO KNOW!

So, Before the tears really start flowing let me just brag a little and say how proud I am of JK, my sweet boy. 

* He's well liked by all of his peers and teachers.  

* He's got a heart of a gold.  A servants heart!

* He is sweet and tender and so attentive to others feelings. 

* He is not above or embarrassed of giving me (or his littlest sister) hugs in front of his friends.  

* He is strong and kind and a little bit of a goof ball.  

* He is everything I prayed my son would be.

* And he's smart too!

One of just a few boys in his class to make honor roll!

Keep up the good work JK!  We know God has amazing and wonderful things in store for you!!

Preschool Year One Completed

It seems so crazy to me that it was just 8 months ago that we were sending our sweet little Lillie off to her first day of preschool. 

This sweet little girl of ours has grown and changed so much in her first year of school.  She made lots of new friends, learned how to count to 10 in Spanish, picked up some mad coloring skills, and expanded a personality I just didn't think had the potential to grow any bigger. 

Lillie's preschool didn't do any type of graduation ceremony, which honestly made me a little sad.  But they did get these cute little photos of the kids in caps and gowns and made little certificates for the kids with quotes about what the teachers thought the kids would grow up to be.  Lillie's certificate read future Disney Princess.  (Which is ironic being that they took this picture on princess day.)  While I don't know that a Disney Princess is honestly what I hope Lillie grows up to be, I defiantly see why they would picture her as that.  This little Lillie girl of ours certainly has a princess personality with the sweetest little voice I think I've ever heard.  

With Lillie's first year of preschool behind us, we now sit scratching our heads with what to do about next year.  After filling out all of the kindergarten registration paperwork and still not feeling right about the decision, Clint and I decided we will not be sending Lillie to kindergarten this Fall.  While Lillie may be ready, we're just not.  We are not ready to let the world make it's impact on our little girl just yet and since God has given us the responsibility to do the decision making for her life right now, we've decided to let her be a little girl just one year longer. 

Now that the decisions been made and Clint and are I completely at peace with it, we've got to decide what next year will look like.  We've thrown around a few ideas, and as much as we would love to send her back to the same preschool, we agree with her teacher that she would probably be bored doing the exact same things all over again.  So for now there are a few Montessori schools that we'll be looking into as well as the option of possibly doing some pre-K homeschooling.  For now we're just super proud of the progress Lillie has made this year and are excited for the extra time keeping her home for one year longer is going to allow for us to spend with her. 

Class of 2025

Today I went to register our girl for kindergarten.

Our sweet, little carefree, ready to take on the world, girl.

We walked into what will be her elementary school with her little hand -covered in pink nail polish and white polka dots- curled into the safety of my hand. My hand which has the ability to push and pull her in the direction I think is safest for her, the same hand that will hold on tight until that day in Fall comes, when I have to let go.

When we entered the school office I watched my little girl as she beamed from ear to ear explaining to the secretary that we were there to sign up for kindergarten so that she could get smart and then go to college. The realization of what she was explaining started to set in as I watched my little girl become a little more independent and my heart started to race. Lillie didn't seem to notice the onset of my anxiety though, because she just went right on chatting away at the young secretary -the stranger- about how excited she was to finally be going to the big school like JK and Molly do.

As I sat with the registration packet, I looked over at my tiny little girl and started to panic. I knew I needed a little more time. So, I asked to take the packet home, promising to bring it back by the end of the school day. Only, I didn't bring it back. Instead the filled out packet is now sitting by my bed. Waiting. Waiting while Clint and I pray a little more and talk a little longer about sending our little girl, who's birthday just happens to fall on the registration cutoff day to school next year, making her apart of the graduating class of 2025.

Because really the truth of the matter is not so much as to how I think she'll do, it's how I think I'll do. Honestly both Clint and I know Lillie will be fine as the oldest or youngest kid in her class, because which ever way we look at it, that's exactly what she'll be. The oldest or the youngest.

The real question that needs to be addressed is whether or not I'm ready to send my baby, my last child off to school with all of it's influences. I so badly want to be selfish and hold onto my baby girl for just one year longer. But if I do, is that the right thing for her? Is it fair to keep a bird in a cage, when is all that little bird wants to do is spread her wings and start her own journey?

Oh Lillie, who would have thought kindergarten registration would be such a difficult decision! If you had been born just one day later, this decision, well it wouldn't have been a decision at all.

My Body Preschool Perfomance

For the past 4 weeks Lillie's preschool class has been learning about all the body and practicing fun songs and dances they could perform to show us what they had learned.

Lillie has been extremely excited and secretive about the performance. She practiced (in the privacy of her room) for the past several weeks, deciding the songs and dances were top secret and that we could have no sneak peaks, so that we would be so surprised on the day of the big show.

Today was finally the big day and we were not disappointed. Lillie and her classmates were all adorable and did such a great job!

We also got to see the much anticipated body bags. I was so relieved to see that they weren't the morbid items I was afraid they would be. The projects are actually very cool and I know Lillie learned a lot about how the body works while putting hers together.

And then of course there was the adorable self painting she was so super proud of. This adorable body painting is now proudly displayed on her bedroom door, where she drags each and every person that walks into our house to see it. :)