E's first day of school

As promised (I already feel so behind), here are some photos from Emma's first day of school. She walked right in and put her backpack up on the hook and moved her name over to the "in school" side. She was ready to go. It was much different from this spring when I had to leave her crying every day. She has changed so much over the summer. Her speech has improved tremendously. She not only models and repeats about everything we say (we really have to watch what we say), she is expressing a ton of words and even sentences on her own. It is so neat to see her progress. She loves going to school and is disappointed when it isn't one of her days. She just goes two mornings a week. She always tells me, "I'm ready Mom!" whether it's her school day or not. She has to be at school by 8:15 (that means living by 7:45) so needless to say these photos were taken after she got home. She was so excited to show me the paper in her backpack. The first few days I took her to school and picked her up, but she is starting to ride the bus home. She rides with just preschoolers and Kindergarteners. The first day she did great. This week she'll ride home again. She looks so little climbing off the bus, but the driver said she did great. She said it was fun to ride the bus. She will still have pull-out time with the speech therapist during part of her school day too.

Some before school photos

Here are a few shots of Mackenzie before her first day of school. Can you tell someone else was excited about going to school? She was trying to share the spotlight. I told her she would have her turn, but she just couldn't seem to wait. :)

Go Broncos! Beat the Ducks!

Here's our little BSU fan getting ready for the big game tonight! Josh bought him his first Bronco hat.

Kindergarten

Monday was Mackenzie's first day of Kindergarten. I took her to school and we met her teacher and half her classmates. They split the class, having half come the first day and half the second. Wednesday they were all together. She got to eat a little snack and we took some photos with her friends, Madison and Hannah. Then we said our goodbyes and they went to class. She was very excited and had a great time. She came running off the bus after she got home. She'd already met some new friends on the ride home. She said her favorite part of the day was working in the art center. She had several papers to show us already. 

It wasn't as hard on me as I thought. I know she is going to have a great year. And while I am a little sad to see my little girl growing up, it is exciting to see her enter another chapter in her life. I always enjoyed school, and I hope she and the other two have a love of learning all their lives. It will be neat to see her meet new friends and progress throughout the year. 

*On Tuesday, our friends Sarah, Rylee, Tyler and baby girl Hayden stopped by to visit. It was great seeing them and catching up. The kids had fun playing together too. We don't see them as often as we'd like, but now the girls are in school (R's in 1st grade), maybe we'll see them more. 

**Wednesday was Emma's first day of preschool. Photos of her to come.

Four more days

Only four more days and my first baby girl starts Kindergarten! She is soooooo excited. Me, not quite so much. Yesterday we loaded up her backpack with school supplies and went to meet her teacher again. We were the only ones in the classroom at the time so it was nice for her to have some one-on-one time. The class will also have a student teacher this year so MJ met her also. She helped her do a little scavenger hunt around the room to find where things are. She also turned in her supplies and found her cubby with her name on it. Several of her preschool friends are in the same class and she's excited to meet some new friends. She's definitely ready. I even asked about taking her to school the first day and she really didn't think that was necessary. She wants to ride the bus. I practically had to beg. That day the kids are all meeting in the cafeteria and walking to class with the teacher. I know it's time and she is really growing up and ready, but each new milestone is bittersweet.

We also met Emma's teacher. She will be going to mornings a week this school year. Her speech has improved so much over the summer, but we definitely see a continued need for help. She is much more expressive, saying a lot of words without prompting or modeling. She also speaks in more sentences.

Little J has been enjoying the Johnny Jump Up we borrowed from Nana. He hangs in the office doorway while I work. I am also happy to report he is sleeping through the night! We've had about two weeks of around 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thank you Lord! At first, I was finding myself waking up to check on him, but now we're all getting lots of sleep. He is such a happy baby and full of smiles for everyone.

We've ridden Zani twice this week and the girls are just loving it. It's bee good for my soul too.

Jumping J-man

This little guy has found a new activity.

Busy week

It's been a busy week already. Is it really Thursday? Monday and Tuesday nights we were outside doing things with the horse. The girls and I rode for awhile on Tuesday. It's something they both are getting more interested in.

I've been busy with publications work and editing photo sessions this week. My aunt is coming to visit next week, so we are excited to see her. Next weekend is the state fair and the girls have been talking about it for weeks.

This morning Josh left early so the kids and I packed up and headed to the barn to feed. It was a beautiful morning, not too hot yet. The sun was just coming up. The girls helped get the feed in the buckets and toss the hay to the cattle. I don't get down there as much anymore so it was really nice to have the chance and to have the girls helping me.

MJ stayed with her Nana last weekend and they went shopping for her school supplies. She starts on the 31st. Hard to believe I'll have a Kindergartener soon. Josh and I went out for his birthday last weekend. It was so nice to have a date night. His mom kept all three of the kids. We've also enjoyed spending time watching movies in the evenings lately.

Some things have happened lately that have helped us put life into perspective yet again. We have so much to be thankful for. Don't take anything for granted and hug your loved ones.

Oh and by the way, if I have ever led anyone to believe my life is perfect and I have it all together--I'm sorry and I don't. I took E to Walmart the other day in a green and blue shirt with a hot pink and brown skirt. In my defense, she did dress herself, but I didn't really care what she was wearing. There were no body parts showing, which if you know Emma, that is a big plus. Oh, and her hair was down and all in her face. And she was wearing purple snow boots. On the wrong feet.

And there is playdough all over my floor.

So, just in case you thought my house is always clean and my children always well kept-it's not true.