Dieter's First day of Pre-K...

A week after Finnley started school, it was Dieter's turn to start pre-K.  This is his second year and he was very excited for his first day.  He was happy to see his friends, whom he hadn't see all summer, and he thinks his new teachers are great.  

This kid is such a ham.  I tried and tried to get a normal picture of him - standing still and smiling - it didn't happen.  He kept hiding his face with his umbrella, or pulling a some sort of silly face.  This kid is such a sweet boy, and his teachers are lucky to have him in their classroom.  We love our Dieter and are so proud of him for being such a great little student!

Dieter and Miss Christine

Finnley's First Day of First Grade...

Well, school is back in session.  I was feeling really ready for my kids to start school....until, they started school!  Now, I'm missing the lazy days of summer.  Miss Finn, on the other hand, is loving school.  She was counting down the days until she was back in the classroom.  "See ya in 6 days school..." "See ya in 3 days school..." she'd say each time we drove past her school.  

On the morning of her first day I asked her if she wanted to be driven to school or ride the bus.  She excitedly announced that she wanted to ride the bus. When it pulled up at the end of our lane, she hopped on with the biggest smile ever.  She confidently waved goodbye and then turned around to catch up with her bus buddies.

I have to say, it makes me so happy that she loves school as much as she does.  I'm happy knowing that she is enjoying learning, meeting new friends, and is a confident student.  We love our Finners and miss her while she's at school, but we are also proud of her and love watching her grow up into a beautiful young lady.

Field Day...

 

I always loved field day.  It meant a whole day of playing games outside, and, that school was almost out for the summer.  I didn't love going to school.  I am, and always have been, a homebody.  This also means I lasted through very few sleepovers.  Finnley, on the other hand, loves school and doesn't want it to end...ever! She's the type that needs to be doing something constantly throughout the day, and school has been the best outlet for her. I'm also convinced that she could sleep-over-hop from grandma to cousins houses without missing me for one second. 

Field day was a huge success in her eyes.  She enjoyed all the games, the competition, and hanging out with her friends.  As always, I loved watching her interact with her pals, and watching her tote Remi around to say hi to all her classmates and teachers.  Remi, was a good sport and let Finn and her friends take turns hauling her around by the underarms.

 

 

Only two more weeks of school for this chica!  I'm thrilled...her, not so much.

One Down, Many More to Go...

 

Our Dieter (aka Dietster, D-man, D-bop, Bopper, Bop, D) finished his first year of school!  This little guy has grown up so much over the past year, its crazy-town.  At the beginning of the year, he'd make me hold his hand and walk him into the classroom. I'd wait until he found toy at one of the stations and became distracted, then I'd sneak out.  After a while, I still had to walk him into his classroom, but I'd tell him I'd be in the next room and he'd let me go.  Finally, after months and months, he walked into the hallway with his teacher all on his own. 

 

At home, Dieter is my constant shadow, so I know that it took a lot for him to leave me on his own.  Since then, he has begun to reach out and make some really cute friends.  He talks about school and all his "buddies" and when we run into one of them at the park, he totally lights up.  He's loved bringing home his artwork and putting it up on the fridge.  He LOVES to sing, and will sing his bible songs all day long.  He's maturing and growing and becoming a boy.  I can't even begin to express how much I love this little boy and his sweet kisses and snuggles and "I lub you's" throughout the day.

 

 

Dieter and his best buds - Finn and Wendell

 

His last day of preschool happened to be the summer birthday party.  Since Dieter's birthday is the end of June, he got to be one of the VIP's.  We were in charge of the craft and he picked out foam visors and decorations to put on them.  They turned out really cute.  He got to be sung to and blow out his birthday candle.  Since then, he hasn't stopped talking about his real party and who he is going to invite and what we are going to do.  I guess I need to start planning a party!

Way to go on your first of many, many years of school D-man!  We love you!



Gingerbread Houses and Sandy Hook...

December 14 was the day I got to go to Finnley's kindergarten class and make gingerbread houses.  We had the best time and she loved having me there.  I love being in Finnley's classroom - seeing her interact with her classmates, meeting her friends, and getting to know the other moms.

As I left the school, I called my mom.  She said, "Lindsay, I am just sick about this school shooting!"  I hadn't heard anything about it.  I went home and turned on the TV and learned all about Sandy Hook.  Everything they said about the elementary school, the small town, the next door fire station, etc. reminded me of where we live - Newtown is just across the Long Island Sound.  On the news it said that one of the parents had mentioned they were looking forward to going into their 1st grader's class the day of the shooting and making gingerbread houses with them.  My heart dropped.

The next few days I would find myself in moments of extreme grief.  I'm sure many people were like me, thinking how different our day could have been if some idiot decided to pick our children's school to do the unthinkable.  I'm so very grateful for my Finnley, and for every day I get to be her mom.  She is one sassy, fun, hilarious, rowdy, responsible, crazy, loving, tender little girl and I wouldn't change a thing about her.

Finnley and one of her best buds Quinn.

Finnley and her buddy Fiona.

The finished product.  I'm so glad I got to spend such a fun day with my beautiful big girl.  Love you Finnley.

It's Preschool for D-Bop...

I don't know how its possible, but yes, Dieter was old enough for preschool this year. I remember when Finnley started preschool and she seemed sooo much older.  But, in actuality, she was only 6 months older.

Anyway, this guy is now a big-time preschooler.  He isn't quite sold on the whole idea of leaving mom yet, and it breaks my heart to see his puppy-dog eyes as I leave him.  Fortunately, he's happy as can be when I pick him up, and loves telling me about all the things they did at school.

I'm not sure what to do with myself for those 2 1/2 hours I have Remmy all to myself.  I'm ashamed to admit that most days I just go to Target and walk the aisles for two hours while Remmy naps in her seat.  I sip on my Diet Coke, browse the clearance racks (something I haven't been able to do in years), and I'm excited to do some semi-solo Christmas shopping this year!  

I do miss my constant shadow (and when I say constant, I mean constant) but I know preschool is the best thing for him and helping him gain a little independence.  Plus, he looks up to his big sister and is proud to be going to school and bringing home art projects just like her.

Well Buddy, here's the start of a loooooong road of school.  Especially if you follow in the steps of your daddy!

First Day of Kindergarten...

I've been having mixed emotions all week leading up to this day.  I have a KINDERGARTENER!  Finnley started all-day Kindergarten this week.  She was about to POP the morning of her first day.  She woke up early, got dressed, ate her breakfast (oatmeal), and took pictures out front.  It was rainy so we hopped in the car to drive to the end of our lane where the bus stop is.  She was still smiling from ear to ear....until we got out of the car.

Other kids started gathering at the bus stop and reality set in.  Her little hands went up into her face and she became very quiet.  I would have driven her to school and walked her right to her desk, but her school doesn't allow it.  Every kid rides the bus, and they don't allow you to walk them in.  I was so sad, and I think Finners was too. But, we did what we had to do.

I got one last smile out of her as the bus drove up, but then she grabbed my leg and started saying "Mommy, mommy!" Talk about heartbreaking.  I was about to lose it, but I held it together for her sake.  I told her she was going to have the best day, meet lots of new friends, and guided her up the steps of the bus.  She gave me one last unsure look, which I returned with double thumbs up!  Her bus driver, Simone, guided her to the "best seat on the bus" up front with the rest of the kindergarteners.

I had told her to look at me through the window so I could get a picture as she drove away, and this is what I got.  By this point I was in tears.  7 hours!  That's how long she is gone during the day.  That's more time away then she will be awake at home.  So many thoughts go through my head.  I hope she has a strong head on her shoulders and doesn't give into peer pressure - even if it is just kindergarten pressures.  I hope she is outgoing and kind and makes new, fun friends.  I hope she works hard and is a good student and loves learning.  I hope she chooses the right, and stands as an example of the gospel to her friends and teachers.

I was waiting for her when she got home, and she came skipping off with one BIG smile on her face!  She loved it, which I knew she would, but it is still hard to let them grow up and become independent little people.  She said she had two new favorite friends, and that they sat at her table, which was the green table.  Mitch packed her a lunch, and as we were walking home she looked up at me and said, "Hey mom, tomorrow, when you pack my lunch, can you put a note in it that says "I love you have a good first day of school" or something like that?"  Epic fail!  You better believe she had a special note on day two.

I love my beautiful, spirited, stubborn, full-of-life, happy, loving, funny little girl.  I miss her when she is at school, but I know she is learning and growing and doing what's best for her.  I've had fun sitting down with her after school and talking to her about her day, her friends, what she liked and what she didn't like.  So far, I'm pretty sure she thinks Sam and Cameron are cute, and Emma, Ava and Olivia are her favorite friends.  She wants a playdate.  So far, so good.

Love you Miss Finn!

Finn's New School...

We got to walk through Finn's new school last week.  We found the gym, the cafeteria, the art room, music room, her new classroom, and the library.  Many of the walls have awesome murals on them from popular story books, which makes the school fun and whimsical.  I think she's excited.  What do you think!?

First Day of Pre-K...

This little girl (although I think she looks 16 in these pictures) just started her second year of Preschool. I can't even tell you how much she's been looking forward to going back to school. Ever since we were in Utah in August, and her cousins went back to school, she's been asking, asking, asking, asking (you get the idea) "when does my "skull" start?"

Finally the big day came! She was a little nervous at first. She walked in, didn't recognize anybody, then told me she had a tummy ache and wanted me to stay for a little bit. I was happy to abide. As soon as one of her favorite little buddies, Bree, walked in, she was over-it and good to go. She hurried and ran off, showing Bree where her cubby was and then into the play area.

Upon picking her up I learned, she got to paint THREE times, they went to the sand yard FIRST (last year they went there last), she met a new girl named EMMA, and loves her new class room. I'm so glad!

I had to look up last years post just to see the difference. Man, she is growing up so fast. If you wanna check out my little lady on her first day of school last year, click here and here.

Last Day of Preschool...

To say Finnley enjoyed her first year of preschool would be a gross understatement. She absolutely loved it! From the time we woke up on Tuesday and Thursday mornings until 12:45pm when we left for school it was, "Mom, now is it time for 'schul'? Is Ms Jen there yet?" I almost couldn't mention school until 12:30 or else I'd go nuts. But, it was my best bargaining tool - "Finn, hurry and clean up or no school!" I know, that's horrible, but she loved it so much it was an easy go-to. ;)

They gave them each a little yearbook with everybody in the schools pictures. Finnley is obsessed with it and has looked through it multiple times. She is growing up so fast. It breaks my heart, but I'm loving her adorable personality and maturity that comes with age. She is such a good example for Dieter (sometimes a very bad one too) and I love watching them become great little buddies.

Way to go Finnley! We are so proud of you, and are happy that you love school so much. Keep it up.

First Day (of many)...

If you would have bet me $1000 that I wouldn't cry on my little girl's first day of school, I wouldn't have taken you up on it. I thought for sure my tears would flow as I said goodbye to my little shadow.

But, oh me, oh my, when the time came to say goodbye, my little girl was so darn excited I couldn't help but be excited for her. She was dancing and twirling around the school grounds, as I snapped some first-day-pics, and once inside she was into the "theater room" (aka. dress ups) as fast as possible. It was like pulling teeth to get her to look at me long enough to say goodbye and give me a hug! So, I walked out and felt good - my little girl was confident and happy and I had two and a half hours alone with my Dietster!

Her first day was a total success! She loved it and can't wait to go again and again.

Love you Finners!