First Day of School 2012-Day 1

Three new grade levels in our house-4th, 1st and preschool. I qualified the title of this post with "day 1" because today was only the first day for the girls. Robbie gets his first day tomorrow. And it won't be his real first day. It will be his visit. With Mommy and Daddy. For a short period of time. Then next week he will go for two days. The first day will be with half of his class. The second day next week will be his real REAL first day. Full class. No Mommy. No Daddy. Nine to Noon. 7 days and counting...

So these photos are really only of the girls' first day. For the first time EVER in elementary school, Padyn and her besty are not in the same class. That's ok. We are trying not to be upset about it. At some point they have to go it without each other. And they still get to spend recess together...

When I asked Kate how school was, her response was, "I don't really like first grade." Great. Fingers crossed that this will not be a battle year. My guess is she is reacting to much less play, a longer day, and MANY more kids in a SMALLER classroom. How can 32 1st graders in a classroom built for 20 be a good idea?

Padyn said that she LOVES fourth grade! Oh good. At least one of them likes it.

Katelyn and her bud are also not in the same class, but we are used to that. They weren't in kindergarten together, either. Both are disappointed but will manage.

Cousins....Bella LOVES 3rd grade.

And even though it wasn't Robbie's first day, we had to get him in a picture. I think this was taken in Padyn's classroom.

To all of you in the same First Day of School boat, cheers! Hope you had a nice, easy, uneventful day also.

Tis the Season...

On Sunday night I created this spectacular post with witty comments and enticing captions....then blogger didn't save it. And now..., I'm too tired and lazy to try to recreate it. So instead, I'll give you the cliff notes version of the following photos.

What: Two Christmas plays at two different churches
Main Characters: Padyn and Katelyn

Why: Because it is Christmas, and variations on the nativity scene are plentiful

And now, for you viewing enjoyment, Christmas Play #1:

Lots of angels. Robbie refused to be a stable creature.

Angels, post play.

Play #2

Padyn=flower

Kate=sandpiper

Yes, yes. Sandpipers and flowers were present at the birth of Jesus. What? That's not in your bible?

See...there is Baby Jesus, among the flowers, stallions, a lion, sandpipers, and woodland creatures.

May your Christmas be filled with just as many miracles....

Haircuts and Candlemaking

A bit over a week ago, we did a little candle making with some dear friends at a very fun little shopt while visiting Grandpa and Mimi. We also had very scraggly and unkept hair. Today, the girls got haircuts. Now we have candles (that we are forced to light at every meal) AND nice hair! See for yourself...

Before (working on her candle) Today! (New Kindergarten student!)

Before (not the greatest expression, I know)

Today! (She was very serious about posing for all her photos today)

Katelyn picked the length of her hair. She actually wanted it shorter, but I managed to convince her that a bit longer would be better. (I was afraid of tears tomorrow). She loves her new hair.

Padyn just wanted a trim, but wanted her hair straightened. She got it! Thankfully, I have a very kind and patient hairstylist who works very well (and quickly!) with the girls. Everyone is very happy with their new, slightly more grown-up haircuts.

And I will be even more happy during hairbrushing time in the morning!

Day at the Races

Today was the last day of summer swimming for the girlies. We had our final, very low key swim meet this morning. It was Kate's first opportunity to swim an event this summer. Can you guess how excited she was to take first place in her heat? You can't tell by the picture, but she was pretty jazzed. She wanted to know if she could swim in the fall (no) and when would her next race be (next summer). From not wanting to get in the pool last summer to swimming 25 yards freestyle by herself...what a difference a year makes.

Padyn chose to swim 3 events today: backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle, all 25 yards. She took the backstroke race in her heat (so excited!), came in 5th in breaststroke (very disappointed until I pointed out that had it been a proper race, 3 kids who beat her would have been disqualified for not actually using breaststroke kick) and 3rd in free (she missed 1st by a second and 2nd place by a fraction of a second).
All in all, a pretty fun and successful morning!

From Snow to Sun

Two weekends ago we were in the snow. Last week, we headed in the opposite direction and went to the sun for the week. I say "sun," but that does not necessarily imply warmth. I should clarify again...it was warmish, but not hot. Not like, swim-all-the-time hot. Clearly, that didn't stop my family from jumping in the pool on a daily basis.

As long as you stayed in the pool, it was quite warm.

Photo Friday-New Haircuts

As promised, both girls got haircuts yesterday. The smaller one's was more dramatic than the bigger one's, but both came out just perfect.

The Before Pictures...
Katelyn, the non-hair doer

Padyn, the shaggy hairdo girl
The After Pictures...

Katelyn-the new 4 year old in the house
Padyn-the mature looking 7 year old

And here are some other fun "during" and "after" pictures...

Kate admiring her new look...

...and enjoying her post-haircut lollipop Padyn getting her hair straightened...she wants me to do this everyday for her.Both girls are very happy with the results. So is Mommy.

Happy Friday!

Deployment, Day 3

Sadly, Daddy left a few days ago. He's off flying his airplane for a while. We talked to him via Skype this morning. When we got off the video call, a short conversation ensued between the girls...

Kate (all drama and whiny): We don't know what to do in our summer without Daddy!

Padyn(all practical and superior): Daddy is off making money.

W Girls Visit-Final Photos

Saddly, the W girls and their Daddy had to go home yesterday. We were all very sad. Fortunately, though, we still have more pictures we can look at. Here are a few more random photos from Fairytale Town on Monday....

Padyn sliding down the "rabbit hole."

Coley with Mother GooseThree of our beauties posing for the Wizard of Oz...

Kate refused to have anything to do with this......or this. I don't think she likes bridges.

According to Jalyn's reasoning, 7 Indians lived in this teepee because their were seven seats inside.

These three wanted matching pigtails. Not Katelyn.

The W girls...they would have been happy to send every waking moment in this pool. They are fish!

We miss you guys!

W Girls Visit Day 2-Part I

We went to Fairytale Town yesterday (photos in the next post). The park is just what it sounds like...2.5 acres of settings and play structures based on various nursery rhymes and fairytales. The pirate ship was one of the girls' favorites. Here, Coley has taken on the role of Captain Hook. I'm not sure who the other girls think they are...

W Girls Visit-Day 1

So....I am a dumby. I left my camera at Papa and BonBon's house. Hence, there are only 3 photos posted for today. Good thing The Girls' Daddy remembered his camera! He shot all these...

Padyn: I don't want Coley and Jalyn to leave on Wednesday!

Mommy: Why not?

Padyn (in the whiniest voice you can imagine): Because I'm having so much fun!!!!