First Day of School

We had two first days of school this year.  Elizabeth started on the real first day, Ben was sick!  He was able to go on the second day.  I couldn't believe he was missing his first day of school!

 

 I just can't get over Elizabeth being in 3rd Grade!! 

 She is looking so grown up!

 Ben on his first day of first grade. 

First grade - time is just moving too quickly. 

 After school we had a first day of school party with our neighbors. 

 

 Do they look like apples?  Not much :)

 After snacks we had a swim. 

Fun first day of school!

Class Parties

 I can't remember what we are all doing this day - the kids are at my house looking cute all matching...maybe this was before the kids headed to a play with Grandma and Grandpa?

 Elizabeth's brownie troop had their Christmas party at one of the other girl's house. 

 Here they are doing an ornament exchange. 

 Grandma and Grandpa B surprised the kids with a trip to see Christmas lights and go out to dinner!  They told me when they were coming by so I made sure it was quiet in the house.  My parents went to our front door and started shaking jingle bells.  My kids heard them and were a little confused what was going on - until they heard that they got to go to dinner and see Christmas lights - then they were just excited!

 I am Ben's room mom so I planned the K Christmas party for his class.  I am going to explain what I did so I can remember for future years :)

 The first game was a snowball relay.  The kids used a spoon to carry a cotton ball to the snowman contained at the end of the room. 

 The next game we played was each group had one candy cane they had to move from one end of the line to the other using only their pinkies. 

 They loved it!

 Next we came back to the classroom and the kids worked at four stations.  One station was cookie decorating (they decorated a round cookie like a snowman face) and drinking hot chocolate.

 At the second station the kids made an ornament and played with peppermint play dough.

 The third station was snowman bingo.

 The fourth station was pin the nose on the teacher and then they played with mini marshmallows - stacking them, racing with them, etc...

It was a very fun party.  As soon as it was finished I headed over to 2nd grade to help with her party. 

 They made ornaments with fruit loops on pipe cleaners. 

 This game was a huge hit.  They had to race to see who could eat a mini donut fastest.  Everyone LOVED it!

Elizabeth and her teacher.  It was a busy, fun day!

First Day of School 2012

                After waking the kids up (we're not used to 6:45 around here during the summer!),

                           we headed for breakfast.  I made applesauce muffins that the kids love. 

 Ben had to keep his shirt off while he ate, we didn't want anything on our cute clothes!

                                       Elizabeth and her new backpack for second grade. 

                                                  I still can't believe I have a second grader!

                                                   Next up Ben, the big kindergartener!

                                        My kids love each other, I didn't even tell them to hug!

                                                          The kids in front of the school.

                             Ben had to wait in line with the other kids while he waited for his teacher. 

 Elizabeth went to sit with her class to wait for her teacher.  Elizabeth is a great big sister...now that the parents can't walk into the school she makes sure he gets to his line...she's very responsible!

                                                  Tom and I first followed Ben to his class.

 He waited at his desk for his day to begin.  Ben wasn't nervous, no tears for anyone (even me!) - whew! 

 On to Elizabeth's class.  Here she is with her wonderful teacher Ms. D.  We're sad because we are now 5 weeks into school and we just found out that Ms. D took a new position teaching dislexia - Elizabeth will be getting a new teacher. 

                                           After school we met our friends out for ice cream. 

                                                         It's been our new tradition.

                         Last we met Grandma B, Jessica, Cooper and Jackson for a very early dinner.

                                                              We ate in a van!  Fun!!

                                                        The best buddies and Elizabeth.

Our four kids - they all had a great first day of school and were all excited about going back the next day, thank goodness!