First Day/Last Day

Today was the last day of Preschool for Mackenzie. She was excited. Although I think a good majority of the excitement was for the party at a classmate's house after.

You can see that on the first day she had a fresh hair cut, it was nicely brushed and she let me put in a bow. Today, we barely got it brushed - too many tangles, the girl has crazy bed-head - and she finally consented to a barrette. She was not in the mood for pictures either. The sun was too bright and she didn't want to smile for too many photos. I'm lucky I got this one. But I did get it. Her last day of preschool. One year under her belt. Next year she'll got 3 days a week, with extended day on Monday. Then Kindergarten will be here before I know it. 

She made cards for her teachers. We got them gift cards to Dairy Queen (I managed to forget about the need for teacher gifts until last night, so ice cream it is.) and she drew ice cream cones in the one card, then moved on to triangles for the second. Cones without the ice cream?

You might notice the scribbles. While we were upstairs brushing out the tangles in Mackenzie's hair, Ryan was very quiet. Very, very quiet. When I called out and he didn't answer I knew he was up to no good. And he wasn't. He climbed in the chair, grabbed the markers and started coloring on the cards. I didn't have the heart to tell her because I knew she'd be upset and we didn't have time to re-do them. And I really didn't want to start off her last day with a meltdown. We have enough of them as is. So I hid the cards.

And then promptly forgot them. Thankfully she didn't notice and I brought them to pick-up. 

She had a good last day though. For show-and-tell she took three mini markers. She said she told them she likes to color with them. I asked if she told them she gets in trouble for leaving the caps off. She just looked at me. Then said yes, although I'm guessing she didn't really. 

This year has been good for her, although at times a struggle. She does very well at writing; she's been really in to writing all our names, other words and can write all our letters. She's a smart 4 1/2 year old. But  she's not a morning person and mornings could be rough. One thing could go wrong and a meltdown would ensue. She had plenty of days where she cried at drop-off (whether the morning at home went well or not) and I had to wriggle out of her grasp and leave. Of course, she stopped crying within a few minutes and went on to have a great day. She just had a hard time separating from me. She had to work on sharing and playing nice and giving up control but she needed that. Her teachers were so wonderful and patient with her and she's really improved and grown. She had so much fun learning and doing all the crafts and of course loved snack time. And she likes the new friends she has made. And this is new to her, to have friends that are separate from Emma.

Today she brought home her name magnet, hang tag for her coat and her get-to-know-me photo apple. And with that her school year is over.  

Emma's first day of Kindergarten

Emma started Kindergarten last month, her first day was August 18th. They split the Kindergarten classes in to thirds (there are 12 classes) with each 1/3 going on one of three days - the 17th, 18th or 19th. I took Emma to school that day at 9, and she rode the bus home that afternoon. She was so excited to go. she woke up before 7 asking if it was time for school yet.

She'd seen this pink dress in the Gap the day before when we went to get her back-to-school haircut. She told me if she could, she would wear her on her first day. So of course I ran out that afternoon and picked it up as a surprise. She was so surprised and thanked me over and over.

I took a lot of pictures. I had to. I probably would've taken more than I did if she'd have let me!

Before leaving for school









With my mom, Grandma McIntyre


With her friend (our neighbor) Caroline. They get to ride the bus together which is fantastic.


First Day of Kindergarten



Walking in to school. I love how they're holding hands.



Her locker


Her table



Please mom, haven't you taken enough?


One more, just one more, Emma! I had to beg to get this one.


The moms after drop off. Surprisingly dry-eyed.


Emma was laughing and really, really excited when the bus pulled up.


Mackenzie was so happy to see Emma!



Ta-da! First day is done!


Daddy was there to see her get off the bus.


Family self-portrait.


Emma loved her first day. Liked her teacher, liked her locker, liked eating lunch, she liked it all. I still can't believe I have a Kindergartener though.

And in the fall she'll be a Kindergartener.

Emma graduated preschool last month, May 23rd to be exact. We had additional excitement in the form of the tornado sirens going off forcing us all in to the hallway to wait it out shortly before Emma's name was to be called. The kids didn't mind though, it gave them time to burn off some energy since they'd been sitting in the church for so long. The program was cute. They marched in wearing their felt graduation caps, sang some songs (or just looked around at everyone and everything) and then received their diplomas.

Our graduate.







I'd meant to get a family picture at the church/school, but forgot. Maybe it was all that tornado siren excitement. Or being on crutches. Or the fact that Emma was pretty much over pictures as soon as I started. She relented at home. That, or I told her she had smile for pictures if she wanted a snack.



Wednesday of her last week was Wacky Wednesday. Really, it wasn't that much different than many of the outfits she puts together. This originally had a grey ruffle vest to complete the look. She's quite the trendsetter.

And for the last day on Friday they had a pajama pizza party. We went to the park with everyone from her class afterward.


First Day (orientation, 9/12/10) and Last Day (5/20/11)

This isn't really school related, but I can't believe how different her hair is now. Last September is was so long and curly and still blonde. It's now to her shoulders, the curls are gone and it's gotten so dark it can't even be considered blonde anymore. The red's really showing, too. And she just looks so much older.

First day of school (9/12/10) and now, 9 months later (6/15/11)

Friday Five

So....I kind of skipped over all of May. Not June though. So far this week:

1. Summer haircuts. Emma's been asking for a while to get her hair cut. Mackenzie chimed in today that she'd like hers cut too. So this afternoon we went to Snippets where the girls walked in like this,


And out like this.



Emma wanted it to her shoulders, that's what she kept saying over and over. Mackenzie just wanted it short. And then shorter. I asked her at least 10 times, are you sure? I kept explaining that once she cut it this short there would be no more ponytails or braids (which she's been very in to lately) but she said she knew. In fact, her words were, "it's okay Mommy. I don't need a pony." She handled it much better than I did. I went between the two stations with my heart pounding and my hands shaking. Mackenzie's only had her hair trimmed three times and Emma's hasn't been this short since, well, ever. We've, or I rather, have always just let it grow. But it's their hair. It's summer. Time to try it and go short. And they love it. Emma's will be easier to brush and Mackenzie's will make for much easier mornings since she won't be crying every time I brush/style it. Plus, it's really, really cute.

2. Today was Mackenzie's Little Gym program.


3. And Emma's Safety Town graduation.


4. And this guy, well he needs a whole post to himself with all he's been up to lately.


5. Wednesday was Emma's Little Gym program.


and a Tball game.

There was also two trips to the pool, playtime outside and with friends, an evening at the outlets, eating on the deck, mornings at the fitness center/kid park, errands, summer Bible study began, family here for programs and to visit, and more. It was a fun and busy week. Which is just a preview of the summer to come, I'm sure!