First Week of First Grade

Lexi had a great week.  On Tuesday morning, when we walked her to school, I told her that I hope she has a great day.  She said, "Of course I'll have a great day.  I have the nicest first grade teacher ever!"  As the week progressed, I began to wonder if the teacher has found her pet.  Apparently, Lexi ran lots of errands for her every day.  She walks kids to the front office and the nurses office.  She delivers papers for the teacher.  She was even sent out to gather the few kids that didn't make it back from recess one day.  This makes me laugh.  Last year, her teacher did not exactly appreciate Lexi's "mothering ways."  I can see his point.  He loved to treat everyone equally and didn't want to helping the ones that might need his attention.    This year, she has a teacher that will put her to good use.  Hopefully, they both have a great year.  

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday - school spirit day

First Day of First Grade

It was Lexi's first day of first grade.  I woke her up at 6:30 am and made juice for her (orange/apple/pear).  A few minutes later, Jordan came downstairs and joined us.  Then I got them a bowl of homemade granola, while I made her lunch and got her backpack ready.  We came upstairs so she could brush her teeth and get dressed.  The first thing she said was, "I thought this outfit would be a lot cuter."  I told her it was really cute and guided her to the bathroom.  I fixed her hair and got Jordan and I ready.  After that, I took pictures before heading out.  We even took one on the way.  

Our walk was a lot different today than it was last year.  Most of last year, we were the only ones or one of the few on the side walks.  This year, they cancelled school buses for houses that are within half a mile of the schools.  Lots of students and parents were out.  I tend to walk fast and push my kids along.  It took a minute or two longer than expected.  We still made it to class on time for the first bell.  

Jordan and I walked to pick her up this afternoon.  There were also a lot more parents waiting for the walkers.  She came out with a smile on her face.  She said her teacher is VERY NICE.  She is happy and made a new best friend named Lily.  I think this is going to be a great year.   

Joshua's 9th Birthday

Yesterday, we went to Joshua's 9th birthday party.  It was held at Times Square, which is a family fun center/bowling alley.  Lexi and Jordan were really excited to see his cake because Miss Amy, Joshua's mom, always makes the most creative ones.  She pulled off another winner with the one above.  The kids all had a blast.  They ate pizza and cake.  They bowled a game and a half.  They also got cards to go to the arcade.  

Lexi's favorite part was getting the high score in our lane.  Of course, she was competing against 1 older girl, Jordan, and Samuel (just turned 5).  The gutter guards helped too.  She still got a 78.  I saw that the adults in the lane to our left had similar scores.  Perhaps, they should have asked for gutter guards too.  

Missing Teeth Buddies

A grand event has happened and must be documented.  Lexi, Camden & Kara are all missing their top left tooth.  Fortunately, Camden & Kara's grandparents made a big effort to get them all together today.  Camden's tooth barely made it out in time, with a little help from his dad.  Kara's top right tooth is about to fall out & this occasion would not be the same.  It is amazing that this is all happening together.  Camden & Kara are both 7 1/2 years old, which is a year older than Lexi.  It is extra special to be sharing it with close friends.  Of course, we had to get a picture of the other kids too.  

Toothless smiles

Last Weekday Before School

Lexi and Jordan have had so much fun this summer at the water parks.  They really are at their finest when we are at one of them.  They swim, buddy around, dive, play games, and are the best of friends.  Now, I guess you know why we go so often.  I can't even think of one argument or scuffle they've had at the pools.  Our time at home is a different story.  They have their moments, but swimming causes unsurpassed behavior.    It also wears them out for the rest of the day and helps them sleep better.  I'll truly miss this...

Meet the Teacher

This evening, we had Meet the Teacher.  We got there early to pick-up the school supplies we had ordered in the spring from the PTA.  They packaged it up for each student.  I am so glad that I put in the order because I don't have any money now, it is cheaper through them, and I don't have to run around town looking for everything.  (See the picture of the big box below - that has the required supplies in them.)  While we were standing in line, Lexi admitted to me that she didn't know who her teacher was although she has sworn to me many times that she knew her.  I laughed because it had been obvious.

A few days ago, a letter came in the mail saying we could look it up online.  I found out she has Mrs. Russell.  She said she knew who she was.  I asked her what her teacher looks like.  She told me that she dyes her hair all different colors and that she used to be thin, but she could be fat by now.  Lexi is usually so descriptive; I knew she was making it all up.  I decided to let it go.  After her confession, I admitted that I knew and that it is just better to tell the truth from the beginning.  When you do that, there is no guilty feelings.

Next, we carried the supplies to her class.  Mrs. Russell is an older woman maybe around 55 or 60 years old.  She seems very nice and actually a bit shy or reserved around the parents at least.  I noticed immediately that one of the desks in Lexi's section had the name Kyler on it.  I asked Lexi if that was one of her friends from last year.  She said yes and then he showed up a little later.  He is such a riot.  I hope they don't get in trouble.  Other than that, there weren't any kids from her kindergarten class in there.  She had a lot of "princesses" (aka privileged/spoiled girls) last year, so it is probably a good thing.  We spent the next half hour or so sorting her supplies, writing her name on the stuff that goes in her desk, filling out papers, and setting up her desk.  She is all ready for Monday.

Later, Lexi admitted that she had been nervous about her teacher because of her name.  Instead of Russell, she thought her name was wrestle.  She sounded so tough.  Lexi has quite an imagination.  If anything, I have a feeling her teacher will be too nice.  Maybe Lexi deserves it after her extra tough kindergarten teacher.  Hopefully, he set her up to behave and work hard throughout her academic career.

Rollingwood Pool

This is our last week of having the pools open during the week.  School starts next week and all of the life guards are high school kids.

Choose the Right

Yesterday, I got an e-mail from the Primary President (she oversees the kids programs at church from age 18 months to 12 years old).  She asked the parents to get a picture of our kids when we catch them in the act of Choosing the Right (CTR).  I didn't really know what to take a picture of until this morning.  I wanted to clean the kitchen up.  Lexi grabbed one of her library books and asked Jordan to come sit by her on the couch so she could read to him.  She prefers to read silently, so I know she was doing it to help me.  It was a perfect moment for snapping the picture.  One of these will be in the slide show in our primary program on Oct 21st.    

Dress-Up Playdate

A friend from church asked us to meet them at the pool this morning.  Her husband was out of town and she thought it would be fun to get together.  She has a daughter Lexi's age, a son about 8 months younger than J, and then a 2 year old daughter.  We were there for about 2.5 hours.  The girls begged for a playdate.  Lexi has gone over to their house before, so I volunteered this time.  Lexi & Lauren played with lots of things including costumes.  As you can see, they even got Jordan involved.  He'll do anything for a laugh.  I set up Just Dance on the wii since they looked like they were ready to perform.  

Morning Fun

The sleep over went well.  I think they were all asleep around 10:30 pm.  They had been watching a movie in their sleeping bags on the floor. Once it was over, I turned out the rest of the lights and had them be quiet.  It was a matter of minutes before they were all out.  

I started hearing noises around 6:30 am this morning.  I stayed in my room and listened while they played around until 7:30.  Then I fed them breakfast and they got dressed.  Avery brought her tie dyed t-shirt and jean shorts, so Lexi dressed to match.  They also wanted their hair done the same.  Savannah wasn't interested but wanted to pose too.  I set up the Just Dance game on the Wii.  Their friends have played it a lot at Gram's house (their Grandma).  I took them home about 11 am.  

  

Sleep Over & Split Lip

I promised the kids that we would have a sleep over with our friends when we got back from California.  We had one with their cousins before we left.  School is quickly approaching, so I called and asked them about tonight.  First, we met them and their cousins at the Lake House (water park).  It is always a good idea to get kids worn out before a sleep over.  

When we got back, I started running baths for them.  Camden (7 year old) went into Lexi & Jordan's bath tub.  I put Savannah (5 year old) in my bath tub and Lexi in my glass shower, which is right next to the tub.  I left Avery in that bathroom with them and went down to start dinner.  It was only a few minutes before I heard screaming.  I ran upstairs to find Lexi standing at the top of the stairs covered in blood and completely naked.  There were drips of blood all down the hallway.  I told her to get back in my bathroom, so I could see what the problem was.  It was easy to see it was coming from her mouth.  I started washing it and noticed she just had a split lip.  Poor Avery was shaking with fear.  She made sure to tell me that her mom gets freaked out by these sort of things.  I love that her my gets excited about everything, good and bad.  I happen to stay very calm in these situations, which I probably got from my mom.  My brothers were always getting injured.      

I took a picture of Lexi once she was cleaned up.  Several of the kids wanted to join, so I took pictures of them too.  Savannah must have liked Lexi's up the nose pose, because she kept doing it.  I even got 2 of the neighbor kids in since they showed up as we were taking shots.  The only one left out was Jordan.  He was upstairs.    

New Water Park

While we were in California, our HOA opened a new water park.  We were very excited to give it a try today.  It has two big slides that dump into a pool.  It also has a play feature in the pool area.  It was a big hit and the kids got nice & tired.  

Sugar & Spice Girl Spa

One of Lexi's friends from kindergarten had her birthday party today.  It was at Sugar & Spice, which is a spa for little girls.  Lexi has been wanting to go there, so this was very exciting for her.  She has also been anxiously waiting for school to start and couldn't wait to see her old friends, many of whom will be at the new school next year.  Jordan and I dropped her off and walked around the shopping center.  

They painted their fingernails, put make-up on them, styled their hair, dressed them as princesses, had them each get up on stage for a fashion show, and fed them pizza & cake.  The most exciting part was riding around in the pink & white limo at the end of the party.  What a fun girly event.