First Day of School

1st day of school! I can't believe Ashton is old enough to be in Kindergarten. He was so ready and very excited. I still think elementary school is 2 hours too long - but he loves it so I wont complain! Also, this year both girls are in the same preschool Ashton went to last year.Through a series of very fortunate events and Ashton's preschool teacher last year the girls both got in the free AM preschool on post. I hadn't originally planned on putting Mallie in preschool at all but it has worked out perfectly and Mallie loves it. So I feel blessed that the Lord worked it out just perfectly and I am enjoying this time because I know having only 1 child home during the year may not happen again for another 5 years.

Mallie - 3 yrs old - preschool

Hannah - 4 yrs old - preschool

Ashton - 5 yrs old - Kindergarten

His awesome goose egg is from a bike crash. He was wearing a helmet but it wasn't tight enough and bam. It's a cool battle wound and at least he's young enough not to care what he looks like the first day of school.



Morning picture with Daddy

So we're 3 days into this school thing and all the kids are happy. I'm super productive for 3 hours with only Lucy and I love it. I had no idea I'd become such a huge fan of preschool but both girls are thriving and by 11:30 I get them back and don't have to stress about doing enough crafts from pinterest with to make them feel like we're doing school at home.

Ashton came home the first day of school ate his cookies and told me everything. It was one of those mothering moments I've been waiting for forever. He was wondering why I was taking pictures of him as he was talking.

Also, that same day we finished his reading book. We started it in November right after he turned 5 with the goal to finish before he started Kindergarten. We did it! He can read now and I feel super accomplished that I taught him myself with this awesome book. He doesn't love to read yet but I am glad I'm sending him to kindergarten without having to worry about having him memorize the lame lists of sight words that I think are a complete waste of time. So now Hannah has started the book and loves it. So we're pretty happy with the results of just 10 minutes a day!

 

So all in all I didn't bawl my eyes out when he started kindergarten. He's so old and independent that I didn't worry for a second. Mostly, I'm just fiercely concerned he has a good experience and loves learning. Here's to a new phase of life and school aged kids!

Lucy turns 1!

On the 19th Lucy turned 1! I know I've said it a million times but she is the best baby ever. She loves everyone, has zero stranger anxiety and puts up with a lot from her older siblings.

For her first birthday we were going to go to the pool but it was closed so we headed to the splash park.

We could hardly keep her still for a picture.

There we go. Do you love her ears? I do!

Then we had Ben and Emily up for dinner and cake.

She was concerned at first but then wrinkled her nose as all the kids gathered round and sang to her.

So while I was cutting up cake Hannah decided to try and give Lucy her first bite... on a fork.. and then scratched her under her right eye. So she cried for a few minutes before she even had a bite.

But then she was all about it for a few seconds. Just long enough to take a picture and then she was done.

Lucy at 1 year is 18 lbs and is just getting brave enough to take a step on her own. She sleeps 12 hours every night. She gets call LuLu and Goosey. Her favorite places are Mallie's bed and crawling around the sectional. And she digs her head into her muslin blankets as soon as she is tired. She never loses control or becomes inconsolable when it's naptime and I so love that about our 4th baby. She is carted everywhere and is just happy to go along for the ride. She only says Mama and Dada but loves to chase her siblings around. We love this little girl and are so glad she is ours!