The First Day of School - Going Back in Person!

Last week, on Tuesday, September 8th, our kids headed back to school in person! If you read this post, you know the decision to send them was practically impossible to make, but we decided to give it a try. We are almost two weeks in, and so far so good. My kids were so excited to go back, and they actually enjoy going to school each day!

This year, we had two big changes. Dylan decided to go back to public school instead of continuing with cyber school. He missed high school a lot more than he expected he would! This is the first year that Lily and Liam are in the same building, and it won't happen again until Lily is in 11th grade and Liam is in 9th grade. Lily is so excited to be in the same school as her baby brother!

We're nearing the end of week two, and we're finally getting into a routine. It was a big adjustment after being home almost 24/7. I don't think any of us will ever take school for granted again. Dylan, Lexie, and Lily said it isn't even that bad wearing a mask all day. I think they're just really happy to get that small bit of normal back into their lives! (I absolutely agree!)

School's Out for the Summer - The Last Week of the School Year

School's out for the Summer! Dylan, Lexie, Lily, and Liam had their last day of school on Friday. They are now joining me and baby Coen at home until September 9th. The last week of the school year was a busy one, and although the last day of school was bittersweet, my crew is excited about the Summer ahead!

This past week included a fun event in our little town, a school kindness celebration, middle school graduation and a dance, an 8th Grade class trip to Cedar Point, Liam's annual eye exam, an oil change and car shopping, Lily's last dance class, the last day of school, a baseball game, sleepovers, and fireworks. I wish we had a lazy week ahead of us, but Lexie was asked to represent the school's STEAM program during the school board meeting tonight, Lily has a practice for the dance recital finale tomorrow, the dance recital rehearsal is on Thursday, Liam has an early baseball game on Saturday, and Father's Day and the dance recital is on Sunday. Gone are those lazy Summer days!

We are only four days into Summer Break and I can tell it's going to be a busy one! Kids are entering and leaving our house in a continuous loop for sleepovers/playdates. Did I also mention that Coen is rolling over EVERY time I put him down to sleep, then gets angry and starts screaming? Sleep just isn't happening for either of us! So many moms say that Summer is actually busier than the school year, and that seems to be the case this year.

Here's a glimpse at the last week of 8th Grade, 6th Grade, 2nd Grade, and Kindergarten..

The First Day of Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 6th Grade, and 8th Grade

I'm back!!! After a nearly 3 week break from blogging, I figured it was time to get back to work. Over the course of those 19 days, we had a lovely family vacation at Myrtle Beach, and as soon as we returned home, it was time to go back to school. There was something else keeping me away, too, which I will be sharing soon. I'm going to kick off my return with a recap of a big day for my crew: The First Day of Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 6th Grade, and 8th Grade!

Although I missed blogging, I have to admit that the break was nice. I loved being able to focus on just my family! I have so much content lined up over the next few weeks, so I'm hitting the ground running today. I'm going to ease into it with one of the biggest changes for our family this year...sending all four of our children to the same school district, and having weekday mornings all to myself!

The past week was exhausting, but the school year is off to a great start! Although I was very nervous about the transition, Liam is THRIVING in Kindergarten. Lily moved to a new building, Lexie is in her last year of "elementary school" and Dylan will be heading to high school next year. All four of my kids are in different schools, so I'm adjusting to the new normal of juggling even more chaos! Back to school is always one of the busiest times of the year!

School's Out For The Summer!

The 2014-2015 school year was officially the fastest school year ever!

It's hard to believe, but...school's out for the summer!  Dylan and Lexie's last day of 4th and 2nd grade was on Friday!



I was full of emotions on Thursday night.  The year just went by so quickly, and my kids are growing up TOO fast. Dylan and Lexie had a great year, and they were blessed with two amazing teachers.  Oh, how I wish they could teach them through their entire school careers!  It's difficult to say goodbye to somebody you fully trust with your children and to face the unknown of the year ahead.  I know Dylan and Lexie were feeling the same way!



Dylan had a great year in 4th grade!  I could see his confidence build even more this year, and he LOVED  school.  He is such a polite, loving boy, and his teachers always reminded me of just how sweet he was every time I saw them! Friday was his very last day as a student at the elementary school.  His three years in the elementary school seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. Next year, he's moving up to the 5th and 6th Grade building.  How is my baby old enough to go to 5th grade already?!?



This was the year Lexie fell in love with school!  She didn't want to miss a day, even when she wasn't feeling her best.  There were several days when I offered to let her stay home and she refused!  She loved her teacher, and she loved her classmates.  She worked hard, and had a great year!  2nd Grade was a hit!  (Just for the record, Lexie actually asked if I could drop her off at school tomorrow, so she could help her teacher pack up the classroom! Say what?!?)



Just for fun, here are some first day/last day comparison pictures!  They didn't change too much!





Dylan and Lexie had a difficult time saying goodbye to their teachers and friends on Friday.  I think Dylan is having the most difficult time because he knows he won't see any of his favorite teachers next year. He'll be in unfamiliar territory and he said he's going to miss the building and the entire staff. Growing up can be really hard at times!

Even though they both admitted they were sad the year was over, I have a feeling they're going to have a great summer!!!


 

The First Day

Well, it happened.  Summer came to an end, and the school year arrived!  I swear, this was the fastest summer EVER!

We were sad to see it end, but it was time to go back.  Dylan and Lexie were so excited this morning!  A new year is ahead of them, and it's going to be a great one!



















These two are growing up too fast!  They are very close, and even though they bicker, they love each other very much.  They have been together from the very FIRST day of school!

Dylan's First Day of  Pre-K




Dylan's First Day of Kindergarten




Lexie's First Day of Pre-K and Dylan's First Day of 1st Grade





Lexie's First Day of Kindergarten and Dylan's First Day of 2nd Grade





Lexie's First Day of 1st Grade and Dylan's First Day of 3rd Grade





2nd Grade and 4th Grade, here they come!!!

The Last Day

We are officially on summer vacation!

Dylan and Lexie had their last day of school on Friday.  It's hard to believe that the school year already came to an end.  Their year in Kindergarten and 2nd Grade flew by!

The night before their last day,  they were super excited!




They were just as excited when they woke up that morning!



Before we knew it, it was time for them to go to their last day of Kindergarten and 2nd Grade!



 







After that quick photo session, the bus rounded the corner, and off to school they went!

A few hours later, I picked up my Kindergarten graduate!





What better way to celebrate the last day of school than a playdate with friends at McDonald's?




After our playdate, Dylan arrived home from school.




And just like that, I had a 1st Grader and a 3rd Grader!

Dylan and Lexie immediately commented about how they would really miss their teachers and friends, but I think they're very excited for summer!  I admit, I am, too!

We didn't really have a chance to relax at all!  Within an hour of getting home, Dylan had a baseball practice and game!  My great-niece came along to play with Lexie and my sister and 2 of my nephews came to watch the game.





We made sure to kick off summer after the game!  We all headed to Dairy Queen for a delicious treat.  With that, summer was in full swing!

It's amazing how much they have grown in 9 short months!


 



In 3 even shorter months, I'll be sending them off to school again.  This time, Lexie will be gone all day, too.  Watching them grow is bittersweet.  I'm going to treasure this summer with them!

Congratulations on a great year in school, Dylan and Lexie!  You both made us so proud!  Enjoy your summer!!!