The First Day of School 2017

We wished Summer wouldn't come to an end, but before we knew it, the first day of school had arrived! Dylan, Lexie and Lily have been back in school for almost two weeks, and Liam's first day was yesterday. This year, we have a 7th Grader, 5th Grader, 1st Grader and preschooler, and this mama can't figure out HOW her kids grew up so fast!

This year brought so many changes for Dylan, Lexie and Lily. Surprisingly, they adjusted well to all the changes. I can't honestly say that I love our new normal, but it's a work in progress!

Dylan started 7th Grade this year, which just seems crazy to even say. We both have to wake up over a full hour earlier than everyone else, while it's still dark outside. My alarm goes off at 6, his alarm goes off at 6:15, and he's on the bus by 6:40. He hasn't complained, and seems to like the independence of middle school, and all of his teachers and classes!

Lexie started 5th Grade, and she moved to a new building. In our district, the 5th and 6th graders get moved into a larger school that is run very much like a mini-middle school. I personally feel like it forces our kids to grow up too quickly, but it is what it is. Lexie loves school, though, and she loves her teachers this year, so that definitely helps!

My sweet Lily started 1st Grade, so she is officially in school all day long. I'm not going to lie. I miss the afternoons we spent together! That transition was tough for the first few days for Dylan and Lexie at that age, but it hasn't even fazed Lily. Even though she's the youngest in her class again, she adjusted beautifully!

{Lily's Outfit - The Hair Bow Company}

Liam is the only one who didn't experience many changes! His routine for Pre-K is nearly identical to his first year of preschool. He is attending the same preschool, is in the same classroom, has the same schedule, and has the same assistant teacher and therapists. His amazing teacher moved to another school, unfortunately, so he has a new teacher this year, and a few new classmates.  He has a year of hard work ahead of him preparing for Kindergarten next Fall! (Hold me!)

{Liam's Outfit - Babies R Us}

As for me, my days are chaotic! I wake up at 6, wake Dylan up at 6:15, watch him get on the bus at 6:40, work for a half hour, wake the girls up at 7:15, take them to the bus stop around 7:55, work for another half hour, get ready for the day, then work until Liam wakes up. After he plays for a bit, we go for a run and tackle necessary errands or appointments. Liam starts school at 12:30, so I have to drive him. Since he just started yesterday, today will be the first day in my entire (almost) 13 years of parenthood that I will be without a child in the afternoon. It's definitely strange! I plan on working as much as possible while he is at school!

Dylan gets home from school at 2:45, just as I have to leave to pick Liam up from preschool. A half hour after we arrive home, the bus drops the girls off. Then we are thrown into a flurry of homework, studying, packing lunches, choosing clothes for the next day, and going to activities. I am EXHAUSTED. I still can't fall asleep until 1 AM, then naturally wake up at 5:30 each morning. A wave of exhaustion hits around 1 PM, but I can't do anything about it!

Our new normal is exhausting and busy, but everybody seems to be adjusting well so far! The kids were blessed with great teachers this year, and every parent knows that makes all the difference. We are officially 9 days into the school year, and I'm already drowning in paperwork and desperately trying to juggle 5 busy schedules!

The first day of school was on Thursday, August 24th. It was a week earlier than when they usually start, and earlier than many of the surrounding school districts. The only perk is school ending in May, as long as they don't have snow days to make up!

Our back to school traditions are the same every year! I always decorate the living room with a back to school banner and a first day of school wreath, so they wake up to a festive morning. We usually have donuts for breakfast, which is their favorite special treat, and a favorite dinner. And we always do a mini photoshoot on the first day of school! I take pictures of them holding their Back To School chalkboards just before they get on the bus, then take a few more pictures when they get home.

Here is a glimpse of Dylan, Lexie, Lily and Liam's first day of school:

DYLAN
AGE: 12
GRADE: 7
SCHOOL: Middle School
TEACHER(S): Too many to list!
FAVORITE SUBJECT: Social Studies/History
SPORTS/ACTIVITIES: Basketball and Chorus

ALEXANDRIA
AGE:10
GRADE: 5
SCHOOL: Centennial School
TEACHER(S): Mrs. Madigan and Ms. VanIddekinge (I had to ask for help for that one!)
FAVORITE SUBJECT: Science
SPORTS/ACTIVITIES: Soccer, Band (flute), and Chorus

LILIANA
AGE: 6
GRADE: 1
SCHOOL: Primary Center
TEACHER(S): Mrs. Wright
FAVORITE SUBJECT: Math
SPORTS/ACTIVITIES: Ballet, Jazz and Acro

LIAM
AGE: 4
GRADE: Pre-K
SCHOOL: MIU
TEACHER(S): Ms. Tracy (Bellis)
FAVORITE LEARNING ACTIVITY: Reading
SPORTS/ACTIVITIES: Destroying the house in 5 seconds

School is off to a busy, but great start! Here's to a wonderful school year for all four of my kids!

Have your kids started school yet?

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School's Out For The Summer

It always amazes me how quickly kids change in nine short months.  It isn't really evident until you compare the first day of school pictures to the last day of school pictures!

A little over nine months ago, Dylan started third grade and Lexie started first grade.  They were nervous, excited, and oh so young.



Today was their last day of the school year.  Today, they looked so much older than they did on that  sunny morning nine months ago.



They both greeted the day with big smiles.  Even while they were trying to wake up, I could see the excitement in their eyes.



We headed down to the bus stop a few minutes early to take some pictures before the bus arrived.







They hopped on the bus, eager to give out thank you cards and gift cards to their awesome bus driver and awesome teachers. They were looking forward to a day full of performances (Lexie) and movies (Dylan).

I was waiting with my camera when the bus pulled up after school. The kids on the bus were so excited. Dylan climbed down the steps, and kids shouted out goodbyes behind him.  He had a huge smile on his face.  Lexie followed behind, with a pout on her face.  She immediately burst into tears and ran into the house.  It turns out she broke a flower off her shoe, and really really really missed her teacher and her friends.  She must be one of the few kids who is sad to see school end!  She finally cheered up and started to get excited about the summer ahead of her.

Dylan and Lexie learned so much this year.  They matured and became more confident. They worked hard and earned great grades.  Dylan is now reading at a 5th grade level and Lexie is very close to a 3rd grade level. I credit Lexie's teacher for that.  Dylan had her, as well, and she really pushed reading.  I will always have a special place in my heart for her.  She took good care of my sweet kids and pushed them to succeed!

Dylan and Lexie had a great year in school, and I am so proud of how far they have come!












It's hard to believe that they will be going to 2nd and 4th grade in 3 short months!



We celebrated the end of a successful school year with a trip to Dairy Queen for dinner!  Kids choice!



It was hard to say goodbye to their friends and their wonderful teachers, but they are looking forward to a fun summer break!

School Days

The past 2 weeks have been an absolute whirlwind! 

We desperately tried to cram in the last few days of summer fun.  I reached my 37th week of pregnancy, and went into early labor that evening.  Our sweet boy arrived 2 days later, and we received some very unexpected news in the delivery room.  Once home, we were thrown into life with 4 kids.  There was no time to rest, because we had to get Dylan and Lexie ready for the school year.  We had daily visitors, one last summer party with our friends, and then it was time...

We sadly said goodbye to summer break, and got ready for the first day of school.  I am probably the only mom who didn't want her kids to go back.  I love having them home with me!

I was so worried about being in the hospital on Dylan and Lexie's first day of school.  I'm so thankful Liam cooperated, and came early!  I just had to be home for such a big day!

Surprisingly, the kids were up early on the first day.  I heard Lily and Lexie chatting in their room at 6 AM, even though we didn't get out of bed until 7.  Dylan and Lexie were cheerful and excited!

Lexie had to start out her day with some Liam snuggles.  She has become a little mommy to him!



Dylan was dressed and ready to go, complete with his new hoodie, within minutes.



Lily helped me prepare a special pancake breakfast while all this was going on!



The big kids crowded around the table to have their special first day of school breakfast.



The moment I had been dreading quickly arrived.  It was time to send off my big kids to first and third grade!







Each year, this day gets harder.  The kids are another year older and another year closer to being adults.  I know that's the point of raising kids, but it breaks my heart to let them go!  This year was even more difficult, thanks to the fact that Lexie was going to be gone all day and thanks to all the postpartum hormones coursing through my body!

 


The bus drove down the street toward us, and I just wanted to shoo the kids back inside.  Instead, I watched as they climbed those big steps and took their seats.  I clutched my newborn to my chest, held back a crying Lily who tried to get on the bus with her big brother and sister, and blinked back my tears as I waved goodbye to them. 

As the bus pulled away, I turned around and let the tears flow. 

Luckily, I had an adorable toddler to chase around and a precious baby to snuggle. 






By the end of the afternoon, my entire house was spotless and I was ready for my babies to come home!  My parents stopped by to greet them as they climbed off the bus.  I think they were more excited to see their baby brother!




We had a quick back-to-school photo shoot right after they got home.




Lily did not want to be left out of that one!  Not yet, baby girl!  Not yet!



The kids were happy to be home!  They were exhausted after their long day, but also very eager to fill us in on everything that happened.

I pray Dylan and Lexie have a great, happy, healthy, safe year!  My babies are growing up too fast!!!