first day, FIRST grade

Big day for our sweet Emma Caroline today and we are so thankful that it was a perfect day.

 

 

So hard to believe that the little girl that made me a Mommy headed off to FIRST grade this morning.  She was beyond excited and jumped out of bed on her own at 5:45 thrilled about what the day had in store for her.

 

I asked her how she felt and this was the face I got, love it.  She picked out her outfit, hair bow and shoes last night so we could have plenty of time this morning.  The days are gone of me choosing her clothes, she is a diva to the 10th power with a very strong opinion and as picky as they come (her Daddy likes to remind me that I created this!).

The first day of school and rain made for about an hour drop off/walk in for us, but we enjoyed every second of it with our big FIRST grader.  Notice the messenger bag, she had me search high and low for a leopard and pink one.

 

As we walked her in we stopped one last time to pray outside of her classroom and tell her how much we loved her.  Curtis and I walked away so proud of her courage, confidence and character this morning.  We could not stop talking about how easy she has made life for us and what a JOY it is to be her parents. 

 

Of course she was most excited about getting to school and seeing her best friend, Ellie.  So thankful that our paths crossed with this sweet family and that these two have each other again this school year.  When they found out they were in class again this year, they squealed out of control.  Their little eyes just light up when they see one another. 

So thankful for days like today and so proud of our big girl.  I hope her love for learning never stops, she loves every single thing about school.

Emma Lou, great things are in store for you this year kiddo.  No doubt God is going to promote you in every area of your little life, he loves you beyond comprehension and so do we!  Thank you for making your first day of school so wonderful for all of us.

Company Party

Last night Emma attended her first Company party at the dance studio from 7-10 and this girl had a blast.  The night consisted of games, secret sister reveal, pajamas, dinner, snacks, dancing and getting to know all the girls who made the competition team for 2013-2014.  These instructors know how to throw a fun party!

 

 

Most of the girls that will be dancing this year are included in this picture, but it was hard to squeeze them all in.  Talk about a super sweet set of girls and families, you are looking at them.  I can not imagine a better group to have my daughter surrounded by, great role models and peers.  Emma has danced with some of these girls since she was 3 years old, but some are new friends and she is so excited about them all. 

The girls were asked to lay flat on their stomachs, arms out and eyes closed.  Each of them had a straw placed in their hand that was a different color and size.  When Mrs. Rachel yelled, "Go" they all had to get up and run around the room to find the girl who had the matching straw, this would be their big/little sister for the competition season.  Emma and Amanda finally found each other and it was the cutest thing ever.  Emma can't stop talking about how much she has in common with her BIG SISTER at dance.  Amanda is a 5th grader and will be someone that Emma looks up to all year long.  Just so happens her Mommy is Gavin's PreK 4 teacher this year, small world.

Emma is thrilled about dance this year and has a heavy load at the studio on top of swimming with her year around team.  She is going to try and balance it all and I am going to continue to pray for our "want to be involved in everything" child.   It is going to be hard work for her, but she is up to the challenge.

Meet the Teacher 2013

We have spent the month of August getting ready to head back to school and talking about new routines, meeting new friends and teachers.

 

 

Always seems to help our kids get back in the swing of things and the first days much easier.  The mantle has been decorated with Emma's school colors and all the things that remind us that, "school is cool".

 

This evening we got to redeem our golden ticket and meet the teacher.  Emma had been looking forward to this for weeks.  

 

On the way to the school she told me she needed to talk to me about something, but she did not want me to be upset.  Of course I gave her my usual, you can talk to me about anything speech.  She proceeded to say, "Mom, can you please tell my teacher that I want to go by Caroline this year not Emma?"  I asked her if she would be fine with Emma Caroline and she said, "no Mom, just Caroline." 

 

 

Once again God has blessed us with an amazing teacher, Mrs. Kohler which just happens to be best friends with Emma's Kindergarten teacher.  We were thrilled that Emma got Mrs. Kohler this year and that sweet Ellie, Jackson and Dylan were in her class from last year. Looks like 2013-2014 is going to be another year filled with academic excellence for our girl. 

Cousin Camp 2013

We pulled off another surprise for these kiddos with cousin camp this year.  This year we decided to rent a cabin and head to a camp ground.  



 

After some Mexican food we pulled up to Yogi Bear park, the kids were a little unsure about where we had brought them (they are a little spoiled to Hotels, so am I).

 

Did not take us long to hit the campground, get checked into our cabin and make our way to the pools for some fun.

Nana surprised the kids by renting this golf cart and thank goodness she did.  Nana and the kids had a blast decorating it for the parade at night.

After a long day of fun in the sun, so thankful these four are the best of friends and get along so well. Nana treated us all to ice cream every evening, yummy!

 

Gavin was such a trooper and joined us on the big water slides this year.  I must admit that the big blue and yellow one scared me and my SIL to death, I was airborne for about half the ride (NEVER again!)

 

 

I can not even begin to tell you how much my little boy LOVES his big cousin Hunter, he is completely crazy about him!

 

These kiddos had a blast on all of the water slides, in the lazy river, on the golf cart, playing putt putt, at the pancake breakfast, having talent shows, sleeping in the loft, playing on the playground and on the campground.  

 

So thankful for this weekend, our family and that we continue to the tradition of cousin camp year after year.

Look what's missing

On the way to cousin camp today a little girl decided to pull her 5th tooth in the car and Nana was completly disqusted.

Her tooth had been loose, but her bestie Ellie accidently kicked her at the swimming pool yesterday and made it looser.  Emma decided to start yanking on it in the car and eventually go it out, we were laughing hysterically at Nana's reaction.  Daddy loves to tell her that she is our little Jack-O-Lantern now.  

Kate, Emma and Ellie

 

Sweet friendships make summer so much fun!