Last day of Fourth Grade

Natalie, this is your last day of Fourth Grade.  Our mornings are always so hectic trying to get out the door on time, but when I drop you off we always say "I love you" to each other and blow a kiss before you start your school day.

This morning you woke up so early, and had so much energy.  We butted heads about your playing piano at 6am  but you were so sweet and patient with me my mood quickly improved.  You happily posed for these silly pictures your mom wanted to take and even agreed to change your shirt so I could get my "after" shot.

I am very proud of the young lady you are becoming.  You are very smart and oh so sweet.  You are growing up much too quickly.  In just a few months we will be celebrating your 10th birthday.  I can't wait to see what the next ten years of your life are like being your mom.

You make me so happy!  I love you to the moon and back!

Mom

First and Last Day of 2010-2011

Today was the last day of school for the girls.  Kaitlin's is now officially a high-schooler and my "baby" little girl is going to third grade!

I have been doing a side by side comparisons of Natalie's first and last day of school since she started Kindergarten (You can see here 2008-2009 and 2009-2010) and every time, when summer comes around, I'm still always shocked at how much she has changed.

I love how you can really see how she has grown not only physically (notice the folded pants) but also emotionally.  In the First Day Picture she looks a little shy and hesitant and in the Last Day Picture you can see how much more confidence she is displaying.

Kaitlin also had an amazing year!  She turned into a full fledged teenager seemingly overnight.  

Sometimes I want the train of life to slow down a little and let me enjoy them at each stage a little bit longer.  But there is no stopping them [grin], so there is no choice but to keep moving onto the next adventure.

First and Last

Today was the girl's last day of school. I know everybody says the same thing, but wow! It really just flew by! Both girls had a great school year and grew a lot, not only academically, but also physically and spiritually. I am so proud of both of them

Kaitlin came out of her shell a little bit more, took more risks socially. Academically she did great! She kept motivated to do her best without any prompts from us. Her teacher Mrs. P and her aides did a wonderful job understanding Kaitlin’s personality and connecting with her. I am so thankful for them!



Natalie’s teacher Mrs. C prepared a cute little program for the parents today. I am glad that both Joel and I were able to attend. Natalie’s face just lit up when she came into the room and saw us both there. I was mortified to find myself tearing up while listening to them sing. I had to get up and pretend I was taking pictures from the back just to get myself under control. The kids all looked so cute, and so grown up compared to the beginning of the school year, I just could not help but feel a little sad that Natalie is growing up so quickly; my little baby, the youngest in her class, standing in the last of three rows of kids because she is also one of the tallest. Sometimes I wish I could freeze time.

I dressed her this morning in the same outfit she wore the first day of school. I took a picture of her by the school entrance in about the same spot as the one I had taken at the beginning of the year. When you put them side by side, you can see how much she has grown.





Let the summer fun begin!

First Day of School

Well, our summer has officially come to an end. Today the girls started school. Both girls were excited, Natalie kept saying, I can't believe I'm going to go to Kaitlin's school.

I'm so glad it worked out that way! We had registered her already at the public school because she missed the birthdate cut off by three weeks, but at the last minute I decided to push a little more aggressively and asked the school officials to consider accepting her even though she was a little younger, and they did!

Kaitlin has mixed feelings about having her little sister in the same school, she is afraid she is going to "embarrass" her, but at the same time she is happy Natalie can have the same Kindergarten teacher she had. Personally, I know Kaitlin will take good care of her little sister, and I feel better knowing she is there in case Natalie needs her.

Here are some of the obligatory first day pictures. Did you notice that I got the girls outfits that would coordinate with their backpacks? That was totally intentional! Now you all have proof of my obsessive compulsions.