first day of school

Dear Summer. We miss you. You were good to us. We had late nights, fun vacations and too many pool baths to count. But we're super excited about the new school year.

This year's theme is the Greatest School on Earth. The school is decorated in the cutest circus theme, all of the teachers are "ringleaders" and they even had a dog act come in on the first day.

Addison is already talking about how she's going to do her homework in extended day so she can be done by the time she gets home. She'll get to change classes this year for Language Arts and she'll start the gifted program soon. She's so excited to be a third grader.

It took me four days to realize that I still thought Morgan was a Kindergartner when I looked at the time on the orientation sheet. Good thing I figured that out before showing up at the school two hours early. First grade is certainly going to be different for Morgan. I think she's in for a shock. There's a huge difference compared to Kindergarten, but I think she can handle it.

These sweet girls. I love them with my whole heart. 

And so does their daddy.

P.S. I know my hair looks rough. I had requests for braids and fishtails and curls that morning so I barely had time to blow dry my own. And Florida humidity. It was in a bun by the end of the day.

I drove them both to school and we had our annual car dance party. This year our song was this:

Velcro by Clairity

You can always count on Ms. KK to go big. She doesn't disappoint.

Getting acquainted with their new real estate.

Bring it on 1st and 3rd grade. We're looking forward to a fun year "Under the Big Top".

last day of school

The entire last week of school was themed and the last day paid tribute to the entire year. The kids were asked to dress up as their favorite Wizard of Oz character. Here's our take on Dorothy and Glinda the good witch.

 Fancy wedges are only allowed on the last day of school.

These girls. It's amazing how much they've grown up in the last year. They learned so much and had such a fun time doing it. We're all looking forward to 1st and 3rd grade!

addison's award day

Second grade is so different. The subjects get a lot harder and the homework more intense. But she tackled everything this past year and excelled. She made straight A's and even wrote an opinion piece that some third grade teachers are using as an example for what you'll learn in third grade. She reads a ton of chapter books and likes to research subjects on the internet. She's a smart girl, just like her momma.

The class all voted for superlatives. Addison was picked as the most passionate to teach. I can totally see this.

Addison and her wonderful teachers. We were so excited to have Mrs. Lyons again this year. These are two pretty special teachers and I'm crossing my fingers that Morgan will get them in second grade.

 After awards she did a quick change for field day.

 My official third grader. Man time flies.

art night

The end of school crept up on us and it was a whirlwind of fun activities. There was the art night where the kids were able to do lots of crafts and show off some of their work from the school year. Morgan showed us her caterpillar and her cat.

Addison showed us her owl that she made.

 Then they each spent so time working on some crafts.

They both think they want to be artist and authors when they grow up. I think they want to be doctors and lawyers, but they don't know that yet.

Addison turns 8

I really can't believe that it's been 8 years since I became a mom. She's so much like me that it's crazy and scary at the same time. She's wise beyond her years and smarter than her own good. She's sensitive and sweet, but full of attitude. But it's her good heart and soul that makes me find myself rubbing her head and kissing her cheeks each night.

Just like years passed, the day starts with a room full of balloons and presents. This year she asked for a foot spa. Easy enough. She'll use it, I'll use it and we'll all be happy.

Then we headed out for our birthday breakfast at Chick-fil-a. This time she let Morgan go with us. Only because it wasn't testing week at school and I was able to do a birthday treat in her class this year.

Speaking of treat, this one was special. She kept asking me if her name was going to be on the sign in front of her school and I blew her off for a week. She was pretty excited to see it when we pulled in that morning.

 An even better treat was this.

I didn't want to do a big party. We were planning a trip to Disney to celebrate birthdays and I just didn't want to. I had this brilliant idea to let her have 3 friends spend the night, that way the numbers were even. Oh man. I had no idea. First there was dinner.

 Then some arts and crafts.

Then lots of swimming and hot tubing. Yes, I got in. With my clothes on.

And you can't forget my favorite part...the cupcakes!

I'm glad I decided to do the sleepover. These girls are such great friends and I hope it stays like that for a really long time. It's important to have good friends in your life.

Happy Birthday sweet girl! I hope all your wishes come true.

I love you!

-Mommy