Rylie's a Kindergartener!

 

She started school this morning,

And she seemed so very small.

As I walked there beside her

In the Kindergarten hall.

And as she took her place beside

the others in the class,

I realized how all too soon

Those first few years can pass.

Remembering, I saw her as

She first learned how to walk.

The words that we alone made out

When she began to talk.

This little girl so much absorbed

In learning how to write.

It seems as though she must have grown

To girlhood overnight.

My eyes were blurred by hastily

I brushed the tears away

Lest by some word or sign of mine

I mar her first big day.

Oh how I longed to stay with her

And keep her by the hand

To lead her through the places

That she couldn’t understand.

And something closely kin to fear

Was mingled with my pride.

I knew she would no longer be

A baby by my side.

But she must have her chance to live,

To work her problems out,

The privilege to grow and learn

What life is all about.

And I must share my little girl

With friends and work and play;

She’s not a baby anymore –

She’s in Kindergarten today.

 

Oh, this poem makes me cry every time I read it! It's hard to take it all in at school, but I tried just to take a minute of watching her settle in her new classroom and I was so torn to be excited and sad for my baby girl is growing up!

Rylie with her teachers...Ms. Strawn and Ms. Reynolds!

We got to see each other several times, throughout the day, in the hallway and lunchroom! She was such a good girl with her little wave and big ol' grin!

 

She said the favorite part of her day was playing with playdogh!

 

Katie's A 2nd Grader!

She's such a big girl and just excited...not so much scared as she starts 2nd grade!

 Mrs. Harrell is the greatest!

Katie and her best buddy, Aubree!

It was a good day for Katie Mae!

Being right across the hall from Katie's homeroom is pretty awesome! Looking over and seeing her cute face and sweet smile is very special!

She said the best part of her day was everything!!

The Night Before School!

The night before the first day of school is always so exciting!

The girls have already picked out their clothes for the week, decided on what they will have for lunch tomorrow, played Guess Who and Yahtzee, had a bath, had their fingernails painted, brushed their teeth and now are lying down for bed!

 Rylie and I read "The Night Before Kindergarten"!

The first page said:

"'Twas the night before kindergarten,

and as they prepared,

kids were excited

and a little bit scared."

She said with a big grin and pointing to her chest "that's how I feel."

 

Then, we got to the page that it said:

"The teacher then greeted

each one with a smile,

and invited the students

to stay for a while."

She said "and I have a really sweet teacher!"

 Katie and I read "Get Ready for Second Grade, Amber Brown"

She couldn't get a grin off her face the whole time, I guess thinking of all the things she'll do in 2nd grade! She enjoyed the book and likes how independent Amber Brown is and doesn't let other people dictate how she feels about things!

We sang songs (Daddy joined us for that) and said "Sweet Dreams'!

Happy Birthday Dad!

We enjoyed our annual Birthday Breakfast for Dad this morning!

We love you, Dad!

Happy Birthday, Preslee!

Katie went to a slumber party birthday party for Preslee last night!

They had a great time, I hear, from the stories Katie has to tell.

They went to see Ice Age, had present and cake time, did spa treatment, watched movies and I'm sure there was lots of giggling...

 

 

 

 

 

It looks like a perfect birthday party! Happy Birthday Preslee!

Grandmother Time!

It was such a pleasant morning yesterday with MamaJan and Grandmother...

 Everyone listening to Grandmother talk about hair cuts...as it turns out MaMa (my great-grandmother, whom Katie Mae is named after) had a "bob" haircut similar to Katie's when she was in her twenties! Katie thought this was very cool!

 Rylie's gotta help Grandmother water!

Then off to lunch together!

Meet The Teacher Night!

Thursday night was Meet The Teacher Night!

 This is Rylie's kindergarten classroom! Her teacher, Ms. Strawn, and Katie her helping her put her supplies away.

 She's got her cut crayon box to put in her cubby...number 13!

 

 Her sweet sweet teacher, Ms. Strawn and her sweet sweet student teacher, Ms. Reynolds!

She is going to have the absolute best year!

 We popped down to MamaJan's classroom in 3rd Grade (yay!!! she's with us now) before heading back to my room to meet kiddos and parents!

 My kindergarten baby and 2nd grade baby!

 Katie, in her reading center in her classroom...doesn't that look so comfy!

Katie her amazing teacher, Mrs. Harrell!

We love her already!

Katie will actually have 3 teachers this year...one for Reading, Math and Social Studies/Science; this means I will be her Math teacher!! We have new ground to cover, but we're both excited!