Back to School for Bear

On Monday, Bear started back to preschool after having the summer off! He's back at a local church preschool in a 5 day/week, 3 year old class!

Bear's "Oh no, is it really time to go back to school" face

Then his "Just kidding - I am SOOO excited to go to school!" face.

And finally, my precious "Momma's sweet little boy" face

More first day silliness!

Daddy's office is right in front of Bear's school - he had an early meeting, but surprised us for a quick back to school hug and picture

We are 1 week in and Bear is loving every minute of school! He doesn't have a hard time going into his class and his favorite part of his day is getting to play cars and outside with his friends! I had planned on him just going 3 days/week again this year, but with some changes we are making with me working, it made more sense for him to go 5 days/week. I was worried at first it would be too much for him, but I think it's perfect! I'm actually leaving my job at Children's next month to work part time with Josh's company - so while he'll be in school 5 mornings/week, he'll get to come home with me each afternoon! We are so thankful for this opportunity and that the transition for both Lily and Bear back to school have gone so well!

Ballet Camp

Just before school started back, Lily attended a week of ballet camp at Steps of Faith, a local Christian dance studio. Up until recently, she'd always been more of a fan of gymnastics, which she has done since she was 2. I think a few of her friends at school and church are in ballet and she started to think that would be more fun than gymnastics. I bought a week of dance camp at a silent auction in the spring so that we could "try it out" before quitting gymnastics for ballet!

The camp was really cute. They did ballet and tap, crafts, and had a bible lesson each day. On the final day, they had a performance, which is shown in the pictures below.

Lily is in the pink leotard on the back row with the black bow...and yes, she ripped her tights somehow in the 2 hours between drop off and performance :)

Tap Dancing!

Shoe change for the ballet routine

Love this sweet little pose, dancing and praising Jesus! It doesn't get any better!

I'm glad we gave dance a test run - Lily decided it wasn't for her! She liked the outfit, but said dance was "too hard and too much to remember". For now, I think she likes the quick pace and constant variety that gymnastics allows her!

First day of KINDERGARTEN

Where has time flown to? My sweet little baby girl started Kindergarten today! Despite the emotions I was filling about sending her to the "big school", we made today quite a special one! Lily was up early - before we even had to wake her! She and I made egg and bacon "muffins" for a quick breakfast to have today and the rest of the week!

The night before, we packed her book bag and got her teacher gifts ready to go!

Lily HAD to have a monkey book bag - she looked for weeks and nothing could sway her away from the monkey! She even got a monkey lunchbox to match, thanks to Mammy and Paw!

Official First Day of School Pictures

Lily picked out a special new dress to wear that Mimi and Granddaddy bought for her - she looked beautiful - but so grown up - wearing it!

Drop off at the school was a whole new experience! We live no more than a mile from the school and I would guess it took us 20 minutes to drive and find a spot to park! Lily was so worried that we wouldn't be able to park and walk her in, but luckily we found a place to squeeze in near her classroom entrance! Daddy was able to join us and loved that Lily wanted him to be the one to walk with her into the school.

Class was getting ready to start when we finally made it in to class - Lily was cautious, but did so good and wasn't nearly as clingy as I expected! She hung her book bag up, put her lunch box away and sat down at her table.

Her little kindergarten classroom

Each morning, her teacher, Mrs. Dittmer, addresses each child and tells them good morning. That is their cue to find their spot on the rug! My last glance of Lily was her walking to her spot after telling Mrs. Dittmer "Good Morning".

The tears didn't well up in my eyes until we started walking away! I thought about and prayed for her throughout the day - and she did great! She loved her day and wants to go back tomorrow! We celebrated with a cupcake snack after school. I guess it is official - we have a kindergartner!