First Day of Kindergarten

Aniela had her staggered entry day today.  She was very excited and walked right in and started coloring. She goes just Wednesday this week then we find out her teacher on Friday.  Her official start will be Tuesday, September 4th.

all her gear!

sweet girl

The brothers had to get in on the action

  

 off she goes...

 Getting right to work

The Night Before...

I can't believe the day has come to send my baby off to Kindergarten.  I don't know where the time has gone but suddenly 5 years later I am sending Aniela off to school.  We have had a good time this summer and spent the last couple of weeks crossing things off of her Kindergarten bucket list.  Her list consisted of: going to the neighborhood park, painting nails, going to jumping beans, eating at Moe's (we are going to do this after her first day), having a sleepover, staying in her pajamas all day, going to the Science museum to see the butterflies, Pullen Park, eating ice cream, going to the library, doing some crafts and swimming.  The only thing I vetoed was staying in bed all day and eating all her meals in bed.  But we did the rest! 

I am equally sad and excited for tomorrow, okay a bit more sad than excited.  I know she will have a great time and learn so much yet I'm sad that it won't be her and I anymore.  We have spent the last five years together figuring life out.  We have had some great moments and not so great moments but I have loved it all.  I have been "practicing" parenting on her for the last five years and I can only hope that I have taught her to be kind, considerate and patient to those around her.  It is hard to go from her number 1 teacher to the number 2 teacher.  

Dave sent me a quote from Jim Cramer about him sending his kids to college, "We don't own them, they are only ours for a time."  I cried when I read it.  It seems we have started down this road.  As if I didn't before, I now how a whole new appreciation for my mom.

Onto happier thoughts and new beginnings!!  

Block Party @ PGUMC

Sam certainly enjoyed himself!

Museum of Natural Science

Another thing off the bucket list for Kindergarten.  We headed to the Raleigh Museum of Natural Science for a family outing.  The kids loved all the animals and Aniela took more pictures with her camera than I did.  They also had a Meet the Animals programs and they got to see an alligator, bunny, dove, and a snake. 

Aunt Jill, we have a Liberty Bell too!

 

 Love Sammy's face in this one

Checking out something interesting

Love my iPhone camera!

Football is around the corner ...

which means DRAFT DAY!

Soccer

Soccer season has begun! Aniela and Thomas are playing together on the same team along with our neighbor Brycen.  Snack was their favorite part!

Crazy... need I say more

Daisies

Aniela participated in a summer sprinkle group to get ready for Daisies.  She will be in Daisy Troop #76 this year.

Pullen Park

We have been checking off items from Aniela's Kindergarten Bucket List.  One item was to head to Pullen Park.  We got there in time for dinner to eat at Pullen Cafe then there was plenty of time to enjoy the rides.  

A rare family shot!

Crazed look

First time in the boats

Greenway

We headed to the greenway for a late afternoon bike ride to wrap up the weekend.  It is basically in our backyard, another perk to our new neighborhood. 

Afterwards, Abby came over and the kids cooled off in the hose.  Then they turned the hose on us!  They thought it was hysterical to attack mom and dad with the hose.

National S'Mores Day

Like we needed an excuse to eat s'mores!  Headed to the Arwoods fire pit to celebrate.

Pool Time

We have spent a lot of time at the neighborhood pool this summer.  The kids have really grown so much since the beginning of the summer!  We are always meeting friends and neighbors there for some fun in the sun.

Nicole turns 9!

We celebrated with Cole for her 9th birthday!