...gotta start back sometime...

...and not just to school...

...my hiatus from blogging has been ridiculously long...

 

My plan is to go back and fill in the last few months on the blog, but for now I am going to start fresh.  And what better day to start than the first day of a new school year! 

My little cherubs were up and
ready to go before their alarms even went off!

I love how excited they are for the first day of school!

It was my first day back to school too!
I am working as the aide in Kindergarten
three mornings a week! I love getting to spend
extra time with my Luke!!

Donnie was home to see them off to school too!

Katie with her 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Rios.
Katie only has 7 students in her class this year. 
WOW!! I know she is going to learn a ton!!!

Momma and her Kindergarten baby!!

Being the aide in Kindergarten has its perks! I loved being able to steal a few quick pictures of Luke working and having lunch with his best buddy, Abbey.  And it certainly made sending my last one off to school a little easier.  I made it through the first day with no tears!


John didn't want me to take any pictures of him in his class
with his new teacher, but he did let me take a picture at lunch!
Such a big 2nd grader!!!

Somebody thought 4th grade was AWESOME!!

 

Luke said, he had a great first day of Kindergarten and couldn't decide what his favortie part of the day was because it was all good!!! He did love riding the bus!! And I loved that he got to sit with his big brother!!

 

...my heart was happy and whole again...

...seeing their smiling faces get off the bus...

...Busy, busy, busy...

I love this time of year! There is so much to do and being so busy has certainly made the days fly by this month. Yay! We are that much closer to Donnie's homecoming. Of course, with so much going on I have gotten a little behind on my blog. I keep telling myself it is okay, because I want my time blogging to be enjoyable and not another thing to check off of my list of to do's.

The kids had their Christmas concert earlier this month. This year Luke's Pre-K class performed a song in the concert too! I love having all of the kids at one school performing together. Katie did a pom pom routine with the band as well as singing with her class and playing the recorder!







 In the midst of the hustle and bustle of Christmas we've taken time to be thankful for good friends. Spending time together while enjoying good food and a glass of wine.

I love hearing the kids playing so nicely together while I chit chat! A little bit of peace and holiday cheer!









....and when we weren't taking time to slow down with friends, we were busy, busy, busy...christmas parties, shopping, baking, wrapping, and packing...





...and the kids favorite, opening a present

each day before flying to Texas...









...this also makes mom happy...when the kids are playing and I have a few minutes to myself...





...to sit back and relax...to see my babes being silly, to hear them laughing...I'm reminded of just how lucky I am. I know that like many other mommas, my thoughts and prayers are with those from Newtown, CT. We are reminded to hold those we love close and be thankful for everyday...







...cherish the little things..

...hold those moments close to our hearts...





...remember the true meaning of Christmas...

..And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ The Lord....

Luke 2:10-11





Merry Christmas!

Pre-K Day!

My big kids started their second week of school, but it was the first day of Pre-K for Luke! I told him that I wanted to take his picture in front of the fireplace just like I did with Katie and John.  He insisted we turn on the fireplace for his picture, and since it was a chilly 45 degrees this morning, I figured it couldn't hurt!

And of course, I also had him take a picture in front of the school sign.  He looks so old in this picture....

And lucky for me he agreed to one more picture in front of the classroom!  Ahh boys! They never want to have their picture taken at school!

Luke was excited to go back to Mrs. Steele's class this year!  He loves being at the same school as Katie and John!  This afternoon he made sure to remind me that he would be in Kindergarten next year!  WHAT? I am really going to miss having this little guy around.  I plan to savor every minute I have with my Luke Bear when he is at home with me this school year!

Back to School!

I love the excitement that surrounds the start of a new school year! New teachers, new clothes, new shoes, and lots of new school supplies.  I mean what is better than a box of new crayons and a freshly sharpened pencil?  Katie and John were both VERY excited about starting 3rd and 1st grade!

My loves all ready for their first day of school!

Look how much they have grown since last year...

I know it is crazy, but there is something about the start of a new school year that still gets me a little misty eyed!  I am so proud of them!

Katie ready to go to Mrs. Bezanilla's Class!

John ready for Mrs. Jones' Class!

Time to get to work!

I came across this picture when I was looking through last years first day of school photos. 

I love this picture!
It is amazing how much they learn in just one year!

The first day of the new school year was a success!  I know the kids are in for a fun year of learning! 

...end of summer vacation...

Like all good things do, our summer must come to an end! School starts tomorrow morning bright and early for Katie and John.  Luke gets a few extra days of vacation because Pre-K doesn't start until next Monday!  I feel like we have had a very full and fun summer!  Lots of great trips to see family and friends, as well as plenty of time to enjoy summer with our friends at Fort Drum!

We spent out last day of summer vacation having fun and getting ready to go back to school. 1st grade had an open house to set up their desk and drop off their school supplies before the big day tomorrow. 

John making sure he gets his supplies sorted correctly!

No summer would be complete without trip to our favorite ice cream place!  Not only do they have delicious ice cream, they have the best playground too! 

 

We finished our evening off with a back to school dinner at The Crow's!  I love our weekly meals for so many reasons.  You are a wonderful cook, I don't have to cook, and most of all I get a reason to hang out and chat with you!  Thank you, Krissy!

Sweets for our sweeties, or should I say silly heads!

No back to school bedtime would be complete with reading The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.  I love reminding my little ones that a mothers love is always with them no matter where they are at...even school!

...torture...

 At least that is what the kids seem to think I'm doing to them. I'm only trying to get them ready to go back to school. But they act like 30 minutes of "school work" is the worst punishment in the world. Never-mind that it isn't punishment, and oh by the way neither is cleaning your room, or putting away your dishes, or any other chore you have to do. It is a part of life.

 

I didn't bother taking a picture of Katie because she was in tears about having to practice her timed math facts. I hope this isn't an indication of what the school year is going to bring!

 

Life is rough for these kids. Stay in your pajamas until 3:00pm, and play most of the day! I think this crew is going to be sad to see summer come to an end!

 

I love these smiling faces and it is the sweetest sounds when they are all playing together!  Now, if only they would clean up this mess without acting like I am torturing them!

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Last Day of School!

Summer is finally here! Schools out for summer!  It felt like this day would never get here. I am ready for summer (at least as of today, although I might be ready to send them back to school tomorrow). 

Katie ready for her last day of 2nd grade.

John on his last day of Kindergarten.

John's Kindergarten class put together a little concert for the parents and then Ms. Abrams presented special awards.  John's award was for being the Model Student.  I am so proud of you, John!  That is an awesome award!

John after receiving his Model Student Award.

John & Ms. Abrams

Katie's received the Awesome Writer Award and the Best Smile Award!  Way to go, Katie! You have a beautiful smile that lights up a room!

Katie & Mrs. Abbass

Officially finished with Kindergarten and 2nd grade.
I can't believe I have a 1st and 3rd grader!

A flashback to the first day of school this year!

We got ice cream afterschool as a special end of school year treat.  But the best treat of the day was picking up Aunt M at the airport! 

Aunt M playing some Wii with the kids!

Such a fun way to start the summer!