Thursday, August 31, 2017

The first day of school 2017

It's official we have a 4th and a 2nd grader in our house now! It's so weird to say that.  Just like every year I'm so amazed their that much older.
The first day of school ran so smoothly and honestly the whole first few weeks have been wonderful!  The transition from summer to back to school was so simple and I actually didn't shed a single tear, which is a first for me! I'm not sure if it's because they are older or maybe because they both have wonderful teachers or maybe it's that we have a big family vacation coming in October so it feels like summer is not truly over yet???? Not sure but I'm grateful for this easy start.  Both Aubrey and Carter were over the moon to start back at school.  They were excited for their teachers and they couldn't wait to see their friends.  Wednesday August 16th they both jumped right out of bed and went straight to getting ready.  

 At breakfast they both were kind of nervous and said that their tummy's were hurting.  I so remember those first day of school jitters.
 I made them their favorite pancakes and packed their lunches with all their favorites(turkey sandwich, chips, strawberries, rice kripie treats and water) and then it was time to take pictures.



 Our really good friends the Gudgel's just bought a house right next to school so they let us park there anytime we want.  It's so nice to know we always have parking by the school especially on the first day of school when it is the busiest!
 Once we got on campus it was fun for the kids and for me to witness all the reunions with their friends.  Kourtney just loves Aubrey.
 Aubrey was much more independent this year she gave me a hug and then told me to go to Carter's class.  Before I knew it I turned around and she was surrounded by all her friends and had a smile from ear to ear.
We were off to Carter's class next.  I was so happy that he has Mrs. Haar this year she is like a grandma to my kids and she is beyond sweet to me!!! I had told her over the summer if she needed help the first day that I would be her girl and sure enough she took me up on that offer and I got to stick around the whole morning that day.  I'm not sure how long my kids will still like me in their classes so I'm making sure I take full advantage of that now!

 In Carter's class that morning I helped her get their folders ready and I took pictures of all the students and a few class pictures too.  Carter has a super cute class and I think we are all going to have a blast this year.

 Cord and Carter 
 I stayed at the school until lunch.  At recess time I went over and checked on Aubrey and she was so happy.  She said that she has the best teacher and is very excited.  That made my heart fill with happiness.  After I helped I went home to do some stuff and then picked them up at 2:20 the day went so fast.  They had a fabulous first day and in honor of it I took them to a treat at Yoglicious. 
 Once daddy got home we had another treat for them.  I blindfolded them and we took them on an adventure.
 The surprise was Rockin Jump! They were ecstatic! This was dad's first time there since last time we went he had just had his surgery.  We had a blast jumping as a family for 2 hours!!!!
 and rock climbing!






 Daddy and I snuck a massage in towards the end.
 It was a lot of fun and a fun way to ring in the new school year.
 and Thursday August 17th they were up and ready for their second day just as excited! I hope they stay excited this whole year because it sure makes for nice mornings!
When I pick them up from school they both always have huge smiles and tons of stories.  Aubrey is seriously having the best year ever! Mrs. Taylor seems so fun and wonderful.  She is around my age and is full of energy.  She does great projects and has an app that she sends parents all the information and even pictures of what the kids do all day! She has me all signed up to substitute her class already for 3 times next month I can't wait. She also doesn't give homework so that has allowed us to have really fun afternoons.  I'm not sure what her policy is on volunteers yet but I hope I can help sometime soon but I will get to teach in her class which will be great.  Mrs. Haar is as wonderful as when Aubrey had her.  She is loving and caring.  She has the best stories.  She is having a little bit of a hard time with Carter and has said to me more than once, "wow he is a lot different than his sister" I get that a lot.  Aubrey is much more the studious one while Carter is the social butterfly but he is doing better and learning Mrs. Haars rules.  I volunteer for Mrs. Haar Friday mornings and I LOVE it! She is very organized and I love doing her grading for her.  I also have 4 substitute jobs lined up for her class in the future.  It's so awesome getting paid to be in my kids classrooms.  As for the PTC this year I decided to take a year off on the board and I'm so happy it's been nice not having that stress.  I will still go to the meetings and help out were needed it's just nice to have a break from a position.  I think it's going to be a great school year! 

The rest of Summer

The days leading up to school starting went so quick! We got back from Utah on August 7th and then Tuesday August 8th Aubrey got her braces off!
 Her teeth look so beautiful! She had to take a silly picture for her records too..
 Wednesday August 9th I had to work so Nana came down for the day to spoil the kids with some back to school shopping and out to lunch.  Aubrey picked out this very cute outfit.
 Thursday August 10th we decided it was time to update Aubrey's room we were going to paint but then she decided she still loves the pink.  We found this adorable desk and she is in love with her new watermelon bed spread.

 Friday August 11th we went swimming and then that afternoon we had both Ander and Violette over for a play date.  I didn't get a picture of the boys :( Ander ended up having a fever so I had to call his mom to come pick him up but Violette stayed the night.

 Playing with her "singing machine" in her pre-teen room!
 Saturday August 12th we went to Turlock as a family to do some back to school shopping.  It was a first experience in Justice! Aubrey feel in love.  Carter had fun testing out running shoes at Dick's Sporting Goods.  That afternoon we had an early dinner at Olive Garden.  (Man I feel like I only have pictures of Aubrey in this post)
 Sunday August 13th we had church. 
Monday August 14th we worked on a fun project together.  We learned all about our solar system and then made one.  It was such a fun project!!


 and they came out great!!!
 Tuesday August 15th we went to the school to see the class lists.  We already knew Carter had Mrs. Haar since we are family friends with her and she told us over the summer.  But it was still fun to see who his classmates were.  His BBF Cord is in his class this year!!
 Aubrey was on cloud nine to get the teacher she really wanted Mrs. Taylor!! It's going to be a great year!!
 Carter looks too cool for school!
 After class lists we had a picnic McDonald's lunch at the park.
 They had fun playing!
 They are both so good at monkey bars something I could never do!
That night the kids put on our annual back to school fashion show.



 I took more videos then I did pictures.  They are too cute for words!
Then they decided it was time for both of their super lose teeth to come out! Carter was trying to attach his tooth to a string and then a Nerf bullet and shot it out! I have no idea where he got that and Aubrey was trying to eat starburst like crazy.  Well sure enough all they needed was daddy wiggling them and then both were out! It was Carter's 2nd tooth and Aubrey's 10th.  That tooth fairy was busy that night.
 We put together some cute jars with some yummy candy for the teachers and jumped in bed.
Hard to believe Wednesday August 16th was almost here! We had such an amazing summer and we were so lucky to not start school until Wednesday this year it made the transition back into school wonderful.  Thanks summer 2017 for all the fun!