Getting on the bus

Less than 30 minutes ago, I put my oldest "baby" on the school bus for the first time. Today is the first full day of school and here I sit with mixed emotions. I really enjoy being a stay-at-home mother and spending time with my children, but eventually there comes a day when we have to let them go on to the next phase of their lives. So now I pray that she has a great day. I pray that the other children are kind to her and that she is kind to them. I pray that this time in PE she doesn't feel too anxious and can happily participate. I pray that she is open to learning and that this will be a wonderful experience for her. I pray that she doesn't miss us too much and will come home 4:15 excited to share her day. And I pray that God will watch over her and keep her safe.

It is wonderful that Emma's bus stop is literally across the street! The children there were really nice to her and since we know the only other girl at the stop, Grace, it makes it easier.

Here she is getting ready to get on the bus!

Eric cried when Emma left and was still crying when we got into the house. I think his crying distracted me from my tears....they still may come. I love you my sweet little Emma!

The Long Version of the First Day of School

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Emma's first day of school

As you can tell Emma was a bit nervous before her first day. I told her that I used to be nervous too, even when I was the teacher! Josh is currently out in the field for a week, his last week of training before deploying late fall. However, his commander let the soldiers whose children started school today come home for it. :-) Josh got in a little after midnight and was able to have breakfast with us before taking Emma to school.

Emma's school is Amanda Arnold Elementary home of the Panda Bears!

Here she is in front of the school sign.

They had a neat opportunity for parents of Kindergartners, we got to stay for a few hours with our child before leaving them for the rest of the half day, which was only an hour and a half more. Our neighbor watched Erin and Eric for us so that Josh and I could both attend!!! Later I found out that not all elementary schools in our district did this - I am so thankfully ours did.

We went through the routine that Emma would go through at school. Once they arrive all student report to the gym/cafeteria and wait to be dismissed. Emma's class room is a straight shot from the gym all the way at the end.

Here is Emma and Josh going into her room. I will blog later about the previous night when we found out Emma's teacher, Mrs. Shepek and went to her room to drop off supplies. It was nice that this wasn't the first time in her new classroom.

Josh helping Emma with her name tag and our sweet little girl!

Emma at her table.

They say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning!

Getting her supplies organized

Off to music class, which she will have twice a week.

The music teacher, Mrs. Hufnagel

The children dancing to the music

I ALMOST cried here, but I didn't! In fact, I only shed ONE tear today however tomorrow will be a different story.

Then it was off to PT...I mean PE! ;-)

They have this twice a week and three times every other week

I think she was getting a little nervous

Off to run, jump, skip and hop

Or maybe not

Emma got a bit overwhelmed in PE and ran to daddy

He ever so sweetly walked her to to participate (notice the boy in front who didn't want to go either)

She had bouts of doubt, but assured us she would participate tomorrow now that she isn't afraid anymore.

Back in the classroom, Josh helped Emma fill out an information sheet

Here are her responses (you'll have to enlarge to actually read them)

The last thing we did before parents left was to sit in a large circle and play the name association game.

That's her teacher left of center.

A kiss goodbye and on her way to independence.

Emma's first day of Kindergarten

I have to leave to go pick up Emma from her first day of school but wanted to at least post a picture or two before leaving. Here is Emma in front of her school, sitting at her table and the other is her teacher, Mrs. Shepek. I will post more later tonight.

Sleeping Babes and Naked Teachers

Eric didn't want to take a nap Sunday so I let him run around, play and swim hoping to get an early night. While I was making dinner he just laid down and fell asleep with his blanket and a random baby (too cute!).

Emma was waiting for me to get dinner started to read her her new favorite book (thanks Oma!). And then of course she fell asleep too!

While the others were taking a nap, Erin decided to play teacher (which makes this former teacher thrilled!). Maybe she thought she was teaching at a nudist colony? Anyhow, it was fun to peek in on her setting up chairs, getting the stuffed animals ready and then she read a few books to them. FUN!

Having Fun in the Pool!

Here they are enjoying another beautiful day in Kansas. It is usually in the 100+ every day in August and we have been in the upper 80's and 90's, so we are out and about even more! We have upgraded from the hard plastic round baby pool to this inflatable one. We have an even bigger one from back in the Ogden days but I like the size of this one and that I can empty it at any time. The three children had a great time playing with the water the other day.

I love the action shots my camera can get!!!!!

Yes, that would be a "two fer!"

Eric wasn't too happy about getting wet in the face. He learned a valuable lesson, don't play with water if you don't want to get wet!

Game Night

Josh just left for the field yesterday, thankfully this exercise is only until Friday night.

We really wanted to have some good family time together so we decided to play a game called Station Breaks. It was a lot of fun! Emma and Josh were sitting across from me, Erin and Eric, why I didn't get a picture of our side...well I don't know. It could have been that Emma and Josh were so animated together, they really are a lot alike. And also my goal was to participate in the game not to take pictures the whole time.

Emma had drawn a card that had her wearing glasses for two turns. She ran to the van to get her Barbie glasses and it was that cute picture that got me to grab my camera.

No sooner did Emma get to take her glasses off then Josh drew a similar card. He just grabbed her glasses and I grabbed the camera again.



Good team work!



A tired little chica!