First Day of School 2016-2017

This year, the boys started school on August 23 - 2 weeks later than usual. So we had 2 more weeks of summer, which we were all grateful for. It seemed a little strange to be starting so late but I really couldn't imagine having started two weeks ago!

Ethan is in third grade and Logan is in Kindergarten. They were both ready for school to start and to see their friends. I am so glad that they have always transitioned fairly well into school each year. They are always a bit tired and not used to the routine for a couple of weeks, but there is no major drama.

I love watching them walk into school together. Usually I'm in my car in the drop-off line, but this time Casey and I were following behind them. 

Third grade classrooms are upstairs and this is Ethan's first year to have a locker. I didn't know about the lockers until 2 weeks before school started. They don't have locks yet, but the kids are just keeping their backpacks and lunches in them. 

We did not do any elaborate decorations (like some people), but Ethan did want a few pictures. We used magnets to attach them to the inside of the locker door. He was pretty thrilled with it and I thought it was sweet that he wanted photos of us in there. His favorites are the photo with him and Logan on Santa's lap and our family photo. 

Ethan was happy to discover that he sits right across from one of his best friends, Koren. He is also #1 in his class this year (they each have a number for organizational purposes). 

His teacher, Ms. Smalley, is new to the school this year, but seems really nice. 

She took a family photo for us. It was pretty quiet in Ethan's classroom when we dropped him off. I don't know if the other families were dropping off younger children first or if they are not going inside the classrooms anymore at this age. I will go in and take photos as long as Ethan will let me!

Sweet brothers saying goodbye before we left Ethan's classroom.

We headed downstairs after wishing Ethan a great first day. Logan was really proud to show daddy the way to the Kindergarten classrooms, which he remembered from last year. 

He is #1 in his class this year too (even with a "C" last name), so his backpack and lunch are in the first cubbies. He knew just what to do to put his stuff away before sitting down. 

Logan is also seated at a table with one of his best friends, Asher. Let's hope they don't get each other in trouble or they won't be sitting together for long!

Logan was all-business, picking up his pencil and getting straight to work on his worksheet. 

Mrs. Huxham has been a Kinder teacher at Legacy for a long time now and we are looking forward to Logan being in her class. 

He didn't even look back when we left. It's always a bit crazy on the first day since the school is crowded with parents and eager students. But we left without any tears this year (from us - the boys have never cried). It felt strange for the Kindergarten transition to be so uneventful, but I'm kind of glad it was. Since Logan went to TK last year full time, this year just wasn't a big deal. 

They both said they had a great day when I picked them up. They were a little cranky - probably tired - but it was nothing that a fresh chocolate chip cookie couldn't fix!

First Day of School 2015: 2nd Grade and TK

I cannot believe this day is here! BOTH boys will be in school all day, every day. It is very weird, but they are both ready to start this year. Just look at those cuties!

It kind of cracks me up that our photos look the SAME every year because of uniforms. I think I said something similar on last year's first day post too. Ethan will be in 2nd grade this year. Each year it seems more incredible how old he is. 

And this year Logan is starting Transitional Kindergarten. He was enrolled in Kindergarten up until a couple of weeks ago when we began to second-guess our decision. He just turned 5 three days ago, after all! So, we're giving him an extra year before he officially starts Kindergarten. But he will still be at Ethan's school with him (obviously...they are uniform twins). His day begins at the same time as Ethan's, but he will get out an hour earlier. 

He's sporting his new alligator backpack that's almost as big as he is! But he's very proud of it and his uniform. He is so ready to be going to school with Ethan!

This photo below was too cute not to take, but I wasn't quite ready with my camera (rookie mistake)...we were literally steps inside the door to the school when they started holding hands. And I love their matching key chains on their backpacks...little Disney cruise ships from our vacation at the beginning of summer this year.

We all walked Ethan to his class first since he knows the drill by now. He put his stuff away in his cubby and found his seat. 

Ethan's teacher is Mrs. Montes this year and we love her already!

It didn't take Ethan long to get settled and then we started to say goodbye so we could get Logan to his class. They hugged each other before we left. 

Bravo to daddy for taking this great photo of me and my first born. I love him and I love that he's so comfortable at school.

We left Ethan in 2nd grade and walked to the next hallway to drop off Logan.

He was so excited to find his name in his cubby. It took him a little while to get all his stuff in the right place, but it will become routine to him very soon!

Logan's teacher is Mrs. Lockwood. It's her first year at Legacy, but I think she's going to fit right in at the school. Bless her heart with 9 little boys and 3 little girls this year...all 5 years old!

They did not have assigned seating, so Logan just picked a seat. Such a big boy!

I didn't think I would get teary dropping Logan off this year. I don't know why...I guess because we've done the school thing for a few years now. But of course I did. He was totally fine and excited, but it's just another milestone. And no one is home full-time with me during the school year anymore. It will not take me long to appreciate the freedom, trust me! But I did shed a few tears as we left. Here's to a great year for both of our school-going boys!

Logan's Preschool Program and Graduation

This was our last year of preschool, so this is our last preschool program. Logan's 4 year old class were ants. They could be any kind of ant they wanted - carpenter, army, fire, etc. Logan chose a fire ant. And that was fine by me because glueing felt "flames" on his black shirt was super-easy. With this particular expression, he looks like an ant about to be squashed. But really, he's just excited.

Ethan loved the larger-than-life food so much that he wanted his photo up by the stage too. He brought his Harry Potter wand. They're going with us everywhere these days. 

How cute are the big PB&J, juice box, cheese sticks, Hershey bar, apple, and grapes? So cute for all the little insects about to come on stage...

Pop came to watch the program, bless him. It requires a little bit of patience to watch a program involving kids from ages 1-4, including their neurotic parents with every type of photo and recording device available. Mimi was out of town, so she could not be there that night. 

For their grand entrance, the 4 year olds get to drive in on power wheels. This truck is actually ours. Logan is driving with his friend, Shane. They have been in the same preschool class all 3 years.

This was the face Logan made when he noticed his daddy sitting there. Also, these photos are the last ones I have with the hood on this truck. Due to excessive speed on the way home, our poor little truck was flipped out of the back of the real pick-up and lost the hood. It still drives, but is looking a little like Mater these days with no hood. 

He's such a ham! Casey has this part on video, while I was taking photos. 

The songs were so cute, just like they usually are. 

Logan has no problem doing ALL the singing, motions, and dancing...

After the program, the 4's went to change into their graduation caps and gowns while the audience watched a short video. Then...Logan graduated from preschool. Not possible. 

The 4's did a couple of graduation songs and then we said goodbye to preschool. There's 2 days of preschool left before we really say goodbye. We've loved preschool for both of our boys and it will be weird to not make the trip over here next September. 

Someone was fascinated with the tassel. But he makes a super-cute graduate, in my opinion. 

Ethan's First Grade Christmas Program

Ethan's first grade class at school put together a Christmas musical called The Christmas County Spelling Bee. It was all about spelling Christmas words. Ethan was in the chorus and the front row. It was such a cute little program and the kids all did a great job. I love watching Ethan perform...he is always so conscientious about the hand movements and songs. He really enjoys it.