First Week of School = Success

Our first week of school went awesome....if I do say so myself.  I started off the school year with a yearly lesson plan for Kristen, which I enjoyed making a little too much.  Now, I am so glad I did.  It makes for a smooth week.

Anyways...last year school really did become a lot work....for both Kristen and I.  Going into this year, I really wanted it to be fun and I think I accomplished it this week. She is enjoying every subject and had her first official spelling test and did a project in science.  She said, "First grade is so much fun."

Lauren has even gotten into school...a little bit.  Today she even asked when it would be time for her school. I am not doing any planning for her this year.  We are doing it as she gets it.  So many new concepts, it's just hard to plan.  Plus with the reading struggle I had with Kristen last year I knew it would probably be a waste of time.  Here are a few pictures from our week.

We baked cookies....peanut butter Reece's Pieces cookies and they were delicious.

Here is silly Dallas and his "hat".

 

Kristen working on her solar system project.

 

And I leave you with Dallas and all of his cuteness. (I am not sure what Kristen is doing)

First Day of School

Today was O-fficially our first day of school.  I was super excited about starting the new school year and have been for a couple of months now.  Well, ever since I got Kristen's first grade curriculum.  I have my lessons all planned out, binders made up and a list of books we need to check out each week from the library.  I am a lot more prepared this year than I was last year.  I didn't really know what I needed to do, so I just flew by the seat of my pants.  This year I knew I was going to go into it better prepared. 

Everyone around the table eating a snack and listening to our bible lesson for the day. 

Kristen has looked forward to starting 1st grade for some time now.  She is excited about the extra subjects she is doing and I am a little concerned about the additional work load.  The thought of juggling everything is a bit overwhelming. Today things went pretty smoothly and by lunch we were done with all subjects, except science.  I know every day will be different, but I am going to go with the flow and not stress. 

Kristen is doing reading, writing, language arts, spelling, science, history and bible. It sounds like a lot, but some subjects aren't done every day.  Lauren is just doing reading, math and bible.  She has no interest in learning, so I really hope that changes.  We are still working on letter sounds and I hope to start reading by the end of the year.  I am planning on starting math in about a month.  She still has some numbers to learn first, but she is making progress and that is all that matters. 

She is actually a lefty, but was using her right today

Dallas decided he was going to do a little teaching today and decided to hop in my chair when I got up to start lunch.  He had the papers in hand and was jabbering like he knew what he was talking about. 

Hope you guys had a good Monday. I am looking forward to the rest of the week!

Summer Wrap-Up

 

I purposely didn't blog over the summer because I wanted to enjoy time with my kids instead of always trying to capture blog worthy moments for a post.  I will admit, my blogging has pretty much taken the back burner in my life, but once again I am going to try to be a better blogger...solely for the memories it leaves me with.  Nothing makes me want to blog more than going back and reading past posts. 

Our summer has been pretty relaxing....something we all needed.  There were a few bumps here and there, but it mostly went by quickly and smoothly. We started our summer with VBS and if I am honest...it was a rough week for us.  We didn't necessarily have to be up earlier than usual, well for me and Dallas it wasn't early, but for the girls it was. It was the getting up and getting moving that was the hard part.  No cuddling in the recliner until 8:00 for Dallas and I.  No getting up and watching cartoons until 8:30 breakfast time for the girls.  Nope...we all had to get up, get dressed and eat breakfast before 8:00.  Even though I was completely exhausted by the time VBS ended and took several naps that week, it was a very rewarding week.  You forget how fun it is and how much the kids enjoy it and look forward to it.  Kristen loved it! Lauren finally started to like it once it was ending. And Dallas....well, it wasn't his favorite week, but I would like to think he enjoyed it a little bit.  Kristen is already looking forward to next year.

We had our annual firework show at the Harris House.  This is becoming a tradition that we have enjoyed.  We buy our fireworks and Paul sets them off in the front yard. I think the girls enjoy this more than going somewhere.  Once the fireworks are done...into the bath and in the bed the kids go.

The girls with sparklers

 Memaw, Kristen, Lauren and Dallas

 Grandpa Fred and Dallas just a rockin

We also took a trip to visit my grandmother.  She turned 95 this year.  That's something to celebrate.  We enjoy our time in the mountains visiting with her.  Kristen and Lauren love it.  Mountain life is a lot different and it's nice to see family you don't get to see but once a year. 

 

 

We celebrated Lauren's fifth birthday with a monkey party. She wanted a monkey cake and I decided to make the monkey out of fondant.  It turned out pretty good.  The hardest part was getting lime green icing.  It is a lot trickier than one would think.

Our last hoorah before our school starts was our trip to the beach.  My parents and sister (and her husband) rented a house in Salvo North Carolina and invited us down. We were all excited.  It was the kids first trip staying at the beach.  Kristen loved the sand, Lauren loved the water and Dallas hated it all.  He cried and screamed and just wanted to be held.  He hated the water and the sand on his feet.  He finally walked around with his shoes on, but was happier being away from the beach.  The house was so nice and we all had a wonderful time.  I am so thankful for my family and all they do for us. 

Kristen and Aunt Kelly's sand castle. 

Kristen LOVED the sand.

Lauren and her sand castle her and Meme made.

One of the very few times Dallas actually played in the sand. 

The girls in the Jacuzzi.  There were LOTS of bubbles...and they kept multiplying.

 

 

It is hard to believe the summer is over.  It does seem like it just begun.  Kristen did finish up with all of her math workbooks and reading over the summer.  She finally got over the reading hump and is doing so good.  School starts for us in two days.  I am excited.  Here are some more pictures from our summer. 

 

 

Dallas spent the summer getting into things he wasn't supposed to...

 

 

 

Kristen spent the summer trying to keep Dallas out of her room. 

 

No brothers allowed!

 

 

She also spent her summer being creative. 

This is supposed to be the bunny from the story Knuffle Bunny

 

 

Some of our summer was spent being silly...

 

 

 

 

There were some firsts.....

 

 

Dallas' first at home hair cut...that was way too short.

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Lauren's first time painting her fingernails....all by herself.

 

 

We prepared for rain....

 











Ate Popsicle's....

 

 And had a picnic....

 

 

What a great summer!