Blessed With the Best

Feeling so very thankful
for my wonderful family and friends.
Because of you all, today was so happy.

Open for business

Four happier people there were not
on the day our pool was officially declared "open for business!"

We've been spending time in it just about every day since...
and likely will for the foreseeable future if this weather keeps up.
We even got Nanny in the pool for a little night swimming during her visit. 

Lexi is a little fish and could spend hours jumping,
diving for rings and riding on her floats.
Ryleigh has really and truly learned to swim on her own
with the help of a great instructor, Melissa.
We are loving all the fun this new addition brings to the house!

Ry's Moment in the Sun

Ryleigh-

After watching your sister head off on the school bus
every day for a week, you were ready for your turn!
Good thing, because on Friday we met your wonderful new teachers,
Ms. Margaret and Ms. Yvonne.
We learned that you're in the 3's class
with our new neighbor and friend, Phoebe.
You're the "Fish Class", and everything from
the decor to your folders
and the stickers you receive has a fish theme.

You were able to explore the new school and classroom,
to engage with the other kiddos at meet-the-teacher morning,
to see the playground and get your bearings.
And then bright and early Monday morning,
off we went for your very first day.

True to form, you were a little shy and a little nervous.
You clung to my leg and looked around for your buddy.
Ms. Yvonne, with her big personality,
came and scooped you up, and that was that.
Also true to form, when I picked you up five hours later,
you were happy as could be.

You may start out shy and cautious,
but you are sweet and social and adaptable by nature,
and you settle in very easily. 
Your exact words were, "That was fun, can we do that again?'
And that's how it's been so far.
This year is big on art projects
and tying them into the letter/theme of the week.

So far you've talked about "F" for flamingo and fish
and "T" for turtle and train tracks.
The curriculum is a perfect fit,
because all of a sudden the light bulb has gone on...
you are eager to learn all of your letters
and have begun learning to write several of them.
You love spelling your name
and showing me all the "R's" we see around town.
You enjoy it all - Spanish class, music, circle time,
learning centers and of course the playground. 

I know you will grow by leaps and bounds this year,
and I love seeing your bright smile at pick up each day.
The one thing you're still bummed about
is that you can't ride the bus yet like Lexi,
but we've been carpooling with Phoebe and another neighbor, Sienna,
and that's a very close second in your book!
Now if I could just convince you
to wear something other than dresses each day...
Here's to a wonderful year in the 3's class, my dear. 

New Classroom Digs

No sooner does that first day of school roll around,
then my buddy suddenly spends more of her waking hours
in the classroom than home with me.

Thank goodness it's such a warm, cheerful, artistic and sun-filled place.
Each year there's a cute back-to-school theme,
and this year is was Dr. Seuss...complete with truffula trees.
This elementary school is just four years old,
so it's a first grader's dream.

CISD, our new school district also just unseated our old one
as the top public school system in the state.
Needless to say, everyone around here is brimming with Carroll Dragon pride.
Lexi has quickly started drinking the coolaid,
wearing lots of green, chanting "Dragon Power"
and even forcing a car decal onto my SUV.

I volunteer from time to time in the teachers' copy room
and as a classroom, cafeteria and library volunteer.
It's really so much fun to be back in school,
where the passion to learn is infectious - especially at this age -
as the kiddos make huge strides in their reading and spelling
each day. 

Vic and I see a palpable enthusiasm in Alexis -
she enjoys her spelling quizzes
and actually begs us to quiz her each night
(this comes from her mommy's genes, without a doubt).
She looks forward to reading the books she brings home to us,
and she is excited about everything from Pacman in P.E,
to the games they play in computer lab,
to their weekly science experiments.
As her parents, it's pretty damn cool!
"You're off to great places, today is your day.
Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way."  Dr. Seuss

First Day of First Grade

Monday, August 24th was your first day of first grade, Alexis.
You were very excited and also a little bit nervous.
New school, new bus to ride, new systems and rules to learn,
new friends to meet and make.
To celebrate this milestone,
the four of us spent the day at the Grapevine Pool that Sunday...
and followed it up with dinner at your favorite new restaurant, Spin.
We decorated our driveway for the big day, laid out your outfit
and accessories, got your backpack all set to go,
and read "The Night Before First Grade" one last time.

Come Monday morning, you were raring to go.
We stopped for the obligatory first day pics by the front door,
then you took your sister's hand and walked with her to the bus stop.

Our sweet neighbors with younger children came to cheer you on -
they even had a sign.
You couldn't have been more proud.

When Miss Norma and the big yellow bus pulled around the corner,
you marched right into line
and stepped aboard without ever turning back.
We waved and waved, the bus honked goodbye,
and off you went to first grade.

Ryleigh and I had decided to follow the bus and meet you at school -
one last chance for a high five and a hug.
We watched your bus pull into the parking lot,
we saw you step off and race over to us.
For a second it looked like something was wrong,
for a second my heart started beating very fast...
but never fear,
you were just quite concerned
about a piece of peach stuck in between your teeth.
Oh Lexi, why haven't I learned by now that "you've got this"?
Because you surely do.
Later that day, the bus pulled back around.

You jumped off with your buddies Paige and Payton.
All smiles and hugs, backpacks swinging and playdate plan making. 
We are onto week 3 now and moving full steam ahead.
First Grade...so nice to meet you!