Lilian

Today, Lilian started the 1st grade.  I can hardly believe it.

Lilian attends Legacy Charter School.
Her teacher is Mrs. Davis.
A note to our sweet miss:

We are so excited to see you learn and grow this year.
To learn who you really are.
As an individual.
Never forget, there is only one you!
Learn new things.
Make new friends.
Be independent.
Keep noticing all the wonderful things around you.
And, don't ever forget that there is always enough time to stop and smell the flowers, or pay someone a compliment.
We love you!

Braison

Today, Braison started the 1st grade.  He was just born last month, I swear.

Braison attends Victory Charter School.
His teacher is Mrs. Stockett.
A note to our baby boy:

You are so spirited!
We can't wait to see what this year brings for you.
You love to learn and explore, never stop that.
Get out there and become your own person.
Make a lot of friends.
Have a lot of fun.
It's ok to get into a little mischief sometimes.
Keep loving and laughing and smiling all of the time, especially now that you are our toothless wonder.
We love you! 

A Dad's Love

Is unending. 

Happy Father's Day!

Summer Time

It's that time again...summer!  Braison and Lilian started their two weeks of swim lessons.  They are much more comfortable this year than they have been previously.

DANCE!

Lilian had another wonderful dance performance.  She is in ballet and tap this year.  They had a dance for each, then a whole studio finale.

She did such a wonderful job!

So proud of our little dancing machine.

Time Marches On

Time seems to move at the speed of light.

Braison and Lilian graduated from kindergarten last night.  What a night!

They started off with a dance party..like they start every day of school.

Notice Mr. Grumpy Pants :o)

Braison said that he was very nervous being up there in front of everyone.

They sang a sweet song about moms and presented a flower for each of us.

After a slideshow of the year in review, which brought on more tears, they got their diplomas.

After the diplomas, their AWESOME teacher presented them each with a gift from herself.

The kids loved them!

Lilian has had a little boyfriend most of the year, Cooper.  Cooper told his parents that yesterday was the worst day of his life; because he wasn't going to be able to see Lilian anymore.  So, he asked to stop and get her a bouquet of flowers.  Melted hearts.

Another milestone.  Next stop, 1st grade!

Spirit Week

Lilian had spirit week at school this week...

   Pajama Day                Sport Day               Inside Out Day

We have been running around like crazy people.  Getting ready for kindergarten graduation and Lilian's end of season dance recital.  Photos to come soon!

Wordless Wednesday

Roller Rink Fun!!

Within an hour, the kids were skating away from the wall and in the "fast lane"

They both even tried to win the prize by playing Limbo!  They have been asking every day since if we can go back to skate some more!

Walk-A-Thon

Thank you so much to everyone who sponsored Lilian in her school's walk-a-thon!  She had a blast running the track in the rain.  Wearing her galoshes.

Other than a dimple in a cute little chin...

what's more adorable than a toothless grin??

Wordless Wednesday

Another One Down

Did you know that the average amount the tooth fairy leaves is quickly soaring and closing in on $5 a tooth?  Yes, $5!  This tooth fairy might have to start delivering pizzas at night before checking for teeth under pillows!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOOFY GRANDPA!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA!

Field Trip

We stopped by to check out the fish hatchery right by our house.  I asked Braison how many rainbow trout he thought were in the runs, his guess: 12,572,459.  He's probably correct.  There are rainbow trout on top of rainbow trout on top of rainbow trout in there!

Unfortunately, there isn't any posted educational  information, so we just admired the fish.  The kids thought it was cool when they jumped.  They didn't think it was cool when they jumped too high and wound up on the wrong side of the concrete barrier.  Luckily, we only saw 4 fish out of water this time.

Changes

Braison started his new school today.  Mom was more apprehensive than he was.  Things went great!  He likes his teacher, and told me he made 5 new friends!  They are only identified, right now, by the color of shirt that they were wearing..he'll get it soon.

Super excited!

Waiting in line to go in

MIA

It feels like we have been so busy!

We have news to share.  We found out a couple of weeks ago that Braison was accepted into a charter school.  As some of you already know, we've put the kids on the lottery list for all of the charter schools in the area for the last couple of years.  Last year, Braison's name was drawn to have the 7th seat, should it open up; of course, it didn't.  So, both Lilian and Braison have been attending a private school for kindergarten this year, just hoping to get drawn next year to attend one of the charter schools.

When the call came in, we were very excited!  Of course, I didn't realize at that moment that Braison would have to start following spring break this year.  So, we had a decision to make.  We chose to pull him from the school he is in and put him in the charter school for the last month and a half of the year.  Silly, right?  I would think so too, but by doing this, he is in for next year.  Lilian will also have a seat next year, because she has a sibling who is already a registered student.  Win!  Had we made the choice not to send him this year, we would have just had to wait for the lottery drawing and hope that both of them got in, or that one got in and the other would then be accepted in the 2nd grade.   Having two kids in two different schools, with two different schedules, for a whole year would have been a challenge.

Braison seems indifferent.  Lilian was sad at first (because Braison and her wouldn't be in the same class anymore), but has since realized that it is okay.

I can't believe that they are almost done with kindergarten already.

Wordless Wednesday