Summer came and went and these girls are ready to embark on the new school year…this time all three girls are in the same school.  Avery and Emerson are in 2nd grade and Harper is now in kindergarten.  The years are passing bye so quickly…its crazy!  Harper didn’t say she was nervous, but she was acting extremely tired all morning…she wouldn’t even smile for the pictures.

Avery was excited for the start of school but as it approached the time to leave for the bus stop, her stomach started to bother her and she kept telling me she was having “nerves”.

Emerson was probably the most excited about school as she loves the social aspect.

All three girls together at Oakton Elementary school this year!

As usual, I had my workout clothes on and Emerson could not believe that I had not showered and was going to take them to the bus stop in my workout clothes.  Its my uniform on my work from home days so she is used to it, but apparently still doesn’t approve.

Me, Larrissa, and the girls.  Larrissa is going to have to get accustomed to her new schedule and having time off during the day!  She spent some time today organizing the art supplies!

Pic with Daddy.

And the whole family.

I wanted a family picture of us making funny faces but Justin jumped out of the picture too quickly and it was just me and the girls.

After pictures, the girls set off to walk to the bus stop.

Harper saw a dirt pile that she stopped briefly to check out.

But quickly realized her sisters were still walking.

And she took off after them.  This picture makes me smile.

Emerson realizes Harper is behind and stops to help her get her back pack on properly.

Avery meanwhile looks on, not offering to help.

Mom and Larissa follow.  I brought watermelon this year as our contribution to the bus stop breakfast.

All the kids from the neighborhood at OES.

And then they were off to learn, grow, be challenged, make friends, and make this world a better place.

It’s hard to believe but the 1st grade school year has come and gone for Avery and Emerson. We started the morning with a little Alice in Chains School’s Out for Summer. The girls got a kick out of it. I think we should make it a yearly tradition….I’m not even in school and it puts me in a great mood!

The last day of school even warranted new Hanna Anderson dresses! Avery and Emerson both wanted matching “rainbow ponytails”.

Now its time to have an awesome summer before starting 2^nd GRADE!

2^nd GRADERS (and one future kindergartener)!!!

Harper’s VPC Spring Concert was today. It’s hard to believe that after four consecutive years of our girls participating in this end of the year event, this will be our last one. I teared up a few times. VPC has been a wonderful home for us. The teachers and administration have really been great and my girls especially will miss them. Harper’s last week of pre-school is also the realization that I no longer have a toddler…I haven’t had one in some time truth be told. I’m going to hold on to each day that Harper is still four because four sounds so much younger than five!

Harper did great. She also received her first Bible, following in the footsteps of her older sisters. My mom, Jana, Justin and I were all there and I think the ratio of four adults to one kid was something she could get used to. Happy Pre-school graduation my sweet Harper!

We have readers in the house!

Emerson likes to read quickly. She likes chapter books and is full of expression when she reads. Emerson likes to get to her destination…doesn’t matter how she gets there….just as long as she gets to her destination as quickly as she can.

Avery likes to read while enjoying the pictures, and commenting at details along the way. She is slow; she takes the time to comprehend what she has read. For her it is about enjoying the journey. The destination is only a small portion of the overall experience.

My little readers:)

Little Miss Harpee.  Little Miss Harpee isn’t so little anymore.  She reminds me often of that when I go to pick her up.  She say’s “I’m four, I’m not a baby.”  It is with mixed emotions I respond to her independence.  She is the first kid to wake most mornings the past few months, usually around 7:00.  Most morning she awakens on her own, “makes” her bed, and gets dressed by herself (with the clothes that I have laid out the prior night), and then hops on into our bed for some morning snuggles.  My attempts to have her go back to sleep so I can doze for a few more minutes are often unanswered.  This morning was no different.  She made her way into our bedroom fully dressed and excited for the day.  Today was her first day of pre-k.  Her last first day of pre-school!  She walked right into Ms. Yoder’s class and upon giving hugs to me and Justin, she excitedly walked into that classroom with her schoolbag in tow, and with a smile waived good-bye to me and Justin.  Have a great year of pre-k my “baby” girl!

I love this picture of Avery and Emerson looking at Harper.  Too bad Harper is grabbing her crotch…lol!

Emerson and Avery’s first day of school was today…August 28!  It was a crisp morning, dew on the grass, birds chirping….it certainly felt like Fall outside!  It’s amazing how experience plays such a factor in one’s emotional states towards things.  While I was a little sad to have one less week of summer with school starting before Labor Day this year, even yesterday the final preparations for today seemed very calm.  The girls seemed just as calm, yet still excited to start the school year, reacquaint with old classmates, meet new ones, and get to know their teachers. There was no crying this year…only smiles.  Off to first grade they go!

One more year Ms. Harpee….and you too will be on that bus!  Let’s not rush it!

And just like that their kindergarten year is in the books.  They entered kindergarten nine months as innocent, eager, and impressionable little girls ready to join the ranks of the other elementary school kids in the neighborhood. They are still the same kids whose eagerness paved the way for them to excel academically (I think it is fair to say they can read).  But their innocence has started to be threatened as they have been challenged both academically and socially.  Those impressionable little girls have entered into a social scene preparing them for the “real world”.  As a parent, it can be emotionally exhilarating and heartbreaking at the same time.  While there were a few days here and there that Avery and Emerson didn’t want to go to school for various reasons, overall they each loved school.  Avery LOVED Ms. Duffett and Ms. Mitchell and Emerson LOVED Ms. Rasteli and Ms. Todd.  These two came home from school happy pretty much everyday.  They had a great year of kindergarten…learning and making new friends….and couldn’t be more excited to be first graders! Be still my heart.

Harpee on her first day of pre-school at VPC!

She did great! Justin and I both took her and we were scared she would have a meltdown due to her resistance to doing new things on her own especially with kids her own age. But she did great. I kissed her and she went to hang up her Dragonfly bag.  Justin didn’t even get a chance to hug or kiss her goodbye.  But since she went in, I knew we had to make a run for it before she knew what was about to happen.  I picked her up at noon and she was actively participating in circle time and was all smiles when she saw  me!