First Day of School

Well, the day finally came when my little man went off to kindergarten.  I had a hard time with this with Sophie and it wasn't any easier this time around.  Leading up to the day may have been harder.  Sophie was excited before she started, JC was not.  Sophie likes to make new friends.  JC has never had to make new friends.  Until today he's been in the same school with most of the same kids since he was a year old.  I could have left him at that school (my school) for one more year, yet we decided a long time ago to move him to Sophie's school.  We knew this was the right decision for him.  Yet that very decision woke me up many times this summer wondering what in the heck I had been thinking.  Taylor just shakes his head and rolls his eyes.

It's a big change!  For 8 years my days have revolved around the kids.  Even though I've worked part time for the past few years, JC has been with me.  He went to work with me, we saw each other multiple times during the mornings, and he went home with me.  It was JC and Mom together all the time.  Yes, I realize it was time to cut the cord.

 Getting ready with back to school goodies for the teachers,

 and the kids.

 He may not have admitted he was excited, but he sure was up bright and early!

 I wasn't worried about this girl at all!

 She's a pro at this!

 So glad he has her to look after him.

 

 He hesitated briefly when we got to the door, but when we walked in he followed and gave his gift to his teacher.

 A quick hug and kiss from Mom and he was off!

 He got in line for breakfast and never looked back at me.

 

Sophie only wanted us to walk her to her building.  Such a big girl!

 

So we all did okay.  And then for the first time I worked in my classroom all by myself.  Then I had lunch with a friend all by myself.  Then I walked around Hobby Lobby, Target, and The Teacher Store all by myself.

 

The verdict:  Kindergarten is fun!  He said he was "as quiet as a mouse all day". He didn't make any new friends yet because you have to talk to people to do that and it will be a few days before he does that.

Sophie loved 3rd grade and started her new ballet class tonight.  Big day all around!

 

 

While Sophie was at ballet JC was out, and when he woke up from dinner he wasn't as quiet as a mouse.  He was mad and whiny and yelled at the Wii.  I'm sure we're in for a week of this.  Taylor has to coach 8 of these kindergarten monsters Thursday night.  It should be fun!  Ready to do it all over again tomorrow.



The Last Week of Summer

We had a great week to finish up our summer. 

 

 On Monday the kids and I rode our bikes to Janet's house bright and early for Back to School Breakfasts.

 On Tuesday we picked up Chic Fil A and met at the park,

 then on to the pool.

 It was a very unusually cool morning!

 

On Wednesday I had to go to meetings at school and worked in my room all day.

 Sophie cooked dinner that night.  She told me one day that she came up with a great idea - chicken cooked in breadcrumbs!  She was very proud of the recipe she "made up" so we went with it.

 JC cooked with his own food.

 

Thursday morning Janet wasn't feeling well so we slept in and went to the pool.

 Friday was breakfast at my house.

 Then on to to Meet the Teacher

 Having a hard time with this one going!

 But I think Curtis John is ready for Kindergarten.

 If I could have picked their teachers this year, these are the ones I would have picked!

Ready for a weekend together and then "Let the wild rumpus begin"!

Sunday

Sunday was a fun day.  It was Taylor's first day back at the pulpit and so good to be back.  It was also promotion Sunday for the kids and Taylor presented John Curtis and all the kindergarteners with their Bibles.

  That evening was the church's Family Night at The Rink

 Skating didn't work out too well for JC

Taylor, on the other hand was tearing it up!





Putt-Putt worked out better for John Curtis

and snocones with his BFF!



Happenings at the Sandlin House

When we got home from Colorado we hit the ground running. My sister and brother in law came the next day to bring us Gracie and hang out a few days, Taylor started building a desk for our room, and I got a phone call that there was a possibility of a job opening at the kids' school and it was mine IF the district approved hiring another person instead of moving other teachers around.  I had a week of waiting and a LOT of nervous energy.  I don't do well with nervous energy so I cooked.  I cooked a lot!  I cooked and froze a month's worth of meals (www.onceamonthmom.com).  I got the kids' school supplies and got everything lined up at home.  Unfortunately the job didn't work out.  Too many teachers district wide - not enough kids.  Thankfully my boss didn't give my preschool job away so I do still have a part time job.  I'm thankful.  Working part time for one more year while Taylor finishes up his degree is what we had planned all along, the job offer was just an unexpected surprise.  I was disappointed, but I'm thankful for one more year of flexibility.  I'm also thankful that I got everything done last week so the kids and I are able to enjoy their last week of summer!

 This is what my kitchen looked like on my marathon cooking day.  The smile is fake!

 I wanted a place for the kids to hang their backpacks so I got this idea off Pinterest.

 Here is Taylor's masterpiece, except for the unfinished doors which we'll get to someday.

So that's what's been keeping us so busy.  Glad last week is over and the kids and I have slowed down temporarily.  Taylor on the other hand has jumped back into work after 6 weeks off.  Looks like summer is really almost over!

Colorado 2012

We just got back from two weeks in Estes Park, Colorado last night.  We are so blessed to be at a church that gives their staff a 6 week sabbatical every 5 years.  Taylor's landed during his doctorate so he spent 2 weeks in Waco in school, then was home for a few days, then we headed up to Estes Park for 2 weeks and now we get to have him at home for a week.  We rented a cabin on the side of a mountain outside of town.  The views were amazing and it was so quiet and peaceful.  Taylor spent 3-4 hours each day working on his doctorate and the rest was family time.  We hiked a ton and enjoyed every minute of our vacation.

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