Kindergartners...It's Official

Ava and Reese have finished their first week of kindergarten.  Well, at least two and a half days.  Wednesday was the first day which was a half day and then Thursday and Friday were full days.  Not only was I extremely proud of Ava and Reese, I was proud of myself for not crying!  I had a lump in my throat the size of the Rocky Mountains but no tears!  After walking each girl into her own classroom (Reese first), they hung their backpacks up and gave us a quick hug and kiss before getting busy on the activity at their seats.  And that was it.  Mission accomplished!

Some highlights are that Reese is excited about the chocolate milk option at snack time and Ava already got to take snacks for her class and pass them out herself.  By day 3 this morning Zack said that the girls didn't even say goodbye at the front door of the school.  They just walked straight into the gym where they wait before school.  One thing that mommy and daddy are most excited about is that Ava slept until 7:00 this morning and I had to wake Reese up at 7:15.  That was on top of going to be a little early last night.  We are hoping that their normal 6:00 or 6:15 wake-up time is a thing of the past!

Here are some pictures...

Summer Wrap-Up

Well tomorrow is the last official day of summer before Ava and Reese start kindergarten.  It's so completely hard to wrap my mind around.  Before a post in a few days about the first day of school I wanted to fill in the gaps of fun we've had this summer.  I make these posts not because our days are always filled with fun outings, smiles, cheerful hearts, wonderful parenting, and obedience.  I make these posts because I want to cherish the good times.  I know the years will roll by in a blink of an eye and this blog will help us remember the highlights.  This summer has had its trying times with sibling bickering, pushing each other's buttons, and defiance but those times are learning moments for all of us.  Mommy and daddy are always working on patience, understanding 5 year-old minds, and seeking how God wants us to raise these little girls.  Ava and Reese are learning about self-control, the consequences of life, and the desires that Mommy, Daddy, and God have for them.  But alongside of all that, we are trying to live each day to its fullest...laughing, having fun, loving others, and enjoying each other, friends, and family.  We are forever thankful.

Here are some other things we've done this summer that didn't get their own blog post...hopefully I'm not repeating anything.  I'm sure I'm forgetting things!


Blueberry-picking and eating all-things blueberry...

Riding bikes to the donut shop with friends...

Going to Omaha to have fun with our friends Ben, Jackie, Luci and Evie...

Playing basketball in the basement with daddy...helmets required...it's a dangerous event...

Swimming with our friends Preston and Reid...
                                        


Beauty and the Beast at Starlight Theater with Nana and Mommy...

Royals game for Legacy at the K night (Legacy is our church)...

Bowling at Pinstripes...

Crown Center for the Mr. Potato Head exhibit and then on to ride the new KC Streetcar...

Overland Park Arboretum to find gnomes and fairies with our friends Harper and Delaney (and Mindy and Cam who aren't pictured)...

Palisade Park end-of-summer bike scavenger hunt with homemade ice cream at the end...

And finally, a weekend at Holiday Lake in Brooklyn, IA with Grammy, Larry, Auntie Amber, Uncle Chad, Cousin Bubba, and his friend Nicholas...