Luke's Preschool Graduation

I am so thankful for the decision Jon and I made to send Luke to East Cross for preschool!  We have loved this whole year!  The staff is amazing!  Luke's teacher was the best!  He only had nine kids in his class, which was just perfect!

On the last day of school, Luke had a little program and graduation.

Could these kids be any cuter?!

 

Next step:  KINDERGARTEN!!

(Where does the time go?!?!)

Abby's Awards Assembly

For the second year in a row, Abby was invited to the end of the year awards assembly.  No, not all students get to go.  They only get to go if they are receiving an award.  They never know what they are receiving, they have to wait to find out when their name is called.  Abby was excited to get out of class to go.  She figured she was being recognized for the band award that she received at her concert.  I had a hunch that she might be getting one more.

Not only do the kids get to get out of class to attend the assembly, but the parents are given permission to take their child out to lunch afterward.  Win-win!

Yes, Abby was recognized for the band award she had already received.

But, my hunch was right.  She also received an academic award for having a 3.5 or better GPA.  That's my girl!

Abby chose to go to The Rolling Pin for lunch.  YUM!!  As an added bonus, a little local bakery that is only open on Wednesdays, was open!  Sweet!  (Literally!)

I know I say this all the time, but I am so proud of this girl!  She has worked hard and it has paid off!  She had a great year this year!

GREAT JOB, ABBY!  KEEP UP THE HARD WORK!  I AM SO PROUD OF YOU, BABY GIRL!!

My Artist

Ben has always loved drawing.  He loved art in elementary school.  He always chose art as an elective in middle school.  He was pretty excited last year when he went to enroll for his 9th grade classes and found out that he was recommended for AP Honors Art. 

Ben worked hard in art all year long, but it was slightly disappointing that all of his work was kept at school all year long.  We finally got to get a glimpse of some of Ben's work at an art show downtown.

 Not surprising that Ben's artwork included Coke and trombones!  His two loves!

 

 I love this piece of work!  The mosaic is really cool!  Ben was slightly irritated because this was hung upside down.  I flipped it the right way here.

Ben's tomatoes are bright and cheery.  This just might get framed and hung in the kitchen. (:

I am so proud of Ben and his artwork and am looking forward to what he accomplishes in AP Art next year!

Luke's Christmas Sing-A-Long

It's finally Luke's turn to have a school program!  What could be cuter than a bunch of 3 and 4 year olds singing Christmas songs?  I was super excited to see Luke on stage and see how he would handle it.

Well...I guess you can see that he really wasn't shy.

The quality of these videos is lacking a little bit, but you still get the idea.

I love it!!

Luke's First Field Trip

Luke couldn't wait to go to school on Friday morning!  He had been looking forward to his first field trip all week long.  What boy wouldn't love a field trip to the fire station?!  I was actually looking forward to it too.  I have never been to the fire station before.

Wouldn't you know that as soon as we all got to the fire station, that the firefighter's got called out.  It was disappointing on one hand, but still pretty neat to see what happens when they have to leave in a hurry.

While we were waiting for the firefighters to come back to the station, the teachers talked to the kiddos about fires and firefighters and all such things.  Luke decided that the fire station was scary and cried almost the entire time we were there.  I'm not 100% sure what he was afraid of, but I think it had something to with loud sounds.  I think he was afraid that the sirens were going to come on or they were going to honk the loud horn on the fire truck.  I don't know... I also have my suspicions that there wouldn't have been any tears if Jon and I hadn't been there.

Thankfully Luke's teachers did a great job trying to make him happy!

Once the firefighters returned from their call, they did a demonstration of all of the gear that wear on a call.  I liked how they talked to the kids about the fact that they are the same person underneath all of the gear.  They are not monsters or mean, scary people.

Jon enjoyed taking some artsy pictures of the fire truck.

This was the highlight of the entire field trip to Luke.  It was so neat that the firefighters let all of the kiddos spray the water hose!

This is Luke and his friend, Wade.  They are best buddies at school!

Even though Luke was a bit of a stinker at the fire station, he will still tell you that he had a great time!

Luke's First Day of Preschool

This day has come with a lot of mixed emotions.  

I am super excited for my little Lukey to go to school!  I know he is going to love it.  I know I am going to enjoy a few hours to myself.  He is going to learn so much.  I am happy that he will only go three days a week for 2 1/2 hours a day instead of the all day, every day plan that the public school does.

I am sad because he is my baby.  We have spent every single day together for the last four years.  Going to school means that he is growing up.  Going to school is going to make it seem like he is growing up so much faster!

However...I am so excited for Luke and all of the fun and learning that he is going to do this year!

 

 Luke was so excited that I surprised him with a new box of his favorite cereal this morning!

All ready to go!  

 Me and my preschooler (:

 Headed to school.

 After I took the picture of Luke in the car, he asked me to take a picture of Daddy.

(I'm so glad that today just happened to be Jon's day off!)

 Luke did a great job going to school, putting his backpack away and getting ready to learn.  Such a big boy...

Did I cry?  Ummm...yes. )':

Luke and his teacher, Miss Anne.
I was so excited to find out that Miss Anne was Luke's teacher.  I met her last year and thought she was so sweet!  I know my little guy is in good hands!

Jon and I were both excited to pick Luke up from school!

After school, what could be better than a fun little lunch at McDonald's?  Luke thought it was pretty great!

I am so glad Luke had such a great first day of school!  It was so fun to learn about all the things he did.  He talked about circle time, the weather, playing with bugs, playing at the play dough center, drawing, playing on the playground...  He also informed us that "girls are weird" and "some boys have long hair".  You just never know what you might learn at school.  (:

I asked Luke when we got home if he was excited to go back to school on Wednesday.

He got all excited and said, "I get to back?!"

I said, "Yes."

And he very happily said, "YES!"

I'm so glad!

First Day of School 2012-13

And they're off!  Yes, Ben and Abby are off on their first day of school.  I have been dreading this day for several weeks now, but that hasn't slowed things down at all.  For some reason, I'm just not ready for school to start.  We really didn't do a whole lot this summer, but I have enjoyed having them at home. ( I have also really enjoyed their help around the house!)  This year has been much more emotional for me than any year yet!  I'm not sure if it's because Ben is in high school this year or because Luke is starting school this year...I've just been an emotional wreck!

I can hardly believe that Abby is in 7th grade this year.  Her middle year in middle school.

Even harder to believe is that Ben is in HIGH SCHOOL!

Ugh...It makes my heart pound just thinking about it...

I  did really well when I dropped Ben and Abby off at school.  I didn't even cry!  Luke on the other hand...He was very sad!  He cried on the way home and then moped around the house for a while. (You know, until I let him watch PBS Kids!)  I was so proud of myself for holding it together.  Well...I managed to hold it together until I got on Facebook and starting reading everyone's posts about school and people's comments on my post/pictures.  Then I lost it.

 

Happy first day of school, Ben and Abby!

I am praying that you will both have a great year, learn a lot, make new friends and make memories that you will last a lifetime.  I also pray that you will remember who you are, who lives inside of you and let others know that there is something special about you! 

It's Official...

I have a high school student!!!

How did this happen?!?!

Awards Assemblies

 I was one proud mom to find out that both Ben and Abby were invited to their respective awards assemblies.  At their school you are only invited if you are receiving an award.

 Ben was recognized for the band award which he had received at the concert the week before.

 Ben also received an academic award for having a 3.5 or higher for the last half of 7th grade and the beginning of 8th grade.

SUPER JOB, BEN!!

 Abby was recognized for the band award that she received at the concert the week before.

What I really like about the way that Madison does it's awards ceremonies is that they do it in the middle of the day and then allow the parents to take their students out to lunch.  (As long as we  have them back by a certain time.)  I'm pretty sure that Ben and Abby were more happy about getting to skip class and go to lunch than actually getting any awards.  I can't blame them, I was in middle school once.

I am extremely proud of Ben and Abby and for the great year of school that they've had this year!  Abby made a very smooth transition to middle school and did very well in all of her classes.  Ben had some very difficult classes this year and struggled a little bit, but still came out really well!  I am so proud of both of them!

Back to School

 I am so proud of Jon!  So many years after graduating from high school, Jon is finally going to college.  No, he didn't go right out of high school, this is his first college experience.  He didn't know what he wanted to do with his life at graduation.  He worked nights at UPS and college didn't really seem to fit at the time.  Amazingly, Jon has been able to move through all of his flight training and end up with a great job all without a college education.  All I can say is that God has been so good!

Upon taking his current job at Cessna, he learned that they had a tuition reimbursement program.  It took a few years to actually act upon it, but Jon got to the point that he knew it was something that he needed to do.  Who knows how long this program is going to be around.  It sounds like one of those things that would be really easy to cut.  He also thought that if he were to (someday) need or want to look for another job, it would be good to have a degree.

So...here we are.  Jon is officially a college student.   (Since it has taken me so long to blog, he is actually halfway into his second class.) 

I knew that Jon going to school was going to be an adjustment for all of us.  With studying and homework, having three busy kiddos and having family time... It has been a little bit more of an adjustment than I expected.  I am learning that I am a very selfish person.  If Jon is home, I want him to be helping out with kids, cleaning up the house with me, watching our favorite shows with me or just hanging out with me.  Yep, it's all about me...  ):  I am learning.

Even more than my issues, I know that it has been really challenging for Jon.  Not only is he giving his job 100%, he is now trying to balance school and home.  He has learned that home is NOT the best place for him to do homework.  There are way too many distractions here.  He has become pretty fond of the library.

I have to say that with all of the stress and selfishness, I am SO proud of Jon!  I can't imagine going to school at this point in my life.  But Jon, I guess he just knows that it's something that he needs to do.  He has been so good about making sure his assignments are done to the best of his ability and making sure they are on time.  He has had to make the hard choice to not do things just so he can work on school work.

I am so excited and proud of Jon!  I know this is going to be a long road, but the reward at the end will be so worth it!

First Day of School ~ 20011-12

It's here! The first day of school!

Ben and Abby were very excited for the first day of school. I think they got bored due to the fact that the insane heat kept us in the house the majority of the summer. It's always nice when they actually look forward to going to school. They actually got up quickly, without too much prodding! (I'm sure that will change once the new-ness of school wears off...)

Ben ~ First day of 8th grade.

Abby ~ First day of 6th grade. (Middle school!!)

Luke had to make sure he got all of his hugs and kisses in before the big kids left for school. Ben had to make it quick so that none of the other kids walking to the bus stop would see him with his family outside!

And then they're off!Yes, they walked together! I think Abby even talked to Ben on the way to the bus stop. Abby mentioned that Ben was even going to let her sit with him on the bus! Gasp!

Both kids had a great first day! They were anxious to tell me all about their teachers, classes, friends, the bus...so full of information! (They were also surprised to find that Grammy was here when they got home from school! :)) This is going to be a great year!

End of Summer...

Backpacks are packed. Lockers are stocked. Cookies are baked. Kids are sleeping soundly (finally!). I guess that means it's official...Summer break is over. How can that be?! It seems like just last week that we were all excited about the last day of school. How does time fly by so fast? I have two kiddos that, as of tomorrow, are both in middle school! Seriously?! I can't have two middle school aged kids! That means I'm getting old! Right?

Ben and Abby are both very excited about the first day of school. Ben feels like, as an eighth grader, he is king of the school. This is his third year at Madison Middle School. He has endured being the "newbie" as well as being stuck in the middle. This is it, his last year of middle school. Sigh. (We won't even go into what that means about next year! We have to make it through eighth grade! No rush!) I am glad that Ben is feeling confident this year. Sixth and seventh grade both started out with some fear. Not this year. :) He is confident and that, as far as I'm concerned, is a great way to start!

Abby is the "newbie" at Madison this year. Her first year of middle school! We have had fun going school supply shopping and decorating her locker. She got some cute new clothes. She got her hair cut and it makes her look so much more grown up. We've been to the school three times to make sure she remembers her locker number and combination and that she can get into her locker without any problems. We have also walked through her class schedule several times to make sure she knows where each of her classes are. We went today and she told me as we were walking out that she feels confident about her locker (Weren't we all a bit nervous about our first locker?!). Yay! That was great to hear! I know Abby will be a little bit nervous about her first day of middle school, but I know it will be great!

I am happy that Ben and Abby will be riding the bus together and will be in the same building. For some reason, there's just something comforting to me in that. I think Abby is glad to know that Ben will be there too. Ben, on the other hand, isn't too thrilled! One of the first things he told Abby is, "There are going to be some rules!" Ha ha ha!! He, basically, doesn't want anyone to know that he has a sister in the building. Please tell me this is normal! She is not allowed to call out to him, run up to him and hug him, wave real big and smile at him... Please! Abby just laughs it off and says she's going to do all of those things! As much as Ben acts like he's not thrilled about Abby being at his school, I know that he will be the first one to be there if anything were to happen or anyone would ever do anything to Abby! He's a good big brother that way!

I am praying for a good school year for Ben and Abby. I am praying that they will make new friends and good choices. I am praying that they will remember who they are and who lives in them. I am praying for their teachers. I have always said that I wouldn't request specific teachers for my kids because I believe that the Lord places them in the classrooms and with the teachers that he wants them to be in. Everything for a reason. I pray that their teachers will be kind, patient, wise, understanding, helpful, fair.

The summer has flown by and as ready as I am for Ben and Abby to go to school, there is always that piece of my mama heart that worries about them. I know they will do great and they will have fun, but, yes, there will be tears. Yes, still, this many years later! I am happy and excited for them! It sure is going to be quiet around here having two less kids around all day long. Luke isn't going to know what to think when they are gone again all day long! He sure will be happy when he sees them after school!

So, here we go, let the school year begin!

Middle School?! Already?!

Is it really possible? Can Abby actually be going into middle school already?! Well, ready or not, she's going! We went to the school last week to pick up her schedule and locker assignment as well as do a little bit of locker decorating.

It only took a few tries before she got her locker open. She was pretty excited!

Cute stuff!

Thankfully we have a few days before she heads off into the big, scary world of middle school, but I think she's ready!

Abby's Graduation & A Downtown Adventure

(Be prepared, there are LOTS of pictures!)

5th grade graduation?! How can it be? How can Abby possibly be done with elementary school? I don't know the answer, but it is the case. I am so proud of Abby for all of the progress she has made this year! She has made A LOT!! She has always struggled in school in math and reading and to see where she is now is just amazing! I think math will always be a bit of a struggle for her, and that's ok. But reading...get this...her teacher recommended that she be in AP English next year! I never would have expected that! This has been a leaps and bounds year for Abby and I am so thankful and proud!
I couldn't get over how beautiful Abby looked! My baby girl is growing into such a beautiful young lady!
Abby signed up to be part of the choir for graduation. It wasn't so much for the singing part for her as it was for the signing part.
This girl loves to sign and has learned SO much this year from having a deaf girl in her class. Learning sign language has been a huge confidence boost for her! I hope she continues to learn!

The songs that were chosen for graduation were terrible! No, I'm not being mean! They sounded great and the kids did an amazing job! It was me! I was so emotional listening to all of them and watching Abby sign. I was a little bit of a mess!

"Adventure"


"The Future's Looking Good To Me"

"It's Time To Say Goodbye"


"Ranch Heights Wranglers"

"Abigail Ann Grief"
My graduate!
Mrs. Hough was one AMAZING teacher this year! Abby made so much progress this year thanks to this super teacher!!
Graduation cards
Friends :)

Luke received a few late birthday presents which he was very happy to open!
THANK YOU UNCLE BRIAN & HALEY!
THANK YOU UNCLE NEIL, AUNT BECCA & NOLAN!

We opted for a break from cooking and headed to our favorite restaurant for dinner. We HAVE to go to Frank & Lola's anytime we have company in town! It's not just my favorite!
After dinner we set out on a walk around downtown.
The boys did a little window shopping. And found a bug. :)

As we were walking, we found...
THIS!What could be better than taking two three-year-old boys for a walk and finding a train that you can climb all over and get in and check out?! Not a whole lot! We all enjoyed checking it out! (And, of course, it was a great photo op!)
What are we all looking out?
This oncoming train! It was so neat and the boys were SO excited (Luke was a little bit scared too) that a train came while we were on the train! The train conductor (Is that what the driver of the train is called?) even honked the horn for us! It was really cool!

A fantastic day!!