De bus! De bus!

Can you see a little fear in Sydney's eyes? This is her first bus ride to school.....

So really today was Sydney's first day of Kindergarten and her first day to catch the bus! All morning she wore her backpack ready to go! Mike came home to support her. We sat outside and waited for the bus. During this time, Sydney went through a ton of emotions. First, she's mad that it's taking so long for the bus to come. Next, she doesn't want to go to school because she's afraid of bullies. Then, she is worried about getting on the bus. Back to frustration because it's taking so long for the bus to come. Finally, the bus arrived and she jumped on like a champ! The bus picks her up right in our driveway. I heard they will do this for kindergarten kids and since she's the only one on our street for about 9 houses, I asked the bus driver to humor me!

We made it! Sydney getting off the bus!
She sees Mom! Some relief and excitement in those eyes now!

Then, Mike and I had to go to the school to see her come off the bus, per her request. The bus first took them to the north side of the school where the kids would unload, walk through the crowded playground around to the south side of the school and the kindergarten doors. This was the original plan and I was nervous about that....I figured for sure they would lose one or two kids a day walking that far through the crowded playground (lunch recess). Then, the bus left, took the kids over to the Kindergarten doors and let them off there. That whole bus ride took a half hour! Sydney was very excited to be at school, finally!

Mike and Sydney lined up at the door waiting to go into class.

She had a great day and thank goodness Amanda was there after school to help her get on the right bus. She had lined up for the wrong bus! I guess the teachers were having a very hard time getting kids where they needed to be.....even though Sydney had her bus # and name pinned to her shirt. The PTA President just sent out an e-mail tonight asking for helpers for tomorrow's bus ride home....it must have been a nightmare!

Anyway, Amanda and Sydney arrived home safely and I'm proud of my girls! I did cry a little following Sydney to school today. There's something about seeing your baby go to Kindergarten. You know that it's just the beginning and that those days of staying home with Mom are over. I was a mess when we took Amanda to Kindergarten, too. Luckily, my girls didn't cry and were more than anxious to get into school!

Snow Horse Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

"Snow Horse Elementary School, Together we will rise above the rest!" Ok, so I know my girl's school song better than I knew my school song! Perhaps, because they had to practice to sing in this choir for the ribbon cutting ceremony. You can see Amanda above the man with the green shirt and you can see Sydney in the front row by the girl with the blue bows. The ceremony was held in the front west side of the school at 6pm at night. It was 96 degrees still and we were MELTING! The girls sang great and the choir sounded awesome. Then, after many shortish speeches, a couple of horses came to bring the ceremonial scissors to cut the ribbon. It was fun to have the girls involved. After this little program, the teachers held back-to-school night. This is usually held without students, but of course no one was going take their kids home and come back. Mike and I divided and conquered since we now have 2 kids in school. We like their teachers and the girls are anxious to get going in the school year. Sydney did her testing today and knew everything her teacher asked her. Hope she finds something to do in Kindergarten!
Soon after, we left for our Arvy family reunion in West Yellowstone....more on that to follow!

Sydney's first day of Kindergarten!

Last year: Preschool

This year: Kindergarten!
Brandon wanting a turn to get a first day of school picture! Well, it's sort of a first day. We went to the school for about a half hour, met the teacher, did a cute treasure hunt that took us around the new school, to the playground, through her classroom and located important things like her seat and the bathroom! Sydney's so excited and it's going to be hard to now wait a week before she really starts. She asked me if today she got to go to school without me (my heart broke a little...she's ready to go be without Mommy!) and when I told her no and she doesn't get to ride the bus yet...she was a bit disappointed. She is sitting at a table with 2 other kids she knows already from the neighborhood. Her teacher is super nice and we go tomorrow for her assessment. After 'school' we went with Rachel O and Abby to The Rock Loft and had lunch at the Bun Basket and then did some window shopping at the crafty boutique there. I was excited to go to this place as I have heard a lot about it. So, a fun first day for Sydney, too! I bought some 'First Day of School' cookies from the Bun Basket and am anxiously awaiting Amanda's return any minute now!

Amanda's First Day of School!

Last Year: 2nd grade
This year! 3rd Grade~look how much she's grown!

It's finally here! Amanda's first day of 3rd grade in her brand new school! She and the other two kids were up early, got all their chores done and were ready for school with a half hour to spare. If only every day could be this exciting!

The entire family took her over to school this morning. I love how Mikey will do anything for his girls. They really wanted him to be there for their first day. It probably would have been easier to walk because there were roads closed and a million cars going to the school this morning. The only thing that doesn't look like it got done is the lunchroom...no tables. That will make a memorable first day.

We took Amanda into her classroom. She is in the Canyons pod in the school. Her teacher asked her name and said, 'oh, I know you'...this is because I met her teacher at the PTA/Teacher lunch. I think that made Amanda feel more comfortable. She found her desk and although the excitement isn't showing on her face in this picture, I think she was ready. Short day today and all week....just to ease them in, I guess.

We love you Amanda Mae!

Who's that girl?

Before:

Sydney got her haircut! She has been wanting to cut it and donate it to Locks of Love ever since Amanda did it at the first of the year. Her hair had been getting so long that there was drama whenever I would brush it, so we thought it was a good time to chop it off! She looks so cute! What a fun new haircut to start school! Our friend, Nicole, does our hair and always does a great job.

During:

After:

Also, for FHE last night we continued a tradition from my family and from Mike's family and he gave the girls blessings to start the new school year. The blessings were the sweetest and when Sydney's was done, she said that was making her cry! Mom, looks like she inherited the bawling genes. I was of course crying. I know because our girls were blessed with such wonderful things to start the school year that they will be great students and we will be able to handle any challenges that come our way. And I am so grateful that my husband holds the priesthood and can use it to bless our family.

Come In!

Brandon does the cutest thing when we get him ready for bed. He likes to take his shirt and pull it back over his head to make a tent. Then, he says, "Come In!" and you get to go in the tent and have this cute private conversation with him. Cute moments.....

1st Fathers & Sons = Girl's night out!

Mike took Brando on their first Fathers & Sons last night! They had a great time! Mike said they threw rocks in the river, played with the flashlight and watched the fire. At one point while watching the fire, Brandon looked up at Mike with a look on his face that just said, "This is so much fun to camp with my Dad!" and Mike said he'll remember that look forever! Brandon kept saying, 'I love camping'

Abby, Amanda, Maddy, Sydney and Lucy at the Gateway

Since the boys were gone, the girls got to play! We were going out with Nicole F. and Zoe, but at the last minute her plans changed. I told the girls we would still go to dinner and go shop for a new shirt or two for the first day of school.

Then, we got invited to join Rachel O and Melanie L and their girls at The Dodo....and we couldn't resist! We had a fun dinner...the little girls were in heaven hanging out with their friends. We decided to hit Old Navy to find some shirts. We all found some cute cute things, including matching jammy bottoms for Amanda and Maddy L. Then, the girls decided to have a HSM2 encore showing with these friends, since they were out of town for our last party. On our way to the cars, the four girls walked up ahead of us and kept singing 'Fabulous' from HSM2. People would laugh out loud at this cute group of girls. They were so fun to watch and I'm glad they aren't shy.

Party at our house! They had to hang in our room because that's where the dvr is...they did enjoy that! At about 11:30pm, I had to call the party...I was tired! The girls could have gone on forever!

Parking Garage

After I had put the kids to bed the other night, I came into the kitchen to clean up and just about tripped over Brandon's parking garage. Just more fun with boys and their toys!

Big Wednesday!

The Twins: Brando and cousin, Zach. Somehow, Kat and I always dress them in same colors, etc....and it's not even planned....How cute are they? Going to see the Ghost of the Bayou!

We started our day by going to the zoo with Kat & her kids and Hillary and Abi. Grandma Renae kept LuLu for Hillary. We had a great time! The animals were fairly active today. One leopard paced in front of a viewing window right in front of the kids. Amanda got face to face with the big cat and that scared Sydney. Brando just followed along with the kids when they started screaming. Riding the train was also a highlight. We let the kids play at the zoo playground while Kat fed Makayla.

Playing on the playground! Below with Amanda: Hillary and Abi
That's the cutest turtle I've ever seen!
Waiting for the train to come by!

Then, BIG NEWS...we have a new cousin/niece! Aurora or Ari for short, was born yesterday evening in a big hurry. When Stacie & Danny arrived at the hospital, the nurses put Stacie in a prep room and sent her into the bathroom for a 'sample'...well, instead of a sample, they got a baby! Luckily, Danny was there to catch the little cutie and between Danny and a bunch of nurses, Ari arrived safely! We stopped by to see her (and her parents) before heading home. She is adorable! Tiny, tiny.....we are so happy she is here!

The kids (included Brandon who also loved her feet!) loved holding her. Welcome, Ari!

On the way home, Mike called and he is going to stay in Denver one more night. Things are too crazy at their office over there and 2 days wasn't enough time to finish. The kids and I hate it when he's gone. I'm so glad he doesn't have a majority traveling job. We did that once and hated it. I think I'll take a few days every few months. But, we still miss him!

Last night, I took the girls over to their new school to see the class lists. This new school is so exciting! It's beautiful! Sydney was seeming a little nervous, so she and I had a good talk, looked through the windows into her classroom and checked out the playground (imported from Sweden and unlike anything I've seen before...I'll have to post a picture in the future). She told me she felt better about going to school and was just a little worried about bullies, so we talked about that. I'm so glad that Amanda and Sydney are both on the same side of the school. The school has open 'pods' with classrooms off the common areas. So, out of 3 pods or halls, they ended up in the same pod. I've been so impressed with our new principal, also. Her enthusiasm is contagious! One week to go!

Doesn't get any better than this!

Mikey is out of town for a couple of days. To make things easier on me while he's gone, we usually have cereal or something similiar for dinner. Tonight, I went all out! Treating my kids to the best dinner ever! Kind of makes your tummy turn, doesn't it?

Brandon saying "Hurry Mommy, I'm hungry!"

PS: I'm still having cold cereal!