First Day of Kindergarten

She got ready the night before and had all her clothes laid out, her backpack packed. She bounded out of bed in the morning and made her bed - without being asked!  And got ready like the big kid she is.  What an exciting day for her.  Ron decided to go to work later in the morning so her could join us on her first day.

  The elementary kids start school at a ridiculous hour which will prove to be a little harder to wake up.  She has to be at school at 7:30-7:40 and is release at 2:45.  What an exceptionally long day for the little ones!  What ever happened to half day kinder???

 I'm sure it was overwhelming for her, but she's so great at adapting to new things, you could feel the excitement oozing from her.   Nothing really scares her or makes her not willing to jump into things head first.  Yes, she's scared of not knowing what to expect, but where some may hide or back away from the fear, Ella runs at it full speed.  THe fear of the unknown doesn't scare her, it invigorates and excites her.  I love that about her and it's one of her strongest qualities.  I hope she doesn't ever loose that!

Picking her up after school and she's still beaming!  I think it's safe to say kindergarten is a huge success.  She even got some play time with a former pre-school classmate, Alexia.  They aren't in the same kindergarten class but it's nice that they see each other at lunch and recess. 

Twas the Night Before Kinder

Twas the night before the first day of school, emotions ran high as I sat on a stool.
My little girl all grown up on her way, to Kinder and learning, what can I say?
But I love you, I know you’ll do great; think of all the friends you will make.

The supplies are all bought, your lunch made with care; 
the things you will do and the lessons you’ll share.
I watched as she pattered and got ready for bed; 
excitement and joy to the bathroom she led.

Wash your face, wash your nose, get those ears and those toes. 
Tomorrow’s the big day… say it ain’t so!
I spied through my lens as she brushed and she primped; 
my last day with my baby, I may cry like a wimp.

Tomorrow you’ll go and have fun with your friends, 

what do I do with a day that won’t end?
I miss you already but I’m bursting with pride; 

off you go, learn lots, have fun and be kind.

A kiss on the cheek, maybe one… maybe ten; 

set the alarm and let the dreaming begin.

I’m sad and I’m happy, I’m emotionally beat.

Good night and sleep tight …I love you my sweet.

Kinder Orientation

We got back from Gulfport and had enough time to change and head out to kinder orientation.  To say Ella's excited to go to school is a MAJOR understatement :)

 With Mrs. Scarborough, for whom her school is named.

Gulfport in August

It just wouldn't have felt like summer if we didn't make one trip to Gulfport, Mississippi to see Sara and the boys.  Ella and I headed to see Sara in the last week before school started and enjoyed a few days with our favorite friends...

Rockin' to Justin Beiber on the drive to MS...

A day with Wyatt & Miles in a cute little seaside town... 

and antique shopping....

...before lunch 

Lots of bedtime stories with Aunt Sara.... 

Hanging out with our two favorite boys.... 

and teaching them WET chalk makes great sidewalk and body paint! 

And having a vintage photo session with our new antique finds...

 Ice cream on the pier at sunset.... 

...and some good ol' fashioned shenanigans... 

Summer 2011... Summed Up

Summer here in South Texas has been dry and hot... and dry.  We had no rain for the better part of the year.  Maybe less than a couple inches since last year.  Wildfires made the news and we prayed... PRAYED for rain.  A lot of days we spent inside doing arts and crafts avoiding the heat that surged past 100 for the last half of the summer.   Here's how we spent our summer:

BBq with friends...

4th of July Celebrations

Hanging on the patio being fabulous...

And trying to keep cool...

We watched the final space shuttle launch on July 8th....

Trying to keep our potted plants alive in the drought and water restrictions...

Keeping cool indoors.... 

Balloons with friends on a hot summer evening...