Libby's First Day of Preschool

Libby was SO exicted her first day of preschool. I'm so glad because she can be really shy. Off she went, right into the classroom, showing her teacher her new backpack!

When I picked her up she talked non-stop all the way home (we walked). She loved it! They had read the Gingerbread Man in class and made a gingerbread man, put it in the oven, and when they went to get it he was gone! So we were keeping an eye out for him on our walk home...

Libby's class is actually a Language, Literacy, and Literature class. She goes one day a week, Friday, for 2.5 hours. Several people told me their kid learned more in this class than in their 3 or 4 day/week preschool classes. I'm so thrilled that she has liked it so much!

Off to School

The time has come to send my first born off to first grade... all day... Austin started 1st grade on August 25th. His level of excitement matched my level of sadness that day. I purposely wore sunglasses that day to hide any tears that I might shed. The first day of school they have the 'opening ceremony' where the kids meet their teachers and line up as a class on the playground. Then by classes they march to the front of the school and stand around the flag pole. The principal, who was new this year, says a few words and then everyone says the pledge. After that the kids march in the front doors by class to their classrooms to the sounds of the school song over the intercom. I only made it to the principal's speach before I had to put on my sunglasses.

It was a very sad day for both Libby and I. We are still in transition. Austin was so excited the first week. This week he told me he didn't want to go to school everyday anymore, maybe just a few days, because he misses us. (more tears) And everynight since then he's mentioned how little time he has to 'visit' with us. (more tears as I type this!) I'm sure we will all get used to this after a few more weeks.

Libby starts her preschool class tomorrow (Sept. 5th). She's excited to 'go to school' like Austin. And she can't wait to carry her princess backpack! Hopefully, I'm able to supress the tears tomorrow...

Austin with his teacher, Mrs. Blessing

BUSINESS Trip

I thought I'd share the picture Chad sent me yesterday from his business trip to Europe this week. Here he is enjoying a glass of Guinness after a tour of the Guinness Factory in Dublin, Ireland. This was the day after he attended Wimbledon in London! He's working hard over there!

Love That Red Ribbon

These are the ribbons that Austin has earned from swim meets so far. Do you see that red ribbon? That's a second place ribbon from the 25 meter freestyle event. Before he received that ribbon he had blue, white, and yellow ribbons on his board.

Last Thursday, when he earned that ribbon, he was in first place until the very end of the race, and then another boy on his team finished ahead of him. Chad noticed Austin kept looking under water at who was next to him, and then it seemed he slowed down a little bit. Chad asked him afterwards, "Were you looking under water to see if someone was close to you?"
Austin, "yes".
Chad, "Why did it look like you slowed down at the end?"
Austin, "I don't have any red ribbons!"

Now he has RED, white, and blue ribbons!

Swimmers Take Your Mark

Saturday was our first swim meet of the season. Actually, it was the time trials. The time trails are a 'practice' meet that is just our team swimming each event to get and idea of each swimmer's times. Here is Austin waiting in line (in his cute jammer swim suit - so glad they don't have to wear the good 'ole speedo!). He did great!

Tuesday was our first REAL meet! Austin placed first in both the 6 & under 25 yard freestyle and the 25 yard backstroke! Then he got to join the 7-8 year old freestyle relay and they came in first. It was an exciting meet.

We have another this Thursday. We will keep you posted!

Summer 'Break'

Summer is a break from school for the kids; I'm not so sure it's a break for Mom! The end of the school year and the beginning of summer have been a whirlwind of activity. We had the end of both kids gymnastics classes, a spring musical, school field day, volunteer appreciation brunch, kindergarten celebration, the beginning of swim practice, the beginning of baseball practice, and next week starts swim lessons for Libby. We have entered a new phase of life!

Check out our kindergarten graduate! The last day of school was a mini graduation ceremony for the kindergarteners. They received a certificate for finishing kindergarten and sang some songs that they learned throughout the year. It was cute!

Gym Tigers

We have a full house of gymnists! Here are a few pictures from Libby's last day of her 'Gym Tigers' class. She thought it was more exciting that ballet!