One week down

We've got one week of Kindergarten behind us. So far, so good! It appears she is having a really good time and is starting to adjust to her new schedule. This past weekend was quiet. Movies on Saturday with Daddy and her friends down the street and the pool all day on Sunday afternoon. Jeff took this picture of her one afternoon after school while eating her snack. What are they REALLY teaching her at school! :-)

First Day of Kindergarten!

All the talk, all the playing up, the day FINALLY came and she was AMAZING!!!

We kept a low profile over the weekend to make sure she didn't wear herself out before school started. When it came time to pack her lunch she was eager to get it all put together. 

Ham and Cheese Sandwich

While getting myself ready, I overheard her wake up and say to herself, "Today is my first day of school!"  Brought a smile to my face.   

Kindergarten 08.05.2013

Our more creative neighbor chalked her driveway for her daughter Allie and shared her "sign" with us. 

 

Allie and Madison

 Luckily the walk to the bus stop is not that far.  For the first day of school there is SO many school supplies and other items, her bag overflowed.  Riding the school bus to school was something Madison was looking forward to and couldn't wait!  

Madison, Allie, Sam and Ben

First one on the bus!

 Once she was safe and sound on the bus, Jeff and I made our way to the school to meet her there and walk her to her classroom.  Something that we could only do on the first day and we wanted to be there for her!

Getting off the bus at school

It amazed us how organized they were getting the kindergartners off the bus and to their classrooms. Ms. Jones, Madison's new teacher, met them with smiles and words of encouragement.  

One last picture before letting her starting her day...

And then the waiting began.  Jeff and I took the day off so that we could both be there for her when she got off the bus.  

From the look on that face, I think she had a wonderful day at school!

And she couldn't wait to show us what she learned in GYM CLASS...hula-hooping!!!!

 

 With the first day of school behind us,
the second day is to see how mom and dad adjust to THEIR new schedules!!!

Madison, Mommy and Daddy are SO VERY proud of you.  You did so good today!

We love you so VERY MUCH!

p.s.  For those who have been forwarding this email to friends and family, please share with them that they too can now have the blog sent to them whenever I put it out.  All they have to do is type their email in the email box at the blog site!  Thanks for sharing :-)

Family Fun Day

As I write this, I'm hoping to get it finished before I fall asleep.  :-)

Today was the first day of school for many of the children in our neighborhood!  Kindergartners have staggered entry the first week for assessment testing.  This morning was Madison scheduled assessment time for 10am.  She was up bright and early eager to start school.  We were dressed and ready for our day by 7:45.  At 8:10 we walked outside to watch the bus drive by.  Then it was another hour of her patiently waiting to leave.

The time finally came for us to make our way to school.  She was very anxious to get to school and if she was nervous, she didn't really show it.

When it was time to start the assessments, the teachers came, took the children and told the parents we'd see them at noon!  There wasn't any time wasted giving us VERY quick kisses and then finding her place in line. Jeff and I made our way back at noon and the smile on her face as line leader was PRICELESS!!!  The assessment went well and she told us all about a few of the new children she met. We were all glad that that first step was now behind us.

Perfect timing for lunch!!  And where do you think Madison would want to go for lunch?

Mellow Mushroom, of course.

Jeff telling Madison we had ice cream while she was taking her test!

Brains full, bellies full, now it was time for the FUN to begin!

First stop...Adventure Landing where we rode go-carts and played a round of putt putt.

Hole in One!!!

Next stop, Target for school supplies and then the final stop of the day was to Snip-its for a haircut before starting school next week.

With a FUN filled day, you can imagine we are all VERY tired.  What a WONDERFUL day!  Would not have changed a thing and can't wait to have another FAMILY FUN DAY!!!

 

An interesting discovery

There was a very interesting discovery made tonight.

Check out the video...

http://youtu.be/lukxHi0efbM

You have to copy the line above and paste it into the search line.

Water, water, everywhere

An ark must be somewhere because it feels like it hasn't stopped raining for some time now!  The rain started on Monday and hasn't let up all week.  Since playing on the slip and slide requires you to be wet and it was just raining out, the girls got to play on the slip and slide IN THE RAIN.

The big yellow-orange circle in the sky finally split the clouds on Sunday afternoon.  There was no working in the yard this weekend with the yard squishing like a sponge.  What better way to pass the time then to go up to the pool.  Madison had yet MORE baby time! 

Madison and Nicholas

 In the morning, we saw a turtle milling around in the yard.  When we got home from the pool, the turtle was digging a hole in our back yard.  We're thinking she was digging her nest to lay eggs.  For three to four hours we checked on her to see how she was doing.  She kept digging and digging.  EVEN when the rain poured down and her hole filled with water.

From the deck

Trying to get the water out of the hole

Before going to bed, I checked on her progress and it looked like she filled in the hole.  If she did lay eggs, we'll be looking for baby turtles in 45-90 days!

4th of July 2013

It was a four day weekend for Madison and I!  Spent the first two days doing nothing but hanging by the pool.  Mom and Dad stopped by on Thursday afternoon for a QUICK visit!

Saturday was a LONG overdue fun day with Emma!  First stop...blueberry picking!!!

For what ever reason, it doesn't feel right picking blueberries when the temperature outside is over 90 degrees.

Emma and Madison picking blueberries

Madison preferred to sit in the shade and play with Grant.

Feeding Grant

Being out in the sun, being hot and wet, and no water to run around in, it made Madison VERY grumpy.   This is our family portrait from the day...taken by Emma.

The Sanford Family

Emma was doing such a great job catching the moments and this is Madison just taking one last moment to show off.

Finally!  Time to cool off!!!

Nothing makes a hot day cooler than bubblegum ice cream.

We went back to our house and had dinner.  The girls played and played.  They were having such a great time that we asked Emma to stay overnight.  

Girls have to look good to start the week, so we painted our nails...

then water sprinkle time....

and to top the weekend off...an iciee.

What a great weekend!!!!  

Sleepover with Emma

When I asked Madison what the best part of her weekend was, she states matter-of-factly..."The whole weekend was fun!"  You can't beat that!  Pizza and a movie Friday night, Saturday afternoon/night with her best friend, and pool time with her other best friend Sunday afternoon!  What was NOT to like!

Madison and Emma sleeping under their "tent"