Sept: Bear Preschool!

Bear started going to preschool this year! A couple of Mom's from church and I started a co-op preschool and he was so excited to go to school like the Sissies!  He got a brand new backpack with Hulk Smash and other "angry guys" (as he calls super heroes) on it.

He is very, very good with his letters. He recognizes nearly all of them and can tell you the sounds for about half. He likes to color and to "pwojects".

One of his very favorite things to do is to sort pompoms.  This was crazy easy to put together and he probably does it every day on his own.

Sadly, the other Mom's have had some life changes that mean they can't do the co-op preschool, but Bear and I are continuing on with Mommy and Bear school. It has been fun and he has enjoyed the one-on-one time and my undivided attention!

First and Third

Everybody was super excited for school to start this year! The girls couldn't wait to be a First and Third Grader.  Also, when did my girls learn the "hand on one hip" model pose?  I can't get over how beautiful they are!

The annual "Pick whatever you want" first day of school breakfast was fun this year. 
Birdy picked:
Lime Sherbet/Sprite float
Gyoza (aka potstickers- we use the Japanese word in our house)
Rice Krispie treat
Cookie Dough Ice Cream

EJ Picked:
Pop Tart (with frosting)
Sausage Biscuit (she wanted McDonalds, but DMP is gone again and I couldn't go out without backup!)
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie
Gyoza
Lime Sherbet/Sprite float

EJ says this about her first day of third grade:
"It was GREAT!  First we got to school, and to our classes and then I made some new friends.  We were in music and a new girl is named Paige and she asked if I wanted to play at recess.  My teacher is the best EVER.  So then at lunch, Me, Audrey and Paige sat together. It was funny because Audrey had red juice.  You know how you get a milk mustache? She got a juice mustache!  It was hilarious!

At recess we played hide-and-seek tag. It was FUUUN.  The teacher read a story I've wanted to read again forever called "The Recess Queen".  My favorite thing about my first day was Mrs. Bailey and my new friends!  My least favorite thing was having to sit with the little kids to wait for Mom to pick us up after school."

Birdy has this to say about her first day of first grade:
"It was AWESOME!  I did two papers- one with a bus on the front and then a number one. I sit by a boy I don't know and Avery and a new boy. At recess, all the girls I know got with me and we chased Max and we ran from Max.  We also tried a dance out and it really worked!

Lunch was great- I ate everything. Mrs. Dawes is the best teacher. I have to say, she is better Ms. Cain!  My favorite thing about today was mostly everything.  My least favorite thing was recess because I felt a little sick because it was hot."

Aren't they just so cute and grown up? *Sniff*   Actually, it was all cheers and no tears at our house this year. I offered to go in and walk them to class and Birdy said "No, Mom, EJ will show me the way if I need it. We're fine." I'm glad the happiness at school being back in session is mutual!

It was SO much fun hanging out with just me and my lil buddy again!  Also, going to the store with just one? AWESOME.  He was pretty happy to have Rosie to hang out with, too!

Bear has this to say about the first day of school:
"I'm Rosie the dog!  Woof!"

First Day of School! First Day of School!

Birdy started Kindergarten today! Isn't she so cute with her winning outfit, LaLaLoopsy backpack and "ladybugs and butterflies" lunch box!   In our family (the Kinsels) we have a tradition that the kids get to pick whatever they want for breakfast for the first day of school. Birdy picked spaghetti and meatballs and a doughnut! 

She had a great day.  She says "It was awesome. I can't wait to do it again!  I like riding the bus."  Her favorite part of the day was eating lunch and going to her classroom.  Her least favorite part was recess because it was so hot! She made a new friend named Lydia.  Ms. Cain is very nice.  Best of all she got a "green smiley" (good conduct) and "only got yelled at once" :)

EJ started second grade in style! She wore her winning rock star outfit, and has a Hello Kitty backpack AND lunch box!  Her first day of school breakfast was Swedish Meatballs and a doughnut (I don't make this stuff up, folks).

She had an awesome first day. She learned about circle maps, she made a new friend named Christopher, and she already knew some kids in her class.  She and Christopher were the winners of a game.   Her favorite part of the day was knowing that Gabrielle and Riley (special kids) come to her class. The worst part of the day was recess! It was SOOO hot, and so short!

Riding the bus is old hat for EJ, but it was Birdy's first time.  She said she was the quietest on the bus and it was a lot of fun!

P.S. Last night, after I wrote this post, EJ said to me "I'm so glad Birdy had a good day. I was SOOO worried about her all day!" Isn't she a gem!

Pick EJ's First day of Second Grade Outfit!

EJ and Birdy are both SO excited to have your help in picking their first day of school outfit!  Remember last year?  Vote for your favorite outfit by letter and EJ (and Birdy) will wear the winner to their first day of school next week!  Stay tuned to the blog for the big first-day-of-school reveal!

Option A- Summery and sweet!

Option B- Rock Star. I told her "This is your rock star outfit". That is apparently a "rock star" face...

Option C- Casual Hoodie



Option D- Sparkly Justice Black! (Don't ask about the pose...)

Also- their hair will be done when it is the actual first day of school. Probably.  And they will be wearing proper footwear!

Pick Birdy's First Day of Kindergarten Outfit!

Remember last year when y'all helped EJ pick her first day of school outfit?  Both girls were super-excited to have you help them out again this year!  Just vote for your favorite outfit by letter in the comments! 

Option A- Rock Star! the leggings are just striped, not sure if you are seeing the crazy pattern I am!

Option B- Pink and Summery!



Option C- Beautiful Butterflies!

Option D- Cinderella Sweetie

First day of School!

Thanks to everyone who voted for EJ's first day of school outfit. It was a fun project for her to tally the votes each day last week. As you can see, Option C narrowly beat out the second Option D as the outfit of the day!

In our family, you can pick whatever you want to eat for breakfast on the first day of school. Growing up, that meant some of my siblings had steak or shrimp. I usually picked a nice everything bagel with veggie cream cheese. EJ picked Pop Tarts, a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios, OJ, and a brownie. I did tell her she could have anything, so I think I got of easy- this year at least!

Her first day went well. It got off to a rocky start when I couldn't find a parking spot to walk her to her class, but she rocked by finding it herself! (Her new school is big and there are lots of similar-looking halls- very confusing!). I also forgot to pack the knife and fork she needed, but was able to drop them off.

She had a rough lunch and we all learned something about "bringing lunch"- She had trouble opening her fruit cup and spilled the juice everywhere and between cleaning that up and going to the bathroom, she didn't have much time left to eat. We're going to simplify things tomorrow and she knows to hurry and eat!

She reported that she loves her science book and that PE was AWESOME. She didn't like recess, because "It was SOOO hot and they made us stay outside FOREVER". It probably didn't help that they didn't get to play- they just had a session to learn the playground rules and practice lining up and whatnot. She is super-excited to go back tomorrow and it was a great start to what should be a great year!

Help EJ Pick her First Day of School Outfit!

EJ can't decide what to wear to her first day of first grade. We had the idea to have her model some outfits for you and let YOU vote on what she should wear :). School starts a week from tomorrow, so please get your votes in soon! Just leave the letter (or description) of your pick in the comments- she's so excited to see what y'all pick! (BTW- We will do her hair and probably get a special hair accessory and she'll be wearing her new shoes :>)

Option A- Yellow sparkly kitty shirt/jeans shorts
Option B- Sparkly headphones shirt, black leggings.

Option C- Red Shirt and Ribbon Skirt (Look Familiar Bek/Lu? :>)

Option D- Blue Naartjie shirt/pants (another Lu hand-me down!)

Option D- Teal peasant top, white bottoms

Option E- Blue Top/Pattern Pants (This and the next are also credited to Lu!)

Option F- Black/White studded dress, white leggings.

BONUS!!!

Here is Birdy modelling her new "school clothes" (she was feeling left out, and there is a great Kid-to-Kid here!)

Quick- vote for your favorite EJ outfit now and help pick her first-day-of-school outfit (please do and if you have kiddos (cousins?) have them vote, too, if you want. She is super-excited about this!)