kindergarten queen

Well, it happened.

I have a kindergartener...a school-aged kid.  

I cannot believe how fast the past five years has gone and now we've moved onto a new chapter...homework, reading, schedules and for Lucy...so much fun!

A week before school started we met with Lucy's teacher and she had her kindergarten assessment.  Her teacher is a dream and the classroom is perfect...everything you'd want in a kindergarten class.  We saw her desk and cubby and I started crying just walking around the room knowing this would be where she'd grow, learn and spend three hours a day for the next year.  On her own and growing into her own little person.

When the big day came there was excitement and nerves for all three of us.  After two bites of breakfast Lucy got dressed, had a mini photo shoot in the front yard and we all walked to school.

The first person we saw at school was Lucy's friend from preschool, Phoebe.  She is so excited that they are at the same school!  They are in different classes - there are two morning kindergarten classes - but have so much fun playing before and after school.  Sixteen girls and six boys in Lucy's class this year...dramarama.

The week leading up to school I had a few emotional outbursts but her excitement and curiosity made it lame for me weepy and sad.  I'm just so proud of Lucy and how far she has come.  The night before school I remembered how I prayed while she was in the NICU that one day she would be healthy and strong and walk herself into school.  I envisioned a tiny but strong little girl who laughed and ran with the rest of her friends - nothing holding her back.  Friendly and smart and confident.  Those long days in the NICU that vision seemed so far away but deep down I knew it would happen.  And here she is now - fulfilling every dream, hope and prayer I had.  

The most petite in her class (but a few within a couple of inches), friendly and interested.  Running, laughing, trying to remember new friends names and so excited to line up when that bell chimes.  She has brought home work sheets filled with her writing, pictures she cut out and glued with her own hands.  Stories about the school art gallery, singing class, computer class and teaching us about bullying.  

We've sent her off (if just for a few hours) and I'm so proud of who she is and what I know she'll become.  As hard as it is to let go a little...it's so exciting to see what's yet to come for this superstar!!

summer recap

All summer I kept adding pictures to this blog post with the intent to write a witty recap of what happened.  But with instagram, busy/lazy schedules and the thought that I had plenty more weeks of summer to come back and finish - that blog post never published.  Instead of hoping to remember most of this summer in our heads I decided to squish it all together into one giant post.  A bunch of pictures, not much witty commentary but something to capture a lot of this amazing summer.  

  

In May I decided we were going to make the most of this summer.  I wanted to see and do a lot of new things and have a schedule.  Summer and schedule usually don't go hand in hand but for me everything has a schedule.  Oh we had plenty of lazy, unscheduled days...movies, backyard picnics, pool days at Steiner.  But things run better for us (and my head) if there is a rough outline and some highlighted "must-do's".

I took some ideas from blogs, other friends and pinterest and came up with a type of summer school for Lucy.  I made 12 weeks of themes on little cards and some ideas of activities, movies, field trips, books, learning lesson/craft, snacks, etc to go along with the theme.  On Sunday night I picked the theme (depending on what else we had going on and what I felt like doing) and then Monday morning it would be waiting for Lucy when she woke up on the fridge.  It was pretty much my best idea of the summer!  

We had the BEST time at summer school.

Sometimes friends would join us but most of the time is was the two of us.  Exploring, talking, learning (a little), and getting the most out of our city and the summer.  

Space week took us to the planetarium - we visited the great salt lake during water week - wheeler farm is FREE and we saw a baby calf just hours after it was born during farm animals - the state capitol is empty during the summer and we discussed (5 year old version) the upcoming election (Obama 2012!) during USA week - saw a cool pop-up book exhibit while visiting the city library

...and so much more!

It's amazing if you take a little time to look around how many cool things there are to do in the city.  So many of them are free or you can find coupons.  Some of the places Lucy liked best and will do again is wheeler farm, the capitol and the peace gardens.  I think we'll both be fine to not go back to the living planet aquarium...

Aside from going to 'school' this summer we did a lot of bbq's with friends and family, art classes, swim lessons, concerts and plenty of lounging in our backyard.

arts festival downtown

the best hair-do's have some sprinkler water added in

we'll wait an hour to eat outside at Ruth's diner

a grand ole 4th!

Ringo Starr & his All Star Band with mom, dad, Sabrina & Caitlin - Blake & I saw Keane

flower girl

as many Sundays as possible at the pool with Caitlin - popcorn and fruizls are a must

Our little hiker has earned her 'water backpack' - she wants one every time we see them at Costco.  Lucy and Blake hiked to Dog Lake twice and Lake Mary once - I didn't hike anything.

 Payson Scottish Festival

swim lessons (where I went a little tiger mom...)

Blake enjoying his summer - flip flops and dress pants...

and when it's like 95 degrees for the 30th day in a row you just snuggle in an a/c house

children's art exhibit @ the city library

The last week or so we've taken it easy and enjoyed our time before school.  Lucy's favorite thing is to explore any garden or park that has a hint of magical to it.  She's her most creative and happiest to explore and look for fairies or Alice's rabbit hole.  

We added a sort of reading 'nook' to her play room.  Her playroom is the biggest bedroom in our house but she still needed more space.  I cleared out a few things of one side of her closet, did some scrapbook paper 'wallpaper' found a cute lantern on sale at PB kids and there you have it...a reading nook!  And it looks much more fabulous in person...and at night.

And this is it...the official end of summer.

It was the absolute best yet and I spent it with so many people I love and laugh with...

and my two favorites (forever) - I love our little family of three so, so much.

School starts in 2 days and even though there were a few moments where I thought the calendar would never move...I'm not sure if I'm ready.  

But she is and I'm so excited for her.

my belle

Three hundred years ago Lucy had her spring recital of Beauty and the Beast.  I thought since I've had such a busy summer schedule of pool time, field trips and lounging I would make time to finally document.   

This has been Lucy's third year at Miss Julie's dance.  I can't believe she was only two when she had her first lesson!  Beauty & the Beast is a fave around here so we were pretty excited that Lucy would be playing Belle in all her "glitzy" glory.

my tiny dancer

an academy award is in her future 

dance besties for three years running

nana & lucy

poppa, lucy & gammy

good-bye preschool

For the last day of preschool we let Lucy have her favorite treat...hostess crumb donuts.  This is probably the most she's eaten for breakfast all school year.

 Last Friday was her last day of preschool and they had a little performance in the sanctuary at the church.  I've been so sad about preschool ending.  Lucy has grown so much this year and preschool has been the best experience.  I've loved her school, Wasatch Presbyterian Preschool, and her amazing teachers.  They have done so many fun things this year and she has learned so much.  I only wish she had gone a year earlier because we've loved this program.  

But it's time to move on and get ready for kindergarten!  Lucy is sad about not seeing her friends (one in particular...) and her teachers but she is so excited for elementary school and so I need not be the downer mom feeling sad and nostalgic about moving on.  But it's sad!!

Her class sang two darling songs and at the end of the second song they all yelled "we're off to kindergarten!" Tears...

Lucy and her dream boat.  She had a frenzied, sparkly look in her eye as we waited in line to have her picture taken with him.  He looks equally excited.

He is a cute little boy and it's been funny for me to watch her have her first crush.  They're going to different school though so hopefully she'll take a "falling in love" hiatus for a few years.

Her darling and wonderful teachers Miss Christy & Miss Lora - we will miss them!

Gammy came to watch too.

A bucket of treats and summer goodies to help fill the gap.  The other day I got overly ambitious and with the help of some pinterest ideas came up with some summer "theme" weeks.  We are going to try to take a weekly field trip or outing to make sure we don't get stuck inside watching tv all summer (that could be awesome if Lucy was into shows on Bravo!).  So if you're interested in joining any of our outings text me or email me and I'll let you know what our plans are each week.  I've tried to come up with some affordable or free ideas so hopefully it will work out.  

Lucy's teachers put together these binders of their projects through the year and included a lot of pictures of Lucy in class, with her friends, on field trips.  So many fun memories for my big girl...with many more yet to come!

Here's to snowcones, lazy mornings and fun summer nights!