Off He Goes

Caleb was up four minutes before I was planning on getting him up.  He asked if he could get up and watch cartoons for a little bit.  I told him that cartoons would have to wait until after school now.  Shawn was lucky enough to be home this morning too, so we all sat outside waiting on the bus.

 Giving hugs and kisses early so we didn't make the bus driver wait on us:o)

 Amelia was ready to go too.  She even grabbed her backpack.

 And there it is, right on time!  

It stops just at the end of our driveway, which is really nice.

 And off to school he goes!

 What do we do now?

Caleb's a Kindergartener!

I opened the blinds, kissed his cheek and after a long stretch, I said, Happy School Day!!

He jumped up and immediately tried to change his clothes.

We had biscuits and gravy, his choice, for breakfast and then we all got ready.

I didn't have to ask him to smile too much this morning.

This kid was excited to be going to school!!!

 For the kindergarteners, school was only an hour and a half today and the parents stayed the entire time.  

Caleb asked when he got to come school by himself and was a little mad when he realized that we were staying.  

The teachers split the first day up into boys and girls.  The girls came and met all the girls this morning and then the boys came to meet all the boys later on.  I think that was a good idea.

We filled out paperwork and the boys played together and then got to introduce themselves and tell one thing they loved to do.  Caleb said fishing, of course.  Then one of the teachers took the boys on a tour of the school, while the other teacher went through some things with the parents.  His teacher is actually coming to all of the students' houses this week too.  Mrs. Darden will be coming to see Caleb Wednesday afternoon.

 He will have to walk this long hallway each day when he gets on and off the bus.  

He is beyond excited and is ready to ride the bus TOMORROW!!

I hope that he loves school….especially once he starts going full days!  

Caleb, we love you and are so excited to see the way you grow and all of the things you learn this year!

The Day Before The First Day!

Well, it's the day before the first day of school.  He is so excited (he immediately told his new teacher at church - they changed classrooms there too - that he starts school tomorrow!)!!  

When we asked what he wanted to do today, it was no surprise.  

He wanted, just the boys, to ride their bikes to go fishing at the Turtle Park.  

Meeting His Teacher

Last night was Meet The Teacher Night at Caleb's school.

There was a lot to take in for a little boy.  The gears were turning, especially for someone who thinks about things way too much as it is.    

The cafeteria was full of people at different tables, just waiting to help us first timers.  We headed to the bus table first to see what bus he will ride and at what time he'll be picked up and dropped off.  Then we headed to the lunch table to get him registered and add money to his account.  They gave him "his" number to enter after he's got his tray full of nutritious (or cookies and ice cream, which I'm sure he'll pick) food.  But while we were waiting in line, the principal came over to introduce herself.  She asked Caleb his name.  It took him two times to get it out for her to hear. Then she asked him his last name and there was a long pause and then an ummm.  To which he finally said, Caleb Everett.  

So, how is he supposed to remember his lunch number, when he can't even remember his first and last name?!?!

We headed out of the busy cafeteria and down the long, quiet hallway to his classroom.  (Time to regroup).

His teacher is Mrs. Darden.  (We have been hearing wonderful things about Mrs. Darden for awhile now, so we're pretty excited that she's who he got!) She was with another child, so where did he go?  Straight to the guinea pig, Mr. Nibbles.  She came over and started talking to him and again, nervous nodding of the head, then back to Mr. Nibbles.  He got to pick his seat.  I'll let you guess where he chose to sit.  Next to Mr. Nibbles.  I signed up to be a room mom.  I'm sure I have no idea what I've gotten myself into, but let's just go with it.  

After that, we said goodbye and we'll see you on Monday (for only and hour and a half, might I remind you), then we headed to the gym and met Coach Campbell, then to the library and met Mrs. Mills, then it was off to dinner….at Outback.

So, we'll check back in on Monday as this little boy starts,

Kindergarten!!

The Final Countdown

In exactly one week, we will be taking Caleb to kindergarten.

Let's take a moment and let that sink in……..

The first day will only be for an hour and a half and the rest of the week half days.  I think that they do this, not only for the kids, but to ease the parents into it was well.

This weekend we purchased all of the supplies listed - although, I'm confused by the lack of paper and writing utensils, but I'm sure things have changed since we were in school.  He picked out a blue binder, camouflage pencil cases and green scissors.

He confided that he was a little nervous and asked me if I was nervous the first time I went to school.  Which now has got me a little nervous.  Will he make friends?  Will he be a good student and listen and obey, or will be be the class clown?  Will he like riding the bus - which is what he's most excited about?  Will he wake up well in the mornings (it's 7:45 and he's still not up yet…school starts at 8)?  Will he……..? 

Let's just enjoy this last week as a "kid".

Meet the teacher night is Thursday, which I'm sure, is yet another way to ease the parents into this my kids about to go to school, for the entire day, what will I do with my time, yes I'm nervous for him, but will remain calm and cool, please add me to the volunteer list.

(P.S.  I asked him if he wanted me to help out in his class and he already said no!)  

I read this paragraph in a book I'm reading, coincidentally this morning - and her kid's name just happens to be Caleb too. 

Then I watched Caleb's kindergarten class walk in (the cafeteria).  Every five year old had his index finger over his mouth, making the universal, "I shall not make excessive noise" sign.  Some of the little boys were holding hands.  They carried Thomas the Take Engine and Barbie Fairytopia lunch boxes.  Those who spotted a parent started waiving like Forrest Gump jumping off the Jenny shrimp boat.  They unself-consciously wore Disney velcro shoes and outfits that communicated, "I dressed myself."  I don't care what anyone says: Kindergarteners are tiny babies.  Making them attend the same school as fifth graders should be illegal."

We had a Back To School block party Saturday and another Back To School party with friends tomorrow.  I had so many things planned for this summer and now that we're in this last week, I realize we need to cram them into every last minute (just kidding, what fun would it be for all of us to be run ragged?!).  So, instead I will just pray for him, for us, for this upcoming school year, for how our lives are about to change.  And maybe a few prayers from everyone else wouldn't hurt either.

Final Indy Weekend

Our final weekend in Indiana allowed us to have a lot of great family time.  

Saturday morning, we celebrated the Bride to Be at Jennifer's bridal shower.

 Saturday evening, we celebrated Jennifer and Cory at their Honeymoon Shower.  

 The couple surfing!

 I only had one game for them, which was they had to be blindfolded and try to get dressed in "wedding attire".  It was actually pretty funny!

 Ashley and Delaney surfing.

 Jennifer and I's surfer face.  We weren't sure what that was, so we just looked scared:o)

 We had a great day of celebrating their upcoming wedding!

On Sunday, we celebrated Nan's birthday.

 Pap being silly.

 Making fun of Bitty throwing a fit.

 On Sunday evening, we were able to get all packed up and spend a few last minutes with my family.

We had a great time in Indiana!  We'll see you all again at the wedding...in just a few short months!

Summer in Indiana

Indiana welcomed us with fall-like temperatures and it was amazing!  While everyone was at work, Caleb, Amelia and I headed to Pioneer Park for a little hike and then pool time.

 We threw rocks in the creek.

 And even splashed around in it for a bit.

They were over hiking pretty quickly, because the pool was calling their names.  What we didn't know, was that it has been a pretty mild summer and the water was freezing!!  They ended up playing only for a little bit, then kept asking me to wrap them up in their towels.  Caleb even asked if we could go get some hot chocolate!

We were able to go fishing with Papaw and Popo one morning.

 Amelia found a frog, in which she immediately scooped him up.

 This kid cracks me up!

 Despite the heat on this morning, it was a beautiful day!

 They climbed trees every chance they got….which resulted in Amelia scraping up her leg, chin and nose.

 We played at the splash pad, which wasn't as cold at the pool.

 We visited my grandma.

 They played with this awesome water slide at their cousins' house.

 I even got to meet some high school friends out for dinner. 

Mamaw took us to the zoo.

 Missing our "favorite" home:o)

 They said the dolphin show was their favorite.

 Although, walking through all of these birds was pretty cool too.

Next, it was off to the Indiana State Fair with Grannie.

Getting instruction on how to shoot the pellet gun at the Boy Scout Camp.  This guy was pretty interesting.

 Making fire.

 They got to ride a pony.

 We saw lots of animals.  Caleb said, this place is bigger than the zoo.

 Petting the goats.

 Once we got outside, they wanted to feed the goats too, so we bought a bag of carrots.

 We were able to see Great Uncle Ronnie in the chicken barn and he even got one out for them to hold….or attempt to hold.

 They rode a couple of rides.

 We watched a little bit of the donkey/mule show and another horse show.

 Watching the goat show.

 They really liked all of the baby pigs.

 Before heading home, we had to stop by the Boy Scout Camp one last time to try shooting and making fire again.

 We had a cookout at cousin Delaney's house and swam in the, again, freezing, water.

Silly cousins!