Second Grade Program for Veteran's Day

On Veteran's days, our school had a special program for Veterans and first responders. The second graders sang patriotic songs in the program to help honor our heroes. 

A trip to Houston

Our friends from church moved to Houston recently. My friend and I wanted to visit to see her new home and help her organize her kitchen. We drove down Thursday afternoon with the twins and on Friday night, the husbands came with the big kids.

It was a fun 3-night and 4-day slumber party with three families!

Hallowen

For the school parade, Karis wanted to be Batgirl. 

Makena wanted to be a cat. 

The 2nd graders don't do a Fall class party, but the 1st graders do. Makena's class rotated through each 1st grade classroom for a snack, craft, game and a story. 

 

In the evening, the kids dressed up for some trick-or-treating. Kyle initially wanted to be a policeman (with his police dog).

Halloween night was pretty warm so we talked him out of wearing his fleece-lined policeman jacket and into wearing his fireman rain coat and putting on his fireman hat he got from the fireman visit at preschool. 

Our first stop was a visit with Mockingbird's 1st grade teacher cast of Inside Out characters.  So fun!

We met Makena's friends there. 

We were then off to collect candy!

Last year we visited Karis' 1st grade teacher (who is now the director at Kyle's preschool). Karis remembered fondly last year's visit so I texted her teacher to see if she was passing out candy. When we arrived, we found friends visiting her as well!

 A fun night with these sweet kiddos!

A Family Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

We visited the Flower Mound pumpkin patch after school with friends. Here are some pics of our visit. 

The big kids loved the playground and the underground hay maze. 

The pumpkin patch is filled with all kinds of characters. Kyle picked Ariel!

Waiting in line for the hay ride. 

A quick break from climbing on hay bales. 

The kids picked out their own pumpkins. 

PreK Fall Festivities

Kyle got to go on his first field trip! Daddy went with him to a local pumpkin patch to play games, listen to stories and pick a pumpkin. 

Nana was in town when Kyle had his class Halloween party. 

Kyle cleaned off his plate while the rest of the kids played games. 

I love being at school with him! I get to see him in the halls and drop in on his parties. 

Donuts with Dad

Kyle invited Daddy to Donuts with Dad at his school. 

Kyle gave his 60-year old dad a tie to wear to the event.  =)

A College Visit

We went to Abilene to spend the day with our favorite college student. When we first told the girls what college was, they said they would never want to go because it would mean they would have to leave home and live without us. Oh, how that idea will one day be so exciting to them! 

During our visit, the kids got to get a glimpse of what college life is like. We walked around the campus and got to see the library and inside some classrooms. We visited a cool prayer garden with a large statute of Jacob's ladder. 

We took Lindsay to lunch, played at a playground and then ended our visit with some frozen yogurt!

 

 
On the way home we stopped for some chicken fried steak. It was a fun day!

Our Soccer Player

Karis started her first season of soccer. She had been wanting to play for awhile, and when we realized she was truly interested, we signed her up. Well, we put her on the waiting list because the deadline had already passed. Thankfully she got off the list and was put on a great team -- Maroon Mermaids! The team is made up of some great players, some have played together for years. We love the two coaches. They are so patient and encouraging with the team. 

We weren't sure if Karis was going to like soccer. We didn't know if people watching her would make her nervous or if we would have to have the "you signed up and made a commitment and you're going to finish the season" conversation with her. Our worries were unfounded as she has been loving it. She improves so much after each practice and game. It has been fun to watch her learn, make new friends and gain confidence!

Here are a few pictures from before and after her first game. 

Kyle's First Day of PreK

This handsome boy is in PreK!  Since we left our old church, Kyle is starting preschool at a new school. He wasn't too excited over the summer to start at a new school, but after we toured it and then he spent two days at the school while I had teacher meetings, he was pretty excited for the first day.  It also helped that his sisters started school two weeks ago, and he's been pretty bored at home! 

Kyle wanted to color the flags on his "first day of school" sign. When he gave me his sign back, he had drawn trees and a whole bunch of people on it. I loved it! It'll remind me of how he's been drawing a lot lately as it's one of his favorite things to do. 

Daddy brought him to school and helped him learn the drop-off routine. First thing was to hang up his backpack. 

He unpacked his lunch box and water bottle and put it in the designated spot by the door. (Side note: the little boy next to him is Grahm. Kyle says whenever he hears his name, he wants to eat a graham cracker.)

After Kyle dropped off his things, he went straight into the classroom. Derek and I just looked at each other because we wanted a hug good-bye...or at least a wave. I called him back so I could at least get a picture of him with his teacher. He loves Mrs. Marsha!

We both had a great first day! I am at the school three days a week as the Toddler and 2-Year Old Teacher Aid. We are looking forward to this school year!

On the second day of school, Kyle was just as excited to go to school. He was so happy and giggly when I picked him up at the end of the day.