School is Underway!

Thank you to those of you who have been thinking about us and praying for us this week.  In the scope of what's going on around the world or even next door it seems silly, but sending our first born to school was a big deal for us this week and we do appreciate the love and support we felt.

I'd say its been a success!  In true Lisa-fashion (ha!  now there's two words that don't belong in the same sentence together.  anyway...) there are entirely too many pictures from the short week.  But, I know you are a hardy bunch who come back to this blog week after week so I am once again going to over do it.  :)

On school eve, I snuck into the girls' room after they were asleep to remind myself how very little Avery still is.  She seemed pretty relaxed.

And Amanda seemed....meditative??

 Her things were ready to go.

That morning we gave both girls a cross necklace, one of the only pieces of jewelry Avery is allowed to wear.

 My expectations of how the morning photoshoot would go involved skipping and meadows and laughter and sunshine.  Not quite how reality went!  It was cool and drizzly and early, for our family.  I can count the number of times the five of us have all been up at 8 o'clock in the morning.  Aiden was awake FAR too early, but we wanted to walk Avery to school as a family.

 As she arrived at school, her class was making their way to church for opening services, so I kissed Avery goodbye as she joined the line and then dropped her things in her classroom.

This backpack...I set her up on the computer, thinking she would choose between B*rbie or H*llo K*tty, etc, but she actually spent about 45 minutes researching how the pockets were set up and the actual layout of the compartments.  Once she found the one she immediately knew it was THE one.

 Jesus, ABC's and the American flag...to me, those three go perfectly together.

 Nice to have a rough idea what and when she is doing things throughout the day.

 Back at the ranch, this is how kindergarten looks.   I love this girl DEARLY, but she is...hard and I knew school would be no different.  Amanda, if you are reading this 20 years from now, please know I loved you deeply, no matter what, but you were special and wonderfully unique in a want-to-pull-my-hair-out-sometimes kind of way.

She lacks the "thirst for knowledge" that Avery had and I find myself, yet again, feeling inadequate for the task of raising her.    I'm just not the fun, crafty mom who loves pulling out tons of stuff to make cool projects but I feel like I'm going to need to do some "sneaky" teaching with her, like science projects involving water or using building blocks.  We'll see...its still early.  Let's just say its going to be a character building year for both of us. :)

 My plan is to do school at 10 o'clock so 1.) we can both have something to plan on and 2.) so Elmo can babysit.  Yes...my plan is to put my two year-old in front of Sesame Street for one hour everyday....judge if you must.

 When we walked away from the school I was in tears, literally feeling like I'd been kicked in the stomach.  It felt so wrong.  Mercifully, there was a noon dismissal for the first day, so we all walked back down to get her.  Shaun thought it was the Pre-K walking out, but actually Avery was in the bunch.

 She was all smiles and seemed really happy to see all of us, especially her brother and sister.

 Daddy took us out to ice cream and Avery filled us in on her day, or rather, answered our barrage of questions.  After about three hours at home she was asking to go back to school.  Apparently we are boring now. :)

 Talking to grandparents about her day...

 This was some of school on the second day

 Amanda and I made cookies for an afternoon snack, cause that's what you do, right?

This morning Avery came downstairs worried that school would be cancelled because it was raining so hard.  No, but it did cancel our walk.  Instead, Amanda and I drove her and stayed for a special Mass.  I don't know if you are aware, but today, September 8 is a very special day.  Its Mary's (as in, mother of Jesus) birthday!  Amanda was a bit bummed that we only sat in church and there was no cake involved.

 Amazing how quiet and orderly a group of Pre-K to 8th graders can be.  Day three and already Avery knows lots of catholic stuff rituals/traditions.  Very strange to see her bowing and making the cross.

 So far, so good, except that I got scolded about her fingernail polish...oops!  The 8:30-2:45 days go by fast and already it seems almost natural.  And really, to see her so delighted and excited about something (that is good for her), well...how can I not join in?

When she got home, I bugged her for a couple pictures since the rain had finally stopped.

I read the idea of a theme verse for the school year and knew I had to borrow it.

Avery's:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with Avery wherever she goes.  Joshua 1:9


Amanda's:
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in Amanda will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  Philipians 1:6