First day of 1st grade

The morning of the first day of school started with a bit of a shock; it was cold outside!

We dropped Liz off at daycare and then Kate and I walked to school.

Kate was mildly annoyed that we were walking. I lost track of the number of times she asked why we couldn't drive.

I was able to walk her in to her classroom where we found her cubby and got her situated at her desk.

I gave her a hug and kiss and left.  Curiosity got the best of me when I was only a few steps out of the room.  I turned around to sneak a peek to be sure she was okay.  When I saw she wasn't crying I had to take a picture!

After two days of first grade, it seems like we are off to a good start. However, Kate is already lamenting the fact that she has homework every night whereas, in kindergarten it was just once a week.

dance recital costumes

Saturday morning was quite eventful for the girls; it was picture day at dance class. You may or may not be able to tell that I "styled" Kate's hair!  She is also wearing make-up.  Completing hair and make-up for both girls took this inexperienced mama 45 minutes!  However, the results were worth it.

decorating cookies

A few days before Christmas, Kate and Liz decorated sugar cookies.

Liz was quite generous with her designs and toppings.

 

Kate was methodical, deliberate, and precise.  She arranged each piece of candy individually. 

This picture sums up the girls most days. 

Kate is on the verge of panic.  Liz is taking delight in the simple things.

Eventually, the girls worked together on a few cookies.

After a few minutes of working together, Liz may have gotten a bit overwhelmed by Kate's direction and insistence.

Eventually, they overcame their artistic differences and collaborated quite well together.

a clean plate

This is a picture of an empty plate.  Not just any empty plate, Kate's empty plate. And, it isn't empty because I dumped what was left in the trash.  No, this is a picture of a empty plate cleaned by Kate.  And notice that there is marinara sauce on the plate, which means Kate ate pasta that wasn't plain!  Yes, Kate ate pasta with marinara sauce and she ATE IT ALL! 

 

It wasn't a walk in the park getting her to eat it.  As you probably guessed she put up a fight to even try it.  After the first bite she acted like she had just put bleach in her mouth.  But, mommy and daddy kept at her.  She took her time and drank lots of water.  An hour later she was done.

my little photographers

I must have been feeling generous this weekend, because I let the girls take pictures with my camera.  I usually hand over the camera with trembling hands.  But, when I get the camera back it is quite enjoyable to see the world from their perspective.

Kate does a pretty good job of finding a subject and getting a clear shot.

 

Liz has a ways to go but I found a few good ones in the bunch.

 

Kate also likes to take pictures of pictures!

 

Another one by Liz.  I wonder why Kate is covering Daddy's mouth?

a video

kate's first day of kindergarten

Kate started kindergarten yesterday.  

I tried to take lots of pictures to capture the excitement as we prepared yesterday morning.

The minute we were out the front door, these two went into rolly polly mode. 

I decided to take Liz to daycare first, so just Kate and I could walk to school.  Also, Liz was having a hard time knowing she was going to be separated from Kate.  I am not sure I could have handled the parting of ways between the two of them if Liz had been at the school with us.  Liz was the most emotional one of all yesterday.  I forgot that Kate going to kindergarten would be a big change for little sister too.

As we walked, Kate told me she was most excited about art class and painting. 

Her lunch box might have been a bit heavy for her.

We arrived at school and waited outside for the bell to ring.

We went inside to the classroom and Kate found her cubby.

She happily sat down and waited patiently for circle time.

Circle time began with music and when the music started Kate's tears began. In an email to parents, the teacher told us to wait by the entrance during the song.  So, I held back and let the classroom helpers attend to Kate.

Overall, I think Kate did fantastic!  She cried a little when I picked her up, but the teacher assured me she was fine all day and only started up again when she saw me!

Congratulations, Kate, on finishing your first day of kindergarten!

bubbles

A few pictures from a recent evening at Grandma Carolyn's.  

The bubbles were courtesy of Aunt Nora. 

Bubbles are the perfect summer time gift.  Thank you Aunt Nora!

haircuts

Kate and I got haircuts this weekend.

I let Kate choose the length; she went shorter than I expected.

We are both quite happy with our new styles.

Sad little Liz.  I'm still not sure how to tame her mane, though.  So no haircut for her.

self portrait

Kate took these self portraits all on her own.

After much frustration, she figured out that she could place the camera on the ottoman and she could just barely reach the shutter button.

I think she did a pretty good job!

my little collectors

On a night when Michael and the girls were out of the house, I took the opportunity to snoop in their rooms.  I specifically wanted to document what was happening on their night stands.

Kate's night stand has become almost like a museum collection.

She is very specific about the arrangement.

I have seen her fiddle with the placements.  Great thought, effort and energy goes into the display.

Every item was placed in a specific spot for a specific reason.

This is the drawer of the night stand.  Kate lined up the pencils all on her own.

Liz is not quite as organized and precise.  The items on her night stand are a bit more haphazard in their placements.

It looks as though items are tossed and wherever they land is fine.

I don't want to get too analytical, but I think the items on each girl's night stand and the placements say a lot about their personalities. I wonder what their rooms and night stands will look like in 15 years?