10 Things to Smile About: August

Well, summer seemed to come and go way too fast.  We had a great time together as a family and made some very special memories.  But I have to admit, the last two weeks before school started were hard - lots of meltdowns from my oldest min-me.  She was ready for school.  And I was ready for a routine.

Here are 10 things that made me smile in August:

1. Seeing the Stanley Cup with some good friends.

2. Starbucks' Refresher in Very Berry Hibiscus - amazing!

3.  Some haircuts before school

4.  Crossing some important to-dos off my list for our church launch.

5. Rescuing my parents from an unfortunate my-keys-fell-in-the-river incident and coming across this sign...

6.  Some incredible quiet time reading My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers - every day the message speaks right to my heart.  

7.  One last hoorah before school started - took Gracie to her first baseball game

8.  OPI's Germany collection.... I thought it would be very un-German of me not to buy at least a few

9.  Hunger Games on DVD!

10.  School started & my 1st grader finally has her routine back - and so does her very happy momma

What did you love the most about August?  Link up with my friend EmmyMom!

1st Grade

Grace started 1st grade on Monday.  Each year, from preschool to now, I'm surprised that it's possible that she's old enough for school.  Why is my baby growing up???  It's a hard thing for me, as I'm gathering from all your Twitter and Facebook posts, is a hard thing for most of you, too.

Grace and I packed her school bag weeks ago - carefully reading and re-reading her list, labeling her name on about a thousand different items and packing and re-packing, until her bag was just right.  Her clothes have been washed and hung up in her closet.  Shoes have been bought and put aside so they aren't marked up until the last-possible minute.  All of this planning and organizing, and you would think that I would have remembered earlier than a week before school that I planned to work on her spelling and math with her this summer.  I bought a workbook the first week in June to go over with her... and now school has started, and we haven't even begun her "summer" workbook.  Oh, well.  We had fun at the pool, the park and New Hampshire... and fun is what summer is about anyway.

It was a good first day.  She goes to a very small school, so all but two of the students this year were in her Kindergarten class.  Grace seems to love her new teacher and is loving being in a school routine again.  That girl THRIVES on routine.

Can't wait to see how much she learns and grows this school year.  I can't wait to see her continue to grow in confidence.

And since her first day of school was a great success, I thought she deserved a treat...

Proud Mommy Moments: She's Ready!

I'm linking up this week with Emmy Mom for Proud Mommy Moments - a fun and easy post where I get to share what moments tickled my heart or made me turn red in embarrassment from my kids.  This week, I'm pretty darn tickled.

Two weeks ago, Grace went through some testing to evaluate her readiness for 1st grade.  In normal Jill-fashion, I stressed out about this test and began quizzing Grace nightly on things that she would be tested on.  Joel kept reminding me that it was just Kindergarten, and that I needed to chill.  But that's just not me.

Yesterday the results came home, and I ripped the envelope open as soon as Grace handed it to me.  And wouldn't you know, she did great!  She tested perfectly in letter identification and comprehension and interpretation.  She also tested near-perfect in phonemic awareness and mathematical knowledge.

Again, I realize this is Kindergarten... but when it's your kid, you're proud!  She's grown so much this year... she loves to figure out how to spell words and she loves "quizzing" Joel and I in math while we're driving around in the car.

I can't wait to see how her mind and heart continue to grow... 1st Grade is coming up way to fast!

Two Weeks In

Grace is now into her 2nd week of Kindergarten.  My baby is now away from home for 7 hours a day.  She is learning. laughing, growing, exploring and changing. 

It's hard for a parent sometimes to let your little ones let go of your hand and explore life on their own.  It's our job, though. 

On Grace's first day of school, Joel had to tell me it was time to leave her classroom.  It was difficult to walk away - not knowing if she'd be sad that we were leaving and not knowing how the rest of her day would go.  I did cry a bit- no surprise there.  But I can't even tell you how thrilling it was to pick her up later that day and see how excited and happy she was about her first day of school.

So, for 7 hours a day, our little Gracie is on her own adventure.  She loves school.  She loves to learn.  And every day, I cannot wait to go and pick her up.  I cannot wait to hear all that's she's done.

Our Preschool Graduate

Gracie graduated from preschool last night.  Now I know what you're probably thinking - preschool graduation is kinda pointless.  I thought so, too, until I went.  I realized last night while all the kids were singing their songs and sharing the verses they memorized how much God has done in their lives so far and how they are now transitioning from toddlerhood to kidhood.  I think that's a transition worth recognizing and celebrating.

Grace's class shared Psalm 23 and a few songs that were all too cute.  As each kid came on stage to receive their diploma, the preschool director shared what that particular kid said they wanted to be when they grew up.  There were a lot of policemen and policewomen in the group, a few veterinarians, a carpenter, a babysitter, a robot, a batman, a werewolf and a kid who wanted to be 6 when they grew up.  Grace said she wanted to be a doctor, and I have no doubt that she could be that if she wants to.

So, now her next step is Kindergarten.  She's so ready for it.  But I'm not.  I can't believe how quickly these five years have gone and that in a few months, I'll be dropping Grace off for Kindergarten.  Why does all of this happen so fast?  I just wish time would pause, and I could have more time with a kinda-mobile 1 year-old and bright-eyed preschooler.  I love this stage!