School days, school days!

I love this time of year! I love the smell of brand-new Crayola crayons and #2 pencils, organizing cute binders, and shopping for new clothes! Every year, I've stocked up on school supplies - even when I haven't had kids in school. Crazy, I know. But I've always looked forward to the fresh start of a new school year. We moved ALOT when I was young, so for me, nearly every year meant a new school, teachers and friends. I'd prefer my girls to have a little more stability than that, but a new school year still means new friends, teachers, and experiences for them!

Monday, Lindsey started her first day as a 1st grader at her new school. She was so excited! We had decided to move her from the charter school back to traditional school this year, but we were still a little nervous about it. As it turns out, she's now in a class with all the little girls from our old neighborhood, so she has tons of friends in her class! Plus, her friend, Avery, is in the classroom next door. She told me yesterday, "Mom, I didn't know first grade was going to be this fun. We haven't learned anything - just playing!" Great. Wait until next week, sweetie!

Today was Emily's first day back at preschool. She has the same teacher Lindsey had 2 years ago - she's such an enthusiastic, sweet teacher! Emily's our little shy one, so I always worry about how she'll do. Apparently, I worry over nothing, because her teacher said she was wonderful and jumped right in. She was thrilled that she was the first one there for the open house on Monday, so she got the coveted hot pink "cubby" this year. Little girls are so funny!

Where has the time gone?!

Today was Lauren's first day of junior high! Yep, our little girl is a 7th grader now - can you believe it?! Where has the time gone? I feel like I just walked her to her first day of kindergarten yesterday, and now my baby is as tall as I am! In fact, on Wednesday, we were all wearing the same shirts (squad and coaches) at camp, and Lauren said the other girls mistook her for me several times until she turned around! Personally, I think she's way cuter than I am, but I do see the similarities. I'm just hoping she's not too much like I was as a teenager....

Lindsey's open house is tonight. I can't believe she's a FIRST GRADER!!! She's going to be in school all day now! I'm so not ready for all of this. Even Emily is so big now. She's going to her second year of preschool, and I know she'll be reading by Christmas (super academic preschool). She still looks like a baby - albeit a super tall one. How did this happen? How are these sweet, little girls getting so grown up without us noticing?? Are we just so incredibly sleep-deprived that we just aren't very observant? I really thought that their childhoods would take longer.

The big question is: have Kent and I taught them everything they need to know up to this point? Have we taught them every value and developed every trait they need to have by this time in each of their lives? Probably not, since I'm sure we're the most quirky, undisciplined parents alive. But I do hope that we've taught them enough so far that they'll at least be prepared for the coming year's challenges. Then I look at our amazingly mature, charitable Lauren, intelligent, friendly Lindsey, and our sweet, enthusiastic Emily, and I realize they'll be just fine.

Now we just need to focus on a few minor details - like decent bedtimes and chores.

Cheer Camp & Seven Peaks

Hooray! Today was the first day of camp for my 7th grade squad, and we had an awesome time! The dances were a little fast for the girls, but they're getting them. Stunting, however, is where they really shine. Most of the stunts they were teaching, our girls had already done, so they worked on their competition stunts some. We also got the most coveted award in cheerleading - the SPIRIT STICK. (Ooohs and aahs are appropriate here. :)) I was so proud of them! Hopefully, they'll work just as hard the next 2 days, right? Anyway, it's always fun to see their hard work paying off.

After camp, Kent, the girls, Lauren's BFF Oakley, and I all went to Seven Peaks to relax and play. We found another of Lauren's friends there, Makenzie, so the 3 of them ran off together. Lindsey is getting to be such a good, little swimmer! She LOVES the water, and seems to spend a lot of time beneath the surface lately. Her swim instructor said she's a natural - she may grow fins! Emily is still a lot more timid about it. In her defense, she has nearly drown a couple of times over the years, so maybe her reluctance is well-founded. Hopefully, all the time we've spent at the waterpark will help her get more comfortable with water.

A Little Obsessed With Twilight

Last weekend, I read Breaking Dawn (in 12 hours straight), and I'm already thinking about re-reading it - as soon as I can pry it away from Lauren (current reader) and Kent (next in line). Is it maybe a little obsessive to read the same 4 books over and over? Or could the whole Twilight series be just a tad addictive...? A friend of mine - who will remain nameless! - actually went to a HOTEL with 3 other women that Saturday just to read Breaking Dawn without interruptions! I admit to being a touch jealous...I had to put it down to go to McD's with Kent and the girls for dinner (cook?? In the middle of chapter 30?!). Is it too horrible to admit that I was tapping my foot impatiently the whole time? Seriously. Admittedly, I'm one of those readers who have a hard time putting down just about any book, but this was causing me actual, physical pain. Needless to say, I'm really looking forward to seeing the Twilight movie. Let the countdown begin!