First day of kindergarten & high school

What?  Can you believe that's the real actual title of this post? Neither can I!  And if I think about it too much I'll start bawling!  No, I think I'm good now - the anticipation is always worse the reality, and I've had a few days to get used to it.  Jocelyn was so excited to go to kindergarten, and so ready to go.  She doesn't know anyone in her grade, and has never had to transition to a new environment before.  So needless to say I was a bit concerned about how the first week would go with my shy and not so sure about new things girl.  But, she has amazed me!  

Tuesday was drop in day, where parents come to school and you're there for about 2 hours meeting your teacher, all the rest of the specialists, and just getting used to school.  I'm so glad they have that - I really think it made all the difference.  Then Wednesday/Thursday they had half the kindergartners go one day, the other half the other day.  So it wasn't so overwhelming.  She had Wednesday, and did great!  It was a blessing that Calvin was home to take her - she does much better when he drops her off.  This morning when I dropped her off, she was clingy and didn't want me to leave.  But her teacher grabbed her hand, and off she went!  She loves her teacher, Mrs. M, loved everything about her day, and made new friends, but couldn't remember their names.  She has 18 kids in her class, with a student teacher and a teacher's aide.  It's a smaller school, and a lot of kids walk or ride their bikes. Today she rode her bike, and was proud to use her new bike lock. 

She hasn't been too tired, but I expect that to change next week when it's a full week.  They do have rest time, but she didn't sleep on Wednesday. She will have such an awesome year, and I'm so excited for her.  And so proud of my precious girl.

First day breakfast - Rice Krispies - her new favorite!

Off she goes!

Aren't their little lockers so cute?! They even get to hang up pictures in them.

Whew - made it thru the first day!

And then we have our big girl starting high school this year!  She was excited, but a bit nervous.  Thankfully the freshmen go by themselves on Tuesday, so they were able to figure out where all their classes were, get used to their locker and all that before the school is overrun with big kids!  She's playing in a few bands this year, and between that and 4H are the only extra activities she'll do.  Which is good for her - having to get used to a new school and new rules is hard!

So this is my first day off with no one here - it's weird!  Calvin's even gone today, so it's just me.  I ran some errands, watched TV and now did some blogging.  Almost time to go get my girl - I knew 7 hours would fly by!  I don't know yet what I'm going to do with my free time - I'm hoping to volunteer in her class once a week and I have lots of project to do around here.  The possibilities are exciting! But I do miss having her around.

Science project

When we were up at Ella's cabin, Calvin and Jocelyn found a monarch caterpillar.  She was so glad she found one - Elliot found one at the cabin over the 4th, and she was disappointed she didn't see another one she could keep.  Thankfully Elliot had given her this butterfly house, so it had a perfect spot to grow!  It was so fun watching it go thru all it's changes.  I may have had more fun than Jocelyn did.

 Unfortunately we weren't home when it came out of its' cocoon. Next time I'll know when the chrysalis turns clear that it's almost time to come out. 

Ella's Cabin 2014

We had the best time up at Ella's cabin for her birthday this year!  It was even more special because Katie, Jonathan and the boys were able to come as well!  I'm so glad we were able to all celebrate together.  The trip on Thursday morning started out not so great - Abel got car sick in the van and Jocelyn LOST it.  The meltdown of all meltdowns.  She really hates it when anyone (including dogs) throws up.  And to have it happen right next to her was about all she could handle!  The rest of the trip went much more smoothly.

It was also very special because Katie had her own gallery show on the Thursday night before we left for the weekend.  She is so talented, and I'm so glad we were all able to be there to support her!  It was a really fun night - I'd never been to an art show before, and it was nice to have a night out with just us adults. We had appetizers and drinks before hand, hung out at the gallery for the show, and then went out for pizza afterwards.  It was nice to be able to catch up before all the crazy kids were around!

 These were my two favorite paintings she did.  Isn't that bison huge?  

 It's hard to tell in this picture, but the tepee truly looks like it's glowing from a fire inside.  I'm so in awe of anyone who can make such beautiful things!

 Then on Friday we headed over to the cabin.  We stopped in the morning to look at Brian & Katie's new house, and Brian took Abel out to his work site to see all the construction equipment.  He loved it, and even drove some of the machines!  Friday was pretty windy down by the water, so the kids kept busy inside.  Jocelyn was so excited to see Rylan and Mackenzie again.

 Saturday started out cool but turned into a gorgeous day.  The kids had fun in the sand and we also spent a lot of time in the water!

 Abel's not a big fan of the water - the only way he would get in is if he was squirting everyone with the squirt gun!  Bruno was sure glad he liked to do that - those two played and played.

 Saturday evening was birthday party time!

 The kids were more than willing to help Ella open all her presents!  Good thing she's so laid back and doesn't get upset with all of them.

 Such sweet cousins and friends

 Our big 3 year old girl!

 Katie wanted all the kids to paint on a canvas - she's going to hang it in the playroom in their new house. 

 Then Monday morning it was time to head back.  It was a very uneventful car ride back, which was great!  It was so hot when we got home, the kids just had to run in the sprinkler to cool off and run after spending all day in the van.

 Tuesday we had fun going to the playground and a splash pad type place in Burnsville.  It was hot again, so a perfect plan!

 This girl's turned into quite the climber!  We also went to a different park later on Tuesday to meet up with Jonathan's brother and his wife.  The had huge climbing areas, and that's where she stayed pretty much the whole time we were there.  

 Wednesday we went to the zoo - again it was hot, so good thing we brought our suits for the splash pad there!

 Katie couldn't believe Abel wanted to do the camel ride - she offered up $100 to whoever could get him to go!

Jocelyn had a blast playing with the penguins.  One of them sat up on the rocks and played with her for a long time!  She had her sunglasses out and was moving them up & down and back & forth.  The penguin followed those glasses wherever she moved them!

The kids are at such a fun age and they all did really well together, and played so nice. I wish the boys lived closer, but I'm so thankful we got to spend so much time with them.