Monday was the first day of 1st Grade. We were really excited for Darla and this new chapter in her life. I feel like 1st grade is going to challenge her more than Kindergarten.

The morning started off pretty easy - the alarm went off at 6:30 and I woke Darla up at 6:45. Let me insert here how I wake her up...I walk in the room, turn on her TV, pat her on the back and say "Darla, time to get up". Unlike my childhood where my dad would walk in the room, turn on every light and say "Up and at 'em...let me see your feet on the floor." I swore I wouldn't do that to my child and so far, promise kept. Or, I would hear my mom's houseshoes coming down the tile hallway and I knew when the sound stopped she was on the carpet which meant she was almost to my room so I would jump out of bed right as she got there!

Darla got up, dressed pretty quickly, had cinnamon rolls and then started on her hair. We washed & dried it the night before but she wanted it super straight so we ironed it for the first day. We were all supposed to walk her to school but Bo was still asleep so Daddy decided to hang back with him. I wasn't about to let this day go without following her in the school to take pictures!

A few quick pics at the house and off we went. When we got there, Darla marched straight to the 1st Grade Hall and then walked that long hallway to Ms. Garner's room. She put her backpack in her locker and then to her desk. She was such a good sport about letting me take pictures while she put her stuff away. She sat down and started coloring a "welcome to first grade" picture and then I said, "Darla, can I get a picture of you & Ms. Garner". Darla gave me a "NOT NOW MOM" look, but luckily Ms. Garner (LOVE HER) understood the importance of this moment to me and said "Sure...come on Darla" so I got the pic. I know my days of getting these kind of pictures are limited, so I'm so grateful I got to sneak 'em in one more year!!!

When we went to pick her up that afternoon Brent asked - "how was 1st grade? Is it like Kindergarten?" Darla's response "No, it's not anything like Kindergarten. It's totally different."

And that was pretty much it. She's a first grader now. 6 years old and growing up too fast. This year wasn't as hard for me because I'm more excited for her than anything. I felt like Kindergarten was fun, but I think this year's she's going to learn so much.

I have to share Ms. Garner's note home today (Thursday - 4th day of school):
Darla is just precious. She loves learning. She has a thirst for knowledge that keeps her engaged all day. She is a model student and a lot of fun to work with.

Meet the Teacher

We met Darla's 1st grade teacher, Ms. Garner, on Friday night. I'd heard great things about her like she is the 1st grade coordinator and she got Teacher of the Year last year. I couldn't have been more excited when I met her. She seems like the most perfect 1st grade teacher EVER. I just wanted to sit down at a desk and be her student. Darla really seemed to like her too. And she's excited about some of the friends in her class so I think it's going to be a good year.

Brent told me a funny Darla story. This morning they went to McDonalds to get us breakfast. On the way back, they drove by the house across Murphy Rd that has all the baby horses. Brent said he asked Darla if she wanted one. Darla's mind started turning and she said they should find out if they have a daughter and if they did, then she would trade 2 of her baby dolls that she doesn't play with anymore for one of those little colts. She was NOT willing to let go of her Webkinz though!

I can't believe the summer is almost over. Today was our final "Swim Club" at Coco's house. We look forward to it every single Tuesday and I'm so sad that it's over. I have to say I love Swim Club so much because I get to spend a few hours each week with everyone and their kids. It's such a great time to see the kids' personalities and I always learn so much. Like today, Peyton told Amber & I that she no longer lives in Texas. I asked if she lives in Oklahoma or Louisiana and she said "no, we live in Muh-Kinney".

It's also so much fun to see the kids growing up right in front of us. Anna started off the summer very timid and by week 3 she was swimming all over the place and jumping off into the deep end. Mia and Bo defintely grew as swimmers this year - as of today, they both were pretty independent in their Swimmies. Mia didn't really like sharing her little jump ledge & towel with Bo, but she was a good sport! And then, poor Amy (but Amy it was all your fault), I think today every single girl (sorry Bo) mastered the cheer stunt. Jesse did one of the best toe touches EVER off the wall today, and Reese managed to keep her swim suit on most of the summer. Darla stayed in character most of the time (kitten, dolphin, unicorn, you name it) but was always my extra pair of eyes to keep a close watch on her little brother.

I just hope that when all the kids are teenagers they'll still hang out with us at Swim Club...

Cheer Camp

Darla did a Cheer Camp at Whistle Stop this summer. We went to watch the Pep Rally last week. Let's just say it was very entertaining but I'm not sure if the girls learned much this summer! Darla's favorite chant was "We're number one, can't be number two, we're gonna beat the whoopee out of you." I don't think the teacher has won many awards on creativity.

How cute is this???? Brent found them in Darla's room reading together.

I am sure there are kids all over the world that had very exciting summer vacations and have seen things they will never forget. Maybe it was the Grand Canyon, the ocean floor or maybe even a solar eclipse. Things that don't happen every day and sometimes you might wait 2 decades to see. My kids also had this type of sighting this summer. And seriously, in my 34 years of life, I cannot recall a single time seeing this so I'd say my kids are extremely lucky. What is the great mystery? That would be GRANDDAD IN THE SWIMMING POOL!!!!!!!!!! I do not have pictures to prove it, so to all the disbelievers out there you'll just have to believe me. Nana & Brent can vouch for me. In fact, if it wasn't for Nana, he wouldn't have gotten in but she got him with a water gun and then he came in after her. It was pretty funny.

The kids have had so much fun swimming this summer. Bo is finally getting the hang of his floaties, but unfortunately for him, Walgreens only had a pair of pink ones left. But he doesn't mind. He even went off the diving board yesterday - my arms were so tired lowering him into the water and then pulling him back out again. Since he wants to take every step Darla does, he knows no fear in the water! He loves "Dahwa" so much.

She spent the night at Granddad & Nana's Sunday night and Bo walked around the house several times looking for her. And when she got home Monday, he was sooo excited! He ran up to her and gave her a big hug.

A few of Bo's funny words: "Ah-bee" is Barney; "God" is dog; "Eat-up" for ketchup and "yee yoes" are Fruit Loops!