"Our" first day of school

Our first day of school was not what I had expected. Emmie sitting in her wheelchair with Avas arm around the chair and Elsie sitting on Emmies lap was what I envisioned. I was crying all morning trying to stay strong for Ava. She didn't need any added stress to her day. They have been 1 year apart in school growing up, so Ava has been in all of Emmie's first day back to school pictures. These changes will not be easy but I know I have to get used to them.
Ava has had a difficult beginning this year. I am praying it gets easier as the weeks go on. Prior to all that has been going on, we decided for Ava to do 1st grade again this year. She is one of the youngest for her grade and I am so glad I made the right decision for her. Most of her friends from our ward/ neighborhood are in 1st grade so she is happy as can be!
Elsie started pre-preschool this year with her friend Crew. They are so stinkin cute together. She wasn't very excited about the backpack and going to preschool but I know she will adjust soon. She had been with friends and family so much during Emmies hospital stay it has been hard for her to separate from me. I am so grateful for friends and family who have helped us during these difficult times. I know my children have more than felt the love from others when I couldn't be there and I am so grateful for that.

1st grade!

Love this girl and am so grateful for her obedience!

Elsie wasn't liking the idea of preschool. She had been neglected by me for 10 days so it was difficult to send her off. My sweet friend Shannon took her to her first day of school since I was busy getting things finalized at the mortuary and cemetery. It wasn't the best feeling but I knew my girls were ready for some normalcy in their life!

This is pretty much how I was feeling too!

The egg burrito (her favorite) that dad had made, wasn't helping!

Goodness gracious... I love this girl! She is wearing what Emmie wore to preschool. Love those hand me downs. Emmie kept them in "perfect" condition!

Hope everyone had a better first day of school than we did! Life will get easier... I know it!

Last day of School

Can I just say how fast this school year went.... Oh my... I am at a loss for words at how sad I was at the end of this year. It reminded me of how I felt a couple years ago when Emmie graduated from FBC and moved onto a public school. IT was SCARY! Emmie is in a great program and I couldn't have asked for a better situation for her at this time in her life.

Ava... thats another story. She just graduated from Kindergarten and I didn't think I would be sad for her to go to 1st grade. WRONG! She was in a half day program with the best teacher ever. So sweet and sensitive, perfect for Ava. Her teacher put on the sweetest little program and lets just say the tears were flowing as I was watching my little girl sing the cutest songs ever and receive her little metal and certificate. You would have thought she was my last child graduating from Kindergarten but I was so emotional that morning thinking about how I will NEVER walk her up to her teacher again. She is going to be a big 1st grader and I am not sure how I feel about that. At least I have the summer for it to sink in. Here are some pictures of the girls last day of school....

Emmie getting on the bus. As you can tell, she just LOVES the bus. She didn't have an end of the year party but I had to snap a few on the way to school. Next year she will be a 2nd grader! Time is passing before my eyes.

Miss Emmie with Miss Theresa. Such a sweet bus driver. Some days I am running late (surprise, I know) and Miss Theresa will sit and wait in front of my house for me. I hope we get her again next year! She just adores Em bug and always makes her the cutest things.

Miss Ava singing one of the many songs that day. It was the sweetest thing.

Getting her metal and certificate

We sure are going to miss Mrs. Flanagan. As we were eating breakfast that morning Ava started to cry. I looked over and I asked what was wrong and she said she was going to miss Mrs. Flanagan. She said that she doesn't want to go to 1st grade, and wants to stay in Mrs. Flanagans class again next year. It was very sincere and sweet. We will see her in 3 yrs when Elsie enters Kindergarten!

Dad came to support his little princess and brought her some flowers

This is a picture I will cherish forever of Navie and Ava. Navie is my cousin Lees daughter. My sister and I were BFF/cousins with Lee and her brother Wil. We did everything together and were in the same classes etc. It is so fun to have our kids be the same!

Another one of Avas friends that she talks a lot about!

Although I will miss having Ava home with me every morning being my little buddy and having her play with Elle, I will not miss driving her to and from school for only 2 ½ hours. I'm not going to know what to do with myself and Elsie all day!!!!!!! I am sure I will figure out something! ☺

We have another Kindergartner ✄

Once again, I can't believe Ava is in Kindergarten. My girls aren't in the same district, therefore they started on different days. After much thought I decided to put Ava in ½ day Kindergarten because I think she still may be a little young for full day. I'm not quite sure I made the right decision. Her teacher is amazing and I LOVE all the kids in her class but I feel like the 3 hours goes WAY too fast! Plus, I am driving her both ways because I don't have anyone to carpool with due to my decision to enroll her in another district. I guess we will see how it goes. I NEVER realized how nice it is that I get front door bus service for Emmie. This taxi cab thing isn't going very well and it's only been 2 days. Plus, you have to wait in this long line to pick up your child. Today I waited for 20 minutes in the car line while my daughter was sweating in the sun. However, I'm going to jump off my soap box and be grateful that 2 of my kids are at school and have great teachers and great kids in their classrooms. Life isn't that bad. She had a great first day and loved the playground and drinking fountains!?? Yes, she was so excited that there are drinking fountains there. Doesn't take much to make her happy! Here are a few pictures.....



Couldn't leave Elsie out!

She was so excited she couldn't stop smiling until we got inside and then this was her new POKER face......

Check out this look that she is giving the girl next to her. She is taking it all in! 

"Mom, please leave". I certainly couldn't get a smile once we entered the classroom!

Officially a 1st Grader!

I can't believe my baby girl started school again. She wasn't in a good mood this morning as she didn't appreciate me waking her so early. As we got her off, I couldn't help but think how grateful I am for a healthy daughter. She is getting so big and seems so much older this year. Life seems like it passes by way too fast. When Emmie was born the doctors told us she would be with us until the age of 8. That would leave me another year and a half with her. Obviously, they are WRONG.... but, I can't help but feel so grateful every year she goes to school and has a good year. I went into her classroom today and a couple of her friends from last year had been hospitalized this summer. Hearing any bad news like that just breaks my heart. It has been 2 years since we have been in the hospital with her. I am so grateful for her sweet spirit. Our home isn't the same when she is at school during the day. When the bus pulls up to drop her off in the afternoon, I have the biggest smile on my face. She is so proud to ride the bus and loves every minute of it! She has been blessed with such an amazing teacher and aide (grandma) and absolutely loves school!

                                     Big 1st Grader

Of course, Elle had to be a part of getting Em off this morning!

Ahhh.... I just love these feet. We painted toes last night and I think she has the most beautiful feet. I love her birth mark.

            Meeting her new driver and aide

Bye Bye Kindergarten and Preschool!

I can't believe my baby girl is a 1st grader. Where does time go? I remember the first day I sent her off to preschool, it seemed like yesterday. I was scared to death! She went when she turned 3 and she was just a baby. Well, I still feel like she is my baby and I have 2 younger ones! I was just talking to her preschool teacher Jean today, and we were talking about how big she is and how we can't believe she is in 1st grade. Kinda making me SAD! We didn't start off on a very good foot with Higley this year but I feel like we ended on a good one. She actually officially started school in February. Maybe that why it feels like time has FLOWN by!!! Her teacher, Stephanie did a really cute luau today! They dressed the kids up with leis etc. They had a cute little party with the classroom and we played games. She goes out of her way for these kids and does such a great job.  I have such a special place in my heart for these kids! They have such strong spirits and every time I am around them I walk away feeling so grateful to have one of Heavenly Fathers special children in my home. What an honor! They are all so special and they are all SOOO different. Sometimes I feel people don't give them a chance. It is so easy to get to know them and their personalities but yet people are scared and don't know how to approach them. I was guilty of it myself before I had Emmie. These kids have such cute personalities and really do know whats going on around them. I am so happy that Emmie loves school! I thought it would be impossible to change schools from last year. She had the most amazing preschool teacher (Mrs. Jean)! Mrs. Stephanie and my mom have done such a good job with Emmie this year and we are so pleased! Our prayers have been answered! Emmie is integrated with the typical kids for part of the day and those kindergartners love her so much! Thanks for such a fun year,we can't wait to see you guys next year!

Emmie and Dad!

The 3 musketeers!

My chunky monkey! She is getting so big!

Mom and Em bug

Grandma and Emmie

 We were playing musical chairs. The kids LOVED it!

Mrs. Stephanie and Emmie (Em was getting so tired!)

We missed Avas preschool graduation. I feel like such a crappy mom! We went to California for 2 weeks and tried to make it back for her program. Needless to say, I fell down the stairs and hurt my back really bad! I couldn't walk for a day. Long story and I will save for another post! But, we went by Mrs. Beckys today and gave her Avas gifts that she was so excited to give to her. She was such an amazing teacher and Ava LOVED her so much! She talked about her everyday and was so excited to see her at church every Sunday!  I had to get a picture of her with her preschool teacher! I can't believe she is going to be in kindergarten. So scary! I am going to be so lonely!

You wouldn't know by looking at this picture how much Ava LOVED her! We couldn't get her to smile! STINKER!

Field Trip!

                   Grandma and Emmie getting out of the pool!
                     Em and grandma doing therapy!
                    Em and Ava being silly!
 

Emmie had a Field trip yesterday and had so much FUN! Her class went to Kiwanis Park where they have an indoor heated pool for special needs! Thank goodness for my mom being her aide. I didn't want to bust out in my swimsuit to carry her in! They had their therapist come and do water therapy with all the kids! We love her new school and her teacher. They are so great! We are also so thankful that grandma gets to spend everyday with Emmie at school!