Anna and Madeline's first day of school - 2nd and 1st grade respectively

these two.

i can't believe how big these girls are getting!  first and second grade!  we were so happy to know Madeline would have Mrs. Casey this year! She was such a wonderful teacher last year for Anna, and it was so comforting for Maddie to know she would have the same teacher.  Here's to a wonderful school year!

Avery's first day of Pre-K

it is with mixed emotions we send Avery off to Pre-Kindergarten.  i know she is so ready, i know she is beyond capable.  but my little sweet baby is just 4 years old, and 5 days a week just seems so long.  none of the other kids have done so much pre-school, and usually i have opted for a home school/joy school type option.  but she is so excited, and the program she is in is supportive of her speech needs, so i know she is going to do great.  here's to an awesome first day of school!

student of the month!

so, in case you were wondering who was the very first Student of the Month for Madeline's class, i'm proud to say it was this girl:

 we were so happy to go to the school for the big flag ceremony celebrating the August students of the month.  Maddie was so proud!

 of course my camera died right after i took this last photo.  

here's what Maddie's teacher, Mrs. McGregor had to say:

"Madeline has consistently taken responsibility for her own learning.  She comes to class "ready to learn" and sets a positive example for her classmates  I can count on her to stay on task and participate in our lessons.  Keep up the great work!"

Madeline,

we are so proud of you!  you always try your hardest, and you love to follow the rules but still know how to shake things up with your great sense of humor!  Your dad and I could not be happier with the girl you are!  Congratulations on your accomplishment!

Love,
 Mom

back to school, Maddie's first day of kindergarten!

 today was a very exciting day for our family.  our second little baby went off to kindergarten!  she was so excited, and so ready to start school.  i on the other hand was a little shocked at how hard it was for me to see her go.  thank goodness for half day kinder!

this big first grader could not wait to spend all day at school, see her friends again, make new friends and eat lunch at school!  

we had grandma and grandpa Beardsley there to take a family picture, and to be with us for flag ceremony.  we love that Benjamin Franklin Charter School puts such a strong emphasis on patriatism!  our kids benefit so much from this school's curriculum. 

(Maddie did look a little nervous here, but her teacher told me she marched in, sat down and got right to work reciting her phonograms and following the rules like a pro!)

Anna reported that she has several friends from her old class, and plenty of new friends to meet.  this is going to be a great year!

back to school photo shoot

so, i thought it would be awesome to forgo the posed school snap shot on a gnarly green screen background and do our own little back to school photo shoot.  i thought it turned out great.  but, Anna later expressed disappointment that she didn't get a traditional "school portrait."  i might do both next time, but i'm for sure sticking to our own photo shoot to commemorate a new school year!

   i adore this rustic apple.  it was perfect for a back to school session, but the lighting was all wrong at mid-day.  we still tried a few shots:

 Anna brought her old notebook and wanted a picture with her favorite drawing:

 finally, we made our way over to the original location:

 i love this first day of school outfit!  thank you H&;M!

 caught this cute little hair-flip while adjusting my settings:

 if she had it her way, this would be the pose for every shot!  what a ham!

love my little kindergartner!!!