The kids have been in school several weeks now and we're settled into our weekly routine. When looking back through photos, I realized I didn't post about their official first day. This was the night before school started...a night the kid's talk about and anticipate throughout the whole year. Our backwards supper night and only night when dessert comes first. 
Even baby cakes got in on the deal having no idea why...but certainly enjoying it.
Early risers that first day...excited and ready to go.
Kaiya started Pre-K this year. She goes everyday for half of the day. She absolutely LOVES school and is sad when the weekends come around because she'd rather be at school.
Don't ask me why I get a backpack shot on the first day of school...it's just a crazy mother thing I guess. 
Her teacher, Mrs. Rose, is a jewel and Kaiya adores her. 
I didn't cry when sending Kaiya to school like I did for Caedmon when he started a couple years ago. I knew she was ready I guess...so grown up and excited.
Caedmon started first grade this year. He took a big jump academically over the summer. We worked consistently with a workbook his Kindergarten teacher gave us through the summer and it helped him tremendously.
Mrs. Witmer has been a fun and excellent teacher for Caedmon this year. I appreciate her desire to see him grow and to challenge him. I also appreciate how well she communicates with us...keeping us informed of ways we can help him succeed.
Spelling tests started this year. I was envisioning long hours and late nights of practice...to our delightful surprise, we have a star-speller. I'm so thankful that it is almost an effortless task for him to get an A+ every week on his tests. 
His strengths this year are reading, spelling and verse memorization. Math has been more of a struggle and he has to work a lot harder at it...that has been where the long hours of practice have come into play. We're proud of the strides he is making. 
Even baby cakes got in on the deal having no idea why...but certainly enjoying it.Early risers that first day...excited and ready to go.Kaiya started Pre-K this year. She goes everyday for half of the day. She absolutely LOVES school and is sad when the weekends come around because she'd rather be at school. Don't ask me why I get a backpack shot on the first day of school...it's just a crazy mother thing I guess. Her teacher, Mrs. Rose, is a jewel and Kaiya adores her. I didn't cry when sending Kaiya to school like I did for Caedmon when he started a couple years ago. I knew she was ready I guess...so grown up and excited.Caedmon started first grade this year. He took a big jump academically over the summer. We worked consistently with a workbook his Kindergarten teacher gave us through the summer and it helped him tremendously.Mrs. Witmer has been a fun and excellent teacher for Caedmon this year. I appreciate her desire to see him grow and to challenge him. I also appreciate how well she communicates with us...keeping us informed of ways we can help him succeed. Spelling tests started this year. I was envisioning long hours and late nights of practice...to our delightful surprise, we have a star-speller. I'm so thankful that it is almost an effortless task for him to get an A+ every week on his tests. His strengths this year are reading, spelling and verse memorization. Math has been more of a struggle and he has to work a lot harder at it...that has been where the long hours of practice have come into play. We're proud of the strides he is making. 
He's a deep thinker...sensitive. When he was two, I thought he would be the strong-willed child. It turned out he was just being a boy and really has a pretty soft and sensitive heart. He likes people, but it takes him longer to warm up and talk to others he doesn't know very well. He loves it when the family is all together. He likes to play by himself and can spend hours in his room building some amazing Lego structures.
He's been so sweet through my pregnancy....so excited, asking lots of questions and talking to his baby brother. He loves to draw and has made books for me and Kevin. Books about when I deliver the baby at the hospital and books of him with daddy going hunting.
Here's a closer look at the drawing of me with baby inside. I love it!
He keeps us laughing. I love his sense of humor and joy. He's loud...very loud. :) Funny how his personality is such a mixture of quiet sensitivity and loud excitement at the same time. I love how God designs us all so unique.
He loves sports. Loves watching football with his dad. He played on a team this Fall. He did great...scoring several touchdowns at each game. 
He loves to read...especially books about animals. He knows all kinds of facts about animals that Kevin and I don't know. It amazes me when I think back to last year...reading did not come easy for him and it was a challenge to make him practice. He made huge progress over the summer and now his teacher tells us she has to make him put books down at school.
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When you started school, honestly I was a little scared of what kindergarten would be like for you. Would you be able to stay focused and pay attention to your teacher? Would you struggle with continuing to learn to read as you did in Pre-K? And most of all...Would your teacher be able to see just how amazing you are? ;)
{tincaps game - May 2010}
You worked hard at reading. It wasn't always easy for you. We met with your teacher and she gave us ideas of areas where we could help you. We were so proud of you when you earned free tickets to a Tincaps game for participating in a special reading program. We watched you develop more confidence by the end of the year and it was a joy to watch you pick up books on your own and read them to your sister. 
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I really would have never had to worry. You've had an amazing year...and an amazing teacher. You have flourished in so many areas. You received several special notes sent home and written by your teacher of how proud she was of the good choices you had made that day. You earned the Beary Good Behavior Award many weeks for not having any warnings or discipline issues for that particular week.
Two days later, we watched my oldest nephew graduate from high school. I remember his kindergarten graduation. He stood on the very same stage as you...I know just how very quickly those years have gone. Your next graduation will be your high school graduation and I will look back at these pictures and wonder just where the time went. 
I’m so excited at how you’ve grown over this past year (in more ways than one). This year of firsts. This year of Kindergarten. I’ve grown too. God has helped us both to grow in many ways. Congratulations graduate.
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We made a DQ stop afterwards for more celebrating. 
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You learned a lot this season...how to guard, how to pass, how to make a better basket...but most of all, how to play with a team and all the lessons that go along with that...sharing the ball, listening to your coach and congratulating others successes.
