The many faces of kindergarten

I am so relieved that she LOVES kindergarten!!!  It was a big change going from Montessori to the public school.  There are sixteen kindergarten classes and the school is huge but she loves it!  Her teacher is so sweet and MB thinks everything she says is the law.  She has the rules and schedule memorized and is already teaching Ben how to be a kindergartener.  Poor fella didn't understand why he wasn't going to be in the same class.  He was feeling a little bit left out at Open House.  She is eating in the cafeteria and riding the bus home and I couldn't be more proud of her.  There are only six kids on her bus and they come straight to our neighborhood after school so she beats most of the car riders home.  In the cafeteria, the kids fix their own trays and it is amazing how much responsibility they are getting and she even likes the food so far.  I thought she would be exhausted when she got home but she has been totally fine.  

She is thriving and we are so thankful!  

I mustache you, which one is your favorite?

Oh the belly laughs these provided!!!  Well worth the money that Queenkie spent!

Five!

And just like that, you blink and the child that made you a mother is FIVE years old and you can hardly believe it!  The person who said the days are long but the years are short is so right!  We had lots of fun celebrating this silly girl and she managed to stretch out the celebrating over several weeks, I can't imagine where she gets that from.  :-)  She is smart, fun, creative, stubborn, energetic, independent, joyful and such a character.  She loves all things girly, puzzles, drawing, singing, playing on the ipad, hanging out with her daddy, jumping rope, hula hooping, gymnastics, playing and being on the go.  She isn't reading yet but I think she is getting close.  She is such a patient and kind big sister and although a little bossy, she is so good with Ben.  She has had a busy summer and has enjoyed every minute of it.  She went to pre-cotillion camp, tennis camp, VBS, two weeks of cheerleading camp and the beach!  She is going to take a few weeks off to rest before she starts kindergarten in four weeks.  We couldn't be more proud to be her parents!

A special locket from queenkie on the morning of her birthday party.

Yummy cupcakes on an awesome cake stand that my sister made.  

We had her party at the gymnastics center and it was the easiest birthday party ever!  We brought food and they took care of everything else.  Best of all, the kids LOVED it!

Birthday girl tumbling

Even Ben got in on the fun

Parachute time!

After the kids went upstairs, I had to sneak down and take a turn swinging from the rope into the foam pit.  So much fun!  Next time, I will not wear a dress though, that made it interesting!

How much sugar can get in one picture?  :-)

Hula Hoops for favors!

Family selfie in front of the birthday sign on her actual birthday.

She requested Dunkin Donuts for her breakfast treat.

Ben was happy to oblige, sometimes it's not so bad being the little brother.

I dropped Ben off back at home to spend some one-on-one time with MB.  We went to story time with the CFA cow and had a ball.  

She was in heaven.

Next I took her to get her nails and toes painted to get ready for our beach trip.

We then picked Ben back up and drove down to Chuck E Cheese to meet up with daddy.  An hour and a half is plenty of time in that place!  

Hugs for Chuck!

That night, she opened a few more presents and she got a lunch box and book bag for school.

During her birthday week, we got to go to the beach with these crazy guys!

We celebrated all of their birthdays since they live so far away and we can't celebrate in person with them.

A few days later we went to Moultrie for a combo birthday party with my niece since their birthdays are one day apart.

Beautiful birthday girls!

Maga did a great job with the cake!