School Picture Day

Tate's Kindergarten school picture day. He chose the whole outfit. It started with the bow tie, then he saw the suspenders and had to have them. I personally think he looks pretty handsome. 

Devin decided he didn't want to wear any type of tie this year. He just wanted to wear a collared shirt. I like the shirt he picked out. 

My two handsome boys!

First Day of School - 2016

Devin on the first day of 3rd Grade.  His teacher is Mrs Emmert.

Tate on the first day of Kindergarten.  His teacher is Mrs. Hoefling.

Tate, Mom, and Devin

Where has all the time gone?  My boys are growing up way to quickly.

Dad and the boys.

We snapped a quick family picture before heading off to school.

Picture with the Cougar.

Tate and his very best buddy - Leyton, on their first day of Kindergarten.

1st Day as a Kindergartener

So today was Devin's 1st day as a Kindergartner.  He has been waiting forward to this day since preschool let out in the spring.  The last several weeks we have been preparing for this day and it's finally here.

School Supplies - check
Uniform - check
New Shoes - check
100 forms filled out - check
Met Teacher - check

Yep I think we were all ready for the 1st day of school.

Devin really thought going to school was some sort of right of passage.  I really think he thought he had magically become a grown up.   Think he might have been a little mis-guided along the way.

The night before school started Devin asked me if he could now ride in the front seat of the car.  I said unfortunately Devin you will probably be sitting in the back seat in a booster until middle school.  I hope for his sake he isn't, but it's not looking good.

The night before we were prepping Devin, setting expectations, etc.  Devin doesn't do well with surprise so we were trying to prepare him for everything he might encounter.  The biggest concern was his uniform.  I love the uniform, but knew it would be an adjustment.  His shirt has to been tucked in, he must wear a belt, and socks and shoes everyday.  Thought he might be upset that he couldn't wear "picture" shirts anymore, but amazingly he wasn't phased by any of it.

So Wednesday morning comes and we are up a little extra early.  No first day of school would be complete without a photo session of some sort.  While finishing eating breakfast I over hear a conversation between Devin & Tate. 
Devin as smug as can be says "Tate I can't wear picture shirts anymore because I'm in Kindergarten."  He was very proud that he couldn't wear these "picture" shirts, because I guess in some way that made him big stuff.  Poor Tate just starred back at Devin, like "what are you talking about? "

Daddy, Devin & Tate

Mommy & Devin

Picture in front of the St James Cougar.  Devin was freezing.  It was a little chilly that morning, especially for August. 

I can't wait to see what Devin learns this year and how he changes.  I look forward to all the many adventures he has as his educational career begins.  Starting the next chapter in his life and couldn't be more excited for him.

Day at the Zoo, Night at School

Greg and I took today off and thought we would treat the boys to a little fun before Devin starts school.  We decided at the last minute to head to Louisville.  Thought the zoo sounded like a great idea.

First stop the carousel.

Always a favorite!

So we visited with a few of the animals, then stopped to watch the 4D movie.  We watched both shows, Ice Age and Planet Earth.  Devin and Tate love the Ice Age movie. 

Waiting to go inside....again.

After the movie, we went to check out the Gorillas.  The boys thought it was really neat to watch the Gorilla behind them eating some snacks - oranges and celery.

Well we made it half way around the zoo and stopped at the splash park.  Luckily we had planned ahead and pack suits. 

Waiting to ride the slide.

Sliding together.

After seeing all that the zoo had to offer, we headed back towards home.  We timed leaving the zoo perfectly.  Just a few minutes after leaving a huge thunderstorm blew up and poured.  Thankfully we avoided getting drenched. 

After getting back into town, we had to finish getting everything ready for Devin at school.  Tonight was school supply drop off.  Devin took us into the Kindergarten room.  We found his locker. 

Here's Devin sitting at his desk in his classroom.  He is so excited for school to start.  Only 1 more day left. 

 

Watch Us Grow - Graduation Celebration

Devin outside St James right before his preschool graduation. 

Quick family picture before the festivities began.

Watch Us Grow - The graduation celebration was based on the song "Let Us Grow" from Dr Suess's Lorax. 

Everyone came out to celebrate Devin's special day.

Patiently waiting to sing his favorite song - Let it Grow!

Devin won an award from his teacher Mrs. Chelsie.  All the awards were based on different candy bars or candy.  Devin won the Whopper award.  Why the whopper award?  Well that's because Devin was the best story teller in the class.  Mrs. Chelsie said that he could sure tell some Whopper of some stories. (Not sure that is what you want your kids to be known for, but I guess it could be worse)

Getting his graduation medal from Mrs. Joan.

What a great smile!

Devin with some of his favorite preschool friends - Riley & Bailey.

Devin's teacher - Mrs. Chelsie.

Mommy & Devin

Announcing the class of 2026. 

That was the very last thing the said at the graduation ceremony.  I wasn't quite expecting that, and to be honest it made me a tad bit emotional. 

Devin will start kindergarten in the fall at St. James.

Last Day of Pre-K

 
The top picture is from Devin's first day of pre-school.  Bottom is from his last day of pre-school.


The last two days of school were great!  They spent it practicing for their graduation celebration.  They also had a field day.  Thursday evening we then went to Devin's graduation celebration.  Then on Friday the preschool class went on a field trip to the Obert Dairy Farm.

"The cows were scary, but I did get a coloring book.  And they were stinky too"  That was Devin's re-cap of his trip to the dairy farm.

They sure do love each other.  The can definitely have their moments, but more times than not they are best buds.  As a mom, I can only hope their relationship continues like this for years to come!

Devin's Big 1st Day

Well the day finally came, Devin's first day of Pre-K at St James.  He has been talking about this day for months. He was so excited and eager to get to school this morning.

We surprised Devin with a new backpack for the first day of school.

Great picture of the boys before heading out for the morning.  We loaded up and took Tate to Ms. Laura's House.  It was the first day that Tate would be there by himself.  All of Devin's friends came to the door to wish him good luck at school.  If there was any moment to get a little emotional that would have been the time, but Devin's excitement kept me from getting emotional.

So we left Laura's house and headed towards St James.  I pulled up and walked him into the school gym.  Everyone was very welcoming to Devin being a new preschooler.  I gave him a few reminder instructions, a quick hug and he was off.  It felt a little strange to be leaving him at school, but he was so ready.

After questioning Devin about school he had a great day.  Surprisingly he didn't have a whole lot to say about his day.  20 questions later we learned that he learned 2 songs he couldn't remember, played with play-doh, had 2 snacks, played outside, had PB & J for lunch, and watched the Lorax during "nap time".