Our Water Baby

We are back at it again - swimming lessons!  This time, we are in a MUCH warmer time of year, in a much warmer pool.  Somehow, that makes things a whole lot more enjoyable (notwithstanding the fact that we don't have to get IN the pool this time - ha!)

Nolan still loves it and while I don't think he will be ready to swim on his own at the end of this, it's still getting him closer to being safer in the water, which is all I care about. Plus, he has lots of fun!

1st Day of Kindergarten!

Woohoo!  Our little man starts Kindergarten today!  SO so proud of him.  Due to his age, he is actually attending the private Kindergarten at his daycare (he missed the public school cut off for age by a couple of months).  And honestly, I am really happy about this situation!  He will have a very easy transition (since he is in the same school), and having an extra year of the fundamentals of education is a blessing.


This also means that Mommy was all smiles and shed no tears on his first day, which is a plus!  I am sure for public school next year, that may change!

 We needed to make a little sing-holding adjustment - ha!

Since we had our big "Back to School Brinner" the night before, we only had to focus on getting out the door on time this morning (and of course allowing plenty of time for pictures!)  He actually starts school quite early, so I try to have him there by around 7:00. They also serve him breakfast before classes start at 8:00, so that is a nice bonus!



After looking at a ton of signs online, I decided to make my own!  I think it turned out pretty cute and I hope to reuse it each year.  Plus, it was only like $5.00 to make.


I have taken a photo like this the past couple of years, and they are my favorite.  His daddy took him to get a sweet haircut so he was ready to roll!  The second photo shows what it's like when I ask for more than ONE picture - ha!

Since they had a "transition" period for two weeks before the actual start of school, he popped right into his class and knew the drill.  We saw his desk and cubby at the Open House, and we stashed his nap towel/blanket in his cubby and that was it!

To Nolan on your first day of school:  Son, this is such a proud moment for your Daddy and me.  We know that you will have so much fun in your class, and we pray that you always find joy and excitement in learning.  Please always remember right from wrong, and always pursue God in whatever you do.  This year is going to be so much fun and we will be right next to you for all the love, support, and homework help you need!  We love you, son! xoxo



It's BACK TO SCHOOL Time!

For the past four years "back to school" really only meant that traffic was going to be horrific again and that every day I would have to time my departure from home to avoid the school buses :)


But THIS year, since our boy starts Kindergarten, it really was SCHOOL time so we had to celebrate!  I decorated everything while Nolan was out of the house so he was surprised when he came back home.  And you know the first thing he did?!  Took a huge bite out of one of my apple centerpieces...haha!  Always a boy :)

I totally got all of my inspiration from Pinterest, but I thought it turned out really cute.  Most of the things I could save for next year, so I hope we can make this a tradition - until he gets too old and it's not cool anymore :)

I love the way the table turned out!  It was so much fun to do, and I planned to keep everything up for the whole week.  Nolan loved seeing his name on his spot at the table.

Just imagine this, but with one apple missing. 

That is why I took pictures before he got home - ha~

I also started, what I hope will be a tradition, of breakfast for dinner.  "Brinner" as a blogger I know calls it.  It's actually the perfect thing, because you can make a breakfast casserole earlier in the day and then dinner is easy for the night before school!

I still can't believe the time has come that he is actually in "school," but it's always worth trying to make it FUN!

Downtown Concert

I was so happy the last "Concert Series" in Clayton was on a Friday, so we could actually make it to this one!  Usually, they are on a Thursday night, which is just too much to do during a school night/weekday.


It was a busy evening, since Nolan also had his Kindergarten Open House that same night, but we made it work!  We left straight from the school and got the concert just before it began so we were able to find a nice spot on the grass under a tree.  It was SO hot.  Turns out, we never even sat on our blanket, but oh well!

(Can't remember what he was eating - ha!)

We immediately made our way to the bouncy house, and thankfully didn't have to wait in line too long before Nolan got to get in a jump around.  After his turn in there, however, he saw the face painting line and insisted on lining up!  I looked at the line of about 20 kids (and ONE face painter) and knew we were in it for the long haul.  Thankfully, Anthony stuck it out most of the time with him so I could find some shade!

FINALLY, he made his way to the front of the line and got his face painted.  He was so excited and I wondered where I went wrong in his life that he got a TIGER!  Good grief.  But I guess it's hard to paint your face like a chicken so I went with it :)  He was still cute as a button (or, Tiger).

We ended up finding our neighbors and let the boys run wild in the grass for a while before we all were starving and ready to get something to eat.  They had a few food trucks there, but nothing that Nolan was thrilled about so we left and made our way to a nearby pub for a quick dinner before going home, SCRUBBING off, and hitting the hay :)  We ended our summer with a bang and I am so glad the weather cooperated and we made it there tonight!



Kindergarten Testing Day

Today was Nolan's "Test Day" at school.  I think they use this as a chance to see where the students are and sort of form a game plan for the year.  He was super excited but not nervous since he will have his same teacher from Pre-K (she moved up - yes!).


He was actually MORE excited that he got to bring in his book bag and all of his school supplies.  And get real, I was too - ha!

 

He insisted on wearing his "Maldonado's for Life" shirt for good luck :)  Technically, they are the matching basketball shirts Titi Paige got them for Anthony's birthday, but it was hilarious nonetheless.  Anthony decided to wear his under his work clothes for support too!

So cute when their bags are bigger than they are!