Oh. My. Gosh. 1st Grade

Oh my little Elley Joyce! It seems appropriate to say, 

I can't believe you're in first grade.

or

It was just yesterday when I held you for the first time.

or

Where has time gone?

And although I feel all of those things, it also seems appropriate to say,

I can believe you're in first grade.

and

It was 6 1/2 years ago when I held you for the first time.

and 

Time is exactly how it should be.

3 weeks ago, Elley started her 1st grade year. She loves it, she loves her teacher, she loves her friends, and she likes  going to school all day. I love listening to her tell me about her adventures at school. On the playground, in the classroom, and at lunch. I can already tell she is just going to blossom this year....as I'm sure she'll do every year. She loves to read, write words, and do homework.

Here are a few shots on her first day of school.

Had to get one of Elley and mom. One last picture before I let me baby go. 

waiting outside her classroom

 photo shoot before we left for school

I drove her to school and walked her all the way to her classroom...I even went inside. I'm sure she "loved" that....I'm the crazy mom who follows her kid into the classroom while taking pictures of her every move.

 okay mom, one last picture....now leave!!!

No really mom, LEAVE!!!

She had a great first day. I may or may not have packed her way too much food for lunch. I just wanted to make sure she had enough. :)

When I picked her up, I imagined her coming out her classroom door, looking for me in the crowd of moms, spotting me, and running and jumping into my arms while telling me how much she missed me.

Not the case!!!

She slowly walk out of her classroom, didn't even look for me, finally I waved to get her attention, and she slowly walked in my direction. When she finally made it to me she say, 

"Hey mom."

That's it!!!

Oh well, its good to know she's independent. At least she knows I love her...and I know she loves me too.

Kindergarten

I thought, since Elley will be starting 1st grade on Tuesday, I should probably post something about the last day of school. Her kindergarten year has come and gone. I can't believe she will be at school all day long now. I think I'm gonna miss her, but I know she will enjoy every moment of 1st grade.

Kindergarten was so fun for her. She LOVED her teacher Mrs. Dahle and will surly miss her next year. She learned a lot and it was so fun to see her come home and practice all she learned at school. Some of the things she loved about kindergarten were,

* skills book

*music class

*tie dye shirts

*friends

*zoo field trip

*holiday parties

*centers

*recess

1st day and last day

Also, during the school year Elley was recognized twice for being such a good kid! In February she was awarded the citizenship award. 

And then in June, right before school got out, she got the music award for being such a great leader/example in that class. So proud of that girl and all she is....love her!!!

 Elley and her super duper BFF Makenzie. They are so sad that they aren't in the same class next year but I have a feeling that that won't stop them from being BFF's. :)

The kindergarten class put on an end of the year program. It was so cute and very well done. I'm not gonna lie, I got a little teary. My baby is growing up right before my eyes, which is exactly how its suppose to be!!!

Her "best" cousin Macey came to watch her performance. We love Miss Macey and so glad we live somewhat close to her!!! 

Super duper best friend picture again.

Here's Elley and her wonderful and  fantastic teacher Mrs. Dahle. I hope Molly is as lucky as Elley and get's her when she goes to school.

Last day of school picnic. This is Elley and some of her classmates/friends!

We will miss you kindergarten but excited for all the fun things to come in 1st grade.