Sam’s assessment

Sam had his Kindergarten assessment at Hammond today and loved it!  It worked out that he finished when it was time for Jack’s lunch, so we stayed and Sam had his first lunch in the Kiva!  In the end, neither brother wanted Sam to leave!  We love Hammond and are looking forward to Sam being a Skyhawk!

Sideline experience

We won a Father/Son sideline experience and the chance to lead the team out of the tunnel at the Hammond Auction back in February.  Jack loved pretty much every minute of it-and so did we!  It was such a treat to watch him take it all in!Jack and Mark even got to go into the wrestling barn to listen to the pregame talk and then walk out with the team!He was so nervous at first!  I saw him sizing up the big football players and could tell he was unsure. I gave him a thumbs up, he put on his helmet, and he was ready to go.  I think.  He took a few pretty deep breaths…and then it was time to run!!  Oh, I had the biggest butterflies in my tummy and then the biggest tears in my eyes!  I just know this will be him for real in no time!  Thankful for the NOW!We found big Sam!  How fun is this to have this picture!  Can’t believe big Sam is old enough for this!Mr. Angel, Headmaster, was so amazing to Jack!  He was looking out for him the whole time and getting him as involved as he could.  He picked him up to bring him into a huddle and see the plays being called.  What a treat!  We wrote him a thank you note the next day!He was having the best time hanging with the big football players!  What a dream come true for this football-loving first grader!  The football players were all so polite and well mannered-even on the football field!  We’re so thankful for the Hammond community and all our kids will learn here, in and out of the classroom!  Loved this night

First Days of School!

August 17th-first day of the Fours (Mrs. Jeanne and Mrs. Robin)We had helpers getting Sam to his first day, and he loved it!  Then we had our traditional first day of school cookie chat when we picked him up and got home!
August 18th-first day of the Toddler II class (Ms. Barbara)
Margaret is going Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9-12.  She walked right in today and was ready to play!

August 20th-first day of First Grade (Mrs. Cote)
He’s such a big boy!  He let me walk him in to school, but when we got through the double doors, he said he could take it from there.  So I let him go.  And kept my eyes on that baby boy of mine until I lost him in the sea of people.  I know my job is to raise him to become independent and one day leave me, but already?!  So proud of you, Jacky boy!

This school year’s Bible verse:  “Be joyful always, pray continuously, give thanks always.  For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Here’s to a great year for the big three!

Last day of Kindergarten!

Jack had a wonderful first year at Hammond with Miss Tuller and Mrs. Reading as a Bear Cub!  Now YAY for summer!

Kindergarten Rocks!

Jack had his first performance at Hammond today-it was the cutest thing, and of course I cried!  They all did so great!  The children could volunteer for a speaking part, and Jack did.  His line was, “Meet us in the lobby for a quick hug.”  Delivered just perfectly!

Of course I did!So proud of this boy and all he did and learned this year!

Happy SIXTH birthday!

Happy, happy SIXTH birthday, sweet boy!  You are amazing beyond words, and daddy and I are so thankful God used you to make us parents!  He couldn’t have blessed us more than He did giving us you as our first born son!  Love you so!! We celebrated yesterday with cupcakes at school.  You were playing shy while they sang to you, but I know you loved it!

Our little naturalist

Jack is LOVING all his time with Mr. Mancke-every other Thursday.  He came home today wanting to search the sky for birds and make something using Early Technology.  So he got his binoculars and pocket knife and headed out!  Loving this little naturalist!

Jack’s Christmas program

Another great Christmas program!  Way to go Jacky!  Loved watching you sing up there!

Jack’s Halloween walk

Two quick walks down the hall and that’s it, so this is the best I got!  I love that Mary Duffie was holding his shark tail the whole time! :)

The nutritionist

Jack is studying nutrition at school right now, and it’s amazing what he’s learning!  He came grocery shopping with me today and checked the sugar content of every. single. item before it went in our cart!  Every one!  It took much longer to shop but it was great to give him that chance to practice what he’s learning!  Love this little smarty pants!

Fall Fest Fun

This afternoon was Fall Fest at Hammond.  It was so well done and the boys had such a great time!!

Our verse

This is our family verse for the school year.  We talk about what it means all the time, and both boys have already memorized it!  Oh, LORD, hide your words in their heart and let them be a light in the world for you!Thanks to my cousin, Lisi, for making it so gorgeous!  Check out her Etsy shop, Loulee, if you’re interested!

Friday Night Lights

First Hammond football game!  They LOVED it!!

Jack’s first day of KINDERGARTEN!

Oh my goodness, the day came.  Despite my pleas and desire for it not to, Jack was off to Kindergarten.  I was having a really hard time with it, but he was a champ!  He has to be to school by 8:00, so these pictures were actually taken after school-because that’s so early for us!We packed his lunch the night before and laid out his clothes.  I had a good cry, prayed a lot, and then went to sleep.  We woke up EARLY, gave daddy, Sam, and Margaret kisses and hugs and they gave encouraging words, and then he and I hoped in the car to head to his first day.  It was crazy there!  All the mommas and little ones-most so excited!  Wanda met us at the Lower School and walked in with us.  Thanks for catching this picture!I wouldn’t let go of Jack’s hand, nor he mine, until we got to the double doors and we were forced to due to the crowd.  And wouldn’t you know it, he walked right in!  He has a history of not liking change or new situations like this, so I was so surprised and proud of him.  I was prepared for the worst.  He came back out for a picture by the bear cub sign, we hugged and kissed, and off he went.  And I lost it!!  Oh, goodness.  Our baby boy is in Kindergarten!  I sobbed in the parking lot-Wanda and Pam tried to help but then they started crying too!  I cried all the way home, and Mark and Sam met me at the door with tight, tight hugs-Sam pretty confused!  Of course I’m so grateful for Jack’s health and desire to learn.  I wouldn’t want it any other way!  It’s just a major milestone and one that came so fast.

So 3:00 finally came and he got in my car and it was the BEST to have him back with me!  He seems to be gone forever!  What a long day!!  So this is when we took those pictures up there.  Love that smiley face!  It was a good first day!  He wanted to take a picture with the Ninja Turtle nun chucks, and a video!, so that’s just what we did!  And then had his cookie chat!!  SOOOO proud of you, KINDERGARTENER!!

Already?

We had Kindergarten Open House tonight.  Huh?!?!  Already?  I am not ready to have a Kindergartener!  Where did my baby go?!He did a great job walking around and seeing the campus, and his favorite part was playing soccer on the playground!  Take your sweet time getting here, August!!