Lilah Welcomes Fourth Grade!

My beautiful girl is growing up so fast.  Before I have time to sneeze, she'll be heading off to middle school.  Ugh, I am truly not sure if I am ready for that. It's so different having a daughter versus having a son.  The emotions are so different.  As are the ways I handle things. They just are.  I never thought I'd say that.  I hated when my dad would allow my brother to do things before I could (I am the oldest).  

Lilah couldn't have made me any happier during this back-to-school photo shoot.  

She acted just like herself: a little spit fire, filled with spunk and personality.  

I purchased many outfits for her FIRST DAY. I took a small poll, which included my top, four, favorite outfits. It was pretty much a tie, neck and neck, between the outfit she's wearing above and the outfit below that included pearls.

I allowed her to have the final say.  I also allowed her to decide on how she wanted me to do her hair. She exclaimed, "I want a semi-high ponytail and I want you to curl a few pieces with the curling wand, to hang in the front."  Works for me! I wanted to do 1 of 2 other styles, but I needed to practice them, but ran out of time. I was also NOT sure that I would have time to successful do those hairstyles, the morning of the first day, so STAY TUNED for some challenges that I am putting myself up against, in the future, with her hair.  

 This girl fills my heart with gladness.

"Bring on 4th Grade!"

Right before I took these photos, it was TORRENTIAL DOWN POUR RAINING.  I knew it would stop fast and look what arrived for US, right when the rain subsided.  A RAINBOW!!! I took this as a sign, from God, that this girl's fourth grade year would be as beautiful as a rainbow!!!

Oh and we painted her fingers and toe nails PINK.  I used her gel polish machine.

How cute are her wedges?  I want a pair so bad.

I feel like, in the below photo, she is saying, "HOW is Summer over already?"

Her book bag was purchased like three weeks into the Summer.  When I saw it, I gasped for air.  I couldn't resist it.

I loved so much about it.  I loved that a pair of lips was hanging off it. I mean, what mini lip boss doesn't love lips?

I also loved all of the mix and match fabrics, textures, and patterns.

I just LOVE it and so did LILAH! This book bag, surprisingly, was found at Gabe's.  It was designed by Betsey Johnson.  

And then, when we spotted this CUTE, panda bear pencil pouch, I HAD to grab it.  It matches the book bag perfectly.  Do you want one just like it, for your daughter? Click here to order.  

My sweet, sweet girl, how I love you so!  You are my hardest happiness, but just BECAUSE our female hormones are already in competition.  BUT... you have a personality that is LARGER than life. You are more talented, in so many ways, than you will EVER KNOW.  If I had to choose one person in life, who's shoes I could walk in as a child, it would be YOU! You're adorable, loving, kind, tell it like it is, protective of your loved ones, and have talents above and beyond your age, not to mention a confidence, that to this day, I don't have.  I live life through you! NOT meaning I make you do things that you don't want to do, because I once wanted to do them and couldn't, but rather, I get to watch you do what YOU LOVE and what I once wished, as a little girl, I was either able (financially) or had the talents to do it.  I know you will rock fourth grade.  Just remember that "pretty is as pretty does" and promise me that you will do all that you can to HONOR OUR KING, Jesus.

Jax Welcomes 4th Grade!

BE completely prepared for a JAX OVERLOAD in this post, but WHO CARES!!! He is COMPLETE eye candy! I was able to snag this cutie pie, take him around the corner, to an area of shade, and take some back to school photos.  

I am so excited about the way the photos turned out.  

I absolutely LOVE his smile, his eyes, his dimples, and this boy's heart.  

Fourth grade baby, here he comes!

He aims to please his momma and he gets an A+ for this photo session.  

The photo below is my FAVORITE!

I really hope this school year is "EPIC".  

His outfit, surprisingly, is from Crazy 8. I didn't plan on this being his outfit actually, but at the last minute, I decided that this child has such a good sense of fashion and I felt confident he would chose something adorable to wear. So, I allowed him to pick out his outfit.

If you like this outfit, you can shop it, below.

Shirt

Shorts

Hat

Also, just a little plug to Heidi Swapp's items.  If you DO NOT own a lightbox, do yourself a favor and get one! They come in SO HANDY during times like this, in addition to baby showers, birthday parties, lemonade stands, bridal showers, and so much more!

Jax was very pleased with his first day of school! He likes his teachers, he is happy with the friends he in his class, although he really misses his buddy Matthew! He came off the bus with a big smile.  I know fourth grade is pretty intense, academically.  I am thankful that my little buddy is strong academically, so I trust he can handle the workload.  We remind our children every day to focus on personal growth, ways they can love their peers, especially the less popular, serve their school, and honor the Lord.  Jax very rarely disappoints Darren or I.  I have not doubt he will continue to on that path.  We love you, Jaxon!

"Apples" For Mrs. Meredith - From Jax

Jax's gift was all about apples.  I know, I know! Teachers probably HATE apples, but I couldn't RESIST. I designed the adorable tag above too!

The little bucket, pencils, and post-it refills are from Target. I included a fresh, ripe, beautiful, red apple and some Marzetti caramel dipping sauce.  

Technically, we could have stopped at gift one.  This gift was just a little extra because I FELL. IN. LOVE. with the post-it note holder.  

#Learn #Encourage #Teach #Inspire #Grow

If you would like to replicate this gift, I am offering my free printable to you.  Just click here.

I have never looked up the meaning behind why apples are given, but my guess is.... "Fresh" Fruit / Fresh Start?  Haha.  I am probably NO WHERE close to the WHY!  Now, I am intrigued and will use google to learn about it.

Update: This is ONE theory.  I am not a BIG reader, so I stop HERE. 

"According to Gourmet, in the 1700s, poor families in Denmark and Sweden gave teachers baskets of apples as payment for their children's educations. ... If your school allows it, giving a teacher an apple is still a kind way to show a teacher your appreciation!"

Fort Lewis Elementary 2015 Award Ceremony

The last day of school FLES has an awards ceremony.  I enjoy going, but it's so bitter-sweet.  Inevitably, some students leave the auditorium crying because they didn't receive an award or awards.  I think it's a good experience for those who deserve the awards and those who didn't because it keeps everyone striving for improvement and handwork, creating goals.

We had a great year this year.  Ty made the "A Honor Roll".  I recall, at last year's award ceremony, Mrs. Klimaitis, the principle, saying to the 3rd graders who made "A Honor Roll", "Way to go boys and girls on receiving A Honor Roll. Now next year, not as many students will probably make A Honor Roll because 4th grade is the toughest year!" It really was a year filled with such a heavy work load, but Ty, on his own, accomplished it again. He has received the A Honor Roll every year that he was eligible.  He definitely has daddy's brains.  LOL!  

Ty also received an award as one of the top fundraiser's for St. Jude's Research Hospital.  He received the award from BOTH his school and also from St. Jude's Hospital itself. Last year, Ty was the second runner up, raising $530.00 and this year he was the 3rd runner up raising $470.00.  We had MANY friends and family members who contributed to Ty's goal of $600.00 and without their kind donations, Ty would NOT have received these awards.  

All of our children received the "Star Student" award for outstanding attendance.  FLES used to give a PERFECT attendance award in addition to the Outstanding Attendance award, but FLES did away with PERFECT attendance because parents, ahem... ME... were sending their kids to school sick.  Haha.  I didn't really ever send my kids to school sick, but two years ago I sent Ty to school with a mild concussion.  I thought it was just a bad headache.  In my opinion, I like that they did away with that award because now it almost gives our family permission to take a personal day or a vacation day IF needed.

I HAVE to learn how to capture photos in the auditorium before graduation day next year! YES... my boy is a 5th grader now.  It's so hard to believe.

Ty also received the "Karate" award for his skill level at the recorder.  This is NOT an award that everyone received.  

The final award Ty received was the "Student Council" award.  Ty was voted in by his peers to be the Vice President of his school.  It was a honor for him to receive such a position.  Ty spent once a month, throughout the school year, going to SCA meetings after school. 

Ty is excited to run for President this coming year. We are already talking slogans and trying to gather some thoughts for his posters. In the past, the kids voted on positions before the school year ended, but they switched it.  The elections will take place in the Fall!

It's always a blessing to see our children receive awards.  I pray it continues in the years to come!

*PS.  Ty also passed all of his SOLs with an Advanced Pass grade.  #superproudmom