school days

 I have no idea where the summer went.

It was gone so fast!

But we are now back into the school routine as of a couple days ago.

We had our back to school dinner- the boys chose bread bowls and soup, with sparkling apple cider and Adam's crepes for dessert.

We decided on the theme this year to help the boys have a good attitude about things:

"I'm the one that writes my own story.

I decide the person I'll be."

Once again- thank you "My Turn on Earth" record from my childhood. 

It's simple and we've talked about it a lot already.

We also made a list of school rules to help them along the way.

 I guess bread bowls aren't sold until the fall, so we had to settle with giant rolls.

 Adam gave blessings to the boys to give them comfort and confidence through the school year. 

I might have gotten one too :)
Ollie has gotten so tall and slim during the summer.

 I can't believe Linc's long arms and legs.

He's getting too big!

And Elliott just seems way too big and old. 

My babies are growing up.

 banana-strawberry-nutella crepes

 Oliver is 6 years old and starting 1st Grade.

Our school is starting a Chinese Immersion program, where he learns Chinese half day and English the other half. We are excited and nervous about this, but have heard lots of good things. And he has already learned a lot in two days! He can sing "Head, shoulders, knees and toes," and can count to three. He can say "stand up" and "sit down" too. And random moments in the evenings he'll say, "This is how you say this," and tell me a new word. None of which I can remember. But he can!
He was sooo excited for school to start and to see his friends and eat lunch at the school.
His teachers are Mrs. Helms (English) and Mrs. Ackerson (Chinese)
He was more than happy to take his brother's backpack hand me down.
(He always has been- I'm waiting for that to change someday.)

Elliott was looking forward to school this year too.

He didn't want summer to end, but hasn't resisted school like in the past.

Our little neighbor Shawn is in his class and our carpool this year which makes going less daunting. 

He has an awesome and nice 3rd grade teacher- Mrs. Fulwider.

Plus half of his class is the same as last year, and most of the others he has known from previous years. I really think that makes things easier for him. 

He is excited to learn cursive and is nervous about learning harder math, but LOVES to read. 

He is one good kid and just wants to follow the rules and be silly with his friends.

I remember third grade like it was yesterday! 

Lincoln thought he was going to school this day too.

We have a few "manners lessons" to learn for a few weeks before he starts 3-year-old preschool in our neighborhood. Let's just say he's picked up on a lot of the not-so-pleasant habits of older brothers and their friends. Some mommy alone time will be good for him this year. 

Elliott & Mrs. Fulwider

Looking so big in the line to go in. 

Apparently he is the only boy on the later track???

I didn't get a pic of Ollie's teachers yet since the first day was so crazy.

But I snuck my head in his class right after the bell rang and he was already working hard. 

We are excited for another school year and can't wait to see them learn and grow!