Back to School

It's back to school time!   I know that means I still have about a month's worth of blog to catch up on (and maybe now I'll have the time to do it!), but I have to fast forward to these first day of school pictures.  When we saw this bird dress, we knew Clara just had to have it and she sure was precious for her first day.
 

We had fun the night before picking out flowers and making these cute colored pencil vases for her teachers for a back to school happy.

It's amazing to me the confidence that this girl has gained in a year.  There was not an ounce of trepidation or worry (from her or from her mama... well, maybe a teeny bit of anxiety for me about the car line, but I even mastered that!).  It helped, I know, that she has her same teachers from last year, but she was so excited and eager to return to a preschool she loves.  And I know that she'll learn and grow lots this year and be safe and loved and who could ask for anything more?!

 Her first day's report: "We did NOT paint.  We did play with yellow playdough though.  Graham had TOO MUCH playdough.  We ate animal crackers for snack.  And I played family with McKenzie and Harper and I played with a new friend named Nash.  We went outside and I did not hold Ms. Bri's hand because they told us to just tickle the fence as we walked and then we got to the playground.  The bathroom is not in our room this year; we have to go out in the hallway!  I used some kind words, but I also got mad when [child's name redacted] didn't share and we were grabbing and I yelled.  But next time I will use my loving words....."  And on and on and on.   What a difference a year makes.  (And see why those teachers deserve so much more than just some flowers?!)

Here's to Three Year Old class with Ms. Anissa and Ms. Bri at Clemmons United Methodist Preschool.  I think it'll be a great year!

Catchin' Up: September

September brought us lots more fun!  Clara started preschool and I can't get enough of these first day of school photos. 

Here's Clara on the first day of school with her teacher, Ms. Anissa.  We didn't get one with Ms. Bri... she was probably running around dealing with all the crazy kids and parents! (Don't know what that face is that Clara is making.  She loves Ms. Anissa.)

Preschool has been a great success this year!  I was anxious about this transition since Clara's spent all of her two and a half years essentially with me.  She did better than I did on the first day of drop off though!  She's had a few days here and there with some tears as she adjusted, but overall it's been terrific.  We have seen her grow up so much in these first few months and are so thankful for her teachers who do an amazing job of teaching her.  She goes three mornings a week, from 9-12, and it's given us a great new rhythm to our fall schedule.  We are, of course, a little anxious about how well she'll handle all the toddler germs of cold and flu season after the past two winters in total quarantine, but are hopeful she'll weather it okay and start to build some of that immunity without any major setbacks.

Right after school started, we headed to Greenville, SC to meet up with several other Southeastern CDH families who we felt like we knew from following online, but had never had a chance to meet in person.  Many of you have followed these other families and joined us in praying for them.  It was pretty awesome to see all these survivors together, thriving and inspiring.

Here are all five survivors, showing off their belly scars.  From left to right: Jude Morrison, Bonnie Helms, Clara Hardy, Lily Burton, and Parker Knoll.

September also brought us to Raleigh for sweet niece Audrey's baby dedication.  It was a sacred honor to be a part of such an important and special day for her.

And then here's a smattering of random cell phone pics of ordinary daily fun from September. Enjoy!