Back To School... For 2 of the Sanders!!!

This year I decided to stay home and spend the year focusing on my family instead of twenty little ones in a classroom.  This is Drew's last year at home before he (gasp) joins the elementary school ranks with Addie.  Seriously... Where does the time go?!?!  Here are my little cuties on their first day of Second Grade and Four Year Old Pre-K.  

Addie has Mrs. Pam Dwyer this year.  This is Addie's last year downstairs at Centennial.  She wants to earn 125 AR points this year.  She wants to be a baker and a teacher when she grows up.  

Drew has Mrs. Beth Tate this year.  He is a little less eager about school but loves playing "bad guys" with Archie.  He wants to be "everything" when he grows up.  

Addie is 7!!!

Where has the time gone?  I know I will be saying this when she turns 13... then again at 16... then again at 18... I bet even when she is 34!  Addie is just such a blessing to everyone she meets.  Once you get "in" with her and breakthrough the shyness, she will never stop talking to you.  What are some other facts about Addie at 7 years old???  Here is here birthday interview...

What is your nickname?  Addie

How old are you?  Seven

What is your favorite animal?  panda bears

What is your favorite food?  yogurt

What is your favorite color?  purple

What is your favorite book?  Frozen Books

What is your favorite TV Show?  My Little Pony

What is your favorite movie?  Frozen

What is your favorite song?  Let It Go from Frozen

What is your favorite drink?  water

What is your favorite breakfast food?  Chocolate Chip Pancakes

What is your favorite snack?  peanut butter on a spoon

What is your favorite outfit to wear?  A pink Seaside shirt and a sparkly skirt 

What is your favorite game to play?  Hello Kitty Trouble

What is your favorite toy?  Mr. Bear

Who is your best friend?  Aubree Reynolds

What is your favorite thing to do inside?  Play with Polly Pockets, American Girl Dolls, Mr. Bear, and Frozen Toys.

What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Play soccer

What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas

What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Blanket and Mr. Bear

Where is your favorite place to go?  Disney World

Where is your favorite vacation spot?  Seaside

What do you want to be when you grow up?  A Teacher

What do you want for your birthday?  Easy Bake Oven, Frozen Toys, and a purse you can color

What do you want to do on your birthday?  Have fun...

 Well I think we delivered on the fun.  We celebrated this little girl who is growing up way to fast with a 50's skate party.  I must say, I LOVED having a party outside of our home.  Everyone dressed up in their 50s attire and skated the party away.  Addie has some great friends and family that are willing to do anything to celebrate her. After the party at the skating rink, we continued the celebrating with a sleepover that consisted of chocolate milk shakes, PB and J sandwiches, Cheetos and a lot of squealing girls in the upstairs of our home.  

I am honored to be your mama for the past 7 years and many more to come.  You are full of spunk, drama, sweetness, hugs, and kisses.  You are beautiful, kind, and smart too!  

Happy Birthday to my little girl!

Snow day...

    

                           

I am going to try posting about our ordinary days again.... I miss writing about my family life but the time just slips by day to day.  We had a great Christmas with family and friends and have settled into 2014!  It has been a month of "stupidcold" as social media has nicknamed it.  For the first time in ten years of teaching, I was unable to take my class outside for recess for an entire month!  We used three "snow days" this month due to the cold temps.

          

 We spent those days playing inside, watching Teen Beach Movie, going bowling, and watching the Creekwood Red Hawks play basketball. We had our favorite person come along for the fun... Miss Aubree!!!  Drew is currently in LOVE with Teen Beach Movie.  He wears a red thirst and one of Addie's old black vest to look like the biker in the movie.  He can sing the lines and act out the parts.  It is one of the cutest things I have seen. 

Having fun watching Ross the Boss and Gabe the Babe!  The kids favorite part of the game???  When it's over they get to run on the court like crazy kids!  

We enjoyed a nice evening out with our dear friends sans big kids... Brooks still is too cute to leave at home. We laughed, ate way to much, and enjoyed each other's company without being interrupted. 

We have been obsessed with a little movie you might have heard of... Frozen!  Addie and I have watched it about six times, we watch it on you tube, and sing it everyday on the way to school.  At school my class was studying the letter e and Addie drew this on the board... Queen Elsa!  

Addie received awards for outstanding merit, Perfect Attendance, and 2nd top AR points for first grade!  She works so hard and was really proud to receive these.  

We were lucky and grateful for a sunny day one weekend and spent some time outside playing ball and collecting pine ones. 

So that is a start to what's been going on around the sanders' homestead.  We are nowgetting ready for Addie's 7th birthday and dance competition season.

Addie's New Bed...

So Addie may hold the Guinness World Record for the longest use of a baby bed. This sweet child of mine has a sentimental side like no other.  She has slept in the bed since she was 2 months old.  When she was 2 1/2 years old I remember converting it into the toddler bed and then sitting on the floor crying (I was 6 months preggos and a little hormonal) thinking she was soooo big and almost ready to leave for college.   

This is the day I was crying... in the floor... taking a picture:)  

Well since she is 3 pounds away from the weight limit of the crib mattress and springs, we decided it was time... but with sweet Addie Reese we had to have a plan of action.  So we thought, who could we give the crib to that Addie just loves and adores????  Who other than Mrs. Janessa... our much loved kindergarten teacher and friend... who is expecting a sweet little girl any day.  Addie loved the idea so we went with it.  Most people have to give away pacis... we have to give away beds. Although she was a little sad about her bed leaving she is now snug as a bug in her new BIG GIRL bed.  Now we are waiting for a Friday night free for a sleepover with her BFF Aubree.

Poppa and Daddy were the working team getting the bed set up and ready for the princess.

Last night in her crib/toddler bed... 6 1/2 years old... and proud of it.

First night in new bed...

I think it is a keeper!

The Zoo Crew....

We celebrated Poppy's birthday with a lot of wild animals... and I am not talking about the children... just look at the picture below.  It was a very strange Memphis day with low humidity and a high in the low 80s.  Addie and Drew loved getting to share time with Ninnie and Poppy at the zoo... which is one of their favorite places.  We had two special experinces that day!  We had the chance to feed the giraffes.  Addie was a little timid and Drew really did not want a part in the experience.  Kyle let one eat the lettuce leaf from his mouth (which Addie's reply to that was "you are not getting a kiss from me until you brush your teeth")  and I was just amazed at how long their tongues were.  

Addie and Poppy also rode a camel.  Addie is not ready to trade in her car seat for a camel and gave it a big thumbs down in comfort.   What a great day full of family and fun!

Tripp loving the zoo!!!

Kristen, Addie, and me feeding the birds...

Checking out the zebras...

Kyle being the cool dad:)

1st days of school...

I have a special place in my heart for the 1st day of school.  The new supplies... the fresh, nice looking clothes... new haircuts... new shoes... squeaky clean classrooms... I really just love the start of a school year.  It is full of possibilities.   
Addie has been excited about starting 1st grade since the last day of kindergarten.  I have a feeling this little girl of mine might just have my love for school.  When she walked in the door of our lovely school for Open House she said, "Wow... I love that school smell!  I sure have missed this place!"  Well with that being said here is a look at Miss Addie's 1st days of school....

Addie's 2 year old Mother's Day Out @ Walnut Street

3 Year Old Preschool @ FUMC

4 Year Old Preschool @ FUMC

Kindergarten

1st Grade

She is ready to roll...

Addie's wonderful teacher Mrs. Annette

 

Drew will begin his journey this year.  He started Preschool @ First Baptist this morning.  Daddy took him and made my heart happy by lugging the "good camera" to take pics for me.  I am impressed with my fellas because they did a great job.  Drew walked in with zero tears and had a great day with new teachers and friends.   I am very blessed that Drew is spending the day with two friends that are going to be his teachers.  They have done an amazing job creating a brand new preschool program at our church. 

I don't know about this...

I think he is going to like it!

 

Happy School Year to everyone!!!! 

 Hug a teacher for me... we need it sometimes:)

Summertime...

I once read on another blog about a mom who counted her children's summers down.  Sounds a little depressing but also puts things in perspective.  Addie has 12 more summers at home before she leaves our home and Drew has 15 more summers.  So what do I wish to do with those summers??  Soak up all of the goodness that makes for long days but short summers with my favorite people.  Now that we are in the school years... dance... soccer... gymnastics... and the other million things we do as a family, summertime is even more special to me. I love the no schedule, pool going, playground finding, daddy stopping by for lunch, summer night walks to get flowers, cartoon watching, cuddles on the sofa reading books, and much much more.  I hope Addie and Drew have enjoyed their summer because I know I have enjoyed mine.