1st grade, when did THIS happen????

Today I took Cooper (and Samantha) to our local elementary school to register for First Grade! I am not really sure when this happened, meaning my baby boy turned 6 and grew up right before my eyes! We chose to put Cooper in a private Kindergarten program at a church thatr runs from 9-1 with TWO teachers. It has been the most wonderful experience but unfortunately, the school does not go beyond K. Our local elementary is rated VERY high in the school district and we chose it for a reason.....BUT that does not mean I am ready. My take on the situation: We walked in, waited on Ms. Linda and then entered her office. I gave her some forms and paperwork while Cooper drew a picture of himself. We talked for a bit, I was chatty Cathy due to nerves and Ms. Linda was very sweet. She told me some of the specifics as far as bus, timing of things, etc. and sent me back to the lobby. Cooper stayed with her to do a brief 1st grade assessment. They both came out to the lobby and we took a tour of the BIG school. We saw lots of action, the lunchroom, kids in the hallways, teacher working, art class, music class and the media center. Then we left and the last 6 years flashed before my eyes. Those years filled with memories of my baby boy at HOME with ME! Memories of Cooper learning to walk, learning to talk and being an awesome big brother to Sammy. Now my mind was filled with Cooper trying to navigate those big hallways, sitting in a sea of kids for lunch and carrying an oversized backpack to a BIG yellow school bus!!!!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. Cooper's take on the situation: We got out of the car and Cooper started bouncing on the BIG blue bobcat paw prints. "I hope I can get used to these, there are SO many mama!" We went in, Cooper was extra nervous and he completed his work. He answered every question asked of him but did not add a word extra! Then it was time for him to stay with Ms. Linda and do his work. He came happily out to me and showed off his bag of Bascomb things: his first paw print pencil, his paw print stickers and a notepad. He was PROUD to almost be a bobcat. We went on a tour of this building that is VERY different than his current school and he was walking 10 steps ahead of us, so excited to see what was around each corner. After we left the school I asked him, "Cooper, so what did you think?". "Well mama, it is just not very different than my school except for the library and art class. It will be good. Will I be in Cade's class (his friend from school this year also going to this new school for First)?". And that was the end of it. He is excited, not the least bit nervous and ready for this transition. So this leaves me an emotional mess. I DID this, I TAUGHT school and I SHOOED weepy parents out the door on the first day. I know he will be fine, loved and safe there. He will make some of the best memories of his life at this school. Cooper will meet his best friends, gain knowledge and maybe even have his first crush under that roof. The only problem, I want to be there TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sugar and Spice.....

You know the saying, "Sugar and spice and everthing nice....that's what little girls are made of". Well, I am here to say, someone was RIGHT on because this little one I am cookin' is definitely made of SUGAR........3 boxes of thin mints, 3 boxes of Tag-a-longs and 3 boxes of Somoas in fact!!!!!!!!!!!! I need a Girl Scout cookie intervention!

PINK mania!!!

Big brother Cooper and big sister Samantha waiting patiently in the waiting room before the ultrasound!!!

This morning, at 8am we (Phil, myself, Cooper, Samantha and my mom) headed to the doctor's office for another ultrasound. This time, I am 19.5 weeks along and there would be no mistaking the gender of this little sweetheart in my belly! The kids were so excited, as were all of us!!!

The ultrasound tech was amazing, took her time and explained lots of things to the kids. She showed them the baby and said "you know, with one baby it can only be a little brother OR a little sister. And it looks like this one is a little sister!!!!!" Of course we are thrilled and ready for this adventure. She was already precious looking.....had the same chubby cheeks as our other two and was sleeping with one arm behind her head like her older brother.

The kids each took a picture of their new sister to school today. Cooper's teacher told me that he finished his work and went over to his bag to peek at her photo saying she was "so cute". We are so blessed!!!!

This is my first picture with my THREE children...check out baby girl on the monitor in the background.