If I had been in denial that my little girl was growing up I very recently had to face the fact that my little girl is seeming very not so little these days. On August 16th Makenna had her first day of 1st Grade! When you have a Kindergartner you can still tell yourself that they are still your baby. They look so little still in Kindergarten, especially compared to all the much bigger kids cruising around. I remember how much bigger the first graders seemed in comparison to Makenna when she was in Kinder. But now She is one of those first graders. Now She looks big compared to the little Kindergarten kids lining up for class so timidly. She walks through the halls with confidence and doesn't look back nearly as often as last year to make sure mom is close by. She is getting out there. And though it pulls at heartstrings, it also makes me proud. 

 Makenna was thrilled/relieved when she found out that she and her friend Kara were in the same class again this year. And Mom was excited that she got the teacher she wanted her daughter to have, Mrs. Balough. 

 So on the first day of Kindergarten the teachers really take it easy on Mom and Dad. You bring your kid to class, help them find their desk. You get to stay and watch as the teacher has all the kids come and sit down, takes attendance, introduces herself. She then reads a sweet story to the class and sends the kids back to their desk to do a quick little craft with Mom and Dad. Then everyone goes to the auditorium and after 10 minutes or so they have the parents say goodbye to the kids as the kids stay in the auditorium and Mom and Dad go back to the class while the teacher gives them the run down on what class life will be like, what they will learn, how things will be structured, etc. You leave feeling very informed and very at ease about leaving your baby behind....

 Well, this is not the case in 1st grade. In 1st grade the teacher greets you at the door as you come in with your child. They have you help your child find their desk and get their name tag on. And then they say "Okay parents, take the envelope of paperwork with you and say goodbye to your child." And that is it. They kick you out just like that. I was a bit unprepared for this, but Makenna did just fine. A quick kiss and she was pulling out her pencil box and settling right in to life as a 1st grader. That first day of school at pick up I gave her a BIG hug and told her how much I had missed her while she had been gone (which was very true). She just looked at me with a sweet smile and said "I didn't even miss you one little bit!" I must have been staring at her with a stunned face when I heard her response because another older/wiser mother laughed and patted me on the back and said, "Don't worry Mom, her saying that is a very good thing. It means you are doing a good job." And I believe that mom was right :) Way to go Makenna. You are growing up and succeeded and doing well on your own. We love you!

 When Makenna is gone, these two boys need a fair bit more entertaining. So we do our best to keep busy and have fun.

 Both of these boys are starting to look so big too! I do have to say I kind of love being out with just me and both of my little boys sometimes. It makes me feel like a very lucky, loved and adored Mommy with both my boys holding my hands while we walk around. 

 The older these boys get the more I am starting to think they look alike. If you take away the coloring, their faces are actually pretty similar. Both Handsome as can be.

 Kellen had a couple of weeks where he wanted to wear these overalls every single day. I have to say I think he is quick adorable in them. And they totally suit Kellen. It has recently been quite warm to be wearing pants, but I believe as it starts to cool down the overalls will most likely make a re-appearance. 

 The ducks love when Conner comes to see them. He loves throwing practically whole pieces of bread at them, while Kellen very patiently takes his bread and tears it in small pieces. Conner probably goes through nearly 10 slices to every 1slice for Kellen.