off to first grade

Well, it's here.  Today we sent our first kiddo off to school all day. 

How thankful I am for a half day Kindergarten last year that eased us in to this all day long gig.

She's been excited but nervous.  Lots of questions, and needing to talk through things over and over.  Very unlike her.  She was worried about lunch, and getting tired, and who'd she play with at recess.

What comfort in knowing that the Lord goes before her, and is by her side when we cannot be.

 

We kicked off last night with our 2nd annual back to school dinner celebration.

 

 We love this idea I found online last year, and I think it's one that will stick and be a tradition for as long as the kids enjoy it.  It is so fun making them feel so special on this night and taking delight in their promotion to a new grade.  She got to pick what I made for dinner, and we picked up an ice cream cake as a treat. 

 

 

She woke before her alarm, at 6am.  Partly thanks to the little baby next door who decided to bang on his door and think he wanted to be up for the day.  Luckily I got him back to sleep while Taylor and I got ourselves ready for the day.

 

I drove her out this first day, she'll ride the bus tomorrow. 

As we walked in, I snapped a few pictures with my phone.  I had no clue what I was really getting in my shot, trying to be discreet about it, I just snapped twice and didn't look at them till I got home.

It's moments like this captured forever that are the most precious gifts.

 

Her first real desk.

And then just like that, it was time to wave goodbye and walk out. It was a different feeling than Kindergarten, not as emotional, but yet still hard.  Maybe that's just how every year is...letting go a little bit more each time.

 

 

 

The boys and I picked her up and she was all smiles.  She loved the crispy chicken salad for lunch, she decided she did want milk for snack (after she told me she only wanted one milk at lunch, and then she'd do water at snack), she saw her Kindergarten teacher a whole three times, she learned to jump rope for a loooong time by just doing little jumps, not big ones, and she can't wait till her job is the "messenger" who gets to take messages to other teachers.

 

Bring on tomorrow.

 

For a look back, you can check out her Preschool and Kindergarten favorites.
I got the back to school printable signs here.



a gift for my readers {free printable wrap around address label}

I can get super stubborn when I'm determined to figure something out.  I was set on designing my own Christmas card this year, and then I decided I wanted to create some wrap-around return address labels as well.  If you figure in my time vs. the amount of money it would cost just to order something already designed, I'm sure it's not worth it.  But I get my mind stuck on the challenge.  I want to be able to create things on my own, even if it takes me a long time.

My Christmas card took F.O.R.E.V.E.R long.  Thank goodness for the hours during craft weekend that I had to devote to it and not feel bad about not getting something else done.

 

I have been super super nervous to get them in the mail.  Hoping so much they would print out all right.  I did a test print at Walmart just to check the sizing and resolution and everything and I felt like if there was anything else wrong with it, I wouldn't know how to fix it anyway. So I called it good.

 

Thankfully the wrap-around labels went much quicker.  But to get even more value from them, and in the spirit of giving, I want to share with you. I know it may be too late for this year if you've already sent your cards.

But they'd even make a great gift for someone.

Or save them for next year.

 

 

 I created the labels in Photoshop Elements.  All you need are the full sheet labels and a printer. I got mine at Walmart.  Then you can download either the Word document or the PSE document and edit them with your address. You should be able to edit the fonts too. 

Then just slice them apart with a paper cutter and stick them on your envelopes.

 

Please forgive me for any glitches.  This is the first printable I've ever done.  Hopefully the downloads all go okay.  If not, I can always just email them to you if you leave a comment with your email or just email me.

 

 

Merry Christmas!