Sophia's First Day of Kindergarten

Sophia's first day of school was.....interesting.  We got up, got dressed, and was supposed to sign on to the orientation session at TN Virtual Academy at 10:00.  Well, after taking about 10 minutes for us to get completely logged in to the session, there was no one there.  Apparently they were having technical difficulties.  At one time there were about 1,300 students signed on, many of them posting that they were having issues also.  Eventually, the moderator kicked everyone off.  I tried to log back in, but they were still having issues.  By now it was around 10:45 or so.  I had received an email earlier that morning saying the session would be recorded, so if we missed it, that would be ok.  So, I decided to take Sophia outside to take some cute Kindergarten pictures.  I had seen some really neat ideas on Pinterest that I had decided to use.  Everything went great with the pics, and I was very pleased with how they had turned out.

I think she looks so grown up in the next 2 pics.

A silly one, joking about how smart she already is even though it's only the first day. :)

Then I saw the idea on Pinterest to ask what your child wanted to be when they grew up.  I was not expecting Sophia's answer.....

I'm pretty sure positive I would have never said the same thing.  But I still love my girl!  

And here is a picture to demonstrate some of those ninja skills....

 Back to the story.....Sophia was being such a good sport.  By now, we had done nothing as far as "school" goes, and it was already lunchtime!  I told Sophia that after lunch, it would be time to take her "placement" test online.  She was very excited about that.  She didn't even really know what a test was, but she was excited! :)  After lunch, it took a little bit of time to figure out how to get to the testing website and how to log in.  When I had finally figured all of that out and had gone through the online training session, I logged on and the volume wasn't working!  Long story short, I had to figure all of that out.  And by this time it was 1:45, and we had not accomplished one thing regarding school!  Sophia had been so excited, but her patience was wearing thin, and mine was even worse!  I finally figured out the problem and Sophia was able to take her math placement test.  

After the math test, she started taking the reading test, but I could tell she needed a break.  So we decided to meet up with Dad and Ezra to go to Chick-Fil-A to celebrate Sophia's special day! (Did I mention that Dell took Ezra to work with him today to help me out with this first day stuff?  Thanks, babe! I needed that!)  So we had an early dinner at Chick-Fil-A and let the kids play for a while. 

 After Chick-Fil-A, Sophia and I headed to Target to pick up some school supplies we needed.  (Yay for tax-free weekend!!)  After we got back home, Sophia wanted to finish her reading test.  At the end of the evening, she told me "taking tests" was her favorite part of the day.  So, thankfully her first day did finally prove to be productive.  It just lasted ALL DAY. :)  But it was her first day, and who really ends up doing much on their first day anyway?!  I will end this suuuuper long blog with saying that I just loved how excited Sophia was today.  She was such a trooper and in such sweet spirits.....so excited about being more grownup and such a big girl.  I just have to say that I LOVE that girl. :) 

Twas the Night Before Kindergarten

Dear Sophia,

Tomorrow you start Kindergarten!!!!!  I don't think I could put enough exclamation points because I can hardly believe it.  I could almost cry thinking about it, and you're not even leaving me because you are being homeschooled!  But my how you have grown.  "You're getting so big on me!" as I often tell you.

We have decided to homeschool you this year.  There are many circumstances that have led to this decision, and ultimately we feel like this is the best decision for YOU.  I'm really looking forward to it, and I know you are too!  What a blessing it will be to be your FIRST teacher!  I can't wait to see all of the adventures we will face this year together, and I can't wait to watch you learn new things.  I have no concern about how you will do with your schoolwork. You are such a bright little girl and have a natural love of learning.

I can't imagine how I would feel if I was truly sending you off to kindergarten this year.  I know my heart would break in a million pieces, since I have been with you every day and nearly every hour of your life!  (Thanks be to God for that!)  We have been counting down the days until Kindergarten starts, and every morning your first sentence is, "Five more days, Mom!"  Or whichever number we are on.  I can't wait to see you tomorrow morning when you wake up.  I know you will be so excited with a huge smile on your face.  I love you, Sophia Grace........ And so your SCHOOL DAYS begin......

Love Always,

Mommy

*And here is a pic of the story we read before bedtime tonight....*

"Look Out Kindergarten Here I Come!"

Sophia Turns FIVE!

My baby girl is 5 today!!  This will be a big year for her.  This morning her first words were, "Am I five yet?  Do I get to start school?  Can I do homework?"  She was pretending to do "homework" all morning.  :)  She cracks me up.  She brings so much laughter and sweetness to our home.  Such a strong, smart, caring little girl.  We are so very thankful and proud of our little Sophia.  Love her so much!!!

The following pics are some highlights of her big day.....

 Krispy Kreme Doughnut for breakfast.

Cupcakes made by Mommy

Chick-Fil-A for lunch

Getting so big....

But not too big for kisses from Mommy

Birthday present- a tablet.  She was sooo excited!!

My Beautiful Girl

Playing at the park.

Sooo Sweet

                         

Listed below are the questions that we ask her every year on her birthday.  Her answers are in bold....exactly as she said them. :)

1.  What is something Mommy always says to you?  I love you.
2.  What makes Mommy happy?  When I hug and kiss you and say I love you so much.
3.  What makes Mommy sad?  That I say I don't love you and sometimes when I go away from you and don't obey you.
4.  How does Mommy make you laugh?  When you tickle me. And sometimes when you're playing jokes.  Like when we do that old thing, and I say, "I don't want to be old!" And you say, "Great! You're only 4!" (laugh out loud)
5.  What was Mommy like as a child?  Like a kid where you watch movies and play games and sometime just read books.
6.  How old is Mommy?  Um. 31
7.  How tall is Mommy?  31 1/2 inches
8.  What is Mommy's favorite thing to do? Hug and kiss me and say I love you. 
9.  What does Mommy do when you're not around?  Try to look for me. And sometimes when we're playing hide-and-seek together.
10.  If Mommy becomes famous, what will it be for? Your work.
 11.  What is Mommy really good at?  Baking and letting me help you and wrestling. And you are good at wrestling too, Dad. (pointing at Dad)
12.  What is Mommy not very good at?  Picking up stuff that are so tall and you need help picking up the big heavy things and sometimes when you rub your back somebody needs to help you.
13.  What does Mommy do for her job? Work and try to get some money.
14.  What is Mommy's favorite food?  Chocolate
15.  What makes you proud of Mommy?  That you give me presents.
16.  If Mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?  Like um a people clown like you dressed up into a clown.
17.  What do you and Mommy do together? Bake together.
18.  How are you and Mommy the same? Our lips and our eyes and our nose. well not our eyes, mine are brighter and yours are a little dark. Is our lips and nose the same?
19.  How are you and Mommy different?  Your eyes. My eyes are bright and your eyes are dark.
20.  How do you know Mommy loves you? You hug me and kiss me and say i love you.
21.  Where is Mommy's favorite place to go?  To a place that has chocolate like cupcakes or cake or chocolate chip cookies.
22.  What makes you happy?  When you tickle me. That makes me happy and laugh.
23.  What makes you sad?  When you leave and I miss you so much.
24.  What makes you laugh? When you tickle me.
25.  What is your favorite thing to do? Watch movies and play games like video games. But I don't have your phone anymore. I have my own tablet.
26.  What is your favorite food and drink?  Cherry Coke and cake.
27.  What is your favorite color?  Blue and purple and yellow and pink.And green.
28.  Where is your favorite place to go?  Chick-Fil-A and McDonalds with slides and swings.
29.  What are your favorite movies or TV shows?  My tv shows are Tinkerbell and movie Lightning McQueen
30.  What is your favorite book?  Dora and Diego (although we don't have that book and she's never read it) ha ha.

Sophia's First Haircut

Sophia is almost 5 years old.  I gave her her first haircut tonight.  She has beautiful hair. She has had those blonde ringlets since she was a baby. We rarely go to any place (mall, Walmart, church) without someone commenting on her hair.  It's her most complimented attribute.  Well, it's getting so long.  When she's sitting on the floor, it sometimes drags.  In recent months, the ends are picking up fuzz.  So, we decided it was time for her first haircut.  I definitely cried when I was getting ready to cut it.  :-/  She was so sweet about it, telling me, "Mommy, it's okay!"

It was soooo long!

She was being so brave! (Better than me) :)

 I did it!  I cut a few inches off.  And it looked great!  This was just what it needed, and she still had curls left! (Something that I had wondered about!)

She handled it like a champ!  Her hair looks healthier now.  My little girl is growing up!  Such a beauty!

My Almost Reader

Sophia read her first sentence today!!  "Zac sat on a can." The only word I had to help her with was "a".  :)

She can identify all of the letters and knows what sound most of them make, but she hasn't started actually reading yet.  Here and there, we have practiced spelling some simple words when we have a free moment or two.  But my sweet little girl will be starting kindergarten this fall, and I would like her to have a basic understanding of reading before she starts school.  So, I found this website starfall.com. What a great website! It has little games children can play to help them learn to read.  Anyways, after looking at it for just a few minutes, she was sounding out words! I was so proud of her!  She was so proud!

I know we are just beginning, but she is a very smart girl and will pick it up in no time.  It will be so cool to hear her read books aloud, but I have to admit.....there will be a little part of me that will miss her imaginative "reading" she has done so often in the past.  I love to hear her sweet, expressive voice making up her own story as she flips through the pages of a book. My baby girl is growing up. Thankful and wistful at the same time.

Double Blessings

I had 2 special blessings today.  One from Sophia, and one from Ezra.  My back has started to aggravate me again in the past week or so.  Well, today, was even worse. :(

I was loading the kids up in the car this morning, and my back/hip started shooting pain. Aloud I said, "You all need to pray for Mommy.  My back has been hurting." I was basically just talking aloud and trying to deal with the pain as I loaded them in the car.  Well, Sophia stops right there and says, "I'll pray!  Dear Jesus, Please, please, help Mommy's back to feel better!" And she continued to pray a very sincere prayer for her Mommy.  I was touched by the faith of my 4 year old girl, who knew she could stop and talk to God right then and there.  And He would listen!

My second blessing came later in the day.  Ezra was sitting on the counter-top in the kitchen, while I was getting stuff out of the refrigerator for dinner.  I was feeling pain again and said, "Mommy's back hurts." Then Ezra spoke up so sweetly and said, "I pray!" And nodded his head in that sweet way he does when he's trying to be a good boy. He covered his eyes with his chubby fingers and said, "Dear Jesus, (mumble, mumble) Mommy's back....(other words I couldn't understand)........" And looked up at me.  The neatest part about this blessing was this was the FIRST TIME I'd ever heard Ezra pray on his own.  Such sweet, beautiful words coming out of the heart and mouth of my 2 year old little boy.

After each of these blessings, my heart just swelled with gratefulness.  Grateful that my kids are really learning what it means to pray.  To have faith. What it means to have a God who cares about our every need. What it means to have a God who is available and with us at all times.  A God who has the power to heal and help and guide.  A so wonderful, awesome God.