Back to school!!!

On Monday, August, 25th, the girls headed back to school. So hard to believe that Emali is in the 8th grade and Erin started 5th. Both are in Middle School now!

Also, as you can see, Emali chopped off all her hair. I think she looks awesome.


Emali and Erin on the first day of school

Erin on the first day of 5th grade

Emali on the first day of 8th grade.

Today, Wednesday, August 27th, Alvin started Kindergarten. Yes, Kindergarten. For those of you doing the math, yes, we held him back a year. However, because of that, we were able to mainstream him. He only gets pulled out for speech classes right now.

Alvin on his first day of Kindergarten.

Em's Winter Concert

Emali's winter concert was tonight. I'm completely impressed at how much they've improved since last year. They are playing multi-part songs, solos, etc. The band geek in me just LOVED it. So proud of Emali for sticking with the flute for almost 2 years. Especially when a good bit of her friends are dropping out.

 She's getting so big. I can hardly believe she'll be in junior high next year.

And now, I leave you with a video of the band playing Yuletide Spirit.

Back to School: Part Two

Alvin went back to school today. He was soooo excited to be going back. He even gets to take a lunchbox this year!!

Heading back for his second year of preschool.

My little monkey getting on the bus. 

Back To School: Part 1

Today, the girls headed back to school. They were both unbelievably excited to go back. Emali was most looking forward to seeing her friends, playing in band again, and having art first class. Erin was excited about showing off her cast, seeing her friends, and recess. Yep. That's my girls. Alvin doesn't start back to school until after Labor Day. Even then, he won't go his first week due to doctor's appointments. The girls were also excited to have the same bus driver they had last year, Miss Amy. They really really like her, which is awesome because I -HATED- my bus driver when I was in school. Mean old Mrs Phillips. Anyway, here are some pictures from this morning!

 THE sequin blue leopard boots that Emali just -had- to have for school.

 She was making faces at me and didn't think I'd take a picture. She was wrong. 

 There we go. A nice one. I can't believe how grown up she is already.

 Getting on the bus to head to her first day of SIXTH grade.

 Erin giving me the stink eye. The child just loves to ham for the camera and I wanted a serious picture.

 Her zebra pettiskirt she just -had- to have or she'd die. (Her words)

 The whole outfit. Pink, leopard, zebra, gingham, ruffles, and a skull. But she makes it work. Plus, you gotta love the 'broken doll' model pose she's striking. Too much "America's Next Top Model", methinks.

Getting on the bus to head to her first day of THIRD grade!

Alvin goes to school!

 Alvin walking into the school

Alvin in his classroom

Alvin's ETR Results

http://alvin-rice.blogspot.com/2011/11/alvins-etr-results.html

Back to school!

So, today is the first day of school for the girls. This morning went as smoothly as it could have. Both girls managed to have a few mins to spare before either having to leave or catch the bus. (Eric had to take Em to school, as she didnt yet have her schedule of classes.) Emali was NOT too thrilled at having to wake up at 6:30 in the morning. And was a little bit miffed that Erin got to sleep in til 7:30. That's what being a Middle Schooler is all about Emali! (Did I say Middle School? Ugh.)

 Emali all ready for school. I love love love her glasses.

 Walking into her first day as a Middle Schooler

 Erin all ready for school.

 Running down to wait for the bus

 "Take a picture of my shoes Mommy. Everyone needs to see my shoes Mommy."

 "What about your outfit Erin?"

"Ok, you can put that on the blog too Mommy."

 Erin getting on the bus.

Charley sitting watching Erin get on the bus.

Final Back-to-School preparations

So, at the beginning of the summer, Erin begged me to let her get her ears pierced. I told her then if she still wanted it done by then, we'd do it before school started. Well, today she called me on it. "Mommy, school starts tomorrow. I want I my ears pierced!" So, off to the mall we went to get it done. She chose tiny pink crystal butterflies.

 Bracing for the first ear. It went through and she cried. She didnt want to do the second. But...

 She eventually did. Poor girl. There's no warning enough to prepare you for a lady coming after you with a(n earring) gun.

But, this pic was taken not 1 min after the second ear was done. All smiles and loving her earrings now. She even picked out 2 more pairs to wear when she's finally allowed to change them.

Then, because Emali and Alvin were feeling left out, we got Emali some new earrings. We also went to Claire's and got both girls new nail polish and headbands. Then it was off to Build-A-Bear for Alvin. His favorite part of BAB is 'washing' the pet.

'Washing' his new puppy, Charley

Then, after BAB, we decided to let Alvin play a little bit in the mall's play area. Unfortunately, we couldnt stay very long because other parents decided to just drop their kids off while they went shopping. We're talking 7-8 year olds, that proceeded to raise hell and push around the little ones.