Conquering Kindergarten

It's hard to believe that just over a year ago, we were struggling with the school's decision to split our girls up for Kindergarten. While there were times I wished they were in the same classroom, there were many benefits to having them separated. We definitely got a better sense of their individual personalities, strengths and weaknesses.  Their academic abilities are as identical as their DNA, but their levels of sensitivity and confidence are quite different.  Not only did we learn about the girls this year, we also learned so much about parenting school-aged children.  Helping them navigate friendships and hardships, homework and hobbies, achievements and failures can be exhausting.  Thankfully, the support of amazing teachers, fellow room-parents who I now call my friends and countless opportunities to volunteer in their classrooms made it all just a little bit easier.

Yesterday, we splurged on Starbucks before Field Day.  Should you ever find yourself a parent-volunteer for this event, you'll be instantly convinced that teachers are underpaid and underappreciated. 

 What a difference a year makes

Where did that baby face go???

  

I didn't realize Ava was taking a picture this morning, but I'm so glad to have this blurry moment captured.  Before I know it, they won't need help tying shoes or zipping jackets . .  .

 . . .  and they surely won't want me to be at their End-of-the-Year Picnics.

 So, I'll soak up every one of these moments while I can.

 And assure you that I'm just as excited for Summer Break as they are.

 Tonight, they each received a small gift for all they accomplished this year.

 Then, we phoned in dinner because this mama may have over-volunteered just a little bit this year 😉