Back to School!

Wow! This summer went by way too fast.  We did so many fun things and took a nice vacation, but it still doesn't seem like we really did everything we wanted to before it was time for school again.

Marley started 1st grade this year.  I don't think she was quite as excited this year as she was last year, but so far she seems to be doing well and making lots of new friends.

On the drive to school on the first day she says "I can't wait for it to be over" I ask "what can't you wait for to be over" She replies "School"  Guess she wasn't thrilled with going back to school after all.

School Work Photobooks

Two years ago when Marley was in preschool, she was bringing home tons of papers every day.  I hated to throw them out so I decided that I would make a school work photo book from Shutterfly with them.  Every few weeks I would just scan in her papers, and then that allowed me to recycle them without feeling bad about it. 

Once I had them all scanned in I just uploaded them to their website and kept them in order of when she did them.  The first 20 pages are included with the book, then it's an additional fee per page. I didn't want to go way overboard, since I actually got her preschool book free from Pamper's Rewards.   To help figure out how many photos per page, I just divided the number of photos by 20 pages.  Since it was an uneven number, I did add some photos from her field trips and class parties in there too.  

Some of her larger art projects required more space on the page so I just chose a different layout.  

I just finished her kindergarten book too, following the same steps as before.  However, this time I didn't have a free code, so I had to wait for a good sale.  Shutterfly's sales usually last a day or two so I really had to hurry to finish scanning everything and uploading it and rearranging it on every page.  

I had 23 pages and it was about $30 for the book and shipping.  Not too expensive for a whole years worth of school work.  

I think for next year, I will scan and upload as I go so once a good sale shows up, I won't be rushing to make it before it expires.  

On the front cover of the book is her picture from the first day of school, and on the back is her picture from the last day. It's so crazy how much she's grown in just 9 months. 

On the spine I just put her name and the grade so when they're on the shelf I can keep them all in order. 

I don't know how long I'll continue doing these for her because once she gets into higher grades they bring home less fun projects and more work. I will start making them for Mason though in just a few short years. 

First Day of Kindergarten

How can Marley be old enough for kindergarten already?! She started this past Monday and so far things are going well. 

 She goes from 8-3:30 everyday except Wednesday's she gets out at 1:50 so that's nice to have some extra time with her after school.  Her teacher is really great and her school is a perfect fit for her.  

She popped right out of bed on the first day, but the rest of the mornings have been a little slow moving for all of us. Here's hoping that things continue on this well for the rest of the year.

End of Preschool

Last Monday was Marley's last day of preschool. This past year went by so fast. Marley is very excited to start kindergarten in the fall that I don't think she even really cared that preschool is over. We've made some great friends and had a lot of fun this past year. Here's some pictures from her last day and from her graduation.

Growing up

This past week was Marley's first day of preschool.  She goes half day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. She was so excited about starting school, and was asking if it was time to leave two hours before it really was time to leave.

Checking in

By her cubby 

Poor Mike. So sad his baby is growing up.

 Here are the papers that Marley brought home from her first week at school.

 I have a brilliant idea of what I am going to do with all the school papers she brings home- You'll have to wait until May to find out what is it though.

After we picked Marley up on her first day she said "I love school"  We then came home, had a snack and headed to her first swimming lesson.

 Of course, she loved it and before we made it to the car she asked when she could come back. She has swimming on Monday and Wednesdays. We're keeping her busy that's for sure!