Back to School!

The day came. The day I didn't want to come, but at the same time was so ready. The first day of school! On Monday the elementary had an open house where the kids got to meet their teachers, see their classrooms and bring all of their supplies in and organize them in their desks and cubbies. I really like both Laylah and Jonah's teachers and have heard they are great, so we're very excited for this year. Laylah is in second grade and Jonah is in first grade. Daphne is starting preschool, but doesn't start for 2 more weeks. She cannot wait! Jonah and his teacher

Laylah with her teacher.

That evening we had a special FHE and back to school dinner. I love Nie Nie Dialogues and I totally copied this idea from her. Like I've said before, I have not a creative bone in my body-so I usually have to copy :) But I think it is a great idea to get the kids excited for school and do something special for it. We had a delicious feast of broiled steelhead fish, artichokes, twice baked potatoes, fresh strawberries, buttery bread and raspberry lemonade. It was delicious and every bite was eaten.
We also talked about our family theme for the year- "Remember Who You Are". We made crowns for our activity and talked about how we are all aspiring to be queens and kings and that we need to be great examples to those around us and behave as a king or queen would, and always rememebr what we are trying to become.

I also attempted a 2-layer cake and was going to make it all cutsie on my new cake stand that I have yet to use since I bought it several months ago, but one layer didn't quite workout.... it was still delicious, although not precisely "cute" :)

Sporting our beautiful crowns that are now hanging in each of the children's bedrooms.

We closed the evening with each of the children recieving a beautiful Father's Blessing from their daddy for the new school year. What an amazing thing the priesthood is. I am so grateful to my husband for being worthy to hold and use it.

We were up and ready for school bright and early Tuesday morning. Lay and Jo dressed in carefully chosen new school outfits and Laylah told me exactly how she wanted her hair. We also had to paint her nails and toenails a bright hot pink-of course :) The kids were so excited. They barely let me snap this picture of them in their new school duds before they were off running down the street to meet their friends at the bus stop.

There they go.... so grown up!

They came home full of smiles, stories and excitement. I think this year will be a good one :)