And now first grade . . .

It's official! They are now first graders!


Joe and Charlie on the first day of school


Joe in his new classroom


Charlie in his new classroom

They've been in first grade a little over a week now. We are getting back into our school routine. (We've actually managed to fine-tune it a little. I feel like I spend an inordinate amount of time on routines.) It's pretty much business as usual, but something still strikes me as different. They aren't kindergarteners anymore. This is real school. The kind that keeps going and progresses until the next thing you know they are doing algebra homework and visiting colleges.

We don't get a lot of information from them, or from the teachers. They do seem more settled than they were last year. They both know most of the kids in their classes pretty well, which I think helps a lot with comfort level. We don't know much about their teachers. The boys are happy with them, though. Of course, that apparently has a lot to do with the fact that they got the two first grade teachers whose classes are the first to go to lunch--meaning they go to lunch shortly after 10:30. Because heaven forbid they have to wait for, say, lunchtime to eat lunch.

But the boys are happy, so we are happy too. They seem pretty excited to be getting more "real" work (they are specifically hoping for more math). So far, they have received "green" (and green is good) every day for conduct. I started explaining the concept of grades to them - not sure they understood, but when they do I expect it to be a big motivator for them (especially Charlie). All in all, we are looking forward to the boys' year in first grade. If they just didn't have to grow up to get there.

Time flies

The title of this post was originally intended to describe how fast the boys' kindergarten year flew by. Turns out time really does fly, because I'm just now getting it posted, and they start first grade tomorrow!

But so that we can officially march into the first grade year, here are some highlights from the end of kindergarten. The boys had a great kindergarten year, adjusted (and then thrived) being apart, made new friends, and learned a lot (even though we think they were pretty smart when they got there!).

Joe giving us a smile at the end-of-year program

He had a speaking role!

Charlie singing with his class

Each kindergartener got an award - Joe's was the "Future Star Athlete" award

Charlie sitting on the rug with his classmates

Charlie receiving his award - the "Math -N- Stats Caring Teaching" award

Charlie with his best buddy Daniel (who, sadly, has moved away for 1st grade)

Joe with his best buddy Owen

Charlie with his teacher, Ms. Nelson

Joe with his teacher, Ms. Hodge

Taking out the trash

I knew when I had all these kids that I could put them to work eventually.

Seriously, I love the teamwork here. Taking out the trash was Charlie's job this week, but everyone else wanted to help him. They took it very seriously.

Wordless Wednesday

Way Back When-esday

I'm getting this one in just under the wire. This "Way Back When-esday" post begins 364 days ago, when we embarked on our annual and absolutely amazing family vacation to Grand Cayman. (There are a lot of pictures, I know. Each one brings back so many memories - it's really difficult to cull them down.)

Tomorrow, we leave for Cayman V. Yep, this is our fifth year in a row to take the same family vacation. Why mess with perfection?

Donut day in paradise


Fun in the sand





I know this is surprising, but the boys played a lot of beach baseball


The all important parents' night out



The little guys loved jumping in the pool!


Cutie


Worn out after a day in the sun - I think they are ALL watching Elmo here


The best addition to this years' trip was the Kids' Beach Olympics - this is the beach footrace


The little ones wouldn't stand for being left out of the beach olympics, so they had their own races . . .


. . . which Helen won easily


We got to spend time with Cort's sister Jody


Some of the big kids went golfing with the dads


Charlie and Joe got to go on a submarine trip and hang out with their big cousin Jake


Caitlin, Jody, and Jake - we are so glad they all came


The kids loved seeing crabs and lizards


Swimming with my whole crew


Wearing swim goggles just like the big kids


Will hanging out with Cynthia


Watching the fish and other sealife - Joe even learned to snorkel on this trip


Mmmm, snack on the porch - paradise just steps away



Hello from Helen!




These water shooters were a huge hit with everyone, but especially Will


Will liked to lay in the water face down - it was a little disconcerting


Charlie practicing cannonballs (cannonballs were an official event in the beach olympics)


Another beach olympics event - who knew that Joe had a hidden talent for the balloon-between-the-legs race? He smoked everyone else!


Here's another view of Helen winning her race - see, told you she left everyone behind. She soooo wants to be a big kid.


This was pretty cute. The older kids did a balloon race with partners. When they were finished, we looked back to the starting line, and there were Will and Helen. They had set themselves up and were ready to go!


Traditional family beach picture


And Cort and me


The Maddux girls



Oh, Joe also learned how to dive on this trip



More fun in the sand


The big kids got to take a pirate cruise


These are all the kiddos from Caymans 2009. All but two will be back for Caymans 2010. Can't wait to look back at these and see how these kids grew from year to year.

Also, can't wait for tomorrow!!!!