Ready For The Big Day

Obviously the first day of school is a REALLY big deal! So we did a few things to prepare and make it extra special! It started on Sunday when we went to Aunt Marilyn's house for dinner. She did a really fun back-to-school celebration with a cafeteria style food line and meal, including homemade chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, jello cups, etc. Then all the kids did a back-to-school fashion show with their favorite new school outfits. McKinley picked her pink and white "everyday" dress and Madison picked the pink and black capri outfit Nana got her. Both girls were very shy, as they usually are around lot of people, but they loved getting to show off their outfits. Marilyn also did a little lesson about praying for help and had an activity for their kids using the acronym ASAP - Always Say A Prayer. She read them a story called the Kissing Hand, and it was so cute! I loved that Marilyn did this! Madison is very smart but also pretty sensitive so I've been worried about her starting school, not from an academic standpoint but just being able to deal with the little hurts, frustrations and disappointments that come with school and making friends. So I've been really emphasizing to her that if she ever feels scared or sad or lonely, she can always pray to Heavenly Father for help. Marilyn must've been inspired to deliver the same message, and I really appreciate it!

On Monday, we had Meet The Teacher Night!! Jordan had to work so it was just me and all three girls trying to figure everything out. Consequently I didn't take any pictures :( But Madison really liked getting to meet her teacher and see the school a little bit again. When we first went into her classroom, she wouldn't talk to Mrs. Barnes without me prompting her, but as she found her desk, saw some of the games and activities Mrs. Barnes had, found her name on the birthday chart, etc., she got more and more comfortable! She even discovered that she sat at the same table as her cousin Guess, who is in the same class. We also had to go by the library to pick up her school shirt, and McKinley thought it was so cool that there's a library at Madison's school. She made me read them a book before we could leave :)

Tuesday involved some last-minute shopping for more school supplies and then a special trip with her cousins Mayli, who was also starting kindergarten the next day, and Haidyn to the nail salon to get the girls' nails painted. My girls have never been to a salon like that so they thought it was pretty special, although Madison was a bit disappointed that she couldn't get her toes done too like the cousins - that's what happens when Mom has to pay for two girls instead of just one!! After we got home, we did Father's Blessings for both girls. Since McKinley also wants to go to school like Madison, we've told her that she gets to go to Mommy School with me and learn her letters. So she got a blessing too. After the girls were done, I decided I wanted one as well so it was a special night for all of us! Here are some things from the blessings ...

Madison
- Continue to learn and have a joy and love of learning
- Have the confidence to make friends and ask questions
- Have the strength to rely on the teacher
- Continue to develop a love of the Savior and remember to always pray to Him if you feel alone
- Have a strong and healthy body
- Develop mentally and socially
- Grown into a strong young woman
- Resist bad things and overcome temptation

McKinley
- Have a sound mind and be able to learn all her letters and numbers
- Be patient with Mommy
- Be helpful and a good example to Reagan
- Have health and strength
- Be able to understand and apply the concepts you learn
- Use your eyes as they need to be used

Finally, just before going to bed, Madison opened a note from her teacher that contained some Ready Confetti to help her get a good night's sleep. She was supposed to put it under her pillow and it would help her go to sleep and get the rest she needed to be ready to learn. Unfortunately, around 9 pm, I heard a cry from her room and went in to find her sobbing that her magic confetti wasn't working because she couldn't go to sleep. So I ended up singing to her for about 15 minutes until she fell asleep. I had a million things to do still, but it was a sweet moment. She hasn't needed me to do that for a LONG time and it was fitting that it happened the night before kindergarten as a little reminder to me that I'll always be her Mom and nothing can replace that. I love her so much and am so proud of her growing up into an awesome big girl!!

After getting their nails done 

This is a note that the teacher put in her folder for Meet The Teacher night. Obviously, it made me cry and was just so sweet! I really love her school and teacher and am so glad we made the decision to go there even though it will require some sacrifice.