Oh, You Beautful Doll, You Great Big Beautiful Doll...

She's been excited about this for months...MONTHS! I couldn't figure it out...I mean, they hurt, they poke, they squeeze, they throb. And I told her that, too! Didn't matter, though. She had the color scheme planned and rehearsed over and over (even made sure her back-to-school outfit will match it), she asked repeatedly what it was going to feel like and if I had enjoyed it or not (both times I had them), and if she was going to tell her friends or just surprise them. Seriously, she was...yes, giddy and thrilled for the day to finally come...and here it is! At 9:40 a.m. this morning, with the aid of Robyn (who is also her new dance teacher--funny, huh?), Natasha jumped onto another stepping stone of many pre-teens (including the four other kids in the office the same time we were) taking that (often) unsightly step towards adulthood and a perfectly straight smile...I have to say, however, she is one pretty cute kid with those shiny silver additions! (And, oh yeah, we'll see how excited she still is about this by 9:40 p.m...wink, wink!)

School's Out For The Summer!

For the last two months, Connor has been counting down the days until school would FINALLY be out for the summer! It wasn't because he didn't like his teachers--he loved them (Mrs. Grimes and Ms. Ames (his student teacher while Mrs. Grimes was on maternity leave)). It wasn't because he didn't like participating in all the activites and learning, per say. He doesnt even complain about having to go...he just simply is happier when he doesn't have to! So, he was one excited kid when I took this last photo before we walked out the rapidly vacated school hallways...and into our summer!

**Dane with his teacher, Mrs. Schowengerdt--about the sweetest teacher ever! She deserves some kind of award, I think, for having to put up with my floppy-haired, angelic, charming Dane and his antics all year (like her phone call last week telling me he had been taught how to "flip the bird" by a fellow student and both were giving it to everyone in the lunchroom!) Her last words to me were how much she adored him anyway...sweet (bless her heart) girl...

**Natasha with her teacher, Mrs. Lunt--she adored Natasha and told me that she was the kindest, most helpful and lovely girl in class...of course! (wink, wink)

So, sayonara, 2009-10 school year...see you later, Legacy Elementary...except for dear Tash...she's onto the big junior high this fall! Wowzah!