Back to School

Yesterday Lorenne started 1st grade. I can't believe that she is old enough to be a 1st grader! But alas, she is. Being in 1st grade means a lot of new things: riding the bus to school, a full day of school, and eating lunch at school. Lorenne is so excited about all these things, but I have been really worried and somewhat depressed.
Last year we didn't know that there was a bus for Lorenne to ride to school so I drove her everyday. It was frustrating at times, but I enjoyed being able to talk on the drive home about her day. I offered to drive Lorenne to school on her first day and she turned me down. She wanted to ride the bus. So yesterday at 8:15 am we were standing at the bus stop waiting. When the bus pulled up Lorenne practically ran to get on. She found a seat next to her friend, Hunter. The doors closed and the bus drove off. I promptly burst into tears.
Watching my little girl be so grown up was so hard. In some ways I felt like I was being left behind. I have been home with Lorenne her whole life. We have been buddies. Now she is off to the big adventure of 1st grade and I will be at home missing her. Not to mention how much Michael is going to miss her. I will have my hands full keeping him entertained while Lorenne is at school.
We had SEP conference with Lorenne's teacher right after school. Mrs. Jeppesen did some assessments of Lorenne's reading skills. Lorenne did so well. I am amazed at what a good reader she is. Her goal for this year is to get better in math. I don't think she will have any problem with math. Once they really start working with it in class I'm sure she will just excel.
And who knew there was so much to worry about with packing a lunch. Did I pack a balanced lunch? Is there enough food? Is it going to stay cold?
I'm not sure I'm quite ready to be the mom of a 1st grader.

The Wonderful Days of Summer

Where have I been in the last month? Good question. Time just seems to fly.
Two weeks from now Lorenne will start 1st grade. Tomorrow we get to find out who her teacher is. I just hope her teacher this year is as awesome as Mrs. Tingey was last year.
The past month has been filled with typical summer stuff. We went to Fiesta Days down in Spanish Fork on July 24th. We celebrated Lorenne's 6th birthday that same weekend.
Last weekend we went to Kim's house. My niece Jessee was being baptized. It was a fun weekend with the cousins, Grandma Pat and Papa Red. The highlight, of course, being when Kim and Matt made cotton candy before we left. I think it is a sick joke they play on all of us parents. Right before we start loading up in the cars they pull out the cotton candy machine. They make enough cotton candy for each kid to have a good sized bag of their own. You got it....major sugar high right as we try to buckle the kids in their seats. Fortunately it doesn't last long and the kids usually crash for the rest of the two hour drive.
This weekend is Salem Days and I can't wait. I love going to the breakfast and then the parade. And of course we come back at night for the fireworks. Salem's fireworks put others to shame. In my opinion, Stadium of Fire could be called Stadium of Fizzle compared to the fireworks at Salem Days. There is just something about seeing the fireworks over the pond and hearing the boom echo off the mountains surrounding Salem.
Ahhh...the wonderful days of summer!

My New Background

This new background of cupcakes is dedicated to Tawnicia and Cheryl and anyone else who has fallen prey to the Sweet Tooth Fairy bakery.