The First Day of 5th Grade

I can hardly stand it when I think of how quickly this journey is going.  My first baby started 5th grade and it literally seems as if she JUST started Kindergarten.  She was a bit nervous for this year to begin, but she has had a phenomenal year so far.  Her teacher is wonderful and she has a great little class.  I am so proud of this girl.  So proud that my heart could literally burst.  She got her first quarter report card this week which was filled with glowing grades.  But what makes me happier are the comments that the teacher included about Kamdyn.  

Mrs. Barton's Comments

"Kamdyn is an excellent student.  She has worked hard and excels in all subjects.  Kamdyn is a model student.  I can always depend on her to set a good example for the rest of the students.  It is a pleasure having her in my class.  Kamdyn is consistently polite to adults and peers in and out of the classroom.  She has had a terrific quarter.  Keep up the wonderful things that you are doing."

When these first day photos were taken, we had no idea where this 5th grade journey would lead us.  Kamdyn was nervous about not having any friends in her class.  In hindsight, it has truly been a blessing for her to be in Mrs. Barton's class.  When I read her comments on the report card, my eyes immediately filled with tears.  Kamdyn said, "Why are you always crying?"  All I could say to Kamdyn was that I was super proud of her grades, but way more proud of her kind and beautiful heart.  For all the things I have done wrong as a Mom, certainly these words help me see that I have  done so much more right! I can't take all of the credit though because her Daddy is a pretty awesome Daddy!

Kamdyn Lucy, you will never, ever go wrong by doing the right thing and being kind to others.  I hope you will always remember to be yourself and let your beautiful light shine.  I love you, sweet girl!

Last Minute Fun before School Starts

Our neighborhood decided to have the annual pool party at the end of summer instead of the beginning.  I thought this was super smart because usually the kids are freezing in the water when the pool first opens.  The party was cut short when it starting thundering and lightening in the distance.  Several of us waited out the thunder and lightening and it actually never stormed.  The kiddos that were left were made to get out of the pool for a bit.  They decided to form a conga line and dance to the music playing.  It was super cute!  Kamdyn was leading the pack.

Kamdyn had her new friend, Kennedy, come over for the first time.  Kennedy moved into Sydney's old house.  Lucky for Kamdyn, Kennedy is also in the 5th grade, but goes to a different school.  Kamdyn and Kennedy are two peas in a pod.  I'm so glad that my girl has a new neighborhood friend.  I let them "bake" brownies...from a box.  Both of them love to cook.

We also went to JumpStreet before school got out with Kamdyn's friends, Leah and Ella.  These girls each took a turn on this bull.  Let's just say that it was the slowest bull I had EVER seen.  The girls refused to let the lady turn it up.  It was hilarious!

Kindergarten Playdate

Scott's Ridge seems to do a really great with making sure that everyone feels welcome when they enter the building.  They were super sensitive to these sweet Kindergarten babies' needs.  They had a special playdate on the Saturday before staggered entry on the playground at Scott's Ridge.  It was great for all of the kids to get to hang out with some familiar faces and faces that they would soon be seeing every day.

Karcie was ready for Kindergarten and wasn't worried a bit, but I do think this great gesture helped ease the nerves of some little ones who were a little apprehensive in this new adventure!

Karcie met a new friend!

Karcie and our new Kindergarten neighbor, Olivia.

Karcie's favorite preschool friend, Lawson.

Mrs. Leach, the principal, and some of the Kindergarten babies who attended!

School Class Assignment Drama

This post is documentation for Kamdyn.

We got home from GWL and Kamdyn ran straight to the mailbox.  We knew that their  class assignments were waiting on us.  Kamdyn got a new to Scott's Ridge teacher.  She was happy to NOT get one specific  teacher.  All was great until she found out one of her favorite friends wasn't in her class.  Then, we got news that a 2nd favorite friend wasn't in her class.  Friend 1 and 2 were in the SAME class.  The final blow was when we heard that her third favorite friend wasn't in her class and was in the SAME CLASS as friend 1 and 2.  Yikes!

Kamdyn was hysterical.  We heard everything from "This is going to be the worst year ever!" to "I don't want to go to school!" to "This is NOT FAIR!"  You name it, we heard it.

I started freaking out a bit because Kamdyn has never not wanted to go to school.  My inner "mama bear" wanted to fix this for her.  Who do I call?  Who do I email?  Even her Daddy was thinking that we should do something.  

I heard all kinds of things like...."The 4th grade teachers made the class lists for 5th grade." I thought this was false because I had been texting her 4th grade teacher all afternoon asking for advice.  I knew her 4th grade teacher loved her and wouldn't separate her from all of her friends that were in her class.  Nevertheless, I was still sad for my baby!

Here's what I was thinking:

1.  We moved to Apex half way through the 1st grade.  That's kind of traumatic to move schools in the middle of the year, but Kamdyn conquered it like a champ!

2.  We were only at Olive Chapel for 2.5 year and were then rezoned for Scott's Ridge.  Sydney was really the only friend she had that was moving to the new school.  Luckily, they got in the same class for 4th grade and then Sydney moved.  Kamdyn made several great friends at Scott's Ridge in her class last year, but now they were all together in a different 5th grade class.

3. Now she's in a 5th grade with none of her friends.  She barely even knew one person in there.  

4.  She will go to her middle school for ONE year before moving to the new middle school that we will be zoned for.  That's enough to make any kid (and mama) crazy!! 

Major Mommy guilt was creeping in and I was letting it get the best of me.  I called my neighbor.  I talked to the Moms of the friends who all ended up together.  Richard and I chatted.  

I also poured myself some wine.  

The wine helped me to get a grip.  I STOPPED the drama.

I realized that this was not the end of the world.  Instead, it was the REAL WORLD!!  At that moment I knew that I was not going to fix this for her.  I knew she would make new friends.  I knew it was great to have new friends considering that she would be going to middle school in one year (gasp!!).  She would have a lot of different people in her classes in middle school.  She still gave me such a hard time.  She understood where I was coming from, but the little girl inside of her was so very sad to be without her friends who all ended up together.  

Fast forward to being in school for a month in a half....

I am happy to report that her Daddy and I did make the right decision.  She adores her teacher and is making several sweet new friends.  We all learned a lot through this.  I hope that Kamdyn will look back at this post one day and will be proud of herself.  I hope that she will be proud of me for not getting her out of something that simply made her uncomfortable.  The real world is tough and it's not getting easier.    This situation helped her to learn to deal with struggle, heartache, and disappointment.  We all experience a lifetime of these emotions.  We have to teach our children how to deal with them at an early age.  

Kamdyn Lucy, I love you and I am so proud to be your Mom. You put on your best happy face and held your head high on that first of school and the second, third, fourth, and fifth days.  After about a week, you were content with where God had placed you.  We prayed for Him to take care of you and to help you meet new friends.  He did.  He will never leave you and He loves you more than I do which is VERY hard to imagine!!  You are going to move mountains one day, big girl, and I can't wait to watch your little life unfold.  

Great Wolf Lodge

GWL is one of our favorite family outings each year.  I will have to say that this year was my favorite trip to GWL so far though.  Karcie was FINALLY able to ride the big slides and I no longer had to sit beside her in the pee kiddie pool the entire time!

We rolled up to the GWL right after lunch in Concord.  The nice little lady at the desk informed me that we had been upgraded to a Kid's Camp room.  Y'all know we ain't splurging $50 to pay for that in the Terry household.  I was so excited for my kids.  They beg for the bunk beds each year, but we always so no.  I thought I would get an eyeball roll from my husband when I told him that we were upgraded for free.  I know he secretly thought I had been the one to suggest and purchase the upgrade.  Seriously though, this chick made my day and my sweet little K girls' day!!

I was hoping they wouldn't realize that we had an upgraded room until we walked in, but my smart Kamdyn noticed that the door said "Kids Camp."  They jumped on their beds immediately!!

Shortly after, we jumped into our swimsuits and hit the water park.  That Karcie got on every single slide multiple times!  She wasn't tall enough to ride the Howling Tornado, but I think that might have scared the bathing suit bottoms right off of her.  It scares me to death, but I ride it multiple times every year!

These kids wanted to hop across these lily pad thingys at least a million times.  I mean, all of this fun stuff here and they wanted to jump on lily pads.  I don't get it!?!?

We stayed at the waterpark until about 6:30.  We took showers while Richard got us a pizza downstairs.  After pizza we made our way to the clock-tower show and story-time.    Kamdyn was a bit bored saying she was too old, but was forced to stay because her baby sister loves this!!

Last was the arcade.  $20-$30 per kid on these crazy arcade games for them to win 300 tickets and come away with a 5 cent piece of candy and toy.  Not a good deal!  But they love it so we do it every time we go.  

We were also awarded a late check out because we were repeat visitors.  We got up early the next morning and hit the water park again.  Richard had work to do so I was with the girls a good portion of the morning.  We did make Karcie sit in a chair at the bottom of the Howling Tornado so Kamdyn and I could ride together.  Surprisingly, she never moved....I could see her the entire time, Nanny, from the stairs while we were waiting in line.  

As evidenced by the last picture of Karcie, we had a great time!  GWL will tire you out!  Can't wait until next year!

"See my five cent toys, Mommy!"

Beautiful Lake Days

We spend so much  time at the lake.  I seriously feel all of my stress lift off of me when we walk in the door at the lake.  It's the only place where I truly have nothing to do even if I wanted to do something.  It's a wonderful place for all of us to decompress and relax.

Sunrise on Richard's early morning fishing trip.

Richard got a new contraption to hold his phone.  It helps him take selfies when no one is on the boat.  Now his fishing stories can't be SO elaborate.  I kid.  I kid.  

There was a little storm that rolled through and left a gorgeous rainbow behind.

I love these sweet reminders of God's promise.

Check out this gorgeous sunset and the mysterious clouds.

God paints the most beautiful pictures!

Fun with Karcie

It's rare for me to wear my hair straight in the summer because of the humidity.  It's simply not worth it.  But when I do, these girls are always begging to "do" my hair.  Secretly, I think they want to give me pain like they think I do them each morning.  Here are the results!!

Getting revenge?!?!

All finished with a ponytail and headband with a bow!

Karcie's Gymnastics Debut

We FINALLY settled in to a gymnastics class last week.  After going  back and forth trying to find the best fit for her, we've finally decided  that she's ready for the Mighty Beamers Training Group.  She had a bit of a tummy ache the first week, but still did fine.  Her second week she was ready to roll!  I'm so happy that she has the courage to try gymnastics.  She seems to be really good at it and loves it, too.  Can't wait to see this girl flipping all over the place.  Gymnastics is truly her "thing."