Fourth Grade! (and other recent happenings)

First day of 4th Grade

We didn't get any "before" pictures but this was taken in the church parking lot (fancy!) after school/SACC (she had a KFC activity that evening).

Fourth grade has been on my radar ever since we were told this is when Ellen's age difference - she is the youngest in her class - may start to become an issue, academically speaking.  Ellen is a good student and I probably have nothing to worry about but just in case, I plan to be more involved with her schoolwork this year.  (Confession: I have not been very involved in the past.)

Ellen has three teachers this year which translates to three 90 minute blocks of learning.  Mrs. Magee is her homeroom and math teacher.  She has Mrs. Lawhun for Reading and Mrs. Fowler for Science and Social Studies.  Ellen's best friend, Evie. is in her class this year.  Phillip and I laughed so hard at the SACC director's reaction to the news... Have they not seen them together?  Well, Angie - apparently not :)  I have always kind of liked that they did not have the same teachers since they are together before and after school every day (and all summer long), but of course Ellen is thrilled.  Regarding specials, in addition to art, P.E., music and library/guidance, Ellen will have technology every week (i.e. computer lab).  No homework so far but I am sure that will change this week.

I am looking forward to meeting her teachers (and learning what 4th grade is all about) at Parent Orientation Night tomorrow evening.

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Lilly started Pre-K today.  She was so excited.  Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Ainsworth are in for a real treat :)

The girls testing a few instruments in Lilly's new classroom at Open House Friday night

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Jacey's Birthday Party
(We have the sweetest neighbors!)

Ellen won the bubble gum counting contest.  She guessed 500 and there were 504 gumballs in the jar.  Congratulations?

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Back to School Blast at Brentwood Skate Center

Wyatt was cracking me up in these pictures.  He's a nut.

Daddy doesn't skate but he is always willing to lend a hand :)

Waiting in line for pizza

I still got it!

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Ellen looking up her new teachers the night before school started

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Recently Viewed:  Cafe Society, Ghostbusters, Jason Bourne, Finding Dory (Laurie took Lilly to see this while Phillip and I saw the new Jason Bourne movie), Mistress America and I finished my beloved Gilmore Girls.  I watched the last episode Monday night.  I might have cried a little.  I am really looking forward to November 25th - the release date of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.  Thanks in advance Netflix.  Next up on my TV to do list (after the Olympics): start the never-before-seen-by-me series Alias.

As for the kids, Lilly really likes Elena of Avalor, a new show on Disney Junior.

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We have a little worker bee wannabe on our hands.  Lilly wants us to give her jobs to do.  Real jobs.  And believe me, she knows the difference :)  I need to start asking the girls to help around the house anyway so maybe this will turn out to be a win-win for the whole family.

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Lilly is officially an Animal Jam-mer.  Ellen is showing her the ropes.  I support and encourage any activity that brings these girls together so game on!

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Q:  Which one of you is going to be our Olympic champion?
A:  Lilly raises hand.

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Phillip turned 37 on the 13th.  We celebrated with Matt and Sara Jo (and gang) at Old Chicago and Baskin Robbins Saturday night and we had lunch with Kendra and Laurie on Sunday at Burger Up.  Happy birthday to a great guy who happens to be my guy.  Lucky me.  xoxo

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My other sweeties

CBC is the place for me!

Ellen's summer sabbatical to North Carolina was a little different this year... it included a week at Carolina Bible Camp!  

She had a great time at CBC (7th week) and enjoyed spending time with Mom, Dad, Andrea, Caleb, Ashling, Cade and Quinn.

Here are some of the pictures I received in the two weeks Ellen was gone:

Spa night at Grandmother's

Bonus points to Andrea for this one.  She knows I appreciate good signage.

Cabin 1

Uncle David was there too :)

Russ and Nancy came to visit on Tuesday.

Ellen and Ashling with their counselor

The girls tie dyed t-shirts.  They made one for Dad too (he was a teacher and counselor).

Cousins!

Meanwhile, back in Tennessee...

Lilly really missed Ellen (especially the first week).  And she really wanted to go to camp.  Phillip found her in our closet praying that she could be 17 or 18, whichever one was older, so she could go to camp.  I love that girl!

Lunch at Gina's

Photo credit:  Lilly McCullough

Helping...

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Ellen got home yesterday afternoon.  It's good to all be together again.  

School started today and we have a busy weekend ahead.  

The fun never stops.

August 2016

August 5th - First Day of School - Ellen (4th grade!)
                      KFC Activity

August 6th - Bible "Bowl"ing at The Rogers

August 7th - Southern Hills Back to School Blast at the Brentwood Skate Center

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Birthdays:  Phillip (13th) and Quinn (17th)

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Ellen will be home Thursday!  Just in time for school to start :)  She had a great time at CBC and is enjoying spending time with her cousins this week.

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The girls are going to Jacey's birthday party on Saturday.  Lilly is so excited (she has been counting down the days.)
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Lilly is transitioning to Pre-K this month.  Exciting times!  Her first official day with Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Ainsworth will be August 15th.  Only one more year of daycare to go :)

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Ellen is participating in Bible Bowl for the first time this year.  She will be practicing with KFC quite a bit between now and September 10th.

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The Williamson County Fair is August 5th-13th and the Olympics start Friday.

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Russ, Nancy and David will be here the 26th-28th to visit with everyone (us, Kendra, Laurie) and to celebrate Ellen's 9th birthday.

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This is going to be a good month!