i believe you can fly...

a little r. kelly, anyone?  i can't help but think of that song whenever i think of ava's new school mascot.  with the move to another town, that also meant another school and district for ava.  she [and i] were sad to leave schell and all her friends, but she was also really excited for this new adventure!

the first day started with a special breakfast of donuts, of course!

she was nervous & excited as we pulled up to her new school for the first time.

i was so overwhelmed after meeting the staff and learning that ava's first day would be with a substitute, but girlfriend took it all in stride.  she came home and happily reported that she made 4 new friends, but couldn't remember their names :) 

another first at the new school is riding the public school bus!  she's always went to a daycare after school, but we are trying after school care at her elementary school this year [a big thanks to sarah who agreed to keep her over school holidays/breaks so that we could do this!].  school doesn't open until 7:30, so she's riding the bus.  she seems to really like it --- and has only missed it once [can you guess who was responsible for her that morning? cough-JUSTIN-cough.]

the new school has been an adjustment the past 6 weeks, but she is slowly but surely getting the hang of it.  new teacher, all new friends, and first ever grades has given us a few bumps, but i know she is going to do great here. 

our little eagle!

first day of school...

i know i say this every year, but how in the world to we have a second grader?  it's just not possible!  at any rate, ava was excited for her first day of school!

i thought her first day of schoold outfit was presh.  she looked like such a girl --- a huge treat since she much prefers t-shirts and tennis shoes over skirts & curls.  she even requested that i paint her nails :)

here's to an awesome 2nd grade year!

meet the [2nd grade] teacher...

ava was so excited for meet the teacher!  we went together just her and i, and i got a few pictures before we headed to the school. 

she ended up in mrs. lacascio's class, and we loved her from the start!

second grade is going to be a growing year for our little miss. big changes up ahead!

that's a wrap...

we have come to the end of ava's first grade year.  yesterday we celebrated at school with her end-of-year class party. 

ava's teacher this year, mrs. adams, was amazing.  she made school so fun and enjoyable for ava!  we are definitely sad to be leaving her behind!

ava and a few of her buddies...

today was a half day, and i made her pose for a few photos so i could do a comparison for the first and last day of school this year!

i can tell she's taller, and her face looks so much older!  i cannot believe i have a second grader!

ava,

we are so proud of all you have accomplished this year!  you love reading, and i think its pretty fantastic!  you are such a kind, bright, funny girl, and we think you are pretty awesome. 

xoxo,

mom

let's have a [winter] party...

i was able to surprise ava and join her for her class party at school!  all the kids came in and it took her a good five minutes before she even realized we were there!  she was so surprised!  we had fun decorating penguins, playing pin the nose on the snowman, and eating snacks.  she even got to leave with me afterward!

i'm so glad i still get to participate in these fun things with my kiddo!  time goes by so fast, and i know we only have a limited amount of time to make these memories!