1st Day of Kindergarten

     Monday morning arrived, just as we knew it would, and it was a big day.  A few pictures before we left the house...

Look out, Caldwell Elementary School, here we come!

Everybody looks so excited!

Maggie

Lizzie

After we arrived at the school,

we took a quick picture

out in front of the sign. 

It's obvious that the nerves are setting in...

I'm sure it didn't help matters, that as we are

having our "on the way to school prayer", and I

am praying for Lizzie, Maggie, Mrs. Goff, and

Mrs. Strickland, I started boo-hooing.  Maggie says,

"Mom, why are you crying?"  I said, "I'm just so happy that

you are finally coming to school with me."  Maggie says,

"Mom, that doesn't even make sense."

We went to Lizzie's class first. 

Mrs. Goff let Lizzie help feed the turtles.

1st day of school with a

wonderful teacher, Mrs. Goff!

     When we said good bye, Lizzie did have a melt down and started wailing.  I just turned and walked out of the room and headed across the hall with Maggie.  Before I even finished in Maggie's room (less than 3 minutes), Lizzie had already stopped crying. 

Maggie "signing in" outside her classroom.

Maggie on the first day of kindergarten

with her precious teacher, Mrs. Strickland.

     I got to see both of the girls around nine o'clock that morning.  The kindergarten classes go on a tour of the school in search of Chester the raccoon (from the book The Kissing Hand).  Part of the tour involves coming to the office to meet the office staff and to learn where the office is located.  When Lizzie's class came in, she snuck over to me and whispered, "Mom, this is soooo fun!"   I knew she would love it...now it wasn't even nine o'clock, and she is also convinced.  I saw them again at lunch.  Maggie told me, "Mom, please do not tell anybody this," (so I put it on the blog), "but, I am glad Lizzie is not in my class."  When I asked her why, she replied, "She can make her OWN friends."    I did struggle with the decision on whether or not to keep them in the same class or separate them.  A few factors made me decide to allow them to be in separate classes:  1.)  With 20 students in a class, it would be so easy for the teachers to "pair" Lizzie and Maggie together, rather than get to know them as individuals.  Although they do LOOK so much alike, and they have a few similar personality characteristics, overall, their personalities are quite different.  Having only one of them in class allows the teacher to get to know HER and not "them".    2.)  I wanted each of them to have the freedom and confidence to make new friends and relationships without the "cushion" of her sister.   3.)  I wanted them to be able to learn and grow without the pressure from each other on a moment to moment basis.  I know siblings, even those who are not twins or multiples, deal with pressure (competition)  from each other to perform, etc...and we won't ever get away from that, but it is nice to know that Lizzie and Maggie will not be staring at that from each other every moment, all day long.    After only one week of school, it is clear that we made the right decision in separating them.  Both of them are LOVING school.  They talk about it from the moment I see them in the afternoons until they go to bed at night.  They love their teachers, their friends, the activities they are already doing in school, and just the whole school experience.  This is such a relief for me, because to be honest, they weren't too sold on the idea of kindergarten, even just six days ago.

     The bliss continued throughout the first week.  Friday night, we went to Purple Cow to celebrate a successful first week with, of course, purple milk shakes.  We were exhausted...all of us, and we didn't even have any "extra" activities in the evenings.  I am a little nervous to see how it goes this upcoming week with gymnastics starting back up, soccer tryouts, and the first night of AWANA.  Thank goodness for the weekend so we can rest up for a busy week.  

Kindergarten Open House

     I returned to work for the first time when the girls were three and a half months old.  I will never forget when I left the house that morning, I thought to myself, "I can't wait for the day when I get to take them to school with me."  Seems like yesterday, and that day has come so much faster than I ever dreamed...now it's bittersweet for me.  I am thrilled that Lizzie and Maggie will be at my school.  We have a top notch school with a fabulous group of teachers and staff members.  It's bittersweet because I can not believe they are old enough to go to BIG SCHOOL.  Kindergarten...my babies...Wow!   I know they are "ready" to start school.  They had an awesome experience in pre-school.  They loved going to pre-school, and they love learning.  I know they will fall in love with kindergarten, too, but right now they are anxious.  They aren't sure what it's all about.  Because they are anxious, so am I, even though I DO know what it's all about. 
   Thursday night was open house.  We took their supplies, explored their classrooms, and met their teachers.  We went to Maggie's class first.  We found her table, and there was checklist of things to do at open house.  As I started reading the checklist to Maggie, I actually choked up.  I am thinking, "What is wrong with me?  I have to get myself together."  So, I managed to take a deep breath and pull it together, hopefully before anybody noticed that the assistant principal of the school was about to lose her mind! 

Our sweet friend, Riley! 

 Lizzie and Maggie were in pre-school

with Riley for two years,

and they adore her.  Riley and Maggie

are in the same kindergarten class.

Maggie in her classroom.

Mrs. Strickland and Maggie. 

Maggie already knows Mrs. Strickland,

because she worked in the day care

where the girls stayed the past two years. 

We absolutely love her,

and Maggie is so happy to be in her class!

Lizzie found her table.

Lizzie and Mrs. Goff. 

This picture is confirmation that Mrs. Goff

is the PERFECT teacher for Lizzie. 

She was able to get a giggle from Lizzie. 

Lizzie told me the next morning that she has the

BEST classroom ever.    That statement is an accomplishment, 

because for the past three weeks,

Lizzie has been in denial that

she is even going to kindergarten. 

I think Mrs. Goff, along with her class pets, 

won Lizzie over in a matter of minutes! 

By the end of the first day, I predict Lizzie's nickname

will be "Ms. Kindergarten". 

After checking out the classrooms,

we went to the cafeteria to practice

getting the lunch tray, milk, fork,

napkin.  After taking care of all

 that, the kiddos enjoy the

cookie and milk, and then practice disposing

of their tray, trash, and utensils.

Funny side story...someone pulled the fire alarm at the school while we were in the cafeteria.  Talk about chaos!  To make it even better, we couldn't get the alarm to silence...it probably went on for about 10 minutes before the head of maintenance could get there and get it shut down. 

Maggie practicing opening her milk.

Lizzie opening her milk.

     So, between me almost losing it in the first classroom, then having some minor drama when Maggie realized in Lizzie's room that Lizzie and her classmates got a goodie bag that Maggie did not get, and dealing with the fire alarm; I was glad when the clock struck 7:00 and open house was over!  Several of our teachers went out to eat and visit after open house, and that was a nice end to a BIG day!  I'm just thankful I have the weekend to recover and re-charge before the first day of school on Monday! 

Maggie's Words Worth Remembering

A few days ago, we were sun-screened up, loaded up,

 and packed up to go swimming at the pool. 

As we turned down the entry way to Longhills,

 it started storming, so we had to go back home. 

 Lizzie asked, "Why does it have to rain NOW?" 

I told her that God sent the rain because

He knew how much we needed it. 

 Maggie chimed in (with a little attitude in her voice),

"Well, which one of y'all prayed for this...you or Daddy?"

Psalm 27:14

"Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say on the Lord!"

The Great Escape

    This is the last in a series of posts about our trip to New York.  It's all about our day at The Great Escape Amusement Park.  If you ask the girls their favorite thing on our New York trip, they will usually say, "The Great Escape."   My heart is so happy about this!  Growing up, I was fearless when it came to riding rides...the faster the better... the more hills, the better...the curvier the loops the better.  I found out on this vacation that the girls definitely take after me when it comes to riding rides.  I am so glad I don't have to worry about a couple of  "scaredy cats" when we go to amusement parks!  Although they are not tall enough yet to ride the really "big" roller coasters, they rode everything they were tall enough to ride, and they rode the kiddie rides over and over again.

Seating for four, so I got to join Lizzie,

Hayleigh, and Maggie on the airplanes.

The giant school bus

Joey took a turn on the swings with Maggie.

Notice Maggie and Hayleigh on the

second row, holding up their arms.

Thrills my soul!

Lizzie trying to coax Joey to come along.

Lizzie and Hayleigh

Tony on the carousel

Maggie

Lizzie all smiles

Up and down, up and down

Swimming in the lazy river...we didn't spend a lot of time

in the water park area, because Lizzie and

Maggie were crazy about riding rides.

Carolyn enjoying the lazy river

THE CONDOR...definitely the most thrilling ride

the girls were tall enough to ride. 

Lizzie rode the first time with me, and LOVED it. 

Next, when it was Maggie's turn to ride with me,

Tony walked up (not knowing what The Condor was all about). 

Lizzie says, "Daddy, ride with me, ride with me." 

Tony says, "OK."  He had no idea

what he was about to encounter.  This was no

 carousel ride.  Lizzie screamed with joy the

whole ride, and Tony said, "I just looked down at my feet."

Yes, my brave little girls rode this and LOVED IT!

Had to get a picture of Tony blowing his nose. 

 Tony, Lizzie, Maggie, and myself were

 all sick with upper respiratory congestion on this trip. 

We even wound up going to an urgent care

walk in clinic one day to get some medicine. 

It seemed like someone was ALWAYS

sneezing, coughing, or blowing their nose.

The girls riding the boat.

Sweet cousins!

Lizzie's Words Worth Remembering

At some point, when things just were not going her way,

"I have my hands on my hips and I am MAD."

(I'm pretty sure I told her that she may as well get over it!  Ha!)

Psalm 118:24

 "This is the day that the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it."



Saratoga

    When I first met Tony, he kept telling me about this horse racing track in upstate New York...Saratoga Race Course.  It is the oldest horse racing track in the United States.  He talked about how great it was, how it was soooo different from Oaklawn Park...how all these famous people visit there, etc, etc...  The first time he took me there....like maybe ten years ago, I was IN AWE!  His descriptions did not do it justice!   He asked me, "Did I talk this place up too much, are you disappointed?"  Ummm NOOOOO!  It is amazing!  They have a very short racing season (last week of July through Labor Day), and it is one big race after another..  It's not just a race track, it's more of an EVENT...and it's an event for families.  Of course, there is "Millionaire's Row", where the famous people do gather, but there is a huge area set up with picnic tables, playgrounds, vendors, and everything you would need for a fun day.  This was the first time the girls have gone to Saratoga, and they loved it!  Even one day, when we didn't have any definite plans, Tony said, "What are we gonna do today?"  Maggie immediately answered, "Go to the track."  They loved the horses!  We went three times while we were in New York.  Once was opening day, then the "Bacon Clan" had a family day, when we met for breakfast and stayed for the races that day.  Aunt Patti, Aunt Joanne, Uncle Ted, Uncle Mark, Aunt Dawn, Aunt Nancy, and cousins Kayla and Kyle were there for the fun.  Then, on our final day in New York, we stopped one last time for a few races.  Nobody hit a jackpot, but we had lots of fun.  One day, we were driving in the car, and I heard the girls tearing paper in the back seat.  I just ignored them, assuming this was part of something they were pretending to play.  When we stopped to get out, I told them to pick up all their paper scraps so we could throw them away.  They quickly informed me, "Mom, those are not paper scraps.  We were watching a horse race, and those are our losing tickets that we tore up and threw on the ground."  Too bad we weren't able to model cashing in  tickets for big money instead of tearing up the losing ones!

One of the lead horses.  The rider was so nice,

he stopped and let the girls pet his horse.

In front of the beautiful race track.

Lizzie, Maggie, and Kayla chasing a butterfly.

They walk the horses from the barns to the paddock

area right the middle of everything.  People line the fences to

 watch the race horses walk through.  Then, you can gather around

the outdoor paddock area and watch as they saddle the horses

 and get them ready for the race.

The jockey's room is right in the middle of the fun, too. 

The jockeys come out and are escorted to the paddock area

where they hear that famous "Riders Up".  All this is in the middle of

what looks like a huge carnival so everyone can watch.

As they come out of the jockeys room,

 fans are standing all around, and when asked for

an autograph, they almost always oblige.

Love how you are always right in

the middle of the action.

One of our favorite things, watching the horses

go by on the way to the paddock.

This must've been taken after a close

 race that didn't go his way!

Lizzie's Words Worth Remembering:

After watching a horse go by with no

saddle, blanket, blinders, etc..., Lizzie yells,

 "Daddy, that horse is NAKED!"

New York!!!

   We took a family vacation to upstate New York to visit the "Bacon Clan."  Each night when then girls are saying their prayers, they will say, "God bless Lizzie, Maggie, Joey, Mommy, Daddy, Meems, Pops, Nay Nay, Lesley, Granny and THE BACON CLAN.  Rather than naming every aunt, uncle, and cousin by name, Daddy came up with the idea of grouping them together, and thus the term "Bacon Clan" was born.  The girls haven't been to New York in four years (since they were one and half), so they haven't been able to connect the "people" with the Bacon Clan group.  They were so excited to get to see their family again!
    We left on a Tuesday afternoon...DRIVING...Yes, it is a 23 hour drive, but we split it up over three days, so it wasn't too bad.  We made sure to stop and eat at some of our favorite restaurants on the way (Dave in Busters in Nashville and The Cheesecake Factory in Cincinnati).  We arrived at Aunt Joanne and Uncle Ted's cabin at Brant Lake on Thursday evening.  The cabin is beautiful...the whole area is gorgeous!  So peaceful...and COOL (as in weather).  We left Arkansas with 105+ temperatures, and while we were in New York, I'm pretty sure the temperature never reached higher than 80 or 85 degrees...and it would be in the 50s at night.  Heavenly!
    We spent time at Brant Lake, Saratoga Race Course, and The Great Escape amusement park.  With a couple of other "adventures" along the way...
    The pictures help tell the story...

First day of playing in the

lake...with cousins Hayleigh and Savannah

Lizzie exploring around the cabin.

Nothing like sitting around the campfire at night.

What?  Tony Burmetto let Lizzie drive the golf cart?

Maggie got a turn, too?

Hayleigh is chauffeuring the girls around camp.

Day 2 at the beach...Daddy and Joey went on a

day trip to Cooperstown to the

Baseball Hall of Fame on this day.

Maggie having fun.

Lizzie having a great time!

Uncle Ted enjoying the water.

Maggie and Lizzie ADORE their cousin Hayleigh.

Maggie practicing her soccer kicks.

Lizzie on the beach.

Toni Ann helped us build a sand castle.

Uncle Ted with Maggie

Lizzie relaxing

Aunt Joanne and Uncle Ted with the girls

Ready...

JUMP!

Who's next?

Lizzie is airborne!

Maggie and Aunt Joanne

Lizzie

One day, Joey and Daddy went golfing, so the girls went

on our own adventure.   We took a FERRY BOAT to the state

of Vermont.  A first for all three of us.

Office at the ferry dock

Here it comes...

Not so sure about this...

There are 17 cousins in the "Bacon Clan". 

Carolyn (Joanne's daughter) is the oldest,

and Lizzie and Maggie are the youngest.

Maggie, Hayleigh (Carolyn's daughter), Carolyn, and Maggie

Maggie and Hayleigh

Lizzie and Hayleigh

        We had so much visiting with family.  Thanks so much to Joanne and Ted for opening their cabin and their hearts to us for nine nights.  We had a wonderful time! 

        I will do separate posts about our trips to Saratoga and the Great Escape.  Both are worthy of their own blog entry.

Maggie's Words Worth Remembering

After a long day of playing and having fun, an exhausted Maggie announces,

"Lizzie is NOT my sissy anymore!"