First Day of School ... Homeschool that is!

So, after a two year journey of education, we decided to check out what God had been putting under my nose for a few years ... homeschooling! Crazy! Nuts! Insane! In addition to homeschooling the girls at home, we decided to join the local Classical Conversations. These pictures are from the first day of CC. Each Tuesday we meet with approximately 64 other students and learn a large chunk of information. We then take that chunk home and memorize it along with some other home studies. The program is amazing as it uses a classical approach to education that I LOVE! It makes so much sense. I'll have to write another blog about homeschooling and how it has affected our lives this year. It was a huge decision in our family! 

Emma started first grade this year, and Jenna joined the preschool program at CC. 

My big 6 year old on her first day of first grade!

Oh the class clown! This girl just cracks us up! Along with her goofy grin she has adopted, she feels compelled to make a SILLY face in each picture! Oh my Jens! :o)

I thought that I would also go back and show Emma's pics from her other first days of school. I can hardly hold back when thinking that my girl is in FIRST grade, and I now have THREE first day of school pics of her. Wow!! And, to top it off, how stinking adorable does she look in these pics?!?! Heart melting! 

Emma's very first day of school: Pre-K at WCS. She had Ms. Rockey.

And, this is her first day of Kindergarten at Wayside. Mrs. Boyle was her teacher.

Oh my word, I can't believe we are homeschooling, and I can't believe how much she has changed!! 

Emma's 6th Birthday

Happy Birthday, Emma!

This year we decided to keep Ems birthday low key. We let her choose what kind of cake she wanted, and then we invited just a few close friends over. She chose Strawberry Shortcake, so Jeff and I spent the night before coloring pictures from a website and taping them up on the walls. She loved them! (And, who doesn't love a daddy who takes the time to show his big, little girl how important she is!!!) It is our family tradition to decorate the night before and let the birthday girl wake up to a house decorated  just for her! The birthday queen also gets to choose breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Here are some snap shots of her day and small party.

Daddy came home from work with some balloons for the big 6 year old.

I stole some of her Strawberry Shortcake figurines, 

made a strawberry cake, 

and called it a Strawberry Shortcake cake! 

Emma and her besties! :o) I should dedicate an entire post to these three throughout the past six years ... tear jerker! :o)

Sadly, this year I did not get any pictures of the birthday girl with us. :o(

Here is her 6 year old princess pic.

6 yo Ems

And, here is my baby girl with her princess crown on her other birthdays. It's just amazing how much they change and grow in six, short years!

5 yo Ems

4 yo Ems

(Still looking for princess pic)

3 yo Ems

2 yo Ems 

(Still looking for princess pic)

1 yo Ems

My Baby Girl!

Oh Ems, 

Happy Birthday our big 6 year old! We can hardly believe that it's been 6 years since we brought you home from the hospital!!! And, we can  hardly believe what a journey these past 6 years have been with you! Your strong, strong spirit is something to both marvel and fear! ;o) I can hardly wait to see how God takes that strong spirit and molds it into something amazing for his kingdom. We love to watch you be the fearless leader of our family. We love to see inside your sweet heart as you enjoy giving and making things to your friends. You are our first pride and joy, and we thank God that he chose us to lead you and love you! Happy Birthday, precious girl! We love you to the moon and back!