Prepping for reality

*cell phone pics only - the pace has allowed me only the camera in my pocket. 

We have been soooo happy that 2 cousins from montana (Rachel & Dani) were able to make a flight to AZ to stay for this week before school!!

It's been packed full of shopping, they were all treated to a concert (Idina Menzel) from grandma Paulette 

and basically just jumped into our regularly scheduled program !  Yesterday was an early morning training program for Brooklyn and I. 2+ hours of info for MA 10 math 

Brooklyn tested into this higher level math class. It's all done online at school, and basically they take 7 & 8 grade math and combine it into one curriculum for these 6th graders. 

It's intense, labeled "extremely difficult" and will challenge her for sure. Kayli did the same program and it set her up for great success in her high level math classes today. 

The crew went to "meet your locker" at jr high today. They are SOoO excited to start school again. The cousins + Brooklyn joined and it was good for them to get a glimpse of how things run there. 

John always teases me about buying the teachers gifts. But the truth is that they deserve to get gifts & help EVERY day - if parents knew how hard they worked & the care they put in (it is NOT an 8-3 job) i know they'd be overflowing with volunteers and resources. 

Brayden met his kindergarten teacher, Mrs S (same teacher Kyler had in K). He was a little shy and chewing his nails but he pretended to be big, ha! 

Brooklyn met her 6th grade teacher, the same that Kayli had. I LOVVVE our school and staff. We have great relationships and have worked hard to build them. 

Which makes coming back & running into previous teachers SO fun!!  (Last year's 5th grade teacher, Mrs G)

I can't find Kyler's pic with his new 3rd grade teacher, but he's meeting her for the first time here. I've heard great things about her and she is really kind. 

These cute girls, all friends since kindergarten. And SO excited for another year!  Poor Marni (AKA 5th grade teacher Mrs Mastin) has the gathering place for the Merwin zoo at school. 

Kyler grabbed my hand in the hall while I was checking a text. I figured this was ending soon, so you better believe I stole a photo, ha!!  

Every year it's tradition to drive to Dairy Queen with mastins & have dinner after the meet & greet. Other families are usually there & we load up on fried goodness and the latest school news. 

...ANNnD it wouldn't be complete without the annual Back To School fashion show!!  Never a disappointment, these girls get out all their school clothes and bop down the red carpet for us. Ava emceed & the little brothers got themselves thrown out of the show so they mostly watched. 

No words to describe how much john doesn't like seeing his baby girls grow up. So I mostly watch him during the runway show. Pure entertainment. 

"Do I really have to watch this"? is his feelings on the teeny bopper dancing, music and (stage) makeup. 

It's hilarious and it's all in good fun. Plus I love seeing how they put all their outfits together. We have one last day of summer vacation. I'm up early to prep & collect myself (ie workout & read). Not sure if I'm ready for tomo as a momma. But ready or not, here we come!