Fall 2014 School Photos

It's that time of year again, school picture time.  Other than the hideous brown background and the photographer zooming in too closely, these photos of the girls are adorbs. 

Evelina Fall 2010 (3M), Spring 2011 (10M), Fall 2011 (16M),
Spring 2012 (22M), Fall 2012 (28M), Spring 2013 (Almost 3Y),
Fall 2013 (3.5Y), Spring 2014 (Almost 4Y), Fall 2014 (4.5Y). 

Daphne Spring 2013 (6M), Fall 2013 (12M), Spring 2014 (18M) and Fall 2014 (24M).  I'm still amazed by her Fall 2013 photo....wow, just wow. 

They are going to love looking at these when they are older!! 

1st Day of School 2014

Remember the 1st day of school 2013? 

Another school year has begun.  I seriously can't believe that Evelina will be a kindergartener next year and Daphne will be a pre-schooler!!!  But first, we need to get through Pre-K and another year of the toddler program at their current school.  

We always fear the beginning of a new school year for Evelina and this year was no different.  We try to hype it up as much as we can to prepare her for the transition in hopes that it will be tearfree.  She wasn't looking forward to school yesterday and was extremely clingy upon arrival.  She didn't shed any tears but she didn't want to let us go and was generally sad/anxious.  Of course, when I picked her up she was playing contently with some friends and her teacher said she had a fantastic day.  When I dropped her off today, she was smiling....big improvement!!  Let's hope it continues. Our hope is that she will become increasingly more brave as the months go on.  This week so far has already been an improvement over last year!! 

 

Even though Daphne already knew her new teachers, the long weekend and a new classroom got the best of her a little bit yesterday morning.  She didn't want her Mama to leave her, but literally within a minute of closing the door she was playing happily with her friends.  She is full of drama that one.  The girls classrooms just happen to be across the hall from each other so they will get to see lots of each other every day!!  Lucky ladies. 

Spring 2014 School Photos

Remember the Fall school pictures?  Wow!!  Lots of improvement this time around.  We had to bribe Evelina with an Anna (from Frozen) doll to get her to smile. 

And a couple of other cute ones that I didn't want to spend extra $$ on for digital files. 

I think this is the picture that should be displayed in Daphne's classroom next year.  Ha!!

We are getting closer to having 2 full smiles from these ladies!! When did Evelina actually turn into a brunette? 

Simply Hideous | Fall 2013 School Photos

It’s that time of year again, school picture time….and WOW was this session a doozy.  I couldn’t even bring myself to purchase digital files for posterity’s sake this time around.  

My thoughts: 

• Are Clix photographers actually trained?  I think I could do a better job.
• Why on earth was a brown background chosen?  It looks like the girls are in front of a big BM. We were told ahead of time that it was to be brown, hence the girls outfit choices.  You'd think they'd choose something a little more neutral so kids could wear holiday outfits. 
• What was wrong with the teacher who had the responsibility of getting Daphne dressed (we didn’t get her dressed in case she had to eat before being photographed)?  She looks like a complete slob with a third eye who hasn't slept for days.  Seriously, are you kidding me with that headband placement?
• If you can’t get Daphne to smile in a photo, you clearly have no talent and no personality (see 1st bullet).
• Thank GOD photographers like the Heidi Hope team exist in the world today so we can actually have beautiful images like these.  
• On a positive note, we are proud of Evelina for fighting her stranger anxiety and actually cracking a smile.  Progress!!  

This is actually a sweet photo but try not to cut off the head next time Clix.

YAY Evelina for smiling, but maybe someone could have wiped the snot from Daphne's nose?? 

 

This is just so bad...there is really nothing else for me to say about it.

Past school photos: 

Spring 2013
Fall 2012 (with a retrospective)

1st Day of School 2013

Our sweet Evelina has difficulty coping with transition.  The first day in her new preschool 4s class was a little rocky (even after weeks of preparation).  It was heartbreaking leaving her screaming and crying with her new teachers.  She was weepy throughout the day and kept asking for Mama or Papa (insert sad face here). We are over a week in and we have good mornings and bad mornings.  Can you blame a little girl for wanting to be with her family and not having us head off to work?? 

Evelina through the years

A trip down memory lane, Evelina's Toddler One and Toddler Two posts.  I never did take a picture of her first day in Preschool 3s in April 2013.  

Daphne wouldn't sit still for a photo.  I initially had her on the stairs but she fell off and hit her forehead on the floor.  Mama-of-the-year right here I tell ya.  She was okay after some TLC.  She had a wonderful day at school in her new classroom and was very loving and smiley with her new teachers.  I would expect nothing less of Daphne...at this age anyway.  

Spring 2013 School Photos

It's that time of year again, school picture time... 

I just want to hug her!! 

Poor Lina is going through a major stranger anxiety phase, she did NOT like the photographer (tears and no smile) :-( Too bad this photo will be used in her classroom next year. 

I guess the pep talk we gave Lina about being a strong big sister for Daphne (to try to get her to be prepared to be her happy self) wasn't a success.  Maybe next time.

 

Evelina's previous photos.

Fall 2012 School Photo

It's school picture time again.  I love to see the changes!! 

Fall 2012 - All Smiles

Spring 2012 - Scared of photographer, sitting on teacher's lap

Fall 2011 - Are you done yet?

Spring 2011  - When she didn't mind wearing headbands

Fall 2010 - Teehee

1st Day of School - Todder Twos

Yesterday was Evelina's first day in the Toddler Twos program at school.  The program has been designed to ease the transition into preschool.  There are 12 kids and 3 teachers.  She will be assigned to a group of 4 kids and one teacher for the year which is a great student/teacher ratio.  Her new classroom is very spacious and has so many fun activity areas.  She is already obsessed with the doll house (hmmmm...Christmas present perhaps?).  

She had a great first day and enjoyed exploring the classroom.  She only cried for a short time after we dropped her off :-(  She grew very attached to her teachers last year so it must be tough for her to be in the caring hands of others.  

When I picked her up, one of her teachers, Kathy, was changing her dirty diaper.  After all was said and done, I strapped her into the car seat and we had the following conversation:  

Evelina: My have a big poop, Kathy change diaper.  
Me:  Do you like Kathy? 
Evelina: Yeah.
Me: Do you like Amy, too? 
Evelina: Yeah.  
Me:  That's good, I'm glad you like your new teachers!!
Evelina:  My like Noelle, too.  

So adorable (she says "my" instead of "I" most times in case you were wondering).  Noelle is a substitute until a the new 3rd teacher starts next week. 

In other positive news, there are 3 other girls in her class this year.  She has been 1 of 2 since starting at the school so it will be nice for there to be some other little girls.  One of them shares a birthday with Evelina, too!!  

Here's to a happy, successful school year for our Bean, filled with lots of challenges and fun!! 

Last year's photo entering Toddler Ones

Fall 2011 School Picture

School picture day this season was a toughie. Evelina started running a fever a couple of days before the big day (teething? virus?) so we decided to keep her home for a couple of days. Even though she was feeling a bit better when school picture day arrived, she was still not herself. So we decided I would bring her in for a quick photo but not leave her at school for the day. Little did I know it would be the school picture photo shoot from hell. She was miserable and so clingy that I couldn't even leave her in front of the back drop for a moment (she is sitting on my legs in this photo). I recruited a couple of her favorite teachers to help...no success. I'm surprised this sad shot even came out. Poor Evelina. Almost as hilarious as her picture with Santa.

A trip down memory lane:  

Spring 2011

First School Photo - Fall 2010

1st Day of School - Toddler

Such a big girl going off to her first day in the Toddler room

Today is Evelina's first day in the toddler room at school.  She shed a few tears at drop off but I'm sure she will have fun and learn to love her new teachers.  Luckily, a few friends from her infant room will be in her class so it will be nice for her to see some familiar faces. She is still only 1 of 2 girls in her class though.  I have a feeling she is going to have to learn to be tough!!

It was sad saying goodbye to her infant room on Thursday.  She did so much learning and growing over the past year, it is truly amazing.  Each day we were given a note telling us when she napped, what she ate, what she did that day, etc.  I started out the year keeping each one of the notes but it got to be a little much so I only kept certain notes when she successfully achieved a milestone or had a particularly funny day.  It was fun to look back at her first note and last notes. 

Note from 9/9/2010:  

"Evelina had a wonderful 1st day of school!  She was so happy and alert paying close attention to what was going on all around her.  She enjoyed reaching for the dangle toys on the bouncy seat and the calming vibrations!"

Note from 8/30/2011: 
"Evelina had a great day! She did lots of independent walking around the classroom today! Yay, what a big girl.  I can't believe there's only 2 days left :-("

Note from 9/1/2011

"Evelina had a wonderful last day of school with us today!  It has been such an honor to have been able to watch Evelina grow into a young toddler with such an awesome personality.  I'm going to miss her so much! Best of luck in toddlers.  ♥ Ms. Jessica"


UPDATE: Evelina did well on her first day in the toddler room.  Her teachers told us that Evelina had A LOT to say and was quite the babbler.  She made them laugh all day and her funny personality really shined.  She was affectionate, took a nice nap and ate well. Her favorite thing about her new classroom? The toddler level sinks.  She was DETERMINED to turn on the faucets but is still a little too short.  I can just see her struggling now. 

Teacher Appreciation

Every once in awhile, I feel the urge to be crafty. Since today is the last day of school before Evelina transitions to a toddler room, I thought it would be fun to create something fun for Evelina's teachers to thank them for everything they have done for us over the past year. For inspiration, I sought out ideas from one of the best website on the planet, Pinterest. I LOVE this site almost as much as I love Etsy. 

I came across this "Thanks a latte" card and thought it would be perfect and easy to make...which is important for a non-crafty lady like myself. Since school is a peanut-free environment and they discourage bringing in homemade baked goods, Chris and I figured a Dunkin' Donuts gift card would be the next best thing.  Who doesn't run on Dunkin'?  But, just giving a gift card in a store bought card seemed too boring after seeing this idea.   

For my version, I used raffia instead of string. I also exposed the Dunkin' Donuts side of the cup sleeve instead of the ridged side since the ridged side had some glue on it that didn't look very nice.  I also included a personalized note from Evelina on the back of each card. I'm happy with the way they came out and it really didn't take that much effort.  I hope her teachers like 'em!!  

Spring 2011 School Picture

I always hated school picture day growing up.  I was never the most photogenic person (and I'm still not) and I always had THE WORST hair (a tail?  Triangle head? What was I thinking?).  But, even though school pictures can be a bit tacky, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to capture Evelina from a lenses other than mine. And, admit it, who doesn't love the fence backdrop and fake rock with flowers, right?  Sure beats the lasers from my youth. 

She looks so much more grown up compared to her first school picture. 

2010 School Picture

Back in September Evelina had her first school photo taken.  We couldn't resist purchasing a copy for her "scrapbook".  Chris thinks she looks like a little Italian old lady.  Teehee.  

1st Day of School

Yesterday was Lina's first day of "school".  She is growing up!!  Don't get me wrong, I am excited for her to go to daycare to learn and grow into a social child but I am just not ready yet.  It's only been 14 weeks and we are sending her out into the baby world...it just seems to soon!! It is harder on us than her but I'm certain that once we get into a routine, it will become normal and not as difficult each day to leave her. But either way, she will always be our sweet little girl.  

We dropped her off at around 9am and got to meet her 2 teachers and check our her classroom.  She was very bright eyed and very interested in checking out the place.  She has her own little cubby for storing her things and we think she has the best pack 'n' play for sleeping...a dim lit corner of the sleeping area away from the door.  After about 1/2 hour she started to get tired and fuss so I swaddled her, rocked her a little bit and then handed her off to one of her teachers, I gave her a kiss and off we went drying tears from my eyes.  It will get easier...especially since Chris will be the one doing the drop offs!!  

We picked her up at around 5pm at which time she was crying, but that's okay, we missed that little cry all day. I was concerned she wouldn't eat well because of her reflux issues but she did GREAT and consumed more than she usually eats at home all day with me.  She didn't nap as much as I would have liked but I am sure naps will get longer once she is used to her new environment.  

This is what Lina's teachers had to say about her first day:  

"Evelina had a wonderful 1st day of school!  She was so happy and alert paying close attention to what was going on all around her.  She enjoyed reaching for the dangle toys on the bouncy seat and the calming vibrations!"

Overall, we think day 1 was a success.  She won't go back until Tuesday...my first day back at work...ugghh....