Alyssa's first day of pe K

Alyssa started Pre-kindergarten yesterday. Oh boy!

This year is going to be different for us in many ways but one of them is her preschool class. She isn't going to 'just' learn how fast she can go down the slide or how many things she can build with sand, she will learn what sounds the letter makes and the correct way to write her name. So what if her S's or backwards? I think it is cute! but not anymore, she is gearing up for kindergarten which means times to pay attention and learn useful things like how to hold a pencil. Along with all of this learning, Rob and I will be helping her at home which means we get homework with our 3 year old (almost to be 4).

I am still on the fence on whether I will be putting Alyssa into Kindergarten next year or hold her back. It seems like everyone is holding their kids back and I don't want mine to be the only one is turning 5 during her school year. Tyler is hanging out with kids who are 14 and some who are turning 15 before school gets out and he will just turn 14 in late October. But, our close friend who is a school teacher feels that she may be bored if she is kept back. Luckily her new teachers will prepare her for kindergarten year and then let us know if we should send her or keep her back and then we can decide. I don't like the idea of her graduating high school at 17 but I also don't want to hold her back for JUST that reason.

Anyhoo, back to this year. She is with her favorite pal Lyle. Unforatunately, while we were on vacation I received the most horrible news. The Rideout family (Lyle's family) is moving to North Carolina September 15th. Even as I write it the tears are falling down my face. How am I going to console my dear daughter that her best friend is moving to a place we cannot drive to? How am I going to tell her that she will not be celebrating her birthday with her at the end of the month? When she looks forward to playing with her at school, what am I going to say? Nothing. I have no words as I don't understand it myself. I mean, sure, people move but not your friends! They are supposed to be available for hugs and stuff. Now I will have to learn to give cyber hugs.

Sorry about that. I am so heart broken over having to tell my little girl that Lyle is leaving. Ugh!

Onto pictures that are so sweet.