Sammy starts Kindergarten

On Thursday, Sammy "finally" started Kindergarten.  We were very excited for her, as she has been patiently waiting a long time to officially call Trailwood her own.  So far, she LOVES school, especially music and recess.  She is in Mrs. Mellon's class and has a lot of great friends in her class.

Sammy and Ellery 

The first and last day of Kindergarten is marked by a Flower Ceremony.  At the beginning of the year each kid is paired with 6th grade buddy.  Each 6th grader presents a flower to the Kindergartner to welcome them to Trailwood.  At the end of the year, the Kindergartners return the favor to say goodbye as the 6th graders prepare to move on to middle school.

Sammy and her buddy

Kindergarten and 6th grade classes

Andy's 1st day of school!

Today Andy started 3rd grade!  He was a little nervous, but seems to like his new teacher, Mrs. Leftwich, and his class.  Looks like its going to be a good year!

Not excited for picture time 

looking a little nervous in his new classroom

Sammy's 6th Birthday

Sammy celebrated her 6th Birthday last week!  She started the day with presents and birthday pancakes.  Her big brother gave her the gift of the day with an Elsa doll from the Disney store (she has been trying to find this doll for 8 months).  After breakfast, we had a little girl time getting pedicures followed by a birthday party at the Ceramic Cafe painting with friends.  She topped of the day with pizza at Spin with grandma and grandpa and an ice cream social at school where she met her Kindergarten teacher.  She is super excited to be six and said she has waited her whole life to be six!

Best gift of the day!

self proclaimed "Queen Sammy"

Ceramic Cafe

custard at Foo's

Summer Vacation

Once again, the Cooper family traveled south to Marco Island for our end of summer vacation.  Some of the highlights included:  a night at the Marriott in the "honeymoon suite", ice cream at the Chocolate Strawberry, early morning walk looking for sea shells, and celebrating my 40th birthday relaxing by the ocean with my 3 favorite people.  We are already looking forward to returning next year!

working together to make a trench

Sammy's favorite activity:  swimming in the salt water pool!

Andy discovered the joy of reading on the beach!

sunset soccer on the beach

Summer visit to Lincoln

Last month, the kids went to Lincoln for a couple of days of spoiling from the grandparents.  We were fortunate that our visit overlapped with our cousin's Nebraska trip.  The kids love to see their cousins!  In their short time together, they worked in some lawn mower rides and s'mores with grandpa. It was great to spend some time together before they headed back to Arizona.

Photographer:  Trevor 

Photographer:  Trevor