First day of First grade

She picked out her outfit.  It's so "her."

The backpack.

Walking to school.

Holy cow does she look old.  What a beauty!

Her friends from last year that are in her class this year.

Walking in with her class.

Here are some pics. of "first days" past:

2 year old preschool

3 year old preschool

 

4 year old preschool

Kindergarten

and now... 1st Grade

Life books

I finally finished Bubba's life book this week. It's always bitter sweet to talk to the kids about being adopted and their lifebooks are a great way to help them learn their story. It's one thing to talk with them about being adopted and telling them that they were born in Guatemala, but the life book explains more about why they were adopted. It's their story from the beginning starting from before they were born. It's written in a way that they can begin to understand how all babies were created by a man and a woman and they grow in the mommy's tummy. It's so important for them to know that even though they were adopted and not born into our family that they were born and started their life the same as everyone else. The book includes pictures of their birth mothers as well as information about their birth families. So much of this information is hard for them to understand at this stage in their life but it's important to start talking about it now. Both Goose and Bubba have a life book that is available to them at any time. When they are curious or want to know more about their adoption story it's there for them. I made Goose's life book about a year ago when I began to realize she needed to know more then "I'm adopted and was born in Guatemala." We made the book together and spent some time reading it. At this point she isn't really interested in reading her book and that's fine. I'm glad to know it's there for her if and when she needs it. Bubba and I decorated his book today and read through it. I can tell he really doesn't understand it right now. Hopefully he will want to read it and begin to understand his story.

Favorite Photo Friday