First Day *sniff*sniff*

We finally hit the BIG First day around here. She woke up at 6:20AM and wanted to know if it was time to go to school! Um...NO! So the waiting began, which resulted in asking every 5 minutes, "How much longer, mom?" I told her "after lunch", so she asked (at 9:30am) if she could eat her lunch! I tried explaining to her that even though you "eat" your lunch, it won't make it time for school until it's "time for school". (such a tough concept!) So she opted for her 2nd breakfast at 9:30 instead! And since it was such a big day, and I felt obliged to document the day, I started taking pictures. Obviously she was NOT on board for that activity. (notice the stink face?)



So I had to bring out the big kids' scrapbooks and show her pictures of them on their first days of school. She got a big kick out of seeing them "little"! She cooperated with me until we got to the school. And it wasn't like I was the only mom taking photos....I was just the only one pointing it in her direction!



She was REALLY excited to get in the school, right up until she realized that the parents were saying goodbye, and she would have to do the same. That's when she panicked. So rather than cause a meltdown (and seeing the sweet teacher with the responsibility of 25 kids), I opted to follow her in the classroom. Which actually turned out to be nice (for me). I now know all 24 kids in her class. Know the routine of the class, and also the rules of the classroom (which will help me to reinforce them at home) and not to mention I had the opportunity to take pictures during her first day! (Totally NOT complaining about that one!)



It was also really nice to see how she reacts in a new environment, and get the insight to see what causes her to meltdown. Her teacher was very aware of her sensitivity and worked really well with her. (even among all the chaos of 14 boys....YES FOURTEEN!!) I'm super excited to see how she blossoms and grows this year. Just needs to get over the hurdle of a new environment and people, and she'll be doing GREAT! (At least that's my hope!)Crossing our fingers for a successful "drop-off" today!

Starting over

After not seeing one of these hanging on my fridge for almost 5 years, it is once again time to familiarize myself with the year-round schedule!



I've had a wonderful 5 years to not deal with year-round school, so even though it is still "summer" around here, and my garden has only produced ONE red pepper, ONE tomato, and only a handful of cherry tomatoes (still waiting for the bees to pollinate my cucumbers and zuchinni's) it is indeed "back-to-school" time around here!



Since kindergarten starts a week after the upper grades, the kids get to meet their teachers one-on-one and do some assesment testing. She was SO excited to meet her teacher, and especially loved the one-on-one time. We'll see how she does with a classroom full of ENERGY! (and for once, it's not only hers!)



I'm SUPER impressed with her teacher, and think she will be a great fit for her! Now cross your fingers that we don't have a repeat of her first preschool year, otherwise I might have to get paid to be there every day!