Elementary School has begun...

9/8/11 was the start date.
 
We'd visited the school in the May. Met one kid - Olivia. Went for a bus ride. G picked out the room she wanted - based on the stamps. I picked out the one I wanted based on the teacher. We were assigned that teacher/room!!! wooohoo - thank you, Jesus!

We went a week before school for a meet the teacher night.

We went the day before for Kindergarten screening and paperwork.

I'm going to like this teacher - Mrs. Sherry. She's experienced. Literacy rich room. caring. engaging.

The challenge will come in 2 years when our family has THREE K students (and 1 2nd grader).

I had 5 days off before the first day of school - Labor Day weekend and then I took T, W and then Th off that week - for a total of 6 days off. BEST. DECISION. in a while.

Tuesday = Z's 4 year photo shoot (a little late); K & G had eye exams. Afternoon haircut for me.

Wednesday = G-day. Went to Jo-Ann's (and she wanted to look at fabric!!!), playdate at Lauren's house (G didn't really play with the other kids and later told me that she didn't think they liked her because 'they all had blonde hair - not brown hair like my hair.' - :( ). Then to K screening. To lunch at Mama's work. To the Art Gallery for an children's illustrator's show. She'd told me ahead of time that it would be BORING but then said that she really liked it! :) Home for an afternoon snuggle/nap. Rainy day but a great day! G reported that spending time together was the best part of her day! :)

Paupi over for dinner. Salmon, cod, rice, snap peas, broccoli, carrots, milk - brain food. YUM! G loves salmon.

Mama ran to get a new dress after G announced she wanted to wear a specific pair of shoes for the the first day - for which I had no matching clothes. Lands End to the rescue. One matching dress option. Purchased at full price -!?!?

Thursday morning.

Teary Mama.
Serious G.
She was up early and in my bed for snuggles.
Played - Yahtzee with brother...last "play" as a preschooler:

Bath.

Which reminded me of the first bath I ever gave her:

Hair.

Oatmeal and applesauce.

Released a blue star balloon on our way out of the driveway.

She insisted that she walk to the bus stop and I drive.

It rained (a little). She carried a purple umbrella.

We waited with 3 other parents, another K student and two "older" kids - Georgia, Jondall, Charlie and G.

As soon as one of the other Moms asked how I was doing, I LOST it (but tried to keep it together). G was very serious. Later, when looking at the photos, she told me - "I was so nervous right then...nervous I'd miss getting on the bus!"

I'd asked her to get on the bus and turn for a photo. Nope.

She got on. Didn't look back. Sat in the front seat with a girl from her preschool "Aleaha". I was thrilled that there was a familiar face.


Watch this - I think she was ready!



(right around the older boy - and his brother)

THRILLED.
I cried.

Jumped in the car. Drove to the school. Parked in a no parking spot to jump out and get a video of her getting off the bus. More photos. Noticed that the one girl we'd met in the spring was on her bus! :) Stayed until they went into the school. Went to the K parent reception in the library. Left when I couldn't hold the tears back. EVERYONE could read it on my face.

And around the corner and they were Kindergarteners. It's Official:


Drove. No place to "be". BAWLED.
Ended up downtown. Went to the new Reny's. Bought 27 greeting cards, 3 red bowls, a new red laundry bucket, a battery organizer and 3 Christmas ornaments.

Left. Went to get a pedicure.

Home. Kim was feeidng the kiddies lunch (pizza). I ate.
Played.
Photos.

Naps - or not.

Up.

Painted a fairy mermaid on G's wall.

Made chocolate chip cookies and 'set' the table for cookies and milk.

Worried I'd be late for the bus.

Picked G up on time - with 3 other excited kids.

Happy.
Learned about her day.

Most memorable info from G:

"They were ALL NEW today." - I guess I didn't realize that she wouldn't know that.

"A kid (O) said, Nany-Nany boo-boo today." :(

"A big boy on the bus who was sitting with Mave and me said 'I don't know your name but whatever it is, I hate you'."

Real life.
Matter of fact.

I sent too many snacks (4). She brought 2 home. Ate after cookies.  Was surprised that I wrote on her bag.  She thought I bought them that way.

Liked playing outside at school. Didn't know anyone's names. Didn't even remember Charlie being in her class (kid from the 'hood/bus stop).

Oh, and she reported that some kids weren't very smart because they put their blankets on them at nap time (which is MUCH SHORTER than her last school) and not on the floor - that can be dirty.

After day 1 she exclaimed: "I can't wait to go to school tomorrow!"


She did say her bus ride was sooo long coming home - nearly an hour!

Day 2 reports included: "Mom, Mrs. Sherry doesn't have the same rules as my old school. We got outside BEFORE afternoon snack."

She refused to leave any of her stuff at school either day (blanket or change of clothes) even though Mrs. Sherry explained that she locks the door every day.

She took her little Barbara Bush teddy bear with her both days (although she blamed K for sending it the 2nd day). She did forget her USA cheering shirt (that I let her wear on day 2- !?!?) at school and was worried until I told her that it would probably be there Monday.

She is TICKED that she can't go back for Saturday and Sunday. TICKED.

The last supper...

9/7/11:

The last day of 4 preschoolers. Tomorrow, G starts kindergarten.

The day was spent with lots of Mom and daughter time. We had Monday off. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are/will be vacation days. This is the BEST decision I've made in a while.

Tuesday - Z in the morning; K & G in the afternoon and during eye appts. Late afternoon was just me time - so needed along with a haircut!
Tuesday - G time. Went to Jo-Ann's together. (She wanted to look at fabric!!). Then to a play date with other K parents/kids. Then to K screening with her teacher. Then we went to my work for lunch (cafeteria) and then to the art gallery on campus. She'd predicted it to be boring and in the end, she loved it!! Home for snuggles - our last afternoon nap for a long time) and laughs. Then, I worked on organizing her clothes.

She announces she wants to wear a specific pair of shoes (for which I have no matching clothes!). I struggled to find something to wear with those shoes. Gave up.

Fixed dinner. Invited her grandfather over for "fish" dinner - her favorite! Salmon. Rice. snap peas. carrots. broccoli. cucumber salad. YUMMY brain food. She had 2nds on fish.

Walked with Paupi to get the mail (in the pouring rain with an umbrella - what a treat!). Home. played in their rooms for 20 mins. Bed. Told her on school nights she needs to go right to sleep. She did. (Oh, Daddy called right before bed and although my phone was going to die and she could only talk for 3 mins, it was enough to give her a big smile for her day).

When I asked what her favorite part of the day was: "Spending time with you!" I love this kid. (I try not to overanalyze thinking that could mean that she is screaming for more time with me - she gets a ton)....

Once in bed, I ran to Sears/Lands End in hopes of finding a dress/outfit to match her LL Bean shoes. SUCCESS! It's a patterned aqua dress with a little (almost) lime to match the shoes. Wish she'd selected pink to match her new backpack. She'll be all patterned up tomorrow for her first EVER get on the bus and go to school picks but...she'll love this dress (that I paid too much for...full price...but I'm glad I could make this happen). It's all in the shoes, they tell me!?!?!

Snacks made. Back pack ready. Really, this is really happening.
Have a sitter coming to help in the morning - with the other kids so I can continue to meet G's emotional needs...I mean get her to the bus and take in every piece of this experience (without rangling 3 other kids).

The end of an era.

I didn't over photograph today. I think I have two images - downstairs on a camera somewhere.

CRAP - Got to go charge the camera batteris. It's 417 am. I can get this done! :)

Z's 4 year photos

~7 weeks late...oh well.

And the boots I really wanted him to wear:  Duck

Garden Boy

Z is the child who has expressed the most interest in gardening. He liked planting, tending and now harvesting.

We don't grow the largest veggies but...they taste good and this teaches the kids a lot. I wonder if he'll grow up to be like our neighbor, Mr. F (aka Mr. McGregor).

Prayer Card

August 2011

The first time G placed a prayer card in the basket at church. She didn't fully understand but I had...visions of what was to come. Love you baby.

Yellow Birthday Hat & Tears

9/1/11

Meet the teacher night did not bring tears for Miss G but for her Mama. Why? MY BABY IS GOING INTO THE SYSTEM! It as though she's all grown up and moving out of the house and I'm losing her FOREVER.

Well, that isn't true and I know it but I feel like 5.5 years have just BLOWN away. I feel like I worked too much, missed too much and should have done more with her.

I also worry about all of the things she'll be exposed to. Will she make friend(s) with kind, loving people or with ... others.

Is she strong enough to be light in the world (no, she isn't - yet).

I was emotional. She expressed it in different ways - naughty, distant, shy.

She didn't want to play with the other kids because she didn't "know them"! Well, honey, you are going to spend 5:7 days a week with these kids.

One kid came up and bit my arm with a toy snake hard enough to hurt. I was surprised! A stranger. I was pleased to see this face in her room - a biracial girl with braids and a white Mama but...now I have visions of her teaching my daughter naughty things and handing out condoms in 4 years.

I know it will be OK - well, I hope it will be. I pray for that.
I LOVE her teacher. She was wearing a starfish necklace and that made me smile.

G was the last to leave the room. LOVED playing on the playground. Didn't want to leave and cried on the way to the car.

Was sad that Nicky (her preschool friend) won't be in her class but he'll be 2 doors away.

And, well, in one week she'll be a little bit further away from the nest.

A chalk board wall and her faith

For about 16 months +/-, G has stated that she doesn't love Jesus, she won't pray to him. Ever.

Why? At church 2 Easters ago she learned a lot about the crucifiction of Christ and that if you pray to Him, you'll go to heaven. She took this literally. As in: Pray. Go to Heaven. Now.

So, she's not taking any chances of getting there before me (and her Dad). So, no prayers.

Well, a few weeks ago, I painted a wall in our kitchen first with magnet paint and secondly with chalkboard paint.

Today was the day to try it out. The intent all along was to write memorable quotes along the top and let the kids have control of the bottom.

I started. She got into it. This followed a great evening after Saturday night church and a discussion of Creation, God, Jesus, Salvation and the end times.

Here is what G wrote on the wall right before a cupcake picture and bedtime. I LOVE IT! She's all about "I have decided to follow Jesus...." <--The song. Who knows....

So glad I splurged on the paint.

morning smile (quote)

Upon successfully changing the channel with the remote control for the first time (ever), Z announces: "Mama, I did it! I figured out the riddle of the TV."

:)