Week One: Done!

Overall, it was a good week. Isaac has lots of friends at school already. He's enjoying riding his bike very much. I think he's still getting used to the schedule, but he's hanging in there. The paperwork did come in a flood on Tuesday and Wednesday. His classes all sound interesting. He has eight classes on a block schedule, four each day alternating. I'm so glad he changed his elective to art. They started with a graffiti project, how fun is that? All my communications with teachers so far have been very positive. Way to start the year off on the right foot, buddy!

Riley had a good week too. She's lucky to have a lot of her old friends in her class. She comes home with fresh stacks of drawings everyday. Don't you just love her two-headed monster and goblin? My lunch notes are a huge hit! Her favorites were: "(picture of an Orange)you glad it's lunch time?" and "You make me hoppy (with a picture of a bunny)." Oh the puns! I'm sorry I hadn't discovered these when Isaac was little he would have been a fan too. I used to write him little poems, but Miss Roo isn't really reading yet so these are perfect.

It was a hard week for me. I was emotional about how gosh darn independent both kids are. On top of which for the first time ever I was having an issue with Roo's school. I tied myself in knots over it, before I finally said something. I was assured that my feedback was appreciated and my concern would be addressed. I feel confident things will get better or at least change. I had become so accustomed over the last school year and the summer to everything running so smoothly, I felt almost betrayed. I didn't want to believe this could happen. It was disorienting, but not altogether shocking with so much change. I'm so glad I spoke up. Now the weight is off my shoulders.

Miss Roo was completely unaware of any of my distress. She is happy as a calm.

First Day of School

It's here! The first day of school is here. Hurray! Lunch packed, new clothes and smiles are on. Time for pictures! Now they're ready for VPK and sixth grade!

Mike rode his bike with Isaac in the morning, but Isaac rode back home on his own. He reported that the day was "Great!" They spent most of their day in homeroom doing icebreakers. Later in the day they went to gym and someone got elbowed in the eye when someone else spiked a beach ball, volleyball style. It was a big to-do and his group had to sit out after that. He must have gleefully recounted that tale ten times. He got to see a lot of his friends and was relieved that they didn't have a rope in the gym. I told him that I think that's just in the movies because I've never seen one. Have any of you been made to climb a rope at gym? One odd thing, he came home completely empty handed not a single solitary piece of paperwork. I bet I get buried in forms tomorrow.

My poor dog always has a rough time on the first day of school, but she wasn't the only one. It wasn't easy for me waiting for 4:00 to hear about Isaac's day. Speaking of waiting, I was anxious to pick up Miss Roo as well! She hadn't batted an eyelash when I dropped her off in the morning. She helped me put all of her things away and then skipped merrily off to the art center. She drew me an amazing alligator swimming over curly seaweed! When I was ready to go she had to be reminded to say goodbye. I did get two goodbye hugs at that point though.

When I got home there was a post on Facebook from Riley's teacher from last year who was wearing the apple earrings we gave her in honor of her "original twelve" and wishing them a great first day of VPK. That's when I cried for the first time today. She was the absolute best and we miss her very much. Later in the day she got the flowers I sent her. When she thanked me she said "I promised myself I wouldn't cry today...and then these showed up." So, we're even.

When I went to get Riley she was very busy playing. I started packing up her things and heard the teacher tell her twice it was time to go before she looked up. Mrs L had to promise that the toy cash register would be there in the morning before she would agree to leave. Roo was also paperwork-less, she brought home some drawings she'd done that morning though. There was a note on the white board by the door to let us know what they'd done that day. When I asked her how the day went she said "We didn't sing any songs, but we played on the playground!" She also told me she had a new Greek teacher. The preschool's director reported that Roo "was making sure our new Greek teacher knew everything that they learned last year. :)" in an email later that day. Miss Roo told her grandma on the phone that her teachers "were very nice, so nice she could love them."

For fun I had the kids fill out these sheets when they got home. I thought they both did a great job. I adore all the enthusiasm. Miss Roo insisted on writing a lot of her answers herself. My favorite Roo responses: Favorite Food: Broccoli, Favorite Subject: Bugs, Activity: Pinball (WHAT?!?) and the best I think...(Roo Wrote) VPK is Awesome.

First Day of School 2013

Isaac was thrilled to be at the top of the heap this year. Mike and I spent the summer telling him how awesome 5th grade was for us. All the cool field trips and projects. He has two teachers again both ladies. Math and science in the morning and language arts in the afternoon. He was super excited to tell me about his day and he had a glowing note home too!

Miss Roo was happy to see me, but a little upset that I was picking her up "early." Her day is 9-4:30 and I came at 3:30. We were going out to dinner for Mike's birthday and she had a date with Grandpa and Ya Ya. She hugged her teacher goodbye when she left. She also had a great note home. She taught the whole family her new "Days of the Week" song in the car. It is to the tune of "The Addams Family". She told me about stories they read, and games they played. The only bummer was that the new playground wasn't ready, but we're assured it will be this week.

Great, great start to the school year! (And a Happy Birthday for Mike!).

First Day of Preschool!!

She was too excited to sleep last night, but she sprang out of bed happily. I got to wake her up for a change. We'd laid out her clothes last night and her backpack was already packed by the door. While she ate breakfast I packed her lunch and two healthy snacks. I would have loved to do it last night, but our fridge is broken so I had no way to keep a whole lunchbox cold. She did ask at least 3 times if she could go back to bed, but other than that was very chipper.

We were out the door on time and early enough to school to wonder around confused for a bit. Signed in and off to play she barely waved to me before she was gone. Sigh, bless her independent little soul. As further confirmation that she'd be alright I bumped into her little friend going out the door. It's always nice to have an old friend your first day at a new place.

I came home teary-eyed to deal with fridge repairs, errands and the other kid. It's just that kind of surreal morning where my world has changed forever and everyone else is just going about the same old same old. I felt the same way the day I got my acceptance letter to college. Everything is different forever, but only for me. Strange.

I can't wait to hear about her cubbie, her cot, her new friends and her teachers! I still remember some happy pre-school times. Hazy images of my pink lunchbox, monkey bars and a Halloween party.

Operation: Fourth Grade, First Day!

Last week at science camp Isaac seemed to really enjoy himself. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect today, but I was too tired to worry too much. Riley was up every hour or two from midnight until 6am with tummy trouble. It was very rough. In the morning Isaac sprang up bright eyed and bushy tailed. He chose a shark t-shirt and dark blue shorts. He looked like a 4th grader, when did that happen?

He'd packed his lunch the night before in his new Lego Mini Figure lunchbox. We got it earlier in the summer (when all the school supplies were buy one get one free) so he'd given it a test run at science camp already. I sent a three pack of awesome monster tissue boxes right away because that always ends up being the item on the supply list that's gone when I get to it. Not this year! I'm a nerd. I digress, Isaac was very focused and almost mature today. He was very excited all morning until I explained that I couldn't walk him to the crossing guard because his sister was sick. If it had been any other day of the week Mike could have stayed with Riley or walked with Isaac. Stupid school starting on a Monday, what the heck? He teared up a bit at the news.

It wasn't that he was upset about walking alone. It was because it flew in the face of our first day of school traditions. I missed a lot of early milestones with him, but I have been here for every first day of school Isaac's ever had. I felt teary too. On the first day you have to get your picture taken and I get to walk you at least to the corner, at least until middle school. Sigh. Anyway, I promised to meet him at the crosswalk after school and assured him that he'd do great.

Off he went. Breaking the dog's heart...

Us girls hung in there without the boys around. I was dog tired and Riley seemed on the mend so I let her destroy my living room while I supervised from the comfort of the couch and counted the seconds until nap time. We were well rested and in better spirits by the time we met Isaac at the corner that afternoon. He seemed pretty energized for the end of his first day.

He came home with a "Great Day!" note from his Language Arts teacher and a smiley face from his Math/Science teacher. Not too shabby. So I let him have a cupcake for a snack. He also had a bunch of paperwork for me (of course). He was full of tales of treasure boxes and Skittles rewards. He said it was almost an identical group of kids with 4 or 5 exceptions. I thought that was good because the transition will be smoother for him and I know the class last year was formed based on academic ability, also good.

Milestones All Around

Things are changing quickly around here. Isaac is in 3rd grade. It boggles the mind. The potty has left the living room. Riley speaks in full sentences (ie "We need to fix it, Daddy."). What's happening?

Riley goes into the bathroom like a big girl now to use her little potty and she's gotten the procedure down much better. Pull down (by herself), sit down, potty, wipe (sometimes on her own), pull up (by herself) and wash hands with help. Phew! She's been accident free at home and away for the most part. She's going to be 2yrs old in about 2wks! Invites are sent, favors are here, cake is being conceived and we're (almost) ready to roll. I'm excited and sad, but she acts so much older than she is it seems funny that she's not two yet.

As for her older brother, he started at a new school this year. It's exciting because it's close enough for even me to walk (wheelchair) beside him to and from school. His new school also has free breakfast for everyone in the morning, so he goes early and eats with his friends before class. He has Mrs C. in the morning for language arts and Mr. M in the afternoon for science and math. He reported that his first day was "Awesome. Awesome. Awesome." I'm highly impressed with the organization level at dismissal and the over all level of calm among the staff it really puts the high stress chaos of his former school to shame.

As if all that weren't amazing enough, he gets to go back to his old school once a week when gifted starts. He'll have his old teacher and see all of his friends. Plus, he's thrilled to finally get to ride the smelly old yellow school bus. I'm noticing a change in him already. I don't know if it's maturity or just the effects of a calmer school environment. I hope he fulfills some of his potential this year. It's always what you make of it in the end.

My kids are growing up and I'm falling behind the times. I had to look up words in people's facebook statuses this week?!? Sigh, it's as it should be I suppose.

First Day of School

2nd grade!

He was excited going out the door and coming back in. He described his teacher as "the best." I agree. She sent home a class newsletter with her phone number, email and their class website. After a year of pulling teeth to communicate it was beyond refreshing. One of their first assignments was to put 5 objects in a bag that describe who they are. Isaac picked a family picture (proud big brother), Legos, his wireless computer mouse, a geode and a picture he drew of a time machine. I was smiling all day picturing a whole room of 2nd graders presenting their "me bags." It's gonna be a good year.