I'm a big kid now

When I went to pick up the kids today I saw Big Boy's teachers trying to keep the kids together as they corralled them inside from recess. T runs ahead...his teacher pulls him back in line...a few steps later he runs ahead to open the door...his other teacher brings him back into the line...and so on.

I go to his class, "how was he today?" His lead teacher "Wow, he is a busy boy!" Hmmm. Well
folks, I have an elementary ed degree and have taught before and I know what that means. HE WAS A STINKER! We went in to hit the potty before we ran a couple errands and he told me that the teacher had to tell him no during snack time, who knows what he was doing. We ran into his other teacher in the bathroom and she said "he is nothing like his sister!" Um, yeah. But then she added "he's just too darn cute, though!" That's right T. Hook 'em with your charm and long eyelashes and maybe they'll forget the fact that YOU ARE A STINKER!

He's handsome, he's potty-trained, he can count to 14- and he's off to school!
















And yes, that is the end of my day-to-day school photo collages.

It felt so wonderful without kids today! I was so domestic- I came home and vacuumed, mopped the floors, cleaned the kitchen, started some chicken marinating, made a key lime pie, and shopped for some school clothes. Maybe the key to me being a better stay-at-home-mom is...not having my kids at home! :)

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday...

Sissy had her official first day of school today. I was not sad, there were no tears, but I did have to document it with about 50 pictures. Sissy was soooo excited, and I was excited for her. We really thought hard about it, whether or not to put her in 5 day Pre-K, but in the end I felt she needed it. Sissy is shy- and very painfully shy a lot of times. Not in my house, of course, but around anyone else. We are working hard right now on speaking when an adult speaks to you or asks you a question. She tends to bury her head when someone even glances her way.

Now as far as school goes, she is a teacher's dream. I was telling some friends the other day that Sissy's teacher paid her one of the highest compliments last year that I could ever hope to hear for my child- that she was nice to everyone, included everyone, and was a good friend. I really want to instill in Sissy the positives of being kind to everyone and accepting people as they are. I know I did not/do not always follow that philosophy and I want Sissy to be better. But Sissy is still very shy at school- even with Grandma teaching there and knowing almost everyone. She is quiet and reserved a lot of the time but then there are times when she just unleashes and shows her true personality. Thus the reason for the 5 day- I want to draw out more of her personality at school and prepare her for the inevitable full day of school next year.

5 day comes with great perks! Sissy's teachers are using some great reading readiness programs and a great handwriting program. She also has a fun special every day-
M-Spanish
T- Gymnastics (they travel to Wichita Gym on a bus for a gymnastics class!)
W- Music
Th- PE
Fri- Science

I am excited for Sissy to have a good year. She has a great class and some friends in it so I think she will really enjoy school!












I can't help but add a pic of Big Boy- he was so happy for Sis this morning and amazingly patient about having to wait for tomorrow to go!


But he'll miss her!

And they're off!

Heart melting...


The Stats:

LQ-
4.5 years old
40 lbs (62 percentile)
43.25 inches (88 percentile)
PRE-K this year, 5 days a week mornings



TP-
3 years old in 2 weeks
34 pounds (77 percentile)
38.75 inches (83 percentile)
3 Year old class, T/Th mornings

Backpack up...

Making friends...

Finding the coolest toys ever...

A craft with Daddy...

Showing Nana around...

Hugging the teachers goodbye until Thursday...


New class, right accross from Grandma's!

Checking the new room out...


And a stop down in the music room to see Mrs. Meyerhoff, our favorite PE and Music teacher!


They're ready to go!!!!!!!!!!

Pool parrrrrrrrties!

Woke up to a beautiful morning and the day of Big Boy's 3rd Birthday Party!! It should be noted, that Big Boy is not officially 3 for another month. But he really wanted a swim party (with a cowboy theme) and we had to set it at an early date before the pools closed. We got things ready and took a good nap and they were ready to party! We got our suits and coverups on and then, of course, our cowboy gear!


The 3rd Birthday Cowboy...

Sissy was posing for the camera


And we headed to the pool with one cloud in the sky!


Storms were definitely brewing in the distance, so we tried to get some swimming in


And T was having so much fun he didn't even care that he was drowning!




And then it came- lightning. :( We had to evacuate the pool after only 15 minutes or so of swimming, and that is pretty much how the whole night went. Although it was a beautiful night and the storms were in the distance, we kept seeing lightning so the kids had to play around the pool instead of inside of it. I have to admit I was pretty disappointed. The worst part was when we had been out for 15 minutes or so and the lifeguard okayed us to get back in- Big Boy got his floatie on so he could swim in the deep end and, not 5 minutes later, had to get out. And he cried. And cried. :(



So we appeased him with his cowboy cookies we had made (a hat, boot, and horse head) and sang Happy Birthday!

(It was a little breezy and so we needed reinforcements to light the candle)
(


Back in the pool! (for another 2 minutes)

Would it be a post about Big Boy without a crossing eyes pic?

Yeah, presents!






And we waited and watched, but no happy news. We had to stay out of the pool. The kids were all so great and of course found ways to entertain themselves outside the pool. What little sweetie friends we have, not a complaint from one of them!

We handed out some cowboy hats and called it a night! When asked, Big Boy would say he had a wonderful birthday party at the pool so we will label it a success and try again next year!



We were still wanting to get in some pool time so the next day we headed to Topeka to see some college friends. Unfortunately, sick kiddos did not allow us to all get together but we made the best of it and had a great time at Travis and Annie's and little K!