Davis' 1st Day Pre-K 4

Davis, today was your first day in Pre-K 4! 

We packed your bag the night before with your school folder, a blanket for "rest time" and a change of clothes. You didn't understand why you needed a change of clothes. I told you it was just in case you got dirty or had an accident. You told me, "but mom, they have bathrooms." 

You were very excited about the first day of school, so excited that you woke up early. You crawled into bed with us around 4:30am and had a hard time falling back asleep. Once you did finally fall back asleep I tried to let you sleep as late as possible. 

Before you woke up, I boiled you some eggs and poured your bowl of Cheerios. I packed your lunch and made sure to use your new Ninja Turtles water bottle. When Duke and I came into your room to wake you up, you jumped up out of bed immediately and you were excited to see the sun was up.

Getting you dressed and out the door was pretty easy this morning, as if you'd been doing it all summer. Taking pictures was also easy! 

We were the first to arrive in the ramp drop-off line and you were excited to see two of your previous teachers already on the playground, Ms Erin and Ms Amy. We sat and talked in the car for about 5 minutes before they started letting kids out of the cars. You told me that you liked your new teacher and you planned on playing all day. You were a little nervous that your new teacher wouldn't have as many fun toys as Ms Amy did last year, but I assured you she would. You also asked me when you would see Sam (your best friend) because he's not in the same class as you this year. 

I can't wait to come pick you up today and ask you all about your first day in Pre-K! I'm so proud of you Davis!

Dad's Math Night!

Last week at Davis' school they hosted "Dad's Math Night!" Which meant, bonding time for Davis and Forrest and an entire two hours of relaxation for me...I didn't even have to make dinner that night! Davis came home with a paper pizza and a noodle pattern necklace.

Having a kid in itself brings on many more weekly activities, but a kid in school makes me feel like I have 5 kids. There's fundraising, meetings, book fairs, holiday parties, color days, and much much more. I love getting involved, but sometimes it's overwhelming and I can't imagine keeping myself organized enough to add another kid in the mix. Maybe it would be different if I didn't work full time or maybe I put myself in this situation because I do want to be involved, so I sign up for a lot of activities. Either way, I propose more Dad nights!

Thanksgiving Feast at St David's

Davis' school has an annual Thanksgiving Feast and this year Forrest and I were both out of town, we were so bummed. It really is a fun event at the school. 

Papa Tom to the rescue! My dad was babysitting Davis for a couple nights while I was in Australia and Forrest was fishing. Anyone with kids knows, he had a big job getting Davis up, fed, dressed and off to school that morning. He did a great job, thanks dad!

Here are some cute pics from our little pilgrim! 

Spooky Class Party and a Parade

I love school holiday parties. Any chance to go "all out" with a theme, I'm in! This year I signed up to help with the Halloween party at Davis' school! Planning was just as much fun as throwing it, probably because we planned over a glass of wine. 

Small world because the other mom from Davis' class who signed up to help actually went to high school with me. Way back in the day our mom's planned my junior prom together! So we thought it would be fun to get our moms involved again, get their creative brains working again, and invite them to the party! 

Due to my insane schedule in October, when I say "I" signed up for the Halloween party, I should really say "I signed my mom up!" She did all the prep work and I just drove us there. 

We had mummy juice, marshmallow teeth, worms, and fingers as snacks! Then we read a scary monster book and had the kids decorate monster puppets! 

Then the entire school had a parade in the courtyard and the kids dressed up as different characters from books. Davis' class was the Lonely Beast. 

1st Day of School

So much to say about school this year and it's only day 1! 

This past summer was spent being those parents that think too much. Actually, I can only speak for myself. I'm pretty sure Forrest gave it 2 minutes thought. I went back and forth on which class Davis would actually be in. Will he be fully potty trained in time? Will he go two days a week or three or five? Will he cry for the first couple of months like he did last year? I used to get first-day-of-school jitters when I was in school and now I'm getting them all over again and we aren't even to Kindergarten yet! 

After all the stressing and over-thinking, it all worked itself out. Of course it did. Somehow, he caught onto the potty training thing, which determined he would be in the 3 year old classroom. Then we somehow found a part-time nanny last minute and decided Davis should go to school 3 days a week. Then when we went to meet-the-teacher day he wanted to stay and play (we had to literally drag him back to the car), we could tell he was very ready for school to start! 

Leading up to the first day of school, we did what every parent would do, we made a big deal about a new outfit and new shoes (he talked me into the "cool" shoes that light up). We got the bag monogrammed in his choice of color, red. We packed his favorite foods for lunch, PB&J with applesauce. 

Last night, I set my alarm for 6:30am, which would give him and I plenty of time to enjoy breakfast, get ready, take 1st day of school pics, and get out the door by 8:20. Lucky for me, I didn't have to depend on my alarm, Davis was up at 4:45am! Whoa! Everything leading up to today had gone in our favor, till 4:45am. 

So here are the pics of mister cranky pants himself...who was telling me..."don't take my picture! no pictures mom! stop!" Well excuse me, I'm just trying to document the first day of school. Is this what the next 18 years are going to be like?

Hope he is in a better mood for his teacher, Ms Amy. I will say he was a joy to drop off! No sarcasm there. The entire minute drive to school (we could have, should have walked) he was shouting things like, "Take me to school! I want to play basketball with the boys! I have chapel money!"Because we have graduated to the 3 year old class, we are considered "big kids" and get to use the drop off ramp. No tears. Barely a good-bye. Just jumped out of his car seat and ran into the school. It's bitter sweet. You want your baby to need you, but you also want them to be excited for school. He was super duper excited, his words.

As he was walking away and the car door closed...mom was left all by herself...good bye sweet boy, hope you have a great day at school, miss you, love you, be nice to the other kids, listen to your teacher, eat your lunch, take a nap, can't wait to pick you up today and hear all about your first day!

Maybe we will try for day 2 photos!

3...Almost

I have a summer birthday. Growing up, a pool party was always so much fun, but I never got to celebrate my birthday during the school year. And we all know how fun it was to have cupcakes in our honor! 

Davis' last week of school, his teacher offered to let the summer birthday kids celebrate. I wasn't sure how I felt about this because I didn't want to confuse Davis. Then I figured he wouldn't be questioning a second birthday celebration in just a few months, so we picked a date to celebrate almost being 3! 

Birthday celebrations at St. Davids include a prayer during chapel, a birthday crown, the task of snack leader, and of course, cupcakes!

School's Out for Summer!

1st Day of School - August 2011

Last Day of School - May 2012

Tuesday was Davis' last day of school. He didn't completely grasp that fact because when I came to the end of the year party, he kept throwing his hands in the air and shouting, "Time to go home mommy!"

From August to May Davis outgrew his shoes, outgrew those shorts, and got some hair! He really grew up this past year. It took him a couple months to get comfortable with me leaving him in the mornings, but now he loves going to school. Hope he feels that way when August comes back around.

My Little Cowboy

During rodeo season here in SA, Davis' school had their very own little rodeo in the courtyard. I couldn't make it, but Forrest was there for all the fun! They had a chicken toss, a petting zoo, bobbing for apples, pony rides, and more!

Jingle Bells and Santa Hats

Before the holiday break, Davis' school put on a little Christmas program. And oh how adorable it was!!! All the parents packed the room with iPhones, still shot-cameras, and video recording equipment in hand. In came the kids, plopped down one by one, in a row, adorned with Santa hats! Let the show commence...first was Little Drummer Boy as the kiddos drummed on their legs, followed by Jingle Bells, Feliz Navidad, and We Wish you a Merry Christmas! It took all of about 15 minutes and was the most precious thing I've ever seen!

In the handful of times I've attended something at Davis' school, he has been ECSTATIC! He introduces me to all his friends and will constantly smile and point at me, telling others I'm his mom. This was no different, and he kept shouting while pointing, "Mama, Dada, Duke!" Duke wasn't there but he got a shout-out, lucky dog!

Oh how Davis loved his Santa hat. He was convinced everyone should have one on. Noah (his friend without the hat on) kept taking it off, and Davis kept giving it back to him, insisting he wear it.

Noah prevailed. No hat.

Time for Jingle Bells! I must say, I was impressed so many kids were trusted with such loud instruments. But they were so cute!

Maggie, to the left of Davis wasn't too into the whole performance. Davis decided to help. He kept picking up her jingle bells for her and showing her how to join the rest of them.

Davis was such a ham, loving the attention. Hmm, wonder where he gets that from!

School Pics

Davis might be telling me, "no school mama" on our way to school every Tuesday and Thursday, but here's proof he's having so much fun and loving school!!!

Davis and his classmates!

That's Maggie on his right, one of his favorites!

Chapel! Davis will talk and talk about chapel and how he prays.

This particular day was bless the stuffed animals day.

His teddy bear is behind him.

Each school day Davis comes home with a new piece of art!

Naps & Snacks

I am absolutely loving Davis' new school, St. David's! Davis on the other hand is still warming up to the idea.

The school is very small, so in just a few short weeks everyone knows everyone! I feel like, not only for Davis, but it's a great transition into big-kid-school for me. It's only two days a week, so packing lunches and dealing with backpacks isn't too overwhelming. Also, since it's not mandatory, it's so laid back...miss a day, running late, no biggie! The pressure is off! At least for a couple years!

Some days Davis squeals his teacher's name (Empy!) with excitement, and others he tells me, "no school mama." When I ask him what he did at school, he will sit there and think for a long time, then say, "nap school." I ask him, what else did you do at school, he thinks again, and says, "snack school." Yep, two most important things, a nap and a snack!

The school has a website, which makes it so easy to stay informed. But my favorite part is that the teachers post pictures of the kids!

Once when I asked Davis about school he told me, "choo choo book." I love knowing that he was really talking about a book at school! Here's the proof!

Now I know why they told me not to send him dressed in his nice clothes. Surprisingly, he still comes home fairly clean!

No School Mama

Tuesdays and Thursdays are school days for Davis, he goes from 8:30am - 2:30pm. They attend chapel, have snack, do arts and crafts, have playground time, listen to music, learn spanish (hola!), have lunch, take a nap, read a book, and then they are dismissed! I seriously wish I could be a fly on the wall, especially for chapel. How they get my child to sit still for 25 minutes is beyond me!

We are into the second week of school and the drop-off is starting to get a little better. The first day he didn't realize I was going to leave him, so there wasn't too much crying. He was excited to run into his classroom and start playing with the toys. The second day was HORRIBLE. On our car ride to school he kept saying, "No school mama!" He remembered that I left him and immediately started crying and clinging to my arm when we walked into the room. It didn't help that all the other kids were crying too! I left him as quickly as possible because I knew the longer I stayed, the longer he would cry. Did I mention I had tears too?

This week we started off a little better. I took him early to school so he could play in the courtyard with the basketballs and tricycles. He held tight to my finger as we walked into the classroom and his chin did a little quiver when I told him good-bye. When I turned around to look back through the classroom window, I could see he was already having fun and playing with the other kids. Sigh of relief.

And because no post is complete without a picture...