The Writing of a First Grader!

Wonder if Tater interviewed a frog to know this?

Sassy's First Day of School!

Sassy turned three and lost all her therapies that she was getting through Early Intervention.

Mommy and Daddy decided that she REALLY needed those services and opted to enroll her in day care at the same school where she received her EI services...so she could stay with all her favorite and amazing therapists!

She started on Monday.

Mommy had a hard time saying goodbye to her baby...who spent a LONG first day at school.

She had lots of friendly faces pop in to say "hi"...and she did just fine without her mommy!

She loves her teacher.

"My favorite friend is Miss Stephanie!"

She refuses to nap on her adorable nap mat.

And her teacher refuses to make her...

"She's just to cute!"

Ha!

The sass hasn't come out yet...but I'm sure it's not too far off!

The First Day (finally!)

This arrived in the mail this week, making it real!  Tater is in first grade!

Mommy went back to work on Tuesday and then the kids started on Thursday.  This working full-time is REALLY hard!  I came home after the first day of students and announced I was quitting...but Daddy wouldn't let me!  So went in the next day with a better attitude (and no migraine!) and it went much better.  I guess I'll stick with it...because I don't have any other choice!

The kids were SO excited to head back to school.  We were up early on the first day for those traditional pictures.  The sky was dark black with impending rain so we headed out quickly to snap a few pictures before it down poured (which it did ALL morning long!) and made it back inside just as the first drops began to fall.

Bruiser's last first day of preschool!

Can't believe he'll be in kindergarten next year!

Tater's first day of first grade!

Who let her get so big?!?!?!

And, of course, this one HAD to join in!

Can you even stand that face?!?!?!

During my recess break, I snuck into first grade a snapped a picture of Tater at her desk!

Good thing I'm good friends with her teacher!

Luckily the kids had better first days than Mommy!  Tater LOVES her teacher and her friends.  She did great with a full-day (since she was only half-day K last year).  Her only complaint was that recess was too short!!!  Bruiser is back with his same teacher and aide from last year so he settled in well.  We're waiting to see how the year progresses after his difficult summer with his sensory issues and anxiety problems.  We always get good reports, but I'm sure I'm not getting the whole story!

And, Sassy?  She did great at the sitter's house!  She loves leaving the house and seeing new friends and playing with different toys.  She kisses me goodbye and says "See you later!" as she pushes me out the door!

So I guess three out of four is a good report!

It's Reading Week for Tater!

This week at Tater's school (and Mommy's too!), it is Reading Week.  There are lots of fun activities planned for the students and Tater is loving every minute of it!  Monday was a day to spend decorating your classroom door with your favorite book or characters.  Tater's class created an ocean and filled it with lots of Rainbow fish (picture to come!).  Then today the students wore "readable" t-shirts or t-shirts with some kind of writing on them.  Tater added in the hat when I wasn't there to catch her...because it had writing on it!

Maybe the most exciting thing about Reading Week are the visitors that come into the classroom to share their love of reading with the students.  We have parents, school administrators, other teachers and aides, politicians, and even local celebrities.  Today, Sassy and I went into Tater's room!



We chose an oldie but goodie - Harold and the Purple Crayon.  About half the children were familiar with it and all were mesmerized!  When we left, we left a blank book so they could create their own purple crayon drawings and a bag full of purple crayons.  I love being a teacher...but I love being able to be "mommy" even more!

Spring Fling

Tater headed out tonight to our elementary school's Spring Fling.  She was so excited to get fancied up and go "dance"!  Our wonderful friend and her daughter offered to take Tater as a part of their family so I didn't have to subject myself to the chaos on my anniversary!  I love our friends!



Who Wants To Hear About Our First Day of School?

Tater and Bruiser headed off on separate buses to enjoy their first day at school! Both go in the afternoon, so I was able to go teach my kindergarten this morning, come home and put them on their respective buses and then head to Bruiser's school to watch him get off the bus. Daddy got to head over to Tater's school to see her...since I'm already a kindergarten expert! There was a bit of clinging but eventually Mommy and Daddy got to head out to lunch with just Sassy...which is a very rare treat!

Posing with Mama...it was my first day too!

Everyone had a very fun day and will be heading to bed very early...there are tired little bodies in this house!

The Graduation Post!

Here is our preschool graduate!

Wiggles is waiting...kind of patiently!

Outside her playground.

Mimi and Bruiser waiting!

Wiggles!

There is our graduate!

Singing a song.

Singing "Take Me Out To The Seashore!"

Love how Tater's sunglasses are on her head like her Mommy!

Looking for us...she couldn't find us and was a bit worried!

Getting her diploma!

We had a little party for the graduates.

Here is the painting that they did...Bruiser REALLY liked it!

Tater's friend, L.

Even the big kids had fun!

Daddy and Wiggles

There was a LOT of jumping!

Smile, Jen!

Cake Time!

Thank you, Mimi and Papa!

It was a fun and busy weekend...and now Tater is spending her vacation with Papa and Mimi. And Mommy and Daddy need a week to recover!

Can't believe we have a preschool graduate!