First Day of Kindergarten

Today was the big day!   My little man got himself up, got himself dressed, brushed his teeth and was all ready to go!     I made him some banana pancakes and while those were cooking he had himself a bowl of cereal as well.   He was all set to run outside and take his pictures in front of the house and then we were off - all four of us - to drop Ace off on his very first day of school!

A grand adventure awaits!

We stopped on campus and grabbed a few pictures since we were early enough and then we went to where drop off will be every day.   He found his class line and got in it.   Both Loving Husband and I took turns talking to him, his sister and him hugged each other.    Ace in general was nervous and trying to expel that by jumping up and down, but he did good to stay in his place.   He didn't really talk to the other kids around him, but could be because he was occupied with his own family. ;)

 

One last time before he headed off to his class I stopped and he and I prayed together.   I asked him if he wanted to pray and he at first said "Nah"  and then immediately said "Well, yah."   So I said a quick prayer with him and the he and his class walked off toward his class and the three of us headed home.  I didn't cry until we were nearly home and I was talking to Loving Husband about how it seems like not that long ago he was so little and now he's big enough to be off to kindergarten!  

Two hours and 45 minutes (Yes, that's all "half day" kindergarten is!)  go by very quickly, but this mama was eager to get back to the school to find out how he had done!    I arrived with Mae and her and I waited for brother (who she missed a lot!) to come out.  As Ace came out of the building he was leading the class and being ever so watchful of his teacher and what he had to do and where to go.    After everyone was out of the building his teacher told him to make point and make eye contact with mom, he got to give his teacher a high five, and then he was dismissed to me.       I had not yet obtained the 'sitting at his desk' picture and so we waited until the rest of the kids were dismissed to then go back to his classroom with his teacher.

While we were waiting for his teacher to put some of his classmates onto the buses I asked him about his day.   Here are a few of our conversations:

Me:   Did you have a good day?
A:  Yes, I loved it! 
Me:  What did you do? 
A:  Well, we didn't get to go outside.
Me:  Well, that's ok.  I am sure you will on a different day.  What else did you do?
A:  We colored, that was my favorite part, and we listened to a story.
Me:  What book did you read?
A:  {{Answered with the full name of the book that mommy no longer can recall but was thematically themed for the first day of school}}
Me:   Did you like it? 
A:   Well, sure.  I was a bit distracted.
Me:  Oh, why is that?  
A:  Well, the oldest kid in the class [Maybe he's the biggest?  Not sure how Ace determined he's the oldest] was very naughty today.  He was having a hard time.
Me:  Oh?
A:  Yah during story time he was under the desks knocking down all the chairs and then he got his own book and then kept saying a naughty word over and over [Groan, first day really???]
Me: [Cautiously]  Um which one?
A: [Whispering]  Stupid.   He kept saying it over and over and wouldn't stop when Mrs. A said to.
Me:  I'm sorry, what did you do? 
A:  I tried to keep listening to the story.
Me:  That is good.  What else did you do today?
A:  We wrote out our names and colored.    That same kid ripped some one's paper during that part of class too.  I don't know why he was being so naughty!
Me:  Well, sounds like he was having a hard time adjusting and wasn't sure how best to handle himself.
A:  Hmm, yah, I guess. [Not convinced.]
Me:  Anything else exciting?
A:  We got goldfish for a snack!! [Eyes super big while he jumped up and down.]
Me:  Neat!  Do you want to go run around for a bit?  [He was gone before he could answer.]

After he and his sister ran around for a while longer, his teacher finished loading up the kids and we all headed back to the classroom after posing for a picture with his teacher.  He humored me by taking a picture at his desk, it went ok - but he was clearly done with photo-ops.   He is half his father after all - who is always done with photo-ops.  ;)      We headed home and he continued to tell me stories. 

Me:   What was your favorite part about kindergarten? 
A:  Getting to color.  I stayed in the lines the whole time.  Some other kids... did not.  
Me:  That's great that you did!   Did you meet anyone today?
A:  We all learned our names and our teacher wrote things on the board about how we were feeling about kindergarten.
Me:  What did you say?  
A:  I said I was curious. 
Me:  That's a good thing to feel.

After getting home and washing our hands - we started to load up into the car to head to meet dad for lunch and as we drove we sporadically continued to talk about school.

A:  So today I tried to help someone get their name tag off the paper and they took it from me and yelled.
Me:  What did you say when you had their name tag?
A:  I said "I can help you with that"  They were having trouble getting theirs off and I had already put mine on, so I was going to help but then they just snatched it from me.
Me:  Well, maybe they didn't understand you were trying to help.   How did you feel after they took it back from you?
A:  Fine. 
Me:  Well that is good that you didn't let it bother you.   Maybe next time it would be better to offer to help before you take it so no one feels you are trying to take it away. 
A:  Yah, that's a good idea.

Me:  Did you introduce yourself to anyone today and say "Nice to meet you!"? 
A:  No, I wasn't quite ready to say that to anyone yet today.  Maybe another day. 

Me: [My own self curious] So how did you get to be the first one in line?
A:  Well, the teacher said that whoever was first in line would get to give her a high five when they got picked up and so I wanted to have the high five so I got in  line first. 
Me:  Neat!  

Overall, he had a great day at kindergarten and is excited to return tomorrow.   Overall a very successful first day of school! 

Ace was very proud of his coloring. 
Both Loving Husband and I were super impressed with his pencil coloring!

A Quick Introduction

Tonight before dinner there was open house at Ace's school.  It was an opportunity to see his class, meet his teacher, and generally get that initial unknown element out of the way.   He was pretty excited to go.  Our family of four set out on an exciting adventure for the boy! 

When we first walked up there were people out in the courtyard and he seemed a tad hesitant at the number of people there were there.  He said cautiously "Um, maybe we should wait until there are less people."  We reassured him it was ok and that this was a bigger school so there were going to be, in general, a lot more people.  He seemed to accept and process this just fine and we continued forward to locate where his classroom was.  

We played outside waiting for them to unlock the classrooms - and Ace was happy to be able to run around and swing on the bars that were in the area.    He didn't really socialize with any of the other kids, but he tends to do his own thing and then warm up to talking to the other kids.   He was enjoying showing us his new school.    :)

Once the doors opened we walked to his classroom and while Loving Husband signed Ace in, I grabbed the paperwork and Ace and his sister went to find his seat!  He will be sitting at a table with four other kids and so that will be interesting to see how that works out.  :)   Generally the class seems huge to me, I didn't get an exact  head count today - I'll ask tomorrow - but seems like so many for such a young age!! 

Upon meeting his teacher he was pretty shy, mumbled hello and not much else.  It was sweet and pretty standard for our little dude.   He went around exploring his classroom and had a lot of fun looking at all the books, the calendars, the subjects.  He tried to read everything he could and then asked for help on the ones he didn't yet know.    It was really cute to watch him explore. 

After we headed home, had dinner, and then got ready for bed where we read a book that seemed appropriate for the occasion.  :)     We talked about how he was a tiny bit nervous, but mostly excited to start school tomorrow!  I walked him through what all he needed to do in the morning and then kissed my boy goodnight on the eve of  him becoming an official kindergartener!   Sleep well my boy, dream big dreams of school!

Tomorrow it begins...

Didn't I just write about my boy's first day of preschool?   Wasn't he just turning two?    Didn't he just learn to roll over??   No, no I guess time has gone by and we press forward into more adventures and milestones.  Tomorrow we will mark another start to the latest chapter into childhood - the start of kindergarten and primary school.  Five days a week.   Ace will be doing half day - so it won't be terribly different from his preschool experience as far as time goes, but the class size will double (if not more) and the school is quadruple in size.   So while he's got an early start to the education and the listening to a teacher, this is a whole new adventure that we will navigate together.   

All summer Ace has been excited to start.  This morning he seems equally as excited and I hope that sentiment remains. When asked what he's most excited about starting school he says:  "That I get to go to school more.  I get to play with new friends."  Tonight we will go to an open house where we will be introduced to his teacher and see his classroom.     This mommy is mostly excited about his adventure too!  I can't wait and I pray that he'll have a wonderful experience and make as many great friends at he did at his preschool.  

Mommy has already taken an active role in getting him into the best spot for kindergarten.    He was initially assigned a PM slot and mommy wasn't a fan - started at 12 and ended before 3pm.   Smack in the middle of day, and while Ace no longer needs a nap - I wasn't so convinced all his classmates would be in the same boat, so a whiney bunch of classmates, a teacher that already had taught the AM class and time a day that Ace is notoriously ravenous for a few hours - just didn't seem the best choice, so I called in June and they asked me to wait until August 8th to call.   And I did as soon as the office opened on that day.    There was some push back and a hiccup in that there was also a specific teacher I didn't want Ace to be assigned to (which he was) so I had to be a tad persistent in the overly-nicest way I think I ever have had to problem solve, but Ace is now in AM kindergarten with another teacher.     Hopefully the office doesn't have a 'note' by my name already.  ;)

So tomorrow we'll march into school with what feels like a giant backpack for my little guy - armed with his supplies and hopefully great anticipation for great things to come!     We're so proud of you, Bear!  Although there are many days this is how big I think you are.  :)

Rapidly Approaching 5...

It doesn't seem possible that my first born is registered for kindergarten - but it's true!   He will begin his journey in primary education.   He's already changed so much since his 4th birthday.   He's learning to read, he's writing more and able to copy just about anything.    He is learning to count to 100 and is pretty close to getting it down.   He has written out his numbers up to 66 without any assistance - he probably could continue on and get to 100 but he's been distracted by other parts of life!

Ace loves his Pre-K class and most days loves to go to school and see his friends.  Although every now and then he claims illness and doesn't want to go - but the fight is typically minimal.     He is for the most part a good kid in school, he has gotten into 'trouble' a couple of times for being too loud/wild but otherwise the report is that he is very thoughtful and kind.   Whenever I drop him off he is often very sweet saying "See you in a little while, Mom.  Have a good day!"  and followed by a big hug - that often if I am still in range he seeks to repeat and give me more. 

Ace is a bookworm in the making.  He loves storytime, books read to him, and he's venturing into reading on his own...ever so slowly.  Yes, Ace has completed two BOB books with minimal help from me and continues to love to be read to.  He is very much into listening to chapter books and loves the continued story aspect - although he doesn't always remember what happened previously but he appreciates the idea.   We have read: The Invention of Hugo Cabret (the first half so far),  Stuart Little, Charlotte's Web (just started this one) and I think his favorite thus far was: Tollins: Explosive Tales for Children.   

Mae and Ace get along pretty well and he is quick to forgive when Sister has wronged him.  "I forgive you, Sister."   Sometimes it's not the most enthusiastic forgiveness but he doesn't withhold it and they often quickly make up.    He has his moments of frustration that often result in tears when his sister is frustrating him to the brink - but generally he's a good sharer, kind and patient.   

Once Ace turned 4 he gained responsibilities and chores and he's been doing pretty good and often asks for more chores.  The chores that are consistently his are:  making his bed, clearing his place after a meal, brushing his teeth in the morning, and in recent weeks we've added in feeding Pixel.    He doesn't always do them without asking, but sometimes he does and it makes my heart smile at his willingness to help.   I love that he often asks for more chores.   It's sweet.

Ace loves to play outside, play video games, and most recently he loves to do Reading Eggs that helps with his learning to read.    It's great to watch him play and use his imagination.  My favorite is that he is always looking for flowers to give me - whenever he is outside.   He is just a sweet sweet boy.

Ace and his father have recently embarked on the discovery of Star Wars and introducing him into that world and he is always eager to do that with his dad.   At the moment he doesn't seem to have a favorite anything - he likes a handful of shows that stream on Netflix,  he loves to do school at home and learn new things, and loves for us to read to him.  

Summer is rapidly approaching and my boy will be five before I know it.   What will the next few years bring for us - I'm excited to find out!!

A Christmas Program

I was so glad that Ace was able to attend his school program at school after he had missed his class party from being sick.    He made an adorable shepherd even if he wasn't terribly keen in participating in the songs or actions after that much was complete.   I still loved to see him in the program and I caught a few glimpses of excitement here and there.  :)    Regardless, this mama was proud to see the boy in a nativity play.



 

It's surreal to think that this was his first and only Christmas program in preschool.   Our little man is growing up and will be in kindergarten next year!   Gasp!

Pre-K

Oh right - way back in the day in the month called September - our littlest man adventured to his first day of Pre-K.   We started our morning out with pancakes and a Skyped call with Grammie.   Loving Husband had to get to work early and so sadly wasn't able to hang back to enjoy the first day of school this time around.   Ace was super excited about school (and the pancakes!)

After we finished up breakfast he got dressed in his school clothes and headed out to take his First Day of School pictures and and Mae was excited to participate as well.    Then off we headed to school!

He was so excited to go to school and ran right in and put his folder where it's supposed to go and he was off playing without a second look back then.  Bye then!  :) 

After school we went to pick him up and he was happy to see us.  Mae really wanted to wear the backpack and so Ace let her and upon getting back to the car I had lunch awaiting him and he was quite excited about it.  :)   Let the new school year begin!  

Fast forward to today - Ace continues to love school - has made one new best friend - and misses his old ones from last year.    He loves his teacher, he's learning all sorts of things and is very close to reading!   We're very proud of him!

Our Graduate!

Last Day of School!  Ace decided he wanted to be a fireman...
although the day before it was a policeman.

Ace had a great first 'year' of preschool!  Yes, our time has drawn to a close on our first school experience!   He loved it!  There were many MANY theme days and he enjoyed participating in almost all of them.  

The big day arrived and it was just as big of a production as his mother's day program.  Loving Husband echoed the sentiment stated by the dad in The Incredibles about celebrating mediocrity and merely moving from one grade to another - and while yes, it's true, it's still something to be proud of.  It was his first (half) year of school completed and he is fully done with preschool (technically!)   Next year he begins Pre-K at the same school site. 

The ceremony began with them all walking in to graduation pomp and circumstance.  It was cute as they all filed in with their teacher and their borrowed hats on.  

After class pictures were taken, the hats were collected and the program of 10 songs began.   Ace was less enthused to participate in these as he was the Mother's Day program but he still enjoyed some of them.    Particularly he loved "Apples and Bananas"  song (you know the one where you change the vowels)   and especially enjoyed the props.  :)

Ace and his friend ... and other kid who I didn't get permission to put his face on the interwebs, so I won't. :)

After the program was over they received their diplomas and buckets.  Pictures were taken with his teacher and then we enjoyed some cookies and chatting with his teacher and classmates.  

 Ace will really miss his favorite friend from school. They no longer will be in the same class come the fall. Ace is moving on to Pre-K and his friend who won't start kindergarten in 2013 will remain in the preschool class for an extra year. Ultimately they'll still see each other for playdates, but it won't be the same and I know Ace is a little sad.

Mae wanted in on the picture action as well. :)

We are so proud of our boy!  It was a great first year of school for Ace.   Can't wait to see the adventures he has in the fall!

Our graduate!

My First Mother's Day Program

The Tuesday before Mother's Day was Ace's Mother's Day Program at his preschool.   He was so excited, he told us he had been practicing his songs forEVER and that they had lots of movements that made his eyes hurt to watch the teachers do.    Loving Husband and Mae joined me in attendance (LH was the only dad, but I was glad he was there to help with Mae and video tape every now and again!!) 

We arrived and sat down at the tables and then the kids arrived to put on their chef hats and serve us cookies and enjoy them with us.

After we enjoyed our cookies - it was time to dance.  The kids had learned a dance that they then taught to all the moms and then after we practiced we did the dance together.   It was a lot of fun.  Hopping, dancing, clapping... lots of multiple action commands for their little preschool selves to keep track of.  :)

After our dance it was time for their program to begin and let me say that it was not just a small affair.  No the kids had over ten songs that they sang.  Most of them had actions, sign language, or instruments that they used during the various songs.    Ace covered his ears a few times, had a lot of wiggles, some ignoring of instructions, and some spot on participation!  It was plain adorable!!  Although the loudest I cracked up was during "Hickory Dickory Dock.. the mouse ran up the clock... the clock struck three.. the mouse said WEEE (Ace grabbed his butt with a face of great amusement!) Hickory Dickory Dock!"

Waiting to begin...

Ace and his friend had a lot of fun standing next to each other. 

When the program was over it was time to be presented with artwork that Ace had made for me.  He again was very proud to give me his drawings and hand/feet prints and I was very happy to have them.  It was a special performance and quite impressive amount of time for 3-4 year olds to sing that many songs!  

Ace's First Day

Last night I went to bed and set my alarm... for the first time in a long time. Since I quit work the only time that I officially needed an alarm was in the event that we had a doctor or dentist appointment.   It's been nice for the last 4 years, I must say.   Today dawned a new era of the return of the alarm clock (2 days a week!)   I got up at 7 and got myself ready to go, then went into Ace's room and he was mostly awake.     He asked "When is it time to get up?  Is it time for preschool?!"  He was sleepy, but excited!
I got him partially dressed, grabbed him some cereal and apples for breakfast, and grabbed the scissors do to a bit of maintenance on his hair that has gotten quite shaggy.  He was less of fan of that.   We grabbed his shirt and finished getting him dressed.  Got his coat and backpack on and he posed for his first morning of school picture in front of the door.  We left Mae with Mo who was still here visiting us, said goodbye and the three of us headed on to school.

We arrived at school and he was so excited to get out of the car, did great going in, and met his teacher Miss Megan.    After meeting Miss Megan he shied into his father's shoulder.    We met a new friend who also was having his first day and we all walked upstairs together with Miss Megan.    Ace and his new friend got to pick their cubbies to hang their coats and their backpacks.   Ace shied away and said "I don't want to do it."  I helped him get it all put in and as we're doing this he asks "When are you coming back to get me?" I assured him we would be back in a few hours and that he'd have a good time.

We went into his classroom and he got to look around and he and his new friend went over and checked out some toys with his teacher.   Us parents hung back and after a few minutes went over to say goodbye.   Which he barely acknowledged - so we headed out.

Fast forward a couple of hours in which time we had breakfast, Mae had a short nap, and I made Ace a lunch - it was time to go collect him.    Mae came this time and was having a lot of fun playing as I looked around for Ace.  Most of the kids were in the main play area and Ace was busy walking around in the classroom busy as can be.   He came out and smiled really big, and gave me a hug.  He went to grab his stuff and I talked to the teacher who gave a glowing review for his first day.

We hopped in the car and I gave him his lunch which he was VERY excited about and he scarfed.  In fact as I was driving home he was done and wanting more... so we swung through McD's where he consumed 4 nuggets and fries.  I drove us around as he told me about his day "I played for 'thirty hours!', did a project, sang about shapes, played with Matthew, and didn't go do the race (?) outside because it was too cold, and my teacher turned out the lights when she talked to us."

As soon as we got home he showed me his project and showed me his book fair flyer (and so it begins!)  so we looked through that before nap time (which he ultimately he did not take,...)  and marked the end of his first first day of school which he says he's excited to go to again on Thursday!