As I mentioned, Luke was out of town. He and James were in Chicago for Luke's annual dad-trip. When the trip was planned, the school calendar had the kids starting school a week later. The calendar was later modified but the trips was already planned. Luke wasn't worried about missing the first day, and they had early-out so he didn't miss much. Look for details of their trip later, when I can get Luke to share them with us!
Savannah has been the most excited about starting school. She has waited and waited for the big day to come. I think it is one of the parenting highlights to have a child start kindergarten. They are always excited and a little bit nervous and anxious. They have such a strong desire to learn and please the teacher. I also think it is cute how they are so worried about the rules, they don't want to disappoint anyone. It is so sweet! Savannah has been no different. The morning of her first day (the next week, when she actually started classes), she told me she was scared and her tummy hurt. I explained that all of the kids felt exactly the same way. We had to take pictures all along the route to school--keeping in mind, we live across the street from the school. Along the walk, she met up with her two best friends. They showed each other their backpacks, new shoes, fingernail polish, etc.
This chance meeting seemed to make all of Savannah's nervousness melt away. I'm grateful the kids have good friends, I'm always reminded at times like these what an influence they have on my kids' lives.Lindsey has finally gotten a teacher that she loves. She comes home nearly everyday and tells me how much she loves her teacher. I am relieved because we finally ended up with a teacher that we have had before. Luke had her last year. It is easier as a parent when you know what the expectations of the teacher are.
Once Luke finally made it to class, he had a great time. His teacher seems to be very organized and strict. They have homework every night and penalties if it is not turned in the next day. The teachers are preparing them for junior high which is great! Luke has a new but interesting challenge this year-- art class. There is quite a bit of art projects going on at school. At first I was surprised but I have come to realize how beneficial this is for the kids. The art teacher lists a series of ideas and requirements for the project. The kids have to listen and then complete the project. If they forget to do something or do it wrong, they do not receive full credit. Some may think this is unfair if the child has no talent for art but I've discovered what they are really doing is training the kids to pay attention and follow very specific directions. If these skills are mastered, the students will be so much better off. Luke has enjoyed doing the various projects so far.
Heather is enjoying her class. She tells me her teacher yells a lot but I think she is a good teacher. Heather told me she has a lot of "girlie girls" in her class. She doesn't care much for them and so chooses to play with the boys. She asked if that was OK, I informed her that it was. The second week of school, Heather celebrated her Un-Birthday. She will be off track when it is her real birthday so she gets to celebrate at the halfway point. She got to take treats, make a poster, (pictured here, we had it printed out poster size) and take things that told about her. I don't think it is quite as exciting as an actual birthday but it was still fun.Finally Matthew, the little boy who stays at home. He doesn't seem to mind being home without the kids. He plays cars and watches ABC shows. He likes trying to help Savannah with her alphabet sounds and loves reading time at night. He has become my little buddy who wants to be very independent. It takes us longer to go places because he has to "do it himself". He'll tell me he's the "little fella" and I'm the "big fella" (if I were called that by anyone else, I might be offended). Everyday is a new adventure for him and it is fun to be a part of it.
A blast from the past...
