Back to school 2012!

Blake and Em's first days of school went great!!

Blake's staggered entry day was Tuesday.  He went to school for 1 hr, 15 min and parents were welcome to stay, so I did!  Cal took Reese out of the school for most of the class, Em was at preschool!  We found Blake's 'hook' where he'll hang his backpack and jacket and leave his indoor shoes and a change of clothes!!  We dropped off his school supplies and met his teacher and the classroom assistant, went over his afternoon busing info and Blake and classmates did a few activities with their teacher.  They started right in with French, learning head, shoulders, knees and toes and please and thank you :)  Blake had a blast and was very excited for day 2!  1/2 of his classmates were with him on Tuesday morning and the other 1/2 were scheduled for an hour and 15 min, later in the day!  Wednesday morning was his first full morning with all 19 of his classmates!!  The girls and I walked him to his classroom and watched for a few minutes, with all the other Mom's, all trying not bawl in the hallway!!!  Before dismissal, I drove back to the school to ensure he got on the bus okay.  I wasn't worried, I just wanted to be there for the first time!!  The teacher assistant walks the kids to their bus and ensures they get on the correct one, so there really isn't much room for error ;)  There's only 7 kids on his bus, as it is a kindergarten bus only.  His bus driver is super nice and had met Blake and Cal when he was reviewing his route last week!  After we watched Blake get on his bus, we zipped home to wait for his arrival!!  He was so excited when he got off the bus, he ran straight into my arms for a big hug :)  He is a boy of few words but when we asked him how school was he said, "Good!" with some enthusiasm ;)  We're so proud of you Blake!!!

Emerson's preschool staggered entry day was also Tuesday, which made for a hectic morning!!  Em's preschool starts at 8:45 and ends at 11:15.  This week, 1/2 of the Tue/Thur a.m. class went on Tue and 1/2 on Thur.  So next week, her regular schedule of every Tue and Thur begins and she couldn't be more excited!!  She wants to go to school every day ... I never really thought about how Emerson would be affected by Blake being in Kindergarten but it has been difficult for her.  She wants to be in school when he is and she misses him :(  So sweet but a little bit sad too!!  With her birthday being in February, she could go to kindergarten next year.  I have a feeling she will be ready but I am hesitant to put her in 'early'!  Every kindergarten teacher I've talked to, suggest waiting ... ??  I'm not sure but I am glad we have some time before we have to decided!  I'm hoping her preschool teachers will have some insight for us!!  But back to preschool on Tuesday, we all dropped Em off on Tuesday morning.  Up until Tuesday morning she was very excited to go to "Lago Lindo preschool" but on the way to school on Tuesday morning she decided she wasn't going to go!!  Once we got there and she remembered this was where her princess camp was, she was excited to get in there!!  She had a blast, and the teachers said she did fantastic and had a lot of fun :)  I'm very excited for her and so proud :)  Her teachers seem very nice and the program looks fantastic!  Em is very excited for the field trips and music class but is not sure about yoga and zumba!!!!  She ask's almost daily, "Are we doing yoga tomorrow?"  I don't think she's too keen on it ... ;)  Love you Em, so proud of how well you adjust to these new situations and this year, without your big bro by your side :)

Reese has been so cute these past few days!  She is right in there for all the back to school pictures and insists on carrying her back pack that Auntie Lindsay bought her!!  It's so cute and just the right size, she looks adorable carrying a little backpack ;)  Reese, Em and I went to our first Come Play With Me class of this session, on Wednesday morning after we dropped Blake off.  We had a blast and the girls were very excited to see Miss Christine!  I will hopefully take Reese to Come Play With Me on Tuesday mornings and both girls on Wednesday mornings!  Before I knew Blake and Emerson's school schedules, I was thinking that I would have a lot of time with just Reese at home but as it turns out I have 2 1/2 hours every Tuesday morning!!!  So not much of a break but that is okay!  In a few years they will all be in school (at least part time) and I will be bawling like a baby and unsure of what to do next!!!  lol!

It will be a busy school year ... on top of kindergarten, preschool and come play with me class, all 3 kids start swimming lessons on Friday, Blake starts hockey on Saturday (which will turn in to Saturday and Sunday in the next few weeks), Emerson starts dance classes on Wednesday, I am back to kettlebell classes 2 evenings a week, fitting in a yoga class here and there and hoping to try Zumba at the YMCA and Cal is keeping up with his running and looking into playing hockey 1 night a week!!  Never mind, Blake and Em want to take music lessons (Blake guitar or drums) and Em is not sure but just wants to play all instruments!!  I'm not sure we'll fit those in just yet, we try to have down time as well and although it might not look like it from the above activities, we do!!!

We hope your back to school week is going smoothly and everyone is enjoying their new adventures :)

xoxo
T C B E R

Posing with goofy faces, before PS and KG :)

My babies :)

Ready to go, backpacks packed!!

My loves

Successful first day, all by himself and took the bus home :)

Kindergarten

Dear Blake,

In just 10 short hours, you start kindergarten. It feels like we've been counting down to this day for so long and yet it has arrived way too fast.  I remember saying a few years ago, "I can't believe that in 2 years Blake will be going to Kindergarten!" and then in June saying, "In just two months Blake will be starting Kindergarten!"  And I remember so many people saying, "Before you know it he will be starting school!"  And here we are.  10 short hours away.  We've bought the school supplies, the brand new clothes (vs. consignment threads ;) ), the fancy new shoes and we've done the back to school hair cut!  We've talked about kindergarten and how fun it will be meeting new friends and learning new things.  You don't appear to be nervous, although you took extra long to fall asleep tonight!

I don't know how you will feel on your first day without me but I do know that when I leave you, you’ll occupy my thoughts for those three hours: what you’re doing, what you’re thinking, if you’re okay, if you’re making friends or feel left out, if you miss me and your sisters, if you're wondering what we're doing without you, if you're nervous to take bus home.  I will be so glad when you step off that bus!

Being a parent can be interesting, frightening, rewarding, and frustrating, and sometimes all those emotions tangled into one!  From early on in my pregnancy I felt that you were a boy, I just had a 'feeling' your Dad and I would be welcoming a son into this crazy world.  You have been such a blessing in our lives.  I often shake my head in wonderment and wipe the tears from my eyes as I witness your kind-hearted nature at play or your gentleness with your sisters and friends.  You are always very quick to please, which I pray will stay with you but that you will also learn to look out for yourself as well and somehow balance that giving, pleasing nature of yours.  

After your sister was born, I briefly returned to work.  But that return was with a heavy heart.  Somehow it just felt wrong and not the right choice for our family.  Your Dad felt it too and we agreed to test out the waters as a single income family.  I do not for one minute regret that choice.  We have spent so much time together, with your sisters and have made so many precious memories at home.  Like so many parents of our generation, we've tried to give you those “must-haves” the experts insisted on: Breastfeeding: Check. Lots of books: Check. Minimal TV: Check (although this has certainly increased over the years!). Early preschool: Check. (Mostly!)Healthy meals: Check. All of the above we have felt are important but most importantly and more then everything we have loved you unconditionally and this I hope you feel.

While we have given you advantages and can buy those school supplies and pack your snack, you will be without us in the classroom.  I fear we are helicopter parents and hope we have given you enough freedom and confidence to spread your wings, because the time has come.  You’ve always been a tad shy, cautious, watching and learning before jumping in. It’s a trait I think you and your Dad share and one that I feel can be very advantageous. I always say your sisters will give us a run for our money, while you will be helping us reel your sisters in.

I found this paragraph on one of the many mom-written blogs I peruse*, "Once I expressed my own hesitations about school to a teacher acquaintance. Her advice stuck with me: The hardest part of releasing you to elementary school — or any new experience — is realizing that I must give you up to the less-than-perfect world that awaits you."  This struck me and hit me hard.  I am so hesitant to release you to the less-than-perfect world and not because our family and our world is perfect but because I want to always be there to wipe your tears, hold your hand, cheer you on and always, always help you to feel important, loved and special.  Because in my world, you are the most important, most loved and most special boy walking this Earth.

Back to that perfect world.  The world will always be imperfect and I too have been an imperfect parent.  But I am always willing to learn, to admit to a mistake, to say sorry and to try harder next time.  And so I have to expect the school, the administration, your teachers, and your peers will also be less-than-perfect, just like me and the rest of the world.  But I can hope that they too will always be willing to learn, admit to a mistake, say sorry and try a little harder next time. I know you will feel frustrated at times, left out, sad, angry, and unimportant but I hope the rewarding, challenging, happy, and fulfilling times will outweigh those less-than-perfect days.

I can not wait until you can read and are able to read not only this letter but this entire blog.  I want you to always carry these thoughts with you: No matter where you go, what you do or what you become we will always be here for you and will always welcome you with open arms and an open mind, ready to listen, ready to help you with whatever it is you may need.  In this less-than-perfect world and with all our less-than-perfect ways, we have been given you and your two sisters, the three most perfect gifts we could have ever hoped for.

I know you will enjoy yourself this school year and I can not wait to hear about the fun you will have and to see you flourish!  I really look forward to watching you learn and grow and learning and growing with you.  Once I wipe these tears from my eyes, I will greet you with a smile tomorrow morning, and let you spread your wings ... just a little.  I love you my boy.

Love always and forever, to the moon and back,

Mom