1st Day of 1st Grade!

Today was the start of 1st grade for my little boy! He started out the day just as my daughter did a few days ago, only a little worse. I was surprised by the way he was acting because last year he loved school, even on the first day. When he didn't want to get dressed and hid from me, I wasn't sure what to make of it. I thought he was just being lazy about having to get back on a schedule, but I was wrong. We took the same 1st day picture like we did last year; in the front yard, in front of the big tree. It was a little hard to get a smile, but eventually I did. I figured when he got to school and saw some of his friends, he would be happier. I was wrong again.

He was very quiet and had to fake a smile for the camera. After taking a few pictures, I realized that he was about ready to cry! I gave him a hug and asked him what was wrong and he told me that he was scared. I tried to comfort him, but it was hard because he was trying not to let anyone know that he was crying. It is tough trying to be a big kid!

At the school, the Kindergarten and first grade classrooms are across the street from the main campus. The whole school meets in the courtyard for morning assembly and prayers. When they are done they cross the street to go to their classrooms. Since our last name starts with an "A", my son is always the first one. He made his away across with his new teacher.

I had to laugh at these pictures when I was down loading them because I noticed my son had his hands behind his back. This is the way that the kids were taught in Kindergarten to walk. I noticed that he is the only one walking that way. He is my little rule follower! He is also still forcing a smile.

When I picked him up from school, he was again the first one in line to leave. He had a big smile on his face and gave his sister and me a big hug. He said that he liked his first day and his new teacher.

He told me that he got to be the first one to pick his desk, and he picked the one at the very front! He also explained that they don't raise their hands with crossed fingers to go to the bathroom. Instead only one boy and one girl can go at a time and you have to pull the card and put it on your desk, if you have to go! Also the rules at the top of the door our for his classroom and the ones underneath are for the whole school. These are very important things to know for a rule follower!

He told me tonight that he was so worried about school because someone told him that in first grade that you had to do 100 math problems in 5 minutes. He was scared because he thought he would not be able to accomplish this! I reminded him that I had told him that a long time ago, but he still worried about it. He had worried about this almost all summer, poor thing.

He also told me that I was wrong, they didn't have a box of Legos, because he looked for them! I guess 1st grade doesn't measure up because it has no Legos! You have to know what your priorities are, even in 1st grade!

Starting Preschool!

Today was the first day of preschool for my little girl. She is no longer a baby, but a little girl going to school! If we weren't so rushed this morning, I probably would have cried. But since it was a hectic morning, I was too worried about being late that I didn't. My daughter on the other hand, was having second thoughts. The little girl who was so excited this week, was suddenly not so excited this morning. She was having one of her moments! See the beautiful first day of school picture of her! She would not smile. She tried to be a little more excited when we actually got to the school. (She didn't want to have a frowny, mad picture on her mommy's blog!)

When we got to school her big brother helped her find her name tag. He showed her where her cubby was and then took her to her teacher. He was shy around his old teachers but he had fun seeing the classroom again.

My daughter was so happy to find a familiar face in the crowd. This little friend is from her daycare and she helped her transition into the playdough table.

She even helped introduce her to some new friends that she had all ready met. The other two little girls were also friendly and they had fun playing and getting to know each other.

Daddy said goodbye and reminded her to mind her teachers! She didn't cry when we left and this made us all happy.

When I went to pick her up she was happy to see me. She was sitting quietly on her letter and flashed me a big smile!

This was the little girl that I had been living with the last couple of days!

When she got to leave, she ran into my arms and told me how much fun she had that day! She got her picture from her cubby and we rushed home to show Daddy and her brother.

I am glad that she had a great time. I knew she would because these two teachers are great! My son loved them and so did my older niece and nephew whom they taught about 10 years ago. She will learn so much and make lots of new friends. I just hope she will mind and be the sweet little girl that she has always been for our babysitter. She is growing up so quick. I must stop blinking.

Grandparents Day!

Today my son had grandparents day at school. He was fortunate to be able to have two of his grandparents with him today. He had his Papa and his Grandma with him. Papa is my father and Grandma is my mother-in-law. The school celebrated Catholic Schools week with something fun everyday. The week ended with the celebration of Grandparents Day.

The day started off with the Grandparents meeting in the hall for donuts and coffee. Then it was off to church for a special mass. Father Mitch Paqwa from EWTN celebrated the mass. (He looked younger in person.) Then it was off to the classrooms for special activities. The Grandparents and children came back to the hall at assigned times to take pictures. Then everyone came in and had a special lunch. At 1:00 they had a talent show. It was a fun and exciting day for everyone.

I got to enjoy the day as well because I helped serve the lunch to all the attendees. I got to see my son interact with his Grandparents in a different type of setting. He was proud to have them with him. He enjoyed having them there and sharing them with his friends.

It is times like this that make me really miss my mom. My mother would have enjoyed being there with them. When I went to this same school, I could always count on my mom being at the school mass. I always miss her during these masses. She would have been so proud of her grandchildren, especially mine!