First Day of School

Let us in!!

William and Grace started the 2016-2017 school year on Monday! William begins Pre-K and that feels like a big milestone. He's at school FOUR times a week and it seems like way too much time away from home! Grace is in 3 day 3's and that seems like too much too! Usually I'm excited for them (and I still am), but this was a tough year! Both of them are gone a majority of the weekday mornings now... (I begin to blubber and Matt comforts me by saying "and soon they'll be in college and gone FOREVER!"). But of course, they were pumped and couldn't wait to get into their classrooms.

First Day picture of William

First Day picture of Grace

Daddy came along too

Hot and sweaty waiting for the doors to open

Big man on campus!

Grace with Mrs. Carter

William with Mrs. Holland

William gets to walk upstairs to his classroom all by himself as a big Pre-K man, which he heard at Meet the Teacher. He didn't forget. As soon as we walked into the building he said he wanted to lead the way to his classroom by himself. We were a few steps behind and hugged him goodbye at the classroom. He was the first one in and so he got a nice picture with Mrs. Holland. Since then I've been walking him into the building each day this week and yesterday I needed to go in to the front office, which is upstairs. William told me, "Stay down here and don't come up until I'm in my classroom." So I had to wait at the bottom of the stairs, he checked that I wasn't following and off he went. I waited one minute then went up to the front office -- and of course popped my head into his classroom to make sure he got there :) 

Grace didn't even say goodbye to us. She had to pick out her name and begin the "check-in" process with Mrs. Carter. We yelled "Bye Grace!" - got nothing - and went off. 

Two happy kiddos - happy bee and a happy monkey actually. I think this will be a really great year. They have great kids in their classes and their teachers are great. Relishing the last year with William and Grace being together at this school... I hope it goes by slowly. 

Good luck this year you two! We can't wait to see how you grow!

First Day of School

Yesterday was William and Grace's first day of school!

Ready to go to school!

William is a "Shining Star" this year in 3 day 3's and Grace is an "Owl" in 2 day 2's. Both were excited running around the house with their school bags before we left.

I walked them both into school and figured we would drop off William first, so that Grace could see the old pro walk in without tears. If we dropped her off first then I figured she'd get upset wondering why William and I were going off together.

Walking William to class first

William walked into his classroom and was good to go! Grace on the other hand threw a tantrum that he just left and threw herself to the ground in a very dramatic fashion. 

William's classroom

I quickly picked her up and she got over it. Her classroom is only a few doors down from William and Grace was ready to go. Here she is below taking a photo op before walking into the classroom.

Grace always ready for a picture

Grace was greeted by her teacher and I said "Bye, Grace!" She said, "Bye bye, mommy" and turned back to her teacher. She turned and gave me a kiss then officially left for the day. She walked in with no problem at all.

Grace's teacher said she was wonderful on the first day. She said she is "very funny" and "spunky" - no surprise there! She also said she's a very good listener. Here are a few pictures her teacher sent me on the first day.

Playground time

Playing with toys in the classroom

Sitting with friends

Matt and I walked up to pick up both William and Grace at the end of the day. Grace screamed the happiest scream to see us. It was so cute! She was sitting there so nicely with her classmates waiting for us. I did observe her push the girl in the blue dress because the girl was tugging on Grace's shirt for some reason. Oh geez, Grace!

First day success! Waiting on mama and daddy!

A great first day! William did just as well and said he had lots of fun. He said they went to chapel, played on the playground and dressed up in costumes - he was a king! William goes back today and then they both go back on Friday.

Mommy went to breakfast and coffee with friends then some window shopping before pick up. A lovely morning for all :)

Last Day of School

First Day (Aug '13) and Last Day (May '14) of Young 2's for William

William had his last day of school on the 21st! His first "school" experience has come to an end. It's amazing how much the little guys change from August till May, and a round of applause to his teachers for being able to handle 10 little people with diapers, strong emotions, loveys, pacis, and all the other craziness toddlers bring along! Mrs. Doudney and Mrs. Voll were too sweet to all the little ones!

Class photo

Grace wasn't even born when William started and here we are now with William calling his classmates and teachers by name, talking up a storm in general and repeating everything we say, peeling bananas by himself, buckling himself into the stroller, pulling on his own clothes (shirts still need some help), and of course Grace is now here and she's ready to start walking!

Mrs. Doudney said she will be even more amazed when William comes back in August for 2 day 2's. That even a couple months in the summer makes a huge difference.

They had an end of the school year party (these parties last 10 minutes total because their attention span is that long and cupcakes hit them instantly, which is hysterical!) and gave their teachers an adorable Shutterfly photo album from the past year - a "yearbook" if you will!

Mama is here!

Craft with the class

Crafting

Other kids in his class

William loves his art

Last day party with William

William loves to play cars with Cole

Cupcake time is William's favorite time!

Mrs. Voll

Mrs. Doudney - he loves despite lack of smile for picture :)

William is now at "summer camp" at his nursery school for 9 days - 4 days then 5 days straight! He doesn't seem worn out at all. No difference. I thought he might be a little wiped going from 1 day a week to several days straight, but I guess he's use to running around at home during the week any way. Yesterday on the way to summer camp we were driving down the brick roads in Winter Park, and he said, "Whoa Mama! Bumpy road!" He wasn't making those statements back in August 2013 when he started :)

We are excited for next year and our new class!

William's 1st Day at MSEE

William starts school today at the Methodist School! I am so excited for him. We had a meet and greet with his teacher Ms. Doudney last week and he was totally enthralled with the classroom. We had to pick him up and take him out to leave. His teacher and her assistant Christy are very nice and we met a few of his classmates as well who are adorable.

Meet the Teacher Day! William is a Friendly Fish in Mrs. Doudney's classroom

 

We got ready for the first day of school at home with a big breakfast! Scrambled eggs, hash browns and yogurt - yum! Dada stayed home this morning to eat breakfast with us and take the ride over to Methodist School. William was a little attached to Dada this morning and so picture taking was not on his agenda - sad for Mama. We got a couple cute pictures though! As soon as William got into his classroom he ran for the toys and didn't look back. Matt and I just waved bye to his teacher and hit the road! I'm looking forward to pick-up and seeing how he did. See you at 11:45a, William! You're such a big boy!

 

 

Hit the playground before going to his classroom