Sawyer's first day of preschool

Last week Sawyer had his first day of preschool. I didn't put him in preschool last year because of the new baby and having a Kindergartner I thought it would be too crazy for our schedule. Next year he will start Kindergarten so preschool was a must this year. We signed him up for Tuesdays and Thursday mornings.

He was very anxious about going. On one hand he was excited to go because he knew that meant he was a big kid now but on the other hand he was very scared and shy. Chris was able to come with us on his first day which was nice.

Here he is all ready for his first day in his cute outfit and his backpack.

Here he is in the front of the school

Once we got inside he was very nervous. He would not let go of my pant leg for one second. I was nervous for him. When it was time to sign the kids in at the door I had to sign him in and say goodbye. At first he wouldn't let go of me so the teacher had to have the asst. teacher come and get him from me. He didn't resist but had a very sad look on his face and it broke my heart. As I turned to leave I started to tear up. How could I leave my baby! I felt like I was abandoning him. As we walked outside, I told Chris I couldn't leave yet, I had to make sure he was okay. I went back in and got eye contact with the teacher without him seeing me. She gestured a thumbs up and I was relieved. I knew he'd be okay.

Here he is with his teacher Ms. Heather. Isn't she cute? She is the sweetest teacher and just loves the kids. (Sawyer is so hard to get a good picture of for some reason by the time the camera snaps he has a weird look on his face)


When I went home it was so weird and quiet without Sawyer around. It was kinda nice. Libby took a nap and I though to myself, I can get used to this!

I was excited to get back to the school to see my baby so I headed back a little early with a Root beer Slurpee in hand.

I was first in line to pick him up and when he came out he gave me a huge hug and said, "Mommy, I am not a shy guy anymore! I love preschool!"

Sawyer loves preschool and has been excited to go to school each time since that day. He wakes up in the morning and gets so excited when he finds out that its a school day!

First day of School 2010

On Friday before school started (not long after getting home from our trip to Palm Desert) we went over to the school to see the kids teachers. The kids both seemed very happy with who they got. Maddie also enjoyed seeing some of her friends at the school and finding out who everyone had.

Our school starts incredibly early compared to the rest of California. No we are not on year round school we just start early and end early (before Memorial Day which is kinda nice) Anyhow it does feel kinda weird to be in school when the rest of the country (or what seems like) is still in Summer.

Needless to say, we had a long Summer and the kids and I were certainly ready for school to start. Our new school year began early Monday morning at 6:00 am when the kids awoke very excited for what the day would bring. Maddie had her clothes all ready set out.

The kids got ready, and I even got showered and ready too! (I know crazy huh? Probably the only day all year I don't drop them off wearing PJ's) Chris went into work very early that day so he was able to come home and join me in taking the kids to their new classes.
Here are the big 1st grader and 4th grader ready for a great day.

Aren't they just adorable! They are growing up too fast (sniff sniff..)

(Chris would have you admire his freshly cut grass)

We got there early at 7:30 am and the school was already bustling with parents. We dropped off Carter first. He was excited to be in the big kid classrooms and to have his own desk.

His teacher this year is Ms. Aleman. She was very nice to pose for a picture. Carter has had a hard time adjusting to a longer school day, and I feel a little bad for him.

We said goodbye to Carter (no tears this time) and went over to the big kid side of campus to Maddie's Fourth grade classroom. She has a male teacher, Mr. Lawrence whom she is very fond of and seems like he's gonna be great. We noticed a stark contrast from dropping Carter off to dropping Maddie off. With Maddie there was no pose with the teacher, or dramatic send off. The teacher was talking to the students and had them sit down and didn't really acknowledge the parents. There were only two parents there. The desks were piled high with 5 huge textbooks and there were so many desks 33 to be exact! Carter's classroom only has 18 students, BIG difference.

Just in the first few days we've noticed that fourth grade is going to be a lot different than 3rd. Maddie has a planner and homework every night in just about every subject. She has to bring her textbooks home and it just seems like she's given a lot more responsibility which she is gladly receiving. It makes me a little sad to see my little girl grow up, just in the past week I feel like she's no longer a little girl. When we talk she understands more about the adult world I live in. I can see how I'm going to like having a buddy like her around while I'm cooking dinner or taking care of little ones. She's had to grow up a lot in the last 6 months since Libby has joined our family as I've given her much more responsibility and that has also made her mature.

I'm so proud of my Maddie and I'm starting to feel kinda old with a fourth grader! (My own memories of fourth grade are not so distant)

Oh, and I forgot to mention, Chris and I went to Coco's for breakfast after to celebrate!

'Twas the night before School starts

Twas the night before school starts and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring not even a spouse,
The back packs were hung on their hooks with care,
Their crisp new outfits laid out nicely (so rare).
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
with visions of pencils, crayons and notebooks in their heads,
The kitchen was quiet lunch boxes laid out,
ready for a big day tomorrow no doubt!
Bright and early we'll rise for the new school year ahead
"Lets make it the best!" Mom joyfully said.

Tomorrow is the big day, the kids can't wait, and I can't wait. Summer's been hard with all four home. Don't get me wrong I love my children but it is really hard entertaining them all day, keeping the house clean, keeping them from killing each other, and getting anything done. Luckily my kids are still at the age where they love the first day of school and they are excited. Carter is in first and Maddie in 4th. Carter gets to stay all day so no more running back to school at noon to pick up Carter. He'll be done at the same time as Maddie which is sooo nice. Sawyer starts preschool next week so much more to come on that.

We've had this fun tradition for the past few years of doing a fashion show the day before school starts. The kids get really into it and I love watching them model all their new clothes. This year we invited Chris and Amanda and my parents over for dinner and we had them watch the fashion show. Here's the kids posing for the camera. Sawyer was a little shy at first but warmed up.



The kids were so excited with each wardrobe change they threw their clothes off and put on another outfit. This is what their "Dressing Rooms" looked like when they were done!

Back to School Fashion Show

Last year we started a fun tradition and had Maddie do a fashion show and model all of her new school clothes for Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa. It was so much fun we decided we should do it every year and this year Carter got to join in on the action! Here's the slide show of our fun fashion show!