Jake's First Day

Today we reached a huge milestone, Jake had his first day of Preschool. Mommy had lots of anxiety leading up to this point, but overall we had a great day! Our experience with Jake going to preschool differs from Carter I feel because Jake is the youngest in the class, where as Carter was among the oldest of his class. Perhaps it is because he is my baby, but he just seems so little! Jake has always been a little more cautious and seems to need/want mommy around more. Jakie woke up so excited to go to "his school" vs. his "brover's school". He had a smile from ear to ear from the moment he woke up. While walking into his classroom he had the most giddy little grin I have seen on him, he was so excited. Although, as soon as the teacher said "Hello" he buried his head in mommy's pants. He led me around the classroom with a death grip on my hand. I started to explain that the mommies and daddies had to leave and tried to remind him of how we leave Carter at school and then come back and pick him up. He sure was not a big fan of us leaving! Eventually the teacher came to us and said we didn't need to stay for her benefit. She would deal with him. I then peeled his little fingers away from mine and gave him kisses and left him laying on the floor crying hysterically. Yes, I am that mom! It did feel HORRIBLE! But, I know it needs to be done, and knew he would have a great time. I pretty much counted the minutes until we could go pick him up, and as predicted he had a wonderful time. Mrs. Hinton said he only cried for a little bit then he was done and jumped right in to play with the others. Jake's job for the week is to be the "line leader" and he did a great job today. He came out of class with just as big of a grin as he went in with, and told us he had lots of fun at school today and is excited to go back tomarrow, but "mommy will stay with me." I'm sure we will probably have more tears, but hopefully not as many.

The first week

What an eventful first week of Kindergarten we had. Tuesday afternoon Carter got in the car and said "I lost my lunchbox!" Seriously??????? It is only the second day! Wednesday, we picked up Karina for our carpool day and Carter says "My family was rushed today! Do you know what it means to be rushed Karina?" "Well, it means that there is a lot of arguing?" I didn't feel the need to correct him, he basically had it right. Oh, MIA lunchbox did return Wed afternoon, although apparently school lunch is cooler than mom's packed lunch. Thursday the boys went to the babysitter's house early and when Nicole arrived to take Carter to school everyone had fallen back to sleep. Another "rushed" morning! Nicole said she dropped off a grumpy sleep-walking Carter to school that morning. Today Carter got came home with his first, and hopefully last, "yellow card". Everyday each child is given a green card to start off the day. If they remain on their best behavior and follow the rules they bring the green card home to show that thet had a great day! If a rule is broken and after one warning, the green card is taken away and they have a yellow card. If the behavior continues or more rules are broken they get a red card and possibly a visit to the principal's office. Apparently Carter had a problem keeping his hands to himself today. Daddy sent Carter to his room for some quiet time after school today, then they had a little talk. Carter emerged from his room teary eyed and told me that he was sorry he got a yellow card today. I just held him while he was crying then asked if he understood why he got the yellow card and what he had done wrong. He responded "I'm crying cause daddy said I can't play video games or watch tv, not because I got a yellow card!" Needless to say, we had a little more talking to do!

Kindergarten

Today Carter started Kindergarten. So hard to believe we have come this far. Our day started bright and early. I set an alarm clock last night for Carter to get up at 6:45am. Unbelieveably, as soon as the alarm went off Carter jumped out of bed ready to go. This from the kid that takes me at least 10 minutes to wake up, I should have thought of this alarm clock thing sooner. This mornings breakfast of choice from Mr. Kindergarten was pancakes, which he ate all of. We got dressed, packed his backpack and his lunch and off we went. We met at the crowded playground with all the other kindergarten families then the bell rang and the teachers called for their students and off they went, no fear what so ever. We were able to meet Carter's teacher last Friday and see their cute little classroom and he was able to familiarize himself with the room and some of the other students, so today seemed to be no big deal at all! Mommy even did well! Although 8 hours is a long time and many times throughout the day I kept thinking "I wonder what Carter is doing right now" Kinda crazy to let go of that control, to someone you have barely even spoken to. Mrs. Guida (teacher) says he had a great day and did an excellent job reading!