Flashback: First Day of School, September 8, 2016

The night before the big day we had our annual Back to School Feast, complete with stained glass stars inscribed withe the boys name, grade, and year.

We toasted the new year with shirley temples.

Both boys were excited the next morning.  No problems getting up and ready.  Freddie had a full day, so he got his daily napkin note packed in his lunchbox.  Just a half day for Hans, so he'd get lunch out with Mama and Dad.

I love walking the boys to school.  This will be hard to give up one day.

Proud 2nd grader

Then we got to bring this guy to Kindergarten.

He knew his teacher, and said he was ready, but seemed a bit nervous.  Told me to go, I think so he could get himself settled and into the groove.  There were a lot of moms lingering so the teacher gently shooed us all away.

He was all smiles when I picked him up at the end of the day.  We headed into the city with a packed lunch of "pinwheels" to eat with Dad at his work as requested by our Kindergartener.

Kindergarten and 2nd Grade!!!

PreKindergarten Moving Up

Having a quick look at a book.

What I want to remember about this year was that Hans was READY for preK.  All day.  Every day.  Without his Mama.  Without his brother.  On his own.  

Charlie was away at a conference so I videoed more than I took photos just to make sure he could have glimpse.  

It was a sweet morning filled with friends, songs, and sweets.  Of course I pretty much sobbed the entire time.  

Hans has made several buddies, most of whom are girls.  He likes to tell me about how he's Lucy's BFF and he knows because she follows him everywhere.  His teachers tell me he has a strong sense of fairness, and desire to do the right thing.  He mediates scuffles among his classmates.

He's also won over his teachers who have found his stubbornness far more endearing than I do!  

a selfie with his friend Kyle

I loved his class and adored his teachers.  I wish we could keep this same group next year but I know another year of new experiences awaits him in kindergarten. Kindergarten!  Hans is off to kindergarten!

Classroom Visits

The school year is slowly winding down.

The boys had "open classrooms" last week.  Parents were able to visit and see the student work and chat with he teacher.

I'm so happy that they both love school.  I'm so thankful that they're doing well academically and socially.  

Can't believe they're on the cusp of kindergarten and grade 2!

All About Hans

Some things I have a hard time throwing away, but I know I cannot save it all. This book will just have to be archived here.

Hans, PreK, Ms. Lindman's Class

School Pictures 2015-2016

Emergent Writer

I LOVE this phase of writing.  It's so exciting to see, and apparently Hans' teacher feels the same excitement because she emailed me about this particular piece.  She said he took advantage of one of the "recipe cards" while in the dress up center.  She asked him about it afterwards and he read the ingredients ("B W P" is banana, watermelon, pear) and then dictated the instructions.  He's been talking about smoothies all the time at home, and evidently he's talking about them at school too!  It's all going to happen very quickly now, and it is so much fun to watch it emerge.

Thanksgiving Feast

Pre kindergartners are so cute!

Hans was so excited about "the big feast."

They sang a little song and shared what they were thankful for, and even toasted with their water bottles.

Hans didn't eat his apple pie, believe it or not, but he did eat 6 corn muffins!

I especially loved that he told me his friend sitting across from him celebrates Diwali right after Thanksgiving.  I'm thankful for such a diverse group of friends he has.

I also love that whenI asked if he knew what I was thankful for, he immediately smiled and said  "ME!"

Of course a video!  He's on the left...not sure why my video quality is so bad....

   

 And then each child says what they're thankful for...

   

 Hans is thankful for his fish.  Love this guy, and I am so thankful for these days with him.