Fun School!

E's First Day of School!

After chatting with several of my close friends, I came to the conclusion that E and I would both benefit from a Mother's Day Out program.  It would give her the opportunity to learn outside the home, in a classroom environment, and while she was away I could run my errands and do chores around the house (with only one child).  One day recently she had 3 or 4 potty accidents and her tantrums were just one right after another.  I couldn't leave the house in complete shambles, so in attempt to get some things cleaned up, I parked her in front of a Curious George Movie.  As I was washing the kitchen floor I kind of had a lightbulb moment. You know, my friends are right.  If I sent her to school, just two days a week, I could get my errands done and would have the time to focus almost all of my attention on her the other three days of the week.  So, I called immediately and she started the very next school day.

On her first day we decided to call it "Fun School" and use, "Preschool" for when she's four. She helped me pack her lunch, decorate her napkin, and gather her blankets and sheet for her nap mat.  When we arrived at her classroom she walked right in, look for her name tag, and hung up her backpack and lunch bag (just like L used to do).  As I chatted with her teachers, and filled out some paperwork, she took off playing.  I even had to hunt her down in the home center (with a baby doll, of course) to give her a goodbye hug.  When I arrived to pick her up, she was all smiles. 

That night when I tucked her in I asked her, "what would you like to do tomorrow?  I've already cleaned up, so we can do whatever you want!"  With much excitement, she said, "Go to Fun School!"  She actually sounded disappointed that she'd have to hang out with me all the next day.  Silly girl.

She's been in school for 4 weeks now, has not had a single potty accident, and her tantrums have decreased dramatically.  I'm able to run errands and clean house while she's away at school, and then I can focus my attention on her (and O) when she's home (the other 3 days of the week).  Win-Win!  Almost, makes it worth the $230 a month... almost.  

Kindergarten Transition

L is finished with his 2nd full week of Kindergarten now.  He's confident enough to use the car rider drop-off line in the morning, and is still riding the bus home everyday.  The newness is starting to wear off a little, but he still springs out of bed in the morning ready to go.  He's had a few bumps along the way: a forgotten folder, a spilled food container, a wet backpack, a note from his teacher about not keeping his hands to himself, but he's otherwise doing very well.  He comes running off the bus everyday with a huge smile on his face and his arms outstretched ready for a hug.  I'm proud of him.

Stepping off the bus on his 2nd half-day

This is how he greets me every afternoon-- LOVE it!!

E has had a little bit harder time adjusting to her new role of big kid in the house.  She's had some potty training regression and she's struggling again with her attitude and her attention-craving (negative) behavior. After the first couple of days I was really ready to find a preschool or Mother's Day Out for her.  I just felt like I wasn't able to give her all of the attention she was demanding and that maybe it would be good for her to have a little time away from me a few days a week.  I still have not given up on the idea, but for now, we're just going to try to keep her busy.  We enrolled her in soccer, she'll start Tumble Tots in a few months, and I may try to get her into some private swim lessons (because she's still very fearful of the water).

She had her 1st soccer practice this week and she had a blast.  She listened carefully, followed all the instructions, and did pretty good kicking and throwing in the ball too.  I think it was exactly what she needed.

E's Soccer Team

Stretching

Ready to play!

Belly on the ball!

She does tiny kicks very well.

Throw-in Practice

She is growing up so fast!

Silly Girl!

E with her team

"I have to go home now?"

Her first game was this past Saturday.  She is one of the youngest and smallest on the team, but she did pretty good chasing after the ball.

Pony Tails: She never has her hair like this, but that's how she wanted it 

Big O!

Ready to play!

Her biggest fan, L

E with her team

"Go Monkeys!"

Passing the ball with a friend

Kicking the ball to a friend

Almost time to play...

"I'm here!"

E was one of the starters

Water break!

Yes, she's holding hands with another player

"Go Monkeys!"

The proud big brother

Chasing the ball!

Going under the parent tunnel!

The over-the-top soccer snacks!

Great game!

Back to Kindergarten-- it's been a real adjustment for all of us.  I really miss L.  When he went to preschool he was gone all day, but it was only two days a week, so I knew that we'd get to hang out the next day.  Now I kind of feel guilty when we go somewhere or do something without him.  We went to the park a few days ago and I kept looking around for him.

Swinging E

Swinging O

The captain

The little sailor, coming on board the ship

What are you looking at!?

Here I come!

My two little ones.

My little two kiddos

Joy!

We're (E, O, and I) still trying to come up with a good routine, but it's only the 3rd week of school and I'm sure we'll get it... eventually.