I can’t believe it’s really time for school to start! Our school system is eventually going to a year- round school schedule and I have to say, I think it’s probably a good idea. My kids, even though their summer was only about 2 months long, was long enough. For them and for me 😉 I love our schools here, the teachers are amazing, so it’s not so tough kissing them goodbye on that first day since I know they are in such good hands. This year in particular, all of the kids have incredible teachers.
Isabelle is starting in our county’s special needs preschool for 3 and 4 year olds. There are 4 other kids in her class, one other girl and three boys. We met the other night at Isabelle’s classroom for a ‘meet the teacher’ night. To say that Isabelle was excited would be quite an understatement. That room had everything she loves all in about 400 square feet. A kitchen. A reading area. Mini chairs and tables. Pretend food. Toys. Books. Puppet show theater. She was darting from thing to thing and I had to laugh… her teacher, Mrs. Hall is sure in for a workout this year!! Her teacher just smiled a knowing smile… I am sure she’s met quite a few ‘busy’ kids in her career 🙂 Isabelle’s class also has one para-pro and a speech therapist so the kids get lots of individualized attention. In a few weeks the speech therapist and I will get together and decide if she still needs to get private speech therapy outside of school. I am so happy for Isabelle, especially considering how anxious I was at first about the idea of being away from her for even part of the day. But seeing how thrilled she was to be going to school.. the look on her face when we bought her ‘Rockstar’ messenger bag… well, you can see by the pictures, the girl is PUMPED about going to school! She actually LOOKED at the camera and smiled!!
Asher and Dalton are also excited about school starting this year. Dalton has one of his favorite classmates from last year, Jace, in his class this year. He kept asking me, “Mom, is Jace in my class?” just to be sure it was really true 🙂 I walked him to his classroom and the teacher showed him his ‘spot’ for his bookbag, etc. I told him goodbye and that I loved him and he called “I love you too!”… it was so sweet. I guess he’s not too embarrassed yet to tell his momma that he loves her in public 😉 Asher was looking forward to school because his best buddy, Eli, is in his class this year. Of all the kids for Asher to have as a classmate, Eli is the one he would have chosen. When we met Asher’s teacher the other night she said she had heard about Asher and that he was a very sweet boy. I had to wholeheartedly agree, he IS!
Zach was a bit more anxious about school starting this year. Middle school can be so much more stressful than elementary. He made some great friends last year, but many of them are being zoned to a different school this year, so he isn’t sure who will be back. I know once he settles in he’ll have a great year, it’s just tough sometimes to get started!
Now my days will be free in the AM since I’ll only have Sophie (who will be starting two day/week preschool at a private school in a few weeks) and Jude… what will I do with myself? Maybe I’ll finally get the house cleaned or some dinner made BEFORE 6:30 😉
Welcome Back Stef,
I really missed the updates. Chris did email, so we knew how things were going. The kids look sooooo cute – ready for their first day of school, and the ones of Jude in the swing are priceless. I’m glad ya’ll are back, and can’t wait to hear how first days went.
Love to all,
Denise
Wowee!!!! I cannot believe, in such a short time, how GROWN UP all the kids look!! I barely recognized Isabelle!! She is stunningly beautiful! And the boys…can they BE any more handsome?!?
School started for Kiara too…gulp…it sure is harder on “mommy” than on Kiara! 😉
I missed your updates!!! SOOOOO glad to have you back! 🙂
HUGS…
Patricia/NYC
P.S. I finally have a blog!! About time, right? lol! Check our DTC group for the address if you want to check it out.
What a blessing are good schools!! They all look great on the first day too!!
So glad you are all home and your family is together at last! The kids all look super cute in the back to school gear : )
Wow, time sure does fly! How beautiful is that girl? She is so proud of that messenger bag! I can’t get over how big the boys are – wow, it sure doesn’t take long, does it?
I swear I just miss you guys so much. Isabelle looks like she’s grown up so much in a short time!
Check your email too by the way…
Hope Zach’s anxiety is relieved soon…. I remember those days!
Glad to hear Isabelle is so excited… and that you’ll have some (I’m sorry, FREE?) time on your hands!
aww, the magical days of the first days of school. I love going down memory lane and looking at the kids’ pictures from the first day. Especially the ones of their first ride on the school bus at the ripe old age of 5. 🙂
Enjoy your little bit of “freer” time. 🙂
Stefanie your kids are just so darn cute! So good to see them all happy and smiling (even if a little anxious) for school!
Have a great week!!!!
AnnaB.
Glad to see you guys are back and that things went so well for Jude… one stinking cute little guy!!
Umm.. the photos of the kids look like something out of a catalog. super cute!
happy back to school days!
🙂
Amie
Wow! Adorable kids! I especially love the one of Isabelle with Jude trying to get through the glass door to the other side!
When does Tori start classes? What exciting times!
(Sort of makes me wish I didn’t homeschool!!)
We leave for China in 4 days for Josiah! Wow! My 9 year old is already totally packed- way more organized than I am! We are all pretty excited! Halle is sad that we are staying at the Victory instead of the White Swan, so no Barbie and Chinese baby- she is bummed! Enjoy your semi-quiet times with most of the kids at school! Many blessings, Holly McDaneld