One Win and One Loss Today

On the way to school this morning, Ethan whined, "But I don't wanna go to schoooooooool!" Hey, we almost made it a full week before I heard the phrase I'm sure will be repeated many times over the years. To prove his point, he chose passive resistance. He refused to put on his shoes. He had to carry them into the school led by the teacher's hand telling him he needs to have his shoes on next time.

On the other hand, Gavin is enjoying the full attention in the morning. Today he pulled himself up to stand for the first time.

Maybe Ethan knew he was going to miss something momentous.

How long did it take for your child to say they didn't want to go to school?

 

Glimpse into Ethan's School Day

Just got a sweet email from Ethan's teacher today. She included a photo of him doing his "work" sorting beads with a magnet into different colors. He's wearing his little name tag and his Montessori slippers. (I'll write more about that later in another post, as it's generated many questions!)

"Ethan loves the color sorting with the magnetic pencil. Notice the concentrated posture with clenched first! Do you think he is left-handed?

He always put a smile on my face when he walks in and says good morning, which he is one of the only children who already greets me by my name. So sweet!"

In case you were wondering, I don't know his hand dominance. I was certain he was right handed, but in the past few months he's been alternating. His lefty dad is rooting for left handed Ethan, something to do with baseball?

I'm just giddy to see him productive and happy in school!! I miss him now!

Ethan's First Day of School

Today was Ethan's first day of school! He ran around singing, "Today's the day!!! Today's the dayyyyyyyy!!!"

His program has 3-5 year olds in the same class, so I treated today how I imagined I would treat my son's first day at Kindergarten since it's all rolled into one. Every year I'll use this same sign and take pictures on this same bench in our backyard. Enjoy the first edition!

Here's his uniform laid out, including big boy underwear and Montessori classroom slippers.

When we dropped him off, the teacher unbuckled him from his carseat and brings him in alone. He literally didn't look back as he walked in with an apple in hand for his teacher (Daddy's idea). Mommy was more emotional than he was, but I kept it together.

The school kindly posted some pictures of the class' first day! Above Ethan is cleaning his workstation before starting his "work".

Notice during snack, they have glass vases filled with fresh flowers. And they're still there at the end of the day!?

Thank you to my Building Blocks Coop Preschool family for teaching him so many of the skills he'll use to be successful this year! No experience will match what we built together.

(this was him last year)

 

More Gavin Firsts!

Yesterday he stood holding the boy's train table all by himself and today he sat with us at the restaurant table in the high chair. He did eat more than that toy apple btw.

 

Did I mention the years are short!?

The Years Are Short: Starting School

I think of the phrase, "The days are long, but the years are short" almost daily. Most of the times it's to try and maintain perspective during days that are moving at a glacial pace while I watch the clock until the boys bedtime.

Today was a bittersweet reminder of how short the years are!

Ethan got his school uniform in the mail today. We have been sooooooooo incredibly blessed to get into a Montessori charter school that begins at age three. Here he is trying on his new attire, including slippers for the Montessori classroom!

It really feels like we won the lottery like in the film Waiting for Superman! Well, we actually were picked from an application lottery, so it is an accurate portrayal! Five mornings a week Ethan will attend a Montessori preschool class with other 3, 4, and 5 year olds. We found out last week he got in off the wait list and starts... MONDAY!! This mommy needed more time to mentally prepare, but I think Ethan is more than ready. Since this program includes Kindergarten, (actually through THIRD grade, this really is his first day of formal school.) ACK!

I brought him to the school's playground to help him feel more familiar with his new environment this week.

He had fun for about five minutes having free reign of the empty playground, until he came over and asked, "But Mommy, where are all my new school friends?"

While we were there, Mommy found something she loved more than the new slides. See the greenery behind the swings? That's just part of the half acre of organic fruit and vegetable gardens the children tend! They go out and harvest food for their daily snack! Swoon!

Oh and the best part? Charter = FREE!!!!!!

With the endless time we have together suddenly shortened to afternoons and weekends, I was feeling like I did when I was working outside of the home. I was more inspired to maximize our finite time together (which I suffer from mommy guilt from not doing every minute of every day of course).

First we did an art project I've been planning to do for weeks, a stained glass craft.

Then an impromptu game of "hall ball" with BOTH boys! The first time they've played ball together! Just so you know, that soccer ball is really a pillow, shhhh!

The years really are so short!

Scooter Gang Leader

 

Gavin Giggles: 8 Month Edition

Wow, do I love this child. A mother's heart truly does grow bigger to make room!

#1 Reason a Mom of Young Children Shouldn't Be Allowed to Get Sick

Without the power of smell...

you don't know one pooped until you SEE it.

Posted with Blogsy

One of many days of firsts

First time Ethan and Chris really played a video game together, Mario Cart on Wii.

 

First time Gavin sat for a solid period of time unsupported.

Why such an uneven quality of photos you might ask? Because I was multitasking guarding Gavin from his oh-so-helpful brother aiming for him, "Mommy, Gavin likes to lie down, not sit!!!!" Two seconds later Ethan succeeded and they "wrestled together" on he ground.

Posted with Blogsy

Olympic Fever!

Ethan and I have been watching the Olympics streaming live all week. We discuss winning, losing, how to be a good sport at both, and the practice and perseverance it takes the athletes to get there.

It has inspired new play and most fun of all, he's learning how to cheer like a sports fan! Apparently, pants aren't required to root for the home team of US of A!

First he "rode Gavin like a horsie" after the equestrian competition.

Then he wore a friend's goggles for almost 2 hours at a pool play date, "because olympians wear goggles, it makes them faster."

It didn't matter if he was on land or if it was snack time!

My only regret is watching the discus competition, I'm not sure our windows will stay intact after he's done practicing that one!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Backseat Entertainment

Even though I'm often sleep deprived, I'm never at risk of dozing off behind the wheel with these two on board! And let's face it, I'm never in the car without them. Lately Ethan has redirected his entertainment to Gavin as he cooperates by giggling at everything he does. If you listen carefully, you should be able to hear Gavin (who is rear-facing of course) laughing.

Posted with Blogsy

Hot day relief!

Strolling the cool mall! But this Mama didn't buy anything ... just returned. Cause that's how I roll, sorry economy!

I'm Trapped!

On a 3 year old's emotional roller coaster and I can't get off!

It's not yet noon yet and here's my day...

UP: We walk to the neighborhood park, Gavin, Ethan, and I to have a big space for Ethan to ride his scooter. (apparently the bike is soo last week)

He scoots around and all is well.

DOWN: He gets a slight, slight, bump on his head climbing on the gym bars. Guess I should've kept the helmet on. It's an absolute tragedy and tears are aplenty. Now he wants me to carry him home the three blocks. I already have his 20 pound brother strapped to my chest and a helmet and a scooter in my hands. So it's a three block walk home with him crying hugging my knees begging for me to carry him.

UP: I'm able to transfer Gavin, who somehow was able to fall asleep during that walk home, to bed for a nap. Ethan and I are able to make a veggie and fruit smoothie and sit down to watch the Olympics. We sit on the couch cheering go go go! He stops me and puts his arm around my neck. "Come here Mommy" and pulls my head to lie on his shoulder. "Close your eyes Mommy, I'm snuggling you." He then gives me about 15 kisses on my forehead. MAJOR up!

DOWN: I hug him back, and feel dampness, ugh. "Ethan, did you have an accident?" "Yes... Don't touch my pee Mommy, that's yucky." I didn't want to buddy! Double DOWN because I thought we had turned a corner without a single accident all week.

UP: He just went right to sleep for a morning nap, before 11:30am! No fight, no protest. And on his way to sleep prayed for all of his little playmates from school. And when I said in my prayer that I hoped for Ethan to dream about airplanes and soccer, he protested, "No! I want to dream about GOD!"

DOWN: Ethan's asleep and Gavin just woke up. No simultaneous down time today. And Daddy is working overtime today.

And it's not yet Noon.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy