School!

Yesterday was the first day of school! My boys have been excited for this day for as long as I can remember, mainly Spencer. Last year Spencer went to school with Jared for one day and ever since then he's asked when he gets to go to school. I've always told him after Miles' birthday and the day came yesterday! We laid out our clothes the night before. Spencer has shirts picked out for the next three weeks. Jared it went more like this:

Me: Do you want to wear pants or shorts.

Jared: Shorts

M: Which one (out of two navy pair)

J: picks one

M: What color of shirt do you want to wear, white or light blue?

J: Light blue

Uniforms are great for decision making but unfortunately not very exciting... but I like it. When I walked in to the school all the kids looked the same and they were on the same level. I couldn't tell if someone bought their clothes at Nordstrom or Target. Love the equality!

It started nice and early, 5:20 when Miles woke up. My alarm was set for 5:30 so I

got up, put him in bed with Chris and went out a little earlier for my run, I'm slow to get ready to run in the mornings so it's good I had an extra ten minutes. I got back around 7:00 and kept going the rest of the day.

I had to run around back to get something out of the car so Chris took the pictures...

Jared was dressed when I walked in and ready to go. Chris was working so I hurried and fed them, dressed Spencer (Miles went in his pjs), brushed teeth and hair, and then I showered got ready in under 10 mins and walked out the door. Chris came with us and we got there right as the bell rang. They have the kindergarten kids play in the gym before school, we can drop him off as early as 7:30 and the bell rings at 7:55. I stayed and watched him wander around and play then I took care of his book fees, gym uniform fees, and lunch money and when I came back they were heading out of the gym. I teared up. He was gone and I didn't say good-bye.

Chris called me and told me to meet them in the hallway. Oh good! (Jared's teacher Mrs. Lowe is on the left with the red belt.)

We went in to his classroom with him and helped him find his chair and unload his supplies. He told his teacher that he had reminded me to get the paper towels and I forgot to grab them. And she answered him exactly how I told him she would. He was excited and ready to go. We said our good-byes and we were off.

Chris called me and told me to meet them in the hallway. Oh good! We went in to his classroom with him and helped him find his chair and unload his supplies. He told his teacher that he had reminded me to get the paper towels and I forgot to grab them. And she answered him exactly how I told him she would. He was excited and ready to go. We said our good-byes and we were off.

I dressed Miles at home and then we left to take Spencer to his school which starts at 9:10. It usually goes til 11:40 but today they had half the class come for the first hour and the last hour to help them transition.

Spencer was a champ! He's observed Jared going to pre-school for two years so he knew what to do. He didn't want to put his jacket and bag away because he picture was not yet up but we convinced him it was okay to pick any cubby today. Chris and I decided Spencer is a big boy. Not huge, but big. He was the tallest kid in there at the moment and he was a younger one. When they were told to go to the carpet to read he went right over and sat down obediently. I walked over and gave him a kiss and he was totally cool with it. He did not like me taking his picture. Every picture you see is me catching him off guard.

Spencer putting his name on the chart with Ms Barrera, his teacher, helping him.

Look at all those girls!!!

After dropping off Spencer I took Chris to work, ran to Staples to get something Jared needed and then went back to pick up Spencer. When I asked him what he did he said we read stories. I asked him if he had fun and he said yes. I asked him about kids in his class and he couldn't remember any names but when I asked him if so and so was there from Jared's class last year he'd reply yes or no.

We quickly ran home to pick up a few things and then went to Miles' 2 year doc appointment. More to come on that on his two year blog post. Came home Miles took a short nap (woke up after 30 mins), Spencer did a worksheet, and then we went to pick up Jared.

When Jared saw me he ran up to me and excitedly said, "Mom I learned some Chinese today!" When I asked him what he learned he said he couldn't remember:) I asked him about his lunch, he opted to have school lunch today to see what it was like. The first thing he said was, "There was broccoli and I ate all of it!" He's been struggling eating his broccoli at home for the last long while. He described the rest of his lunch as orange slices, chicken sticks with bread on the outside and milk. We played on the playground for awhile and he'd occassionaly go ask his teacher a question and come tell. When we walked home Jared and Spencer held hands. So sweet. Jared asked him what he did to which Spencer answered. Then Jared asked him if he had to go to the thinking chair, where you go sit and just do nothing as Jared put it.

Today I went to drop Jared off with Chris again. I think tomorrow I'll let Chris take him alone. It's a lot of work getting everyone ready, fed, and out the door before 7:45. Jared opted for cold lunch so he could use his new lunch bag. After school he right away told me how to say hello and good-bye in Chinese (Tues, Wed, and Fri he has Chinese).

Once we got home Spencer was anxious to go to "his school". Finally we left and when we got there Spencer said, "This is my school, huh mom, not Jared's." He seems so big! When he lined up and walked into his classroom he didn't even say by. I had to peek my head in the classroom to say by and steal a kiss. I also noticed this morning that his class has A LOT of girls. I'm guessing there is around 20 students and there are 4, maybe 5, boys! I hope the boys get along because they sure don't have any options. After school he was stoked and pretty much shouted, "We got to play on the playground!!!" He also informed me he played on the computer and sand table.

Miles did fine today without his brothers. I did a few errands and then came home and we read and he colored. I need to find my groove with this new schedule. About every two hours I'm dropping off or picking up making it hard to get the kids in a groove and myself. My home is in a little more disarray and Miles is going to be needing more attention so I don't think having two kids in school is a time saver for me by any means but I love it because they do! But even more, I love getting us all back together. I love that the boys love each other and play together so well. I dread the day when one of them is "too cool" for their other sibling and doesn't want to "hang out" or play with them. I hope that never happens.

1st Day 2nd Year

In Chicago you have the option of going to preschool for two years before kindergarten (free might I add) so Jared had his 1st day of his 2nd year on the 8th of this month. Jared is very into his looks and cares what people think of him. I used to spike his hair just in the front but he won't have any of that now. He insists on wearing it straight down, boring... Jared had no problems going into the classroom and was excited. He was a little bummed after his first day though because they didn't get to play (It was just for an hour instead of the two and a half.) On the second day when I picked him up he looked at me and said, "I did a beautiful job today." He wasn't talking about a project or anything tangible, that was just the way he expressed his overall behaviour for the day. Every day after that he did fine until Friday. He got in line and I asked him for a hug and then after that he did not want to go. He ended up going home with me. I gave him two choices, stay and learn at school and go to recess or he could come home stay in his room til school gets out normally and all he could do was read and look at books.

He did better than I thought he'd do. I was worried about what I set myself up for when he still insisted on coming home. I was back in his room a lot of the time working on reading with him or reading a story to him but left him a lot too. He complained a fair amount and escaped a lot but if he didn't get right back to his room or did it a couple times right in a row I added a minute to the timer. Needless to say he went willingly into his class the morning and had a good time.

Jared's Christmas Concert

Here's Jared at his school concert. So weird attending a program for my oldest. He's really growing up. It was fun to watch him. At the end Chris stopped recording a little soon but you see Jared peeking his head out the curtain. He really liked performing. I thought he'd be shy and maybe do nothing because earlier in the day he practiced on the stage and he said it was really scary doing in front of all the other students.

Peter Pan and Pirate Wannabees

What a busy/fun day. Remember when I said my mother-in-law made Spencer's costume well... wala: Isn't he the cutest Peter Pan ever? And didn't my mother-in-law do an awesome job and let me mention she did it all in a day, hat, pant, and shirt. Amazing!

We found Jared and Miles costumes at Costco. They too are an awesome looking pirate and crocodile:

And together they complete each other. I'll have to get pictures of the three tomorrow when Miles isn't sleeping.

Love these boys!!! At school Jared had a party and I got to be there for part of it. Below is a clip of them doing part of If Your Happy and You Know It.

Getting lots of candy from classmates (they were nice enough to include Spencer.)

And here's a picture of his class:

Later in the day we went to our ward trunk or treat. The boys loved it and already we have too much candy! Spencer was beaming from ear to ear showing me all the candy in the car. Chris left from the church back to work :( but it wasn't too bad handling all three boys. Spencer was asleep and Jared had heavy eyes. I first took Jared in and laid him on our bed. Then I carried in a crying Miles, and then a sleeping Spencer and put him to bed costume and all but managed to put a fresh diaper on him. Then I put Miles to bed and then got Jared ready for bed and he managed to help me enough to get it done. After today they were exhausted and tomorrow we get the real Halloween!

The Teacher Pulled Me Aside...

... and said Jared is being a little too rough on the playground. I wasn't too surprised but interested to hear more. She proceeded to tell me he runs too fast :). And that was it. When was running fast defined as too rough? I see their need for concern because today he knocked a kid down and he got a bump on his head from the fall.

In the car I told him he was super duper fast (as he would say) and told him that he couldn't be too fast at school and why we needed to slow down. I talked to him a little more; we'll see if he gets it.

When I told Chris he laughed and said, "At least he's big enough to knock a kid down, I wouldn't have been able to knock a kid down at his age." Hopefully we can teach Jared to put the brakes on before he does anymore damage.Jared and Spencer running with their dump trucks.

Bad Habits Run Deep

Jared is still young so I'm not too worried but I've seen a trend lately that is common among a lot of folk: sleeping in. Why did he start sleeping in now when we have to be somewhere?! Today I let him sleep until 8:50 and we need to leave around 9:00-9:05 to be on time for school. Well it took awhile to arouse him and then he wouldn't move he was "too tired". I ended up feeding him in bed (luckily the oatmeal I make is thick!) and dressing him in bed. We made it out the door and pulling out of our parking spot at 9:10.

I also fostered another bad habit this morning. I forgot to have him do his homework. We had all weekend to do it and I put it off till this morning. This is so not like me. I always had my homework done right away and woke up early (5:15 when I was in high school, and no I don't do that anymore, kids have cured me of that good habit!) All the homework was was to read a book and ask them questions and the parent was suppose to write down the responses and then the child could draw a picture. So in the car I asked him questions and had him look at the book (we did read the book several times over the weekend). I wrote down his responses at stop lights. I even tried to get him to draw a picture but he wouldn't because he was busy reading.

When do bad habits start? I better not forget or procrastinate too often because I have a feeling he'll pick up these type of habits sooner than later.

Below are some pictures I took of him at school today:
Mrs. Barrera his teacher helping him write his name(attendance board where they put their names when they come in)

(Elmer is the kid pointing)Spencer's hair is amazing. I ran my fingers through it with water this morning and here was the immediate result after one run through. And that pajama top he's wearing he's been wearing it for three days and it's suppose to be Jared's; he loves Jared's clothes!And just because he's cute!

Jared and Drop Off

I hope I'm not jinxing myself but Jared is doing awesome at being dropped off now. I pretty much walk him in, watch him put his name on the chart and wash his hands then tell him I love him and go. A couple times this week I kept trying to tell him I love him and good bye but he was having too much fun with his friends. And another time I told him good-bye and he excitedly put his hand way above his head and waved it widely.

What's made the difference? Friends. He loves this one boy Elmer. He's a year older and is always telling me he's going to get big like Elmer. Elmer calls him Jaro and Jared calls him Marshmellow Head (silly boy). Some other friends Jared has made is a Spencer and Harrison. I'm so glad he's gotten out of his shell and made some chums!

I hope tomorrow is like last week. (I'll try and get some pictures of some friends to add to the post tomorrow.)

In Case You Were Wondering...

Monday's drop off went great. Jared walked right in and got busy coloring and Spencer had no problem leaving. In fact Spencer wanted to leave to go play on the playground.

Yesterday however, was not so swell. Jared did NOT want me to leave and constantly kept an eye on me. I tried many tactics even bribing him with m&ms but nothing worked. Finally he got distracted and I tip toed out with Miles and Spencer. I got around the corner and heard him screaming. I waited for a few seconds and then Jared bolted out the door. The teaching assistant tried to get him but he was too fast. I thought he was going to win and go home with me.

We made our way outside and I let Jared and Spencer play on the toys (I knew his class would be out soon). In less than five mins the class came. Jared ran around playing super heroes with some boys but every time I mentioned leaving he did not want me to leave. Finally I convinced him I needed to move the van before it was towed and he let me go. Now I had to pry Spencer away. He came kicking and screaming so I left with Miles in the car seat on one hip and a kicking and screaming Spencer on the other hip. I had to take several breaks before getting to the car so I could regain my holdings but we made it. Also I remembered half way through that I had the m&ms in my pocket and bribed Spencer with those. I hope I don't have too many more mornings like this one. I was there well over a half hour before leaving. I'll be sure to remember my forms of bribery because they at least worked for Spencer. As for Jared I have yet to come up with a solution so we'll take it one day at a time.

Today however, he did fine. I was there for under ten minutes and used the excuse that I had to go home and get ready for our picnic we would have after school. Am I going to have to come up with something fun to look forward to everyday after school? Time will tell...

First Day of Pre-K

My oldest is old enough to go to school! CrAzY! He's been so excited for this day for a Looooooong time. Last Monday we went shopping for a backpack. I don't know what got him in a transformers kick but he loves them and that's the kind of backpack we got.

For school supplies it was mainly things for the classroom (paper, paper towels, wet wipes, kleenex, ect.) His whole backpack was full. For the first day we had to park a couple blocks away. While walking, leaning forward to support his bag, he told me his bag was really heavy. I asked him if he wanted me to carry it and he told me, "No, it's too heavy." What a gentleman.

He wasn't too sure if he wanted me to leave but when the teachers asked the parents to leave he did just fine. The first day was only for an hour and afterwards I asked him how he liked it and he said he did but he didn't learn anything. A regular day is 2 1/2 hours M-Th and Fridays for the first half of the year.

The second day I took his friend Anna to school with him. When they got out of the car they held hands the whole way and skipped (Anna) and hopped (Jared) to their class room. He didn't even mind me leaving. The two days were a little harder for him. He asked me to stay for a little bit and on Friday he said he wanted to go home. He's a confusing little boy. All morning he's asking to go to school and once we're there he's hesitant. I'm sure it's that I have to leave that's the hard part for him. But when I come and get him he's always really happy and ready to go the next day.

Also worth noting, Cherie (Chris' mom) was with us so I was able to leave Spencer and Miles with her for the first few days and I brought Spencer with me a couple times to try and ease us all into this new experience. I don't know how I'm going to do it all by myself tomorrow with Miles and Spencer. I hope Jared will be willing to go and let me leave and that Spencer will be able to leave Jared at school without kicking and screaming because there is no way I'm going to be able to carry him and a carseat at the same time. Wish us luck tomorrow!