School's Started... Kind of...

After Labor Day Chicago schools started school... for four days, then the teachers went on strike.  So the kids have been home with me and I've been busy doing miny school sessions and playdates.  Jared often complains to me that his teachers are on strike so he is too. 

 

This year it was crazy getting the kids to school.  I was ready for the morning.  Bags were packed (the night before Miles put on his backpack and kept falling down because it weighed too much for him. It was pretty funny), clothes were laid out, baths were taken the night before but somehow we were still rushing and I didn't even get Spencer's or Miles' hair combed.  I didn't get near the picture quality I would have liked to have gotten but at least I snapped some pictures. 

 Our first stop... Jared at 7:30.  The kids were suppose to be picked up by their teachers on the playground at 7:40.  Of course things run a little late on the first day.  Sadly I didn't get to watch him walk in because we had to get going to take Miles and Spencer to their school which started at 8:00.  At 7:45 I gave Jared a kiss and said good-bye.  He wasn't sad in the least but I was bummed.  I wanted to see my first grader walk in to school.  Instead I ran home with Miles on my hip to get my other two to their school.

 Last year Spencer's school started at 9:10.  The time change has not been kind.  I now have to drive by another school that's starting around the same time making my drive go from 7 minutes to 15-20 minutes.  Needless to say we were a little late.  It was so rush we hardly had time to hug and kiss them.  Chris was saying good-bye when Miles started to cry.  I hid behind the door and ordered Chris to follow.  (Last week they had orientationa and they were very adament that parents leave their children at the door and not try to console them.  Parents would not be allowed in the classroom and by them staying they were only making the situation worse.)  So I obeyed.  Chris peeked around the corner and told me to look.  Miles was hugging Spencer who was hugging him back.  I don't know if I could have walked away if Spencer wasn't there to help Miles.  We then walked outside and Chris peeked in the classroom to see how Miles was doing. He said Spencer was showing him things around the classroom and he was fine.

After school Miles had so much to tell me.  First he said, "Mom, I didn't whine! But I did cry."  I asked him if he'd cry the next day to which he replied, "Yes." When I asked why he said, "So Spencer can hug me." I guess I'm ok with that.  He told me about the story they read-about a little boy and dog, about their carpet time, and playing on the playground- his favorite part.  He told me more than Spencer and Jared ever have and he's starting a year younger!   Spencer confirmed the story was about a dog and boy with a little more detail and not much more.  When I asked him his favorite part of the day he said, "Giving Miles a hug."  I'm so grateful these boys get to be in class together, at least so far (four days into it).

The rest of the days Miles was a champ going to school.  He gave me a hug and kiss and walked right in.  I was able to help on Friday and he did great.  Spencer and Miles pretty much stick together when at school.  They interact with other kids but definitely look for each other.  I'm a little dissapointed with the number of boys again this year.  Last year there were 5 boys to 15 girls.  This year it's 6 boys to 14 girls.  And five of the boys have siblings in the class.  Spencer and Miles, a set of twins, and one little boy with an older sister in the class. 

Jared had a good day at school as well.  He didn't talk much about it just said good or I don't know to every question I asked him.  He was ready to get back to see friends. 

What did I do with my time?  Holy cow did I hit the ground running.  I had so much I had to do between my responsibilities with church, errands, and housework.  I didn't get much housework done because of everything I had to do.  I was looking forward to the second week and getting my home in better shape but didn't get the opportunity.  Instead my house just kept getting dirtier as we spent time at the dentist, museum, parks, and practices.  Oh well, it'll get done some time... maybe:)

T-ball 2012

For the spring I signed Jared and Spencer up for some T-ball.  Spencer was suppose to be in a league but because of lack of participation they just did a class and no games.  They still got their hat and shirts but no games:(. Luckily Jared's team was short a team member so his coach gladly adopted Spencer as their 8th player.  Their coach was awesome.  He was energetic, knew what he was doing, and even had an extra practice in the week besides their Saturday morning game. 

 

Fielding

Jared was their best catcher and often played first base.  He was one of the few kids who got the concept of race the runner to the bag and get them out.  He kept track of all the outs he got every game.

Spencer batting

Jared running bases

Jared up to bat

On the sidelines

He was also great with Miles. Miles didn't attempt to play in the game with them but he'd warm up with them and whenever they took a knee Miles was right there with them.

Good year White Sox!

End of Year Activities

The kindergarteners went to drama once a week.  I didn't know what they did but Jared would every once in a while comment about it and say he liked it.  At the end of the year they did a little performance.  For the performance they did free movement to music, acted out a story told by the teacher, and then impromptu acted out stories told impromptu by first grade students.  I really enjoyed it and liked seeing their imaginations at work.

A fund raiser at the ned of school was the walk-a-thon.  They walked a mile and didn't complain.

Spencer and Miles walked with them.  The boys in Jared's class fought over who got to hold Miles' hand.  Jared's class LOVED Miles and often called him little Jared.

At the finish line:

 After the walk they had their field day.  They had a lot of different activities and they let Miles and Spencer take part in most of them.

There was a long line for face painting.  It was too long for Jared.  He opted for tatoos instead.

For Spencer's end of year they had a little party.  Slide show, extra long recess, and snacks and pizza.

Good ways to end a good year:).

Jared's Done with Kindergarten

School starts on he 4h of September so I thought I'd be nice to have this post done before his first grade year officially started.  Jared had a wonderful kindergarten year.  We loved his teacher Mrs. Lowe.  She was perfect for boys.  She understood that they're busy and need to keep moving and doing.  We're going to miss her this next year.

 

 Jared and his good friend Jordi holding their certificates.

 Jordi is almost four months younger than Jared but look how tall he is.  This kid is going to be tall!

I can't believe he's starting first grade.  We went to his school today and he had that look that he felt older and bigger.  I asked him how it felt to be a first grader!  He got shy and said I don't know.  I think he's going to enjoy being one year older:). 

Freeze Time

Today was a day where I wish time would stand still.  I had fun with my boys.  We went to the zoo for over two hours and then played on the grass and by the water front of North Pond for another two hours.  We walked home and Miles fell asleep in the stroller.  When arriving home we didn't go inside except to retrieve some chairs so we could watch the renovation of our next door neighbors front yard. We stayed outside another two and half hours til the crew cleaned up and we went in for dinner.

There was one thing today that made me step back and appreciate today differently making me want to freeze time even more.  While at the zoo I got a call from Spencer's school saying they had a spot for Miles in their morning class, Spencer's class.  Here in Chicago they start preschool at three-years-old and have three and four-year-olds in class together.  Miles just makes the cut off date September 1st.  Since Spencer doesn't turn 5 til October they'll be in the same class. 

At times I thought it would be awesome to have all my kids in school and have 2 1/2 hours to get things done without kids! And how cool would it be to have both boys in the same class?  But when I got the call today I all but cried and would have if I wasn't at the zoo. All these emotions went through me. He's my baby! A while ago I asked him if he wanted to go to school and he said, "no, I stay with you mom!" Miles was on a waiting list and I was hoping a spot would open up maybe in January. I'm perfectly happy with having Miles with me. It was me and him last year and he's my little buddy.

So today I didn't get down and play a lot with my boys, but I sat back and watched. I watched them explore. I watched them pretend. I watched them learn.  I watched them be kids:). They grow up too fast.  I took it all in because too soon they will be out of this phase.  I love my boys.  I LOVE my BOYS!  When talking to Chris this evening I started crying. I decided I needed to pray.  I escaped to my room.  I couldn't compose myself.  I knew Miles would be ok at school and this wasn't a huge thing but I was more sad because it meant an era was closing for me.  I love being a mom.  I love having little boys who look to me with such devotion, trust, and love.  I love their innocence.  I love seeing them happy.  I love seeing them play with each other.  I love reading to them.  I love stroking their hair, scratching their back, and touching their soft delicate faces.  I love when they squeeze me, kiss me, and want to be by me.  I love slipping into their room every night and kissing their foreheads.  I love feeling needed and treasured by them.  I'm so grateful I've had the opportunity to stay home with the sweet boys to not only teach them but to learn from them.  I wish summer was longer. I wish childhood was longer.  But it's not.  So tomorrow will be another good day because it's going to be a day with my three handsome boys.

Here are some pictures during our afternoon watching the workers work on our neighbors yard.

Below Spencer and Jared playing with a worm.

 Spencer and the worm

 Miles was knocked out

 Our chair set up

 I'd often find Spencer in this position. Bending over looking at what they were doing or what had been done.

 Our neighbors Barb and Gary.  They're great!

 I had popped popcorn for the zoo. It came in handy here. 

For right now I've felt good with registering Miles and seeing how it goes and if I feel like it's too much for him or me I'll pull him out.  That's as of right now...

Boys Dance

Here's the only picture I have of Jared for Boys Dance. For his dance the lighting was bad and none of the pictures turned out.  He LOVED it.  There was a portion of the dance where the boys free danced.  He was jumping and clapping all over the place while the boys did their solo dance.  He couldn't wait til his next performance.  Sadly for the next term we limited him to two activities and he chose chess and Tae Kwon Do over Boys Dance.  We'll see if he does it this year.  Here he is posed with a friend Liam.  Notice his unbuttoned shirt.  He wanted it that way.  He thought it looked cooler. 

Tae Kwon Do

During the school year Jared took part in some after school activites: Chess, Boys Dance, and Tae Kwon Do.  He did Chess and Tae Kwon Do two times and boys dance once.  He loved them all, especially TKD.  At the end of each session he tested to a new belt: yellow and then orange.  He loved it.  I like his Master too.  He's strict and expects a lot out of them.  Here are pictures from his "tests".

 Breaking a board!

 Advancing in belt color:)

  Jared with Master Sarkiss

Second belt test

He is now an orange belt:)

Jared loved the class and we loved seeing him work towards something.  He was always practicing kicks at home and punching.  We'll definitely sign him up again!