First day of 1st Grade

The tradition at Tyler's school is an ice cream social about a week before school starts.  At the ice cream social the kids get ice cream and all the teacher listings are posted.  So the kids get to find out who their teacher is and then go and visit their rooms and meet their teachers.  Then all the kids go and play on the playground.  Tyler has been looking forward to school all summer but when we got home from the ice cream social he was beyond excited to start school.  He could hardly wait another day.  To be able to play again with all his friends at recess was almost more than he could handle. 

At the ice cream social we found out Tyler's teacher this year is Ms. McLatchy, a much sought out teacher.  She is very nice and I think she will be a good fit for Tyler.  She is very kind and nurturing and like doing art so Tyler should be happy.  Because of budget cuts, etc, her class size has gone from 19 last year to 27 this year.  That may impact things a bit.  The good news was that several of Tyler's classmates from last year would be in his class so he would have some familiar faces.  Unfortunately Jack isn't in his class but they did play together at recess today so I'm sure it will all work out.

Meeting Ms. McLatchy and making a star.

 Of course the best part of the ice cream social for Tyler was running around like crazy kids with all of his friends.

Tyler was SO EXCITED when this morning finally came.  He was literally running all over the house making crazy noises this morning.  Soooo anxious to get going.

I can't believe he is in first grade.

 

And out the door he went

 It really was a strange sort of walk to school, filled with all kinds of questions and feelings for both of us.  Today was Tyler first "all day" day of school since last year he did half day Kindergarten.  I know in his mind he couldn't really wrap around how long it really was that he was going to be at school.  And I of course was filled with all of those mother emotions.  He's leaving the nest.  From now on most of his days will be spent at school and his development and personalities and interests will be influenced by his teacher, and classmates, and who knows what else.  It's sad and exciting all at the same time. 

the walk to school

they still have stop and inspect all the slugs

Leaving the nest

there will be 3 recesses here everyday.....Tyler's thinks that's the best.

Walking into his classroom

 The minute we walked into the classroom, my confident, loud (sometimes obnoxious), can't wait to go to school boy, realized everything was new and no routines or familiarity existed.  And there was some apprehension and we wouldn't walk more than about a foot in front of me.  And I loved seeing that side of him again for a few minutes.  But then he got settled and started on work and gave me the "get out of here mom" face.  And that was that.

stay close mom

he is very excited to have desks this year (it was tables last year)

also sitting by his friend Avery from last year (phew)

where Tyler will be spending his days.

And then Hailey and I left him there and the house felt quiet and not quite right to us for the whole rest of the day. 

And my wish for Tyler is that he takes this new phase of life and that he'll spread his wings.....and fly.  That he continues to learn and find passions, and new friends, and forever memories.  And that he will always have respect for those around him, and an ability to know right from wrong, and the strength to follow right paths.

He came home today happy.  Happy with his teacher, happy with his day, happy to have three recesses and PE all in one day.  He was a little tired but it didn't slow him down much as soccer practice.   He's excited to go back tomorrow.

First day of Pre-K

I now interrupt our regularly scheduled summer posts for the ......FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.  More on the last few weeks of summer in future posts.  School prep actually started last week with a meet-n-greet with this years teacher.  Hailey is in the Circus room this year with Mrs. Eberli (same teacher Tyler had).  She is very excited to be in Pre-K this year.....one step closer to the "real" K (Kindergarten).  At the meet and greet kids have a chance to meet their teacher, get a feel for the classroom, meet some of their classmates, etc.  Hailey just made herself at home and did her thing.  No problem.  We did discover two kids from last year (Tessa and Luke) will be in her class this year.  She will be going three days a week in the morning.

The kids were beyond excited to start school today.  Everyone was up dressed, fed, and bouncing off the walls by 7:30 this morning.  Hailey is such an independent soul.  I have always had such heart break leaving Ty at big moments because I know it's stressful for him (and sad for me).  And while I miss Hailey terribly while she is gone and it makes me sad she is growing up so fast, it's just easier to see her walk away.  And harder to I suppose.  It's easier on my heart because I know that going to school and seeing new friends makes her so happy.  It's exactly where she wants to be, no hesitations, she's ready.  And it's hard to see my last little girl so willing leave the nest, without a look back, confident to conquer to world.  I want to hold on to her.

I can imagine there were many conversations going on in cars this morning on the way to preschool.  I'm sure there were some worried and scared kids.  Some kids were probably concerned about being away from home, having a new teacher, being in a new room, meeting new kids.  There was probably concern in faces and maybe even some tears.  Hailey's only comment as we pulled up to school was "I am not going to pick my nose while I am at school."  Awesome.  And for her, that is an ambitious and worthy goal.

Hailey was nice enough to let me take all my first day of school photos with a smile.

ready for school

Just wait until she sees this sign says preschool, not pre-k.  She will have some issues with this.

 We took pictures, kissed and hugged good bye and smiled at each other.  Then she sat down on the carpet and instantly started talking to the girl next to her.  30 seconds and she already had a new friend.

This girl is going places.

Point Defiance Zoo

Our summer wouldn't be complete without a trip to Point Defiance Zoo......Hailey's been waiting patiently all summer so last week it finally happened.  The apepal to Hailey is that the zoo also has an aquariumm, which she of course loves.  Whenever we go to the zoo we have to make sure we get maps, both kids love checking them out and figuring out where they want to go.

Hailey and her map

The other thing the kids always enjoy is the animal show.  They put on a production that involves a bunch of the animals who a trained to walks across the stage, fly, etc.  Here is one of Hailey's favorites from the show.

This zoo also has a camel....that you can ride.

We spent a long time at the aquarium.  First we spent quite a while just looking at all the fish.  Then we headed upstairs where they have a room where the kids can touch starfish, sea anemone, sea cucumbers, crabs, etc.  We were there for a VERY long time.  Both Tyler and Hailey just couldn't get enough of the star fish, the anemone that closed up when you touched them and the prickly sea urchins.  They also had stamps and crayons out where the kids could do an art project.  Also a big hit with the Quiggle kids.

The day we were at the zoo they were having a speical "event" I guess.  Tehy had fabric hanging from the ceiling to be water/kelp.  It was decorated with fishes.  They they had a number of costumes the kids could try on and "swim" through the ocean.  Both Tyler and Hailey had to try on every costume.  I thought the octopus was pretty cute on Hailey.

We happened upon the walrus habitat just as a show was starting.  I had no idea Walrus' were so trainable.  IT was like being at Sea World.  This HUGE walrus did some pretty cool things on command....body moments, splashing, all kids of sound/voices.  It was really neat and interesting.  The kids loved it.  I think ti was everyone's favorite of the day.

Movie's at the park

The park jsut up the street for us has outdoor movie night on Thursdays during a few weeks in the summer.  We managed to miss all but the last one this year.  We decided to head up and see "enchanted".  It seemed like a harmless enough movie....disney, prince and princesses...but of course there was the evil witch which scared both kids and they both had bad dreams.  Just a reminder of how far off in the future Tyler's Pirates of the Caribbean will be.  I think the recommended age is 12 or 13.  At this rate we may looking more at 16 years old :).

set up for the movie

Before the movie there were bounce houses, soccer, and these crazy balloon frisbees.  The kids had great fun of course.

bounce houses

whopper balloon frisbees

Then once it was dark and way past bed time the movie started.

movie watching

complete with popcorn

Mukilteo Beach

A couple of weeks ago the kids and I headed to Mukilteo beach.  The kids just love it here...looking for rocks and shells, climbing on rocks, and most importantly crabbing.  And by crabbing I mean lifting up rocks and looking for the tiny crabs to skitter away.  They found a lot of crabs on this trip and were so excited about them.  

looking for crabs

climbing the rocks

climbing the rocks



The wood chair

Unfortunately our trip ended with Hailey falling on the rocks and scratching up her legs and knees but that's the life of these crazy kids of ours.

School Shoes

In case we wonder years from now what kind of shoes the kids liked to wear....here is this school years shoe selection.

4Q 12X August

The "other" blog has been updated for August.  You can find it here.