On Wednesday, Libby got her hair trimmed up for the year, and Matthew did, too! AND for the first time, he didn't cry! He didn't even come close when I bribed him with a "special treat." It was his first lollipop and he sure did earn it! See it below? It's a green, sour apple dum-dum and he loved it.
Last Thursday, Libby and I got to attend "Sneak-a-peek" at her school in order to prepare for Kindergarten and her year. We delivered school supplies (okay, they were there for us, as I ordered them through the PTA this year), found her classroom (K7), and met her teachers, Mrs. Cook and ...I can't remember her paraprofessional teacher's name! But she and Mrs. Cook have been a teaching team for 17 years.
We saw many neighborhood and swim team friends at school - and even former neighbors! Her classroom is nice an large with fun learning station areas, and come chairs that Libby was a big fan of in the reading nook. We brought home a lot of the usual paperwork for Michael and me to complete for our homework - and even a few papers that Libby had to sign herself. We even went last Wednesday night in advance of the sneak peak to find out her teacher's name and see the class lists. A new tradition, I think.
On Thursday, she come home more confident, and a bit more nervous, as reality set in. This Thursday, I get to attend my first PTA meeting and hear from her teacher more about the year at "Curriculum Night." Already with the meetings! She also came home with a list of the after-school offerings at the school. I tossed "Musical theater" out to her and she asked for other options. HA. I mentioned a science club though and her interested piqued. I think we're going to skip most of them for now though.
On Thursday night, we also crammed in something I promised her all summer - after dinner ice cream treat! We visited the DQ for her first Blizzard (I think) (on 'Miracle Treat Day'). She chose the Brownie Batter Blizzard, and Matthew enjoyed some of hers and some of my cookie dough. He felt that he did not get enough this time, but I feel sure that he actually did! Libby also let me know that she would like another Blizzard sooner rather than later. Yeah, no kidding kid!
Michael was out of town at the end of last week so he missed out on some of the fun. But he and Matthew got to have a bachelor night at home on Friday while Libby and I spend the night at Aunt Toni's for a night with her, Uncle John, Millie and Mimi! We all stayed up far too late. Libby's movie choice was "Toy Story 3" after we went to Mellow Mushroom for dinner.
And then the rest of us stayed up for "Horrible Bosses" than I also had to watch and share with Michael on Saturday night! So funny - but not for the kids.
We hung out with them taking it easy and enjoying each other and relaxing until after lunch when we returned home in time for some naps, showers and Mexican for dinner. And Sunday we prepped for school and went to the pool. Libby was concerned it would be her last pool trip for the year since school was starting, but we reassured her that we would be back plenty before the pool closed.
We had a good talk last night at bedtime about school today and she seemed to sleep very well (even if her father and I did not...!)
The morning was an early one for all of us, but it really went incredibly smoothly. Mimi was also here in time to help us with our own stuff and with Matthew, who reassured us as we left to take Libby to school that, "I be okay!"
Of course, before we left, there were photos to be taken!
Matthew had to get in on the action of course. And Daddy made sure he was dressed so cute, too!
Matthew had a nice day with Mimi that included a visit to the playground and rides on his rocking horse here. He loves that thing lately!
We arrived at school a few minutes early and were able to snap a few photos of Libby with the school bell! The walk in to school was great, with Libby leading the whole way.
She found her distant classroom with no trouble, was excited to find her seat assignment, said hello to her teachers again, gave us some big hugs and set to work with the block activity that was out on the tables for the kids. I think it was Bradley who was at the table across from her. She told us this afternoon that she thinks the number of boys and girls in her 21 kid (we think) class is about even. Kind of a change from eight kids last year - and just six in her class the year before!
She was relieved to not be the line leader on the first day, but they walked many places today - including to the computer lab! They will have it every Monday, PE on Tuesday and Thursday and Music class on Fridays. She said they did some art in class today. They also read "Pete the Cat" and "The Kissing Hand" which they also read last year. She came home with LESS homework today than she did on the first day the last two years of school too, which was nice. But she was eager to share details of her day.
After we dropped her off at school, I met Lindsi & Tyler (and Riley) for a commiseration breakfast, but I really only got teary-eyed as Michael and I walked back to our cars. And then when I saw Millie's first day photos for her last year of high school! She is still supposed to be Libby's age.
I left work early in order to be home in time to greet her when she got off the bus... and yep, I was afraid I'd be late after our mishap of somehow missing the bus during bus ride-along last Friday morning - when we got up all early, got ready, went out to the bus, it stopped at the stop sign... and then continued on without us! Libby was delighted to no end to have another good "story."
She was ready to get right home, but she came off with a spring in her step and plenty to share with Mimi and me - and then with Daddy who got home early to spend extra time with her, too!
We even had to "play school" with her and she assured us that it would be longer than what we did last year because her day was longer! She ate most of her lunch, her whole snack (that they eat in the afternoon, since lunch starts at 10:15 a.m.!) and a special treat when she got home.
In two weeks, Michael and I can come by any day and have lunch with her at 10:15 a.m.
Tomorrow she gets to ride the bus first TO school AND back home. She said Cannon from down the street looked out for her on the bus this afternoon. And she spotted her friend Madison who gets on and off at another stop, so Libby's going to try to make sure they can ride together tomorrow. Madison was on her swim team with her this year - AND Sydney's older sister (from swim team and in our neighborhood) also had Mrs. Cook a few years ago, as did Eden AND Parker. So neat!
I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings for us! I'm sure a good year is ahead, and I'm thankful for her great preschool.
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