Audrey goes to Preschool

it's finally her turn! 

and she is sooooooo ready and sooooooo excited! 

It's a lot brighter out front at 8:30 am opposed to 7:00 am when I took the boys' 1st day pictures....and she was not all that excited about getting a picture made, but she humored me and stood there with the sign. 

 she was super excited about her lunchbox though! 

 She wanted to eat breakfast in the car... I'm pretty sure she was more excited about going to school than either of the boys were. 

We got there and she took off...

 and didn't look back....

 I'm not sure she even knew I left the building. No hugs, tears or waves goodbye from the window. 

I'm pretty sure she's got this! 

I can't wait to hear ALL about her day! 

Owen goes to Preschool HERE

Ben goes to Preschool HERE  and HERE 

First Day of School

I won't lie, 6:30 came really early this morning! I haven't set an alarm in months and usually it's for like 8:15 am when I do. 

Danny hopped in the shower and Audrey and I went and woke the boys up. Owen got up easily as he normally does, but Ben had to be dragged out of bed. He complained of not feeling good and kept trying to get back in bed; he's going to take some time to get adjusted!

Trying to move things along this morning, we all got dressed first and since their shoes are brand new, we went ahead and put them on too. They ate a quick breakfast while I got their lunches ready and in their bags. Brushed teeth and headed outside for the obligatory 1st day of school pictures. 

 in classic Ben style!

 Our neighbor and good friend, Julie, walked over and sat with Audrey, so we could take both boys and try to make today a little "less eventful". We are so grateful she was able to come and I know Audrey enjoyed it!

We drove over to the school.... hitting every stop light and school bus and with seconds to spare, we were able to get the boys to their rooms....

 Owen first.... he's so grown up! He ran in and seemed a bit embarrassed when I asked for one picture with his teacher. It could have been because he was one of the last kids to come in and everyone was starring at him :/ I don't imagine I'll be documenting grade 3.

The first bell rang just as we were leaving Owen's room...
we hurried down the hall to Ben's pod...

and he went right in.

 and didn't look back.

 He was sitting at a table with other little boys... and he seemed to adjust really well.

 I think he's going to be just fine.

I was so excited to get a message from my good friend Jenny(who has been in town covering for our local sports anchor) when I got in the car asking if Julie and I wanted to meet her for breakfast at her hotel. It was perfect timing and I was so glad to get to catch up with both of them! And it's Julie's birthday aaaaand the chef at the hotel made Audrey a Mickey Mouse pancake! 

and then I came home and cried. Happy tears, but sad my babies are growing up so fast! I can't believe I have a second grader, kindergartner and will be sending Audrey off to preschool next week.

I should have never listened to this song...

Meet the Teacher

Like many moms, I anticipate moments like "Meet the Teacher" and try to plan ahead to make sure they go smoothly and are memorable for the kids. 

Today was no different. I got up, made breakfast, did a few chores, picked out outfits fit for a first impression, gave all three kids baths, made lunch and headed out the door to meet Ben's kindergarten teacher and Owen's 2nd grade teacher. 

Danny had a meeting, so he was only able to go for about 10 mins, which made it hard to really embrace the moment with each boy. In the past we have had a sitter stay with Audrey and Ben, so it was all about Owen at these events. 

We started off good. Everyone was excited and running ahead!

 He even said, "this is going to take so long if you keep taking pictures." Ahem, well then.

 After the boys argued in the car about which class we were going to first, they both agreed Ben could go first.

 He found his seat...

 Met his teacher...

 and began decorating his name tag while I was talking with his assistant teacher about him being sensitive to loud noises , rough play, meeting new kids, etc.... and how he is a textbook introvert and may just need some time to himself (especially in the beginning.)

 and then there were tears....

 Owen was trying to help, we think, and he drew a "potion bottle" on Ben's sign. While it was sweet, this is something that always bothers Ben.

His teacher gave us another foam square and we started over....

 The boys reconciled and played together for a minute....

 Ben's tag looks just fine...

 He's currently ready to make good choices (lets hope that continues)!

 and while I left with many unanswered questions, some concerns and not the fuzziest feeling, I am hoping tomorrow my Sweet Ben has a great first day of Kindergarten!

We headed over to the 2nd grade pod to look for Owen's class, and once again he is not in the grade level pod...he's in a mixed overflow pod like he was last year.

 He is lucky to have 2 kids in his class that he has gone through kindergarten and first grade with. His best buddy, Nick and a sweet and fun girl named Abbie. He has really bonded with them both the past two years and I love both of their parents!

His Teacher let them pick their own seats, so obviously he wrote his name on a sticky note and put it across from Nick.

 Just before this....I was talking with his teacher when Ben come over and buried his head in my legs crying again. I guess Owen had hit him with a pencil. I looked for Owen and he was gone. the kid was out in the hall. Really? I had a handful of papers I needed to look through and fill out and I'm dealing with a crying boy, one that had disappeared and a 3 year old who has pulled apart 3 pads of sticky notes.

I gave Owen the look, grounded him for 2 weeks and told him we weren't going to the pool with Nick when we were finished (which was really punishment for us all!).

then I made him take a picture with his teacher. Heartfelt and full of excitement I tell ya. ERRRR!

Ben was still red faced and snotty, but agreed to a picture in front of the school sign...

 Owen apologized...

 and then we went to Ingles and they picked out flowers for their teachers.

 and I got Owen's teacher some more sticky notes.

Here's hoping for a good school year. fingers and toes crossed.

Meet the teacher 2013 HERE
Meet the teacher 2012 HERE