Back to School

We are slowly getting back into the school routine here. Taylor started 2nd Grade last Thursday, Matty started kindergarten today, and Brayden starts preschool next Tuesday. Additionally, Brayden started attending an in-home school/daycare today. It has been a busy few weeks between meeting teachers, going to curriculum night, attending kindergarten playdates, completing paperwork (so much!), shopping, etc. As sad as I am to see my children growing up and moving forward in their school years, I am excited for the craziness to settle. We thrive on routine.

First, Miss T is a 2nd grader! Whoa! She was initially devastated to learn she has Mrs. Genereaux for a teacher, but her devastation turned to elatement as soon as she learned that her best friend Nicole is in her class. Thank you Lord! She was extremely shy when we went to meet her teacher before school started, but she seems to be finding her groove now. I love hearing her stories when she gets off the bus each day. I am grateful that she loves the social aspect of being in school and pray that she finds the academic drive to succeed as well.

Matty has Miss Cantalini for kindergarten. Like Taylor's kindergarten teacher, Miss Cantalini is fresh out of college (Gonzaga) and hopefully has copious amounts of energy to conquer her first year of teaching. I'll admit I was bummed to learn that Matty does not have one of the more seasoned kindergarten teachers, but what can I do? I will hope for the best.

When we went to "Meet the Teacher" last week, we went to meet Taylor's teacher first. Because Taylor acted so shy, it took me a while to get her comfortable in her classroom. She also had to complete a scavenger hunt and write about a book she had read over the summer. By the time she finished these projects and we headed down to the kindergarten wing, Matty's classroom was empty. I felt so incredibly sad that Matty missed meeting his little classmates because of Taylor's delays. But sweet Matty just rolled with it. He looked around his class, said hello to his teacher, and said he'd be okay waiting until the first day of kindergarten to make new friends. My Matty... God love him.

This morning, I put my precious little boy on the school bus. He had quite the entourage to send him off: Mom, Dad, Brayden, Mimi, Baba, Grandma, Pop Pop, and of course big sister Taylor. Taylor was a great sister to Matty, and it gave me a lot of comfort watching them sit together on the bus. I think Matty was a tad bit nervous, but for the most part, he was ready to go!

I love that Brayden is photo-bombing this picture.

My Loves

The bus stop (three of the kids are in junior high but came to the bus stop to see Matty off)

The two kindergarteners at our bus stop: Margot and Matty

Sibling harmony

And they're off!

After I got the older two off to school, I took Brayden for his first day with "Mrs. B." Mrs. B runs a daycare out of her home called "Children In Bloom Day School." I enrolled him there when my nanny went on bedrest at 27 weeks pregnant. I knew I need to find additional care for Brayden in order to continue my part-time job, and a neighbor recommended Mrs. B. To say I am excited for this arrangement is an understatement. Mrs. B has the most adorable set up in her home, complete with a school room, play room, bathroom, and a kitchen just for the school. Brayden will go to Mrs. B's on the days he is not in preschool. It will be a lot for him, but I know he is ready. Hanging out with the nanny twice a week was becoming a bit boring for him.

Anyways, I picked Brayden up from Mrs. B's today, and he did not want to leave. In fact, he told me tonight that he does not want to go to preschool; he only wants to go to Mrs. B's. Shall I mention tha the also took a 45 minute nap there? I'll take that as a major victory!

Tomorrow, Brayden and I go to meet his preschool teachers. Lots of excitement this week!

Oh, and I have mentioned that Taylor has dance, soccer, and Girl Scouts this week and Matty also has soccer? And that I am also the new PTSA treasurer? And that I am flying to Baltimore on Sunday for a three-day work meeting? Oh man, it is going to be a busy year.

But I would not have it any other way. :)