Jude's 1st day of pre-kindergarten

Jude finally started school this week. Only a week after Noah, but we were sure ready! Noah's constant complaints about having to go to school when Jude didn't and Jude's constant questioning about when Noah would be home were getting old quickly!

It's hard to believe that this time next year, he'll be going to elementary school with Noah.

Jude's preschool switched a lot of their teachers around this year and I think Jude really likes his class. He has lots of friends from last year in there with him and he's excited about all of the fun he's going to have!

Under the Big Top!

Jude's preschool puts on a circus every year. Each class dresses up as different animals or performers and puts on a great show! This year, Jude was a juggler!

Jude's Christmas Performance

Jude's class performed in the Christmas concert at his preschool this morning. He did a great job!

4 Year Old Checkup

Last week we finally made it to the doctor for Jude's 4 year old check up. He weighed in at 37 pounds (75%) and is 41 3/4 inches tall (75%). He was a little upset about getting some immunizations, but bounced back pretty quickly.

We also attended Jude's Thanksgiving celebration at preschool. His class did a great job singing on stage.

Reflections of a Preschooler

Noah's teachers made a book for him that captured his growth from the beginning of the year until the end. These are 2 of my favorite pages- a list of random questions with his answers...

Noah in September:


Noah in May:

SJPK Graduation

Noah graduated from preschool last month! He started out going two days a week in the 2 year old class at St John's Presbyterian Preschool and then went on to three days a week in the three year old class and he finished up in the 5 day Pre-k class. Noah loved his time at St Johns and he was lucky enough to have Mrs. Lackey as his teacher in his two year old class and then again in Pre-K. We were a little sad that preschool ended- but we know he's ready for Kindergarten. His end of the year party was a "water play day" and the kids had a blast. I couldn't even bribe Jude to leave and go to his own class party because it was so much fun! One of his classmates also hosted an end of the year party at her house. It was a great way to end the school year!


Noah was a big fan of the shark float!



Yummy Cupcakes!


Dinner with friends.


One last funny face class photo with Mrs. Lackey!

First Day of School

This morning was the first day of school for Noah and Jude. They were both super excited! They were all smiles on our way to school.





Noah ran right into school and barely said goodbye to us. He was so happy to see a lot of his friends from last school year. Jude was not too thrilled about his new classroom or teacher. He was screaming when I left him, but everyone was all smiles when I picked them up.

Noah can read!

We were surprised by Noah last Friday when we bought him some BOB books and he sat down and read them all by himself! He flew through all 12 of the books in the set. I guess he was ready to do this before we realized! Here are a few videos of him showing off his new skills.

An "Egg"cellent Day!

Jude and I joined Noah's class for their egg hunt and party today. Jude was more than ready to leave the house this morning when I told him that we would be hiding eggs for Noah and his friends to hunt. He was a really great helper and I think Noah's friends appreciated his ability to "hide" eggs (he mostly just scattered them around in plain sight).



I was so impressed with Noah and his classmates. The teachers told them they could each find 11 eggs and each child continued to count their eggs until they reached 11. I even saw a couple of kids realize they had more and then give some to their friends!


After each child found their eggs, they all sat down together and looked at each egg.



It was a perfect opportunity for a class photo!


We all came inside and enjoyed some Easter treats. Jude even got to pull up a chair and sit at the table with Noah and his friends. Noah was so sweet to him and introduced his little brother "Judi" to everyone at the table.

Thankful

Today we went to Noah's Thanksgiving celebration at preschool. He was so proud of his pilgrim hat and he sang his class song so well! It was funny to watch him search the crowd for us and to watch his eyes light up when he finally spotted us. He was even more excited when he saw that Noushin, Uncle Alex, Grandma and Grandma's friend Penny were there to watch him too. Noah loves going to school and we have so much to be thankful for!

New School Year

Noah and Jude started school this morning! Noah will be in the three day threes and Jude will go one morning a week to the mother's morning out class. They have been really excited to start school this year. And Mom is excited too, she has Wednesdays free!

Jude is mostly excited about his new lunch box. He has been carrying it around, filling it will all sorts of goodies!



Noah is excited about seeing his friends from last year! We went to orientation on Monday and Noah got to explore his new classroom. He is really looking forward to playing with the cash register... he has been talking about it all week!



It is nice to have a big brother that will show you how much fun school is!



There were no tears at our house or at school this morning! We are ready for school!

End of the school year, already?!

It seems like yesterday that Noah started going to pre-school two mornings a week. Now we have started the final countdown until summer break. He only has one week left! Friday was his final singing program at school, followed by a ice cream sundae party. Dad took the day off work to help celebrate!



Noah was a little nervous on stage as usual, but he got into the song and dance towards the end.



After all of the classes performed their songs, we each got to enjoy an ice cream sundae! Noah requested all of the toppings available on his sundae!



Then he quickly decided he didn't like any of them and we had to pick them all out!

the life i've always wanted

My home has become a sacred place. When I come home from work, I have come to anticipate the great, great joy of hearing ...

"DADDY, You home!"

... followed by the blur of a blond haired two year old streaking to crash into my legs and wrap himself around them.

That moment is precious.

Since Noah has started pre-school another thing has started showing up that provides me constant amazement and insight into his development of cognitive skills that are manifested in his weekly crafts projects.

I LOVE HAVING HIS ARTWORK ON MY REFRIGERATOR.


They are so simple, and that is what makes them so beautiful to me. I can loose myself in them, forget the stress of work, and just ground myself in the fact that the most important thing I do every day is to help shape my two little men.

In the above picture, we have our family tree (sans Bells), his owl inspired from reading Owl Babies, and his dog house from last week's Pet Week.

I meant to post this a long time ago, but below is Noah's first project. He did it with Sherry back in May at the Jacksonville Public Library, I hope it at least makes you smile :)



Note: While proofing this post before I published it, I felt like I was bragging and I don't want that to be the perception. I use this blog as a place holder (a pensive if you Harry Potter fans will allow me) for the great things about each day as I know there will be tougher ones ahead. Having posts like this available for me to go back to will someday be invaluable.

To Sum It Up

Today was Noah's second day at preschool. He was in a great mood until we walked into his room and there were 2 other children completely losing it. One was on the floor screaming for his Mommy and one was being held by the teacher while sobbing uncontrollably. Noah immediately started crying and said "stay with me Mom". I told him I would be back in a little while and he stomped his foot and screamed NO. I told him to put his lunchbox away and he screamed NO. I quickly realized nothing I would say or do would make it better, so I just turned around and left.

I returned to pick him up and decided to try out the car pool line. His teacher brought him out and buckled him in the car. As we were driving home, I asked him if he had fun. He quickly responded: Yes, I calmed down.

So I guess we'll go back next Tuesday.

End of First Day

I went in to pick up Noah from his first day. I am still not ready for that carpool line- maybe next week! All of the kids were lined up waiting for their parents and Noah was crying. Mrs. Willis assured me that he had just started crying when they made him stop playing and get in line. Overall she said he had a great first day and even used the potty! She said that he had a little trouble transitioning from one activity to the other, particularly coming back inside after outdoor playtime. She also told me that there are a number of children with severe peanut allergies so the entire school is going to be nut free! Noah will have to find a way to survive without his beloved peanut butter and jelly sandwich on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We both survived the first day and when asked, Noah said he would like to go back again and play.

Totally Unexpected

This morning I dropped Noah off for his first day of preschool. We had two options, I could go through the carpool line and his teacher would get him out of the car or I could walk him inside. I explained the options to him and he asked me to come inside with him. As we were walking to his classroom he was saying "hi" to all of the people we passed and telling them about his new lunchbox (totally out of character for Noah to speak to strangers). We entered his classroom and he walked up to his teacher and said "this is my lunchbox, I have raisins and juice". She said hello and told him to put his lunchbox in his cubby. Then he turned to me and said "Bye Mom". I just stood there.... and stood there... and finally the teacher said- "you can go now, he'll be just fine". I turned and walked out absolutely stunned. Noah does not typically do very well when we leave him places. In fact, we get paged almost every Sunday from the church nursery because they can't get him to calm down. I had imagined this morning would be similar to that. I thought he would cry. I thought he would ask me to stay. But instead he just looked at me with a smile and said "bye". It broke my heart but it also made me so proud! I can't wait to pick him up in 3 hours and hear all about his first day!

Ready, Set, Go!

Noah went to his preschool orientation this morning. He was really excited to meet his teachers, but even more excited to check out the toys there! I think he understands that he will be going to school, I just don't think he understands that he will be staying there by himself! Tomorrow should be interesting!