Preschool: Brought to You by the Letter "G"

Today's post about preschool is brought to you by the letter G.

When Jack woke up this morning, I told him he was going to go to school today.  I then asked him what he was going to do at school.  He said, "Play trains!"  Then on the way to school he mentioned trains again.  As he entered his classroom, I peeked around the door and watched him for just a minute.  He walked right past the train table and right over to a little girl who was crying in the corner of the room.  He put his hand on her shoulder and asked, "You okay?"  My heart swelled with pride for my sweet little man who has a gentle soul and a kind heart!

G is for gracious

On my way out of the school, another mom called my name so I turned around, but continued walking (I was trying to rush out the door to make it to the gym).  While not paying attention to where I was going, my breast was fondled by a former Carolina Hurricanes player, who shall remain nameless.  I whipped around and said "Oh my, I'm sorry.  Excuse me!"  He looked lost, confused and somewhat terrified.  I'm not sure if that is from touching my breast or the sheer chaos that is morning drop off at the preschool.  He was very apologetic as he also wasn't looking where he was going.  And off we went our separate ways.

G is for grope

At the end of the day, I went to get Jack.  I spoke with his teacher out in the hallway as she was hanging up papers to go home and the assistant was in the classroom reading the students a story before time to go home.  Jack's teacher stuck her head in the classroom and told me to come look.  Jack had retrieved a pillow and was laying down listening to his teacher read a story.  Every other child was sitting up listening...not my boy!  He was worn out from a busy day.

G is for groggy

Schatzi's House : Day One

The littles and I recently headed Down East to see my Aunt Schatzi.  As soon as we arrived at her house, we loaded up and headed straight to the beach.  We went with a couple of Schatzi's young neighbors (Junior, age 10 and Ruby, age 6) and Jack was so happy to have some big kids to play with. 

Jack and Junior telling the paparazzi to beat it!

As I was trying to put everything down and set up our area, Jack headed straight into the water with all of his clothes, socks and shoes on.  Sam wasn't much better.  I put him down and became a recently hatched sea turtle.  He kicked some sand out of his way and started his pilgrimage to the water.  He crawled all the way to the water and didn't stop when he reached-in he went!

here we go...

going

almost there...

so close...

ahhh, water!

Eat my bubbles

Ruby and Junior was so good with my little boys.  They were happy to play with them and were very careful while playing with them.

Ruby is pulling Sam and Junior around

Jack wandered out to join in the fun


 

When we got back to Schatzi's house, Junior went down and got his family's golf cart and then took us all the neighborhood playground.  While Jack did enjoy the playground, he really enjoyed the golf cart!

Sam, the swinging baby

Let's see if I can figure out how to start this thing...

Hold on Schatzi...here we go!



Jack really wanted to push Sam on the swing. 
Sam was not as thrilled with this choice

Jack telling Sam that it's okay

Junior swinging really high for Sam

to be continued...

First Day of School 2013

Today was Jack's first day of school and he was so excited this year.  Last year, he didn't have a clue what he was getting himself into, but this year, the first thing he said when he woke up was; "school today!"

Jack begrudgingly posed for his Annual First Day of School Pictures:

Five points if you can find the puppy...

Last year he was in a combo class so his teacher this year is one of the teachers he had last year.  When I asked him what he was going to do at school today, he quickly responded, "play trains!"

He was so excited and that makes me happy that he loves school and this is hopefully fostering a lifelong love of learning.

Heading into school

The school did a great 'photo opp" sign this year...Jack was
 just ready to get to his classroom!

Jack tried to break into a dead sprint several times while walking into the school.  It's funny to see what a difference a year makes.  It was difficult to pass by his old classroom-not because of all of the wonderful memories-but because there were a million parents and grandparents milling around while their children screamed bloody murder.  I'm so glad I never had to deal with that with Jack and I'm glad that he was unphased by what could have been a very traumatic scene.  He was a boy on a mission-a mission to get to his classroom!

Approaching the road block

Looking back as if to say, "what are all these crazy people
doing...and why are you still following me, Mom.  I got this!"

My little fishy getting ready to go into the fishbowl 
 

As soon as we got to his classroom, we took care of backpack business and then he was off.  Once he got into the room, there was never a backwards glance. 

Looking for just the right toy to start the year off right

Ahh, the train

...and we're off!

I hope Jack has another amazing year at school.  I hope that he learns valuable lessons-not just about ABCs and 123s, but how to be a friend, how to make good decisions, and how to stand up for who he is and what he believes.  I also hope he has a ton of fun!

Sunday Funday

We've gotten into a pretty good Sunday Funday routine at the Mulley house.  It starts off with Pancake Sunday.  I make a big batch of pancakes.  Dave and I have chocolate chip pancakes and Jack has sprinkles pancakes.  Sam does not yet indulge in pancakes due to his pesky flour allergy. 

Sprinkle pancakes and the iPad...Life Is Good!

 After pancakes, we get ready and head to the pool at our gym for some swimming and splashing around.  Both of our boys are happiest when in water.  It doesn't matter if it's the pool, the ocean, the bath tub or if they just spill a cup of water on themselves...they are happy when wet.

A brief moment of calm before I release the sharks

Once we are all tuckered out from swimming, we dry off, get dressed and head to Costco for lunch.  You really can't beat lunch for 4 for less than $10.  Jack and Dave get hotdogs, Dave and Sam share a frozen yogurt and I get whatever I fancy that day.

Boo supervising the eating of the hotdog

Wait for me...I'm hungry, too!

Frozen yogurt...yum!

BYOB

Another satisfied customer

After all that, we head home (trying desperately to keep the boys awake in the car) for some much deserved naps!