i can't believe we finally have two kindergarteners! we have been looking forward to this day for the past few months because they are definitely ready to start school - what does that mean, you ask? well, it means 1) they are ready for a little bit of structure (preschool and home life are pretty loosey-goosey) 2) they are ready to be taught to read (they have both started reading shorter words, but we find it's hard to find the time to work with them on it individually) and 3) they are confident, happy kids that will continue to blossom as they are challenged with new intellectual and social experiences.
the whole summer we told the kids they'd be in separate classrooms and would get to see each other at lunch and recess. well, much to our surprise, we found out they were in the same class! apparently for kindergarten, the school's default is to keep twins together to ease with the transition to elementary school. while we thought they would be fine separated, this has actually made things much easier on all of us. the kids have comfort knowing the other one is there, and john and i get to focus on forming relationships with one teacher and one classroom full of families.
they just started their second week and seem like they are extremely happy. their teacher miss clarissa has been great, and the class has even earned enough stars to get a classroom pet - shelley the turtle. =) they've come home with stories, including how some kids get chips AND cookies in their lunch (why don't we get treats, mom?), how you can lose minutes of free choice play at the end of class if you lose too many stars (it's never happened to them, though), and how PE involved a lot of skipping in circles and you can't even have a water break (i thought jacks was going to cry when he told me the story).
and even though jacks doesn't always have time to finish his lunch in the allotted 20 minutes and livi finally used the potty for the first time at school (and now will drink water at school), i really think they're going to have a pretty awesome year.
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| kindergarten...here we come! |
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their mood oscillated between being excited and
looking like a deer in headlights |
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| john found a colorful backdrop for some quick photos |
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| we are so excited for this next adventure for them |
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we got a couple of smiles as they lined up to do the
pledge of allegiance and listen to school announcements |
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| they already looked more comfortable on day 2 |
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my talker...unlike jacks, she tells me stories about their
day, including about the guy at her table that eats glue |
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pick-up for school is 1:45pm during nap, so this is
where lyla ends up napping M-Th. #flexible |
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one last summer getaway...off to sea ranch!
everyone needed a break after a long stretch of traffic |
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| within 5 minutes of arriving, the kids spot a deer, followed by jack rabbits! |
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she's getting a bit heavy for me...
nothing that a kitchen counter can't help with |
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| the girls and baby boomer |
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| the whole kid crew |
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| breakfast on the deck |
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| even the kids can appreciate an amazing view |
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| daddy's girls |
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| where did those pesky big kids go? |
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| which way to the beach?! |
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| even though it was a little chilly, it didn't stop them from having a blast |
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| lyla never strays too far from mom or dad |
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| time for the "hot pool"! |
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| my first born...such a beauty! |
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| livi is also such a stinkin' goofball! |
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pondering life's biggest mysteries, like
"where did all the bunnies go?" |
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| back home and off to puppy school |
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| my two baby boys |
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| the following week livi joined for the last class |
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| due to my hard work and his innate talent, herbie earned his diploma |
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| herbie had a great playdate with his new buddy ranger |
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| we took herbie to the beach and he LOVED it |
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| he loves running off leash and is obsessed with chasing his ball |
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| both ears "up" - must be the san francisco wind! |
