Back to School Bash

This weekend was our Back to School Bash. The weather was perfect and the company even better. I think the kids had a good time. The day's recap:

For Snack, the kids (and adults) munched on a few school goodies and then we jumped right into P.E. This started with a School Supply Scavenger Hunt. I pulled out my tucked-away teaching skills and differentiated the lists. The younger children had picture lists while the older kids had to read theirs.

The Morning Routine Relay provided some good laughter as the two teams battled to see who was more efficient at following the routine. They had to 1. get out of bed 2. get dressed (Matt's jeans, shirt, and shoes) 3. Put books in a backpack and put it on their back 4. Kiss Mom or Dad and 5. Run to the "bus" before returning to each stop and removing the items in order and tagging the next person in line.

In Art, the kids created Shrinky Dink backpack tags.
The children enjoyed playing football and using the playground during the unorganized portion of Recess. Then it was time for "Bobbing"for Apples. Early on, I had decided that the traditional way of doing this may not be so health conscious so I twisted it a little and tied the apples to a string so that the apples were mouth level. The older kids did this first, which was a good thing because we decided (after getting a few good laughs) that this was nearly impossible. So I improvised and quickly pulled together a number of large bowls/pans and filled each with water. Each child then had their own bucket to "bob" for apples in. No germ swapping this way! Again, the adults were entertained...

After some adjustments...

"Lunch" was ready...

Finally, the Pencil Walk (liken to a Cake Walk)

The day was over! Maybe this will be an annual event...hope to see you next year!

Connor's first day on the school bus

Here is a video of Connor's first school bus experience. 9/8/09- On his way to Glen Allen Elementary for the first day of Kindergarten.

Off to School...

It was a rainy morning, but the weather didn't damper the excitement this morning. Connor was very excited, yet reserved, as he ate his breakfast and got ready for school. There were several children waiting at the bus stop and Connor was thrilled that he got to ride the school bus with both sets of neighbor boys. He got on the bus, and just as Mommy instructed him, sat in the front seat. As soon as he sat in his seat, he poked his head around the corner to see us. Just as the bus driver started to close the doors, his little hand came around the corner and gave us a sweet little wave.
I can't wait to hear all about his first day when he returns this afternoon!

It's Almost Here!

We attended Glen Allen Elementary's Kindergarten Orientation on Friday. Matt took the morning off and went with Connor and I for our first official visit to his classroom. All kindergarten students and parents were ushered into the gymnasium. Students and parents sat in assigned teacher sections - students on mats on the floor and parents in rows of chairs behind them. The gym was packed. As we glanced around, we noticed some familiar faces and Connor reunited with some pre-school friends (one of whom is in his class).

The principal identified herself and greeted everyone. She proceeded to ask the children if they knew what a principal was. Guess who raised his hand? And guess who she called on? Yep, our sweet boy was already making a name for himself. He informed everyone that a principal is "someone who keeps us safe and we go to your office if we're bad. And you call the police." Dr. Fawcett acknowledged the first part and snickered at the latter - as did everyone else in the gym. Matt and I turned tomato red and slid slightly lower in our seats. But he didn't stop there...Connor continued "My dad's a Principal" as he pointed directly at Matt. Can you imagine!? I didn't even look at Matt because I knew he wanted to crawl under his chair. So then...

Each teacher was dismissed, with her class, while the parents were given some pertinent information. Then we were able to leave and join our children in the classrooms. When we got there, the kids were walking around trying to find their desks (labeled with their names). Connor immediately found his...up front! Just where he needs to be! Directions on the chalkboard informed us where to put each of the school supplies we had brought with us. It was slightly chaotic and cramped, so I quickly got things organized and we hustled out of there.

Of course, we couldn't leave without stopping into the library. He has become friends with Fluffy, the guinea pig, who lives in the library. We met him when we went for Connor's screening.

Wow! It's really happening. My baby is going to school. I'm off to read through and sign the stack of papers that were sent home with us!