Monday, August 27, 2012

Kindergarten

My baby is leaving me. 

For school. 

We’ve done the back-to-school-thing for years, but this year is different than all the others. 

Jack is starting Kindergarten. 

I’ve gone through all of our old pictures from the last few years, I’ve read him The Giving Tree, and I’ve reminisced with him about all kinds of preschool memories. 

He’s moving on.  To a VERY exciting, wonderful place, that he (and we) have been looking forward to for a long time,

but a part of me can’t help but feel sad.

No matter how many times you hear it….

“they grow up so fast” doesn’t seem true until it happens to your own.

He…on the other hand…couldn’t be more pumped.

About the bag.  His new lunchbox.  New friends.  The playground.  Learning to read. 

Here a few of the pictures from his “open house” day:

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And his official first day:

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Mrs. Cathcart’s class

Last week Jack had his first day of Kindergarten, but it was only one day – Wednesday – so that each of the other children could have their staggered entry days on Thursday and Friday.

Today marks the beginning of his first full week.

Jack was so excited to tell me about his day. 

Clearly the rules are still being discussed; he told me they had to “talk” as a class about the things they did right and the things they did wrong.

He LOVED p.e., where he learned a version of freeze tag (where you have to crawl through your friends’ legs to unfreeze them).

He got a kick out of Spanish, where he learned simply pronouncing papa differently can change its meaning from “dad” to “potato”.  He taught Kingsley the difference, and she loved changing the inflexion in her voice.

He was moved to the yellow table, where he knew Kate and thinks Max sits as well.

He was proud to tell me about all of the eye contact he made with his teachers, because that tells them he’s listening.  “If you’re not looking at them, that means you’re not listening,” he told me.

He noticed Kate L.’s shoes, and asked her name (since he couldn’t remember it) which I was so proud of him for doing so that he could tell her he liked them.

His favorite part of the day was playing on the playground, where he met up with Aston.

Mrs. Cathcart sent an email filling in some of the gaps from the day – like the marble race, math tubs & blocks, and All about Me books. I wish emails like that were daily, as I’m sure what Jack will share with me about his daily life will only be a snippet of all the great stuff he’ll be doing.

Mrs. Cathcart also shared a picture of the class altogether for the first time:

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Sunday, August 26, 2012

Happy Birthday Mommy!

I’m 32.

Jack made me a picture of the two of us hugging.  He made sure to include his “gelled hair” and my “long hair”.

The kids were VERY excited. 

Mostly about the cake. 

They were a little confused by the lack of a party. 

How do you explain to them that one day they’ll reach an age that birthdays aren’t quite what they’re cracked up to be?!

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The cake looked pretty good.  But Brinkley’s face?!  Now that, I could eat!

She cracks.  me.  up.

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Thursday, August 23, 2012

Latin Football

Tonight was Latin’s first home football game, so Jack dressed in his Latin pride and we met up with the Lees and Willettes for some tailgating before routing on our team!

The kids LOVED playing football as the cars started piling in for the game.

The boys.

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…being boys.

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The girls, minus Kate (who I’m pretty sure was playing with the boys).

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Look out class of 20__!!

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The whole gang (minus Kingsley who had decided she’d had enough pictures).

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Love the babies in this one showing their excitement.

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Could the Lees be any cuter with their arms around each other?! 

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Kingsley felt much better once she was allowed to be the photographer:

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And then it was off to the game!

The three “big kids” grabbed each others’ hands and walked to the bleachers.  I’m not sure if they were told to do this or did it on their own, but holy cow…cuteness!

Darn sun..;pictures don’t do the moment justice.

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Love how worried Kate and Aston seem in this picture.

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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Staggered entry

 

Mrs. Cathcart sent an email out to the parents showing the each of the stops the kids made this morning on their “scavenger hunt”.  (I went through each of the pictures, and Jack was able to tell me who every single person was – a few he forgot the names, but knew what subject they taught.  He was clearly paying attention!  And…I LOVE how he is looking at the camera and smiling.  In every. single. picture.)

Our First Day of K!

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Back Row (l-r): Norvy, William, Sydney and Royce
Front Row (l-r): Cole, Max, Jack and Julia


We played with our new friends....

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And met some special people....

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With Mrs. Earp, Lower School Nurse With Ms. Robinson, our Computer Teacher

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With Mrs. Cerbie, our P.E. Teacher With Mrs. Long, our Music Teacher

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With Mrs. Luther and Mrs. McGarry,our Librarians With Mrs. Fitzpatrick, Lower School Administrative Assistant

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With Mrs. McDaniel, our Art Teacher With Mr. Hammitt, our Science Teacher


And ended our day with a short walk.

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We went to see Mrs. Cathcart’s favorite CLS sculpture. It’s called a torsion sphere. Do you remember why?

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After reading Jake Starts School in the Library, we made a quick visit to Anna’s Garden.