School Update

(Allie's not wearing glasses because they keep breaking!  We have an appointment the first week of February to get new ones!)

The kids are over half way through this school year, so I thought I'd post a little bit about how Hayden & Allie are doing.

Allie is loving kindergarten.  She is constantly making friends, but she says her best friend is Olivia.  Just to happens, Olivia's grandparents live on our street, and the girls had never met prior to school!  Allie is excited to be learning how to read, and usually is pumped and ready to do homework each night.  Homework consists of writing in her agenda book and reading a couple short stories each week.  She's mastered all the skills she's learned up to this point and is really just thriving.  We love her teacher so much, and I'm certain she gets a lot of credit for Allie's success!

Hayden hasn't had the best year in 2nd grade.  His teacher is very laid back, and that's very different from any teacher we've had previously.  This is also his first year to have a male teacher, which I started the year excited about, but felt disappointed over and over by this teacher's lack of communication, and lack of planning educational materials for the students.  I did talk to the principal about it, but felt like it was a hopeless cause.  At our school, the teachers are known for going above and beyond.  This teacher ... not so much.  Ok, so you probably get I don't like the teacher.  Case made, moving on.  Hayden has struggled this year, mostly with spelling and language arts.  He has no motivation to do homework, seems easily upset when he comes home (which I've found out usually is a result of the teacher yelling at the kids that day), and his quarterly test scores don't show much improvement.

All this being said, we felt it was appropriate to find Hayden a tutor.  We have heard from so many people that 3rd grade is a whole new ball game.  We want Hayden to finish this year strong, and we knew that would require intervention.  We contacted his beloved 1st grade teacher and asked for tutor recommendations.  She gave us the name of a 3rd grade teacher (at Castle) that she highly recommended.  Where this gets interesting is I've heard about this 3rd grade teacher and how difficult her class is.  So, the wheels in my head started spinning, and I decided a hard 3rd grade teacher would be perfect at preparing Hayden for 3rd grade next year!

I emailed this teacher, and waited a bit for a reply.  When she did reply, she started out by saying her tutoring days (Monday-Thursday) are already full.  She went on to say that Hayden's 1st grade teacher had nothing but positive things to say about him, and she offered to open up her Friday to tutoring him.  I can't tell you how thrilled I was!  Hayden was apprehensive about tutoring.  He didn't know this lady, he didn't understand why we wanted to get a tutor, and he had several questions about it.  We talked about it a lot, I told him about my own experience (where I had a laid back teacher one year and it really set me back the next year), and told him he should give it a chance - but I knew he was still nervous.

Friday I picked up him outside of school and he was smiling ear to ear.  The tutor talked about how great Hayden did.  She showed me results of some tests she had done, which helped her figure out the best way for her to help him.  She has about 5 minutes of homework for him to do every night, and she said I will notice results quickly.  Hayden said on the way home how much he loved going and it made my momma heart feel so much better.  Monday morning I asked the kids what they were most looking forward to this week.  Allie said going to the dentist, and Hayden said tutoring.  :)

As I was reflecting this morning over the school year, I just felt that Hayden has been shown so much favor.  This bleak school year has seemed to turn around for him in the last few days and I feel like we are really going to finish strong!  I made cookies and wrote thank you's to this special 1st grade teacher and the new tutor this week so they know how much we appreciate them! 

PlanetBox Lunchboxes

I knew this summer I wanted to make packing the kids lunches more of a priority this school year.  I love eating together as a family, and since that's not an option when they are at school, I wanted their lunch to be like a little love note from me.

About a year ago I started following a lunchbox company on Instagram called PlanetBox.  There were so many well thought out, colorful, healthy lunches with literally thousands and thousands of ideas online.  I entered numerous give-a-ways hoping to win one of these little investments, but no luck.  And I say investments because they aren't cheap!  They also seem to never go on sale, which made me question whether or not they were worth the big price tag.  I told Kevin, if we could, I'd like to set aside some money so we could order them before school started.  I kept waiting..... and waiting.... because I had a hard time justifying the purchase.  Right at the end of July, they offered a 10% off promo + free shipping.  It gave me the little push I needed to order them.

Not only did I get the rover box (that holds the food), I ordered the lunchbox, thermos, and ice packs too.  Each lunchbox comes with a free set of magnets that make it more fun and colorful.  (I'm hoping to order the Christmas set this year too!)  I like that I can change the magnets as their interests change.  Allie got unicorns and Hayden got dinosaurs. 

Top Left :  Each box comes with a "big dipper" and "little dipper".  they have a plastic ring around the top of the lid to prevent leaks.  Top Right:  The ice pack.  Bottom Left:  The thermos lid.  It all comes apart to ensure it stays clean!  Bottom Right:  I love that front pocket.  It holds notes, napkins, and utensils.

It seems like with our old lunchboxes, if I used a bigger container for a salad, there was no room for anything else.  We also dealt with smashed sandwiches or leaky drinks.  These new lunchboxes seemed to really think of everything. I should also mention they ship lightening fast!  One other perk:  they are dishwasher safe!  Most days I just hand wash them but every few days I like to put them in the dishwasher :)

Before school started I made a list of main courses, sides, and desserts the kids liked.  It's taken some thinking out of the lunch packing process in the mornings.

This was the first week of school lunches.  The little fish at the center is a chocolate :)

1st Day of School

Allie got to meet her teacher a couple days before school started.  :)

Hayden and Allie started school last Wednesday.  They were both really looking forward to it!  I've known Allie's teacher for many years and it made me more comfortable with this big transition knowing she'd be in great hands.  Hayden's teacher is newer to the school and I know nothing about him, but he's a young guy and I really think Hayden will enjoy a male teacher. (Meet the Teacher is this week, so I'll learn more about him soon!)

I had lots of people ask me about how Allie did, and how I did with Allie being at school.  The truth is she was SO excited to start school that I was excited for her.  The first day of school I made pancakes for breakfast.  I got both kids up in plenty of time to eat, shower, get the hair done, and let me take their picture!  As soon as I got done with my pictures, it started pouring!  The entire first day of school was rainy, but it didn't seem to damped anyone's spirits.  I took each kiddo to their classroom.  Hayden walked right it and waved and said bye (no more big hugs for me).  Allie was a little more hesitant but once we found her desk she seemed to immediately settle in.  Her teacher came over and gave her some coloring instructions, so I gave her a quick hug and said bye.  

I did get a little misty-eyed driving home after dropping her and Hayden off, but I reminded myself they were both going to have a great day and it was silly to be sad.  I came home that first day and made cupcakes and thought about them all day long :) I got an email at lunch time from Allie's teacher to say all the kids were doing great and the only tears this morning were from the moms! Ha!  My days are getting more productive and we are starting to get a new daily routine.  Allie has come home almost every day telling me about new friends she's making.  Hayden's enjoying seeing his buddies from last year.  This weekend, Allie was genuinely disappointed she didn't have school. 

Krissy and Austin have had a harder transition that anyone.  The first day Hayden and Allie were gone, those two argued and fought ALL day!  I'm happy to report the last few school days have been much better.  I realized if I kept them busy (playing, reading, coloring, running errands), they were much happier.  I've caught them playing together multiple times and that makes me happy!  I also feel like they are getting good one on one time with me and Kevin, and what kid doesn't want that.

 

This was day 1 arguing....

This was this morning :)

The homework is slowly starting, and so are the extra-curricular activities, but we are really enjoying and embracing this season of life and looking forward to a great school year!

Follow up to Hayden's 1st Day of School

I have a confession.  I did cry once on Hayden's first day of school.  And once I started I had a hard time drying myself up!  We had just sat down for lunch and the mood was kinda dampened all day, and when I looked over and saw his empty seat at the table I just couldn't hold it in anymore.  Poor Allie was trying to console me, and it helped, but I still missed him!

After lunch Kevin, me, and the three other kids went to get Hayden some new socks.  Kevin said his socks were too tall for his shoes, and he wanted his boy looking like a stud.  So, he has 10 new pair of "cool socks" :)  When we got home, it was about 2 o'clock.  I had a fun idea to get Hayden a big cookie from the mall to celebrate his first day.  Allie and I called in the order and quickly headed to the mall.  We were home by 3, so we just had another 25 minutes to kill before the bus got here.  We waited inside about 15 minutes and couldn't wait any longer, so Kevin walked to the bus stop to wait for him while I stayed on the porch with Allie because the two littlest were napping.

Kevin texted me around 3:25 that he saw his bus.  I jumped up and got my camera ready, but it went on by.  Wrong bus.  Total bummer.  A few more minutes passed and then we saw his bus!  He ran quickly to Kevin and then ran to me and Allie.  I couldn't wait to get inside and hear all about the day! 

Allie and I took a ton of silly selfies to pass the time while we waited for Hayden!

We spent a few minutes getting the quick run down on the day and telling him how much we missed him, and about the time we sat down at the table to see what all he had brought home, my phone rang.  It was a Newburgh number and I just immediately thought it was probably the school.  It was.  A lady introduced herself and instantly I thought something was wrong, something had happened.  Again, I was right.  About an hour ago, they hired a new 1st grade teacher and were moving Hayden to that new class the next day.  He was to report to his original teacher, and then someone would come and move him.  I'm not one to usually ask questions or start a confrontation, but this mama bear was NOT happy about this.

I expressed our desire for him to stay in Mrs. Boris's class, told her how we were really pleased with her, questioned why Hayden was picked, and wondered why they would move a brand new student.  The whole school experience was new enough, I didn't think pulling the rug out from under him on day 2 would be good for anyone.  She could tell by my voice I wasn't happy, and I didn't love how she kept trying to make me feel unjustified in my feelings.  She kept telling me how much I'd love this new teacher, but for pete sake the woman was just hired an hour ago, and there's no way she'd even have a room prepared and ready for kids.

Kevin and I discussed our options when I hung up the phone.  I texted some people with connections and found out they moved all the "new to Castle" students, along with a few other randomly selected kids to the new class.  The lady on the phone told me the whole process was a random drawl, so I didn't appreciate being lied to (and I may still tell someone that)!  I told Kevin that the smaller class size was definitely a good thing, and with the 22 kids that got moved, probably no one was happy about it, and I don't think they'd honor our request to keep him put and move someone else.

Kevin put a very positive spin on the situation and told Hayden they picked the 4 best kids out of every class to move to a brand new class tomorrow, and they picked him.  He seemed excited, but when I started explaining there would be a new teacher, a new locker, a new classroom, he wasn't convinced (and neither was I).  We decided to give it a go.

Even though we were thrown a curve ball, we still celebrated the school day with this cookie!  We put 1 candle in it so he could blow it out, and sang a made up version of "Happy First Day of School to you" to the tune of  "Happy Birthday to you".  He felt special :)

I felt more anxious on Day #2 than I did the day before.  I wondered how the transition into his new room went, if he had any trouble getting where he was going (since he insisted on riding the bus), what his new teacher was like, who she was, did he know anyone in the class..... and he came home with really no answers.  His day was "great,"  he made "11 new friends but didn't ask their names", but he couldn't tell me anything he had done other than eat lunch and play at recess.  All his cards/bookrental/wavers I filled out and signed were still in his folder and hadn't been collected.  I wondered what had gone on all day and my mind was not eased.  I was expecting a note from the teacher introducing herself, or just some kind of communication from her, and there was none.  Hayden did end up telling me he was supposed to draw a picture of someone he loved, and he drew me (awww) and he was supposed to write his favorite color at the top of that page, so he did do something!

Kevin and I talked and decided I should take him to school on Day #3 to meet the new teacher.  She seemed friendly but I could tell the whole situation was overwhelming.  The room had very little decoration, but she seemed upbeat and friendly that things would be looking better in the weeks to come.  I felt bad for her, because that has to be a stressful situation to be in, but on the other hand, Hayden isn't getting as good of an experience as he could have if they would have just left him in his original class.  So I'm really torn about the whole situation.  Yay for smaller classes, but Boo for making all these kids move once the school year has started!  (And anyone that's ever worked in or had kids in the school system says this is a very common thing, so if this was news to you, be prepared!)

Meet the teacher night is planned for next week, so I'm excited to see what all she's thinking she will do for the school year.  I signed up to be a room mom and help with the PTO because I want to be a part of what is going on in his class.  On a positive note, I am pleased that his room is not right up front; it's more tucked away towards the back of the school which makes me feel safer.  We are definitely still in transition mode.  I will give another update when this grading period is over. 

Hayden on Day #2 - he was feeling confident!

Hayden's 1st Day of School

Last night Kevin and I prepped Hayden for school the best we knew how.  We talked to him about why we were sending him to school, what to expect, and how proud of him we were.  We let him know his #1 job was not to get the best grades, but learn how to be the best he could be.  We talked with him about being nice to all the kids in his class, and made sure he knew we thought the world of him.   We said special bedtime prayers, sang his favorite song, and tucked him in for the night.

We all slept well and at 6:50 I woke him up to get in the shower.  He popped right out of bed.   I didn't have to get him out of the shower (that was the first time ever) because he was ready to get dressed and go!  I made him "1" pancakes since he's in the 1st grade.  He went on and on about how much he loved his breakfast!

I did his hair, got his shoes on, and we went outside to take pictures.

We were ready early for school, and I can tell you it's been a long time that I've been ready early for anything.  We left home about 7:40 because I heard the parking was nuts the first day of school.  Traffic was a little heavier than usual, but I got right in the parking lot and found an open spot.  We walked up to the school holding hands.  When we got to the back doors, I held the door open for us, and he quickly grabbed my hand once it was free.

We found our way to Mrs. Boris's classroom.  We introduced ourselves and she encouraged me to help him get settled in at his desk and get things put away in his locker.  His smile wasn't as big and I could tell he was nervous.   I took a few last pictures, quickly talked to his teacher again (letting her know that she knows several people in my family), and gave him a wave as I walked out the door.

As I was walking back down the long main hallway, I could feel my eyes filling up, but I was not going to let myself cry!  I want to be 100% excited for him and supportive of him and me crying (whether he sees me or not) wasn't going to help.  The parking lot had turned pretty chaotic but I got out pretty easily.  As I got to the stop light to head back home, my eyes filled up again and I did my best not to blink because I refused to cry.  I kept telling myself good things:  all the friends he's going to make, all the fun he's going to have, but I kept picturing his nervous little face as I left.

I made it back home and entered back into our noisy home.  Allie was asking about Hayden and was sad she didn't get to hug him bye.  I promised her tomorrow I'd wake her up so she could walk him to the bus with us.  She's already asked twice if it was time for Hayden to come home, and he's only been at school for two hours.  This may be a long school year for her too!





I made Hayden his favorite cookies to go into his lunchbox today.   We also gave Mrs. Boris some.  I figured it wouldn't hurt to start making some brownie points on the first day! :)

We've been trying to keep our minds busy since I've been home and we've done a pretty good job.  Less than 5 hours till he's home!  I can't wait to hear all about it!  I hope all your kiddos had a great first day back!