Publishing Party

Dear Henny,
It has become apparent that one of your most treasuered times at school is when they host a publishing party for short books the students in your K/1 class have been authoring.  It is 20 minutes and perfect!  A wonderful idea I need to incorporate into my own classes one day.  So, we showed up and your beaming eyes were looking for us in the mass of other kids trying not to crowd the door while finding their other half.  You led us to a table flipping your book around in your hands and Hazel just is really excited to see a table of popcorn.  You were so proud to show us your recent non-fiction efforts about fish.  

Looking back to your last Publishing Party your book development is light years away.  You have lots of wonderful pictures and interesting descriptions!  Your organization is pretty awesome too.  I can't wait to see what comes next.  I love sharing the moments like this with you and Daddy.  Hazel was happy to go ask for some popcorn all on her own.  

As we were leaving and people were shuffling about a boy knocked over the pencils.  It wasn't your fault, it wasn't your doing and yet, you immediately stopped your trajectory, bent down and helped him pick them all up...a few seconds later another boy did the same.  I heard one of your teachers take notice and say, "Thanks Henry!"  It was one of our goals that you would become helpful to your class and others. 

I could only think, "Yep! He is at the right place with the right people."  Our babies, growing up.
Love, Mama

School Rules

Your selfie

Dear Bust, 
You're lovin' school.  You are at an awesome charter school that is the right place for you.  You really love the routines and rituals of the classroom, the chime to switch activities, partners passions, individual passions, station rotations, and so on.  You've had some awesome opportunities in the school already aside from classroom days; a field day at a teacher's farm where you slipped and slidded around, pet horses and went on an intense hike in the woods which left you hot, muddy and wet...perfect!  

A couple of days later you had a great time at the school carnival fundraiser where you and Grandma P won the cupcakes I made in the cake walk.  From what I hear you wanted to win so badly Grandma P, Bahboo, Kristen, and Grandma LaJean all participated in the effort.  We had your first goal setting meeting a week or so ago.  

The teachers said you've done a great job of making lots of friends, volunteering and being inquisitive but could you leave the fart noises at home...I guess teaching you arm pit farts this summer wasn't the best idea but your new little friends I was speaking about helped you take it to a new level with lots of other ways.  You have already made a lot of leaps in your maturity (excuse the farts).  You are counting, predicting and writing your numbers...AND you've started to read! You've added 40 new sight words in the mix and are starting to decode.  We are working on writing letters and words every night and even came up with some awesome words to pictures.  

I love seeing you grow up.  The little things like giving you the responsibility of running into the gas station to get Daddy M&M's while I stand outside the door...you're bursting with the excitement of the trust and freedom it gives you.  When I pick you up from school and you've missed me but would love an other couple of hours to play with the other kids, I feel so happy for you.   When you sit down with Hazel and read your book of the night with her, I feel so proud of you.  You are amazing and you've now lost three teeth.  There is still so much more to come, after the gas station freedom is routine and you're insisting and bucking for more freedom and trust along the way I will still be here, you will just need me less.  I still like being that person that has to do squeezin' means lovin' at night...though someday that will be finished too, just as the free kisses you once gave and insisted you always would became gross about a month ago. I will always be here.  Love, Mama

Back to School

Dear Peep, 
You started back to preschool 2 days a week for a few hours.  You were so handsome your first day, well and everyday of course.  You were so excited, right up until we got to the door.  You begged me not to leave ya.  You didn't want me so far away.  So it went the first three times you went.  You came home and chit chatted at length about your day but you didn't want to go back for sure!  Now you're in the groove and while yous till beg to "just stay home with you Mommy," before every school day you are having a grand time playing with kids and talking the teacher's ears off about your new baby sister.  You did tell them that your sisters name is Boingy Furry.  I walked in one day you telling them "she doesn't cry much and her hair is just so soft!"  You've already made some wonderful crafts, such as a cute little apple guy with three eyes, a nice smile and the only one with green arms and legs.  You were super charged during the Teddy Bear theme week.  

You had a very hard time choosing a teddy bear to take in.  The first day you choose a blue Care Bear teddy that plays the alphabet with a good squeeze.  

I'm taking this one.

"Did you get them all in?"

You know that GG bought this for you, one of your first gifts from her.  I asked you if you would tell them your GG gave it to you and you looked at it, squeezed it tightly and told me you'd just keep that a secrete.  You also were asked to bring in some books that featured bears.  You selected Bear Snores On and You Can Do it Sam.  I'd say you're doing really good these days playing with buddies and participating, though Zumba is not your cup of tea and you choose to sit back and enjoy watching instead.  They will never know what a dance machine you truly are.  It is divine to pick you up.  You run to me full gusto, toss your arms around me and squuuuuuuuuuuuuuuueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezeeeeeeeeee so tight and give me kisses, kisses and more kisses.  You tell me you miss me.  This makes our hours a part so worth while.
Love you! Mama