Preschool Program 2014

Today Audra Lynn had her last preschool program.  Boohoo!  I am not sure how Lynnie got to be Kindergarten aged, but she has.  So, here she is after her program and with her dear friend Elsie.

It's Lynnie's Turn

It's Lynnie's turn to start school.  She started 4 year old Preschool for just a short 30 minute day on Tuesday.  She got to meet the teacher, see some of her friends, make a snack mat, and go on a scavenger hunt.  She is so ready to be in school too.  She has had a lonely 2 weeks while Coli has been in school and she has been stuck at home with mom.  Her first half day of school was yesterday and she was all smiles when I picked her up.  I think she is going to love this school year.

 She wants to be a doctor when she grows up.  The purple just isn't very easy to read.

Off to First Grade

I don't know when it happened that I became a mom of a first grader, but it has happened.  I almost feel as if we are in some weird time warp and it is just flying by.  Wednesday, our little man started first grade.  While he has been most excited to go to school and be with his friends, I his mother have had mountains of anxiety.  Not only is he going to be gone all day, but he has to eat at school (a first) which makes me SUPER nervous with his food allergy.  In fact, Brian had anxiety too for the first day of school because he was afraid Coli would miss the bus.  But Colin did very well.  He ate without incident and caught the bus just fine.  In fact, we walked him into his classroom and got him seated.  At this point he was acting like please just go away mom and dad.  Which is really wonderful, but did he have to grow up so fast.
When he got of the bus, he was happy and excited.  He had a good day and likes his teacher.  He even has friends from last year in his class.  YAY!!!  A super positive day and a great way to start first grade!

The Last Day of School

Yesterday, was both of our kids last day of school.  I was so happy that Brian took the day off, so he could go to both programs.  

Audra's program was first.  They sang songs and spelled their names.  Audra did so well spelling her name, she was confident and didn't have to look at her name.  It was cute.  However, this momma cried when she was saying thank you to the teacher.  Both Colin and Audra had Miss Karen.  I love her!  She is a fantastic teacher who really loves the kids.  

After, we rushed up the street to Colin's school so we could be there for his Kindergarten graduation.  They too, sang songs, then each got up and told us a letter and things that started with that letter.  Colin's little voice was shaking, but he did so good telling us about his letter.  I was able to hold the tears back, when thanking Mrs. Littlefield, but still choked up.  

So there it is!  Another school year over and our kids are that much taller and smarter.  They also both came home with TERRIFIC report cards, these parents are SUPER proud of them both!  It has been a great year.  Here's to a great summer!

Colin's Spring Sing

A few weeks ago, Colin brought home a t-shirt that said class of 2025.  I was not ready to think about this.  So, I told him to put the shirt in his drawer and I forgot about it, until yesterday when I got an email from Colin's teacher that stated he needed to wear this shirt for the Spring Sing today.
Let's picture together if you will, me sitting on the chairs just fine while the Kindergarten class filled the stage. That is until the principal stated and "they are reminding us that they are the class of 2025."  The water works went off.  REALLY!  While all these cute kids sang a couple cute songs, I sat and cried.  But here are the pictures from today.

Student of the Month

Yesterday I went to Colin's school to pick him up for a doctor appointment.  As we were walking out, Audra said "that's my brother."  I walked back to where she pointed and sure enough there is Coli Bug.  He is the caring community student of the month for his class.  I am so super duper proud of my little man.  I looked up the school newsletter too, and there is his name in print.  WAY TO GO BUG!!!!!

Treasure Island

Last week Colin came home from school and said he wanted to show me something.  When this happens it is usually one of his works of art. I was surprised when he handed me a blue flier announcing the school play, Treasure Island.  He told me that he really wanted to go to it.  I told him that we needed to talk to dad when he got home.  Well, I don't think that Brian was home more then 10 minutes, when Colin said "Mom remember, to ask dad."  So, I told Brian that the kids wanted to go to the play at school and he was game.  I bought the tickets the next day and Coli was excited.
Last night was the actual play.  He was excited to see it again, as they saw it in school.  He was even more excited to have us see it.  We unfortunately, got the last seats in the back, which meant the kids couldn't see without standing on their chairs.  I also think this caused them to be antsy, because both were ready to go a half an hour into it. 

Lynnie would dance when the kids were dancing and singing.  You could just see her wanted to be up there.  I said to her, when you get a little bigger are you going to be up there, her response "Yes!."  A little while later, she then told me she needed to get a pirate costume (gotta love 3 year old thinking).  I asked Coli the same thing and he told me "no."  But later changed his mind and also said he needed a pirate costume. 
Overall, I am really glad we took the kids.  But I also learned that I don't think that they are quite ready to go to a play outside of the school. 

I am a Proud Momma

Over the past week and a half, I have received both Coli and Lou's report cards.  Both kiddos are doing so well!  They both came home with good grades and I couldn't be more pleased with their hard work. 

Preschool Starts

Yesterday, was Lynnie's first day of preschool.  It was a special day, because the parents were allowed to stay with the kiddos and school was only 1 hour long.  Audra did very well in school, she introduced herself, went on a safari, made a necklace and made her snack mat.  Miss Karen is her teacher as well as Miss Natalie.  We are thrilled that she is so excited to be going to school.

Carter's first official day of school was yesterday as well.  I was able to see him for a few minutes before he went into class.  I did not see him after.  But I sure hope that he is loving school.

Colin Goes to Kindergarten

Yesterday, Colin started kindergarten.  He has been so excited to go and has been asking "How many sleeps til I go to kindergarten?"  He was excited to meet Mrs. Bowman and his new school friends.  He didn't even care when we left.  However, as we were driving, I cried.  Where does the time go?

That's the Kind of Neighborhood We Live In

About a week ago, was the Relief Society Birthday Party.  Even though my calling is Provident Living, I am also attached to the activities committee.  The evening of the birthday party, one of the ladies I visit teach came up and asked me about which preschool I have Colin in.  I told her that he goes to Oakwood and that I loved the school.  This prompted another lady in the room to say (we will call her K), Oh my gosh, I haven't even thought of preschool.  Let's keep in mind that K's child is only 6 months old and this is her first.  K then asked another lady (we will call her J) what she did for preschool.  J told her about the 2 different preschools in the area and that K should have her baby on the waiting list.  K started freaking out that she hadn't even thought about it.  Just then S (she has 5 kiddos) walked in and jumped in the conversation.  S stated to K "You need to call first thing in the morning, seriously."  Then proceeded to rattle off the phone number.  Now, the schools that these ladies are talking about, neither are public schools like Colin's, but private schools.  I have known that we live in a very affluent area.  With Walker Lane and Cottonwood Lane very close, it has never been something that shocked me, that there was money here.  But REALLY, they are so concerned about preschool that they have to get on the waiting list when the baby is born?  It's preschool people.  What is even more funny after preschool the kids go into the public school system.  So apparrently, we live in such an area that we need to be concerned about getting our children in preschool the instant that they are born. 

Not Ready for This

Today was kindergarten orientation.  While Coli is extremely excited to "be 5 years old, and go to kindergarten."  I am having anxiety over this.  I can't help but wonder where the last 5 year have gone and how my baby boy has grown up so fast.  I am excited for him; the new friends, challenges and the joys of being a kid.  I am not ready for my guy to be going into elementary school.  I am not ready for him to be so big.  I am not ready for kindergarten.  So, while is it still a few months away, it will be there lurking.  With Coli's little reminders "I am going to kindergarten."  I have to try to slow down the time and enjoy my preschooler for the next few months.

What's in a Name?

Colin learned to read and write his first name at the end of last year, in school.  He loves his name, he loves to practice and loves to see his name on papers or other items.  A couple days ago, his teacher sent home a note to all the parents asking them to help their child learn to write their names with capitol and lower case in appropriate places.  So, I thought we would work on his full name Colin Kai Hansen, tonight for some homework.  He loves to write on the white board, so we pulled out the markers and began a little homework.  He loved it!  He would jump up and down, he would also shake a little.  He really did pretty well.  I am impressed with my little man.
Now if you think Miss Lynnie would just sit by and not participate, you are mistaking.  So, I started with her first name and put her whole name on the board at the end.  She didn't understand the letter writing, but she loved just as much as Coli writing on the white board.  I would help her write her name and she too was loving every minute of it. 

All in all, both kids are so proud of their names, Coli writing his own and Lou writing with help.  Just look at these smiles and there is not a doubt that they love their names.

First Day of School

Today was Colin's first official day of 4 year old preschool.  Yesterday, the teacher Miss Laura and her assistants Miss Brooke & Miss Pat had an ice cream social, so the kids could met the teachers and the other kids.  The parents stayed the whole time, which was less than 1 hour, so it really wasn't a school day.  Today, we dropped him off and he attended school for the entire time.  He had a great time, and came home to tell me that he got to "ring the bell and tell the kids to clean up."  Which he thought was so cool.  So, here are the back to school pictures, one in front of the school and the other in front of the classroom.

Again...

Well, my sweet husband left for Nebraska again today, for his second round of hands on learning for his master's. He will be gone a week and during this time will be celebrating his birthday. We are bummed out that we will be unable to celebrate on his actual birthday but we were able to celebrate this past weekend. Jocelyn and Chris came in for the weekend too, so we were able to celebrate Garry, Chris and Brian's birthdays together which was fun. Anyway, good luck in Omaha Bri, we are proud of you!

Colin's First Day

My baby boy is growing so fast, today was his first day of pre-school. You see Colin has been DDI an early intervention program to help him with his speaking when he was younger, they wanted him to start going to school once a week for an hour and a half. The school is through DDI and he will continue to go here until he goes somewhere else either more intervention programs or school district education. He had a great time and didn't even miss me. The teacher said that he did well other then he didn't do the art project. I am just so excited that he did well today and there were no tears.