School Picture

We got Annie's first ever 'School Picture' back today -- turned out pretty cute, although it would've been nice if they'd made her smile a bit more for it :-)
I may be biased, but she's one cute little Kindergartener!

They Grow Up So Fast . . .

I know this is technically just another 'First Day of Kindergarten' type of post . . . but I was looking at the pictures of Annie & Sarajayne on their first day of Preschool two years ago vs. them last week getting ready to catch the bus to go to school . . . time flies!

And just an FYI, but Greg, Isaac and I (and our trusty babysitter Aunt Lacy) will all be waking up freakishly early in the morning to get Isaac to the hospital by 6:15AM so we can get tubes in this kid's ears already and hopefully magically turn him back into a cheerful kid, and not the super grumpy clogged-ears baby that's been screaming at all hours at our house over the last several weeks (er, months!)  Wish us luck!

First Day of Kindergarten

We woke Annie up a bit early, to the smells of her favorite breakfast food . . . which today was specially called "Kindergarten-Annie Pancakes", complete with pureed fruit and whipped cream.  

Isaac enjoyed them immensely:

 She was dressed and ready to go with plenty of time to spare.  She was so excited.

 

And even more excited as we met up with her fellow Kindergarten students on our way to the bus stop.

The three of them were giggly and excited and giddy with the sheer anticipation.

 And all the older kids at the bus stop were so cute with them -- promising the girls and their Moms alike that they'd make sure these three made it to their class room when they got off the bus.  

Here's the first graders, the newbie Kindergarteners and three younger siblings who were just wanting to be a part of everything:

Waiting in line for the bus:

Bye Mom! 

 

Annie seemed to have fun.  But, since I'm pretty convinced they have all kids sign some kinda confidentiality form the first day of school (since from the beginning of Preschool Annie has come home on the first day all, "I don't remember what we did . . . it was good," and has been unable to ever tell me more beyond that) we have not gotten a ton of info out of her.  She seems to have enjoyed it.  There is a drinking fountain INSIDE THEIR SINK.  That seems to have left an impression.  It was definitely the highlight of her day.  And the bus ride.  Both bus drivers seemed to get a bit lost (getting them to school a tad late, meaning they didn't get to line up with their classes, but instead make a mad dash to catch up with their classes who were already inside . . . and then they got home about 10-15 minutes late, which was making us three 'first time Elementary school' Moms just a teeny bit nervous.  Their normal bus driver in the morning is supposed to be back soon -- and hopefully the Kindergarten bus driver bringing them home worked out all the kinks on her route today). 

Unfortunately, the rest of the day Annie was a tiny woman possessed, screaming and flailing and freaking out left and right.  We will probably avoid playing with friends tomorrow after school and have a nice movie afternoon instead, 'cause I think someone is a tad overwhelmed and tired, even if she won't admit it.  Maybe a couple someones.

Kindergarten, Here We Come!

Today Annie went to meet her Kindergarten teacher and see her classroom before she starts school next week.  She is so excited, but was adorably shy and cuddly while we were there.  Fortunately, after a few minutes of introductions and showing me all the papers I need to go through, the teacher was able to take Annie into the classroom for one on one testing with no objection on Annie's part.  Thirty minutes or so later, Annie reemerged and cuddled up on my lap and the teacher declared Annie's testing 'perfect'.  After checking out the Kindergarten doors and where the bus drops off, we headed home.  On the drive, I asked Annie what the test included.  "I don't know . . . I don't remember," she predictably answered.  But then she excitedly remembered, "Oh!  She asked me to count as high as I could . . . so I counted to 100!  Then I stopped, 'cause 100 is like zero all over again, and it just starts all over." 
"Wow," I said.  "What'd your teacher think about your counting?"
"I think she was impressed," Annie said with a smile. 
"Did you read for her?  Does she know you can read?" I asked.
"Oh, I didn't show her I could read!  Wow . . . she's gonna be really impressed when I start school!"
I think she's even more excited to start school now.  :-)