Bus Rider

Before school started, Anna Catherine asked to ride the school bus. We debated for several weeks and decided to compromise with her. Rick will still take her to school in the mornings (1--the bus runs at 6:28 am and we sometimes aren't fully awake and 2---that is their special daddy/daughter time). I was having to wake up Jackson and Chloe from their naps to pick up Anna Catherine. This made them grumpy which made me grumpy and "when Mama's not happy nobody's happy". So, she now rides the bus home in the afternoons. She LOVES it!! She already knows a few people on the bus. This is just another way for her to feel more independent. Ace is just growing up way too fast!!!

Community Helper Day

September 18, 2009---Jackson's class had to dress up like a community helper. Jackson doesn't have any dress up costumes so we were at a loss for options. Just as luck would have it, Anna Catherine came home from school on Wednesday with a fireman's hat (a fire truck/firemen came to school for a tour and gave out hats), and the same day a friend offered to loan us her son's fireman jacket. VOILA....Jackson the Fireman

Student of the Week

August 31-September 9, 2009---Anna Catherine was "Student of the Week" for her class. Her week was actually a week and a half because of the Labor Day holiday. She made an "All About Me" poster which she had to present and speak about to her classmates.






All students had to bring a baby picture to school and they were placed on a bulletin board. The students then had to try to match the student with their picture. Here is AC standing next to the picture she submitted (the color photo---Ole Miss dress with Col. Reb and pom poms).





Rick had lunch with her on Thursday (no pictures) and Chloe and I visited her class on Friday. I read two of Anna Catherine's favorite books to her class, "Baby Honu's Incredible Journey" and "Dinosaurs Wear Underpants" (Thanks Aunt Pauline for that book! It is a favorite of all three children!). Then we had lunch with her. Well, Chloe ate and I just sat.



A perk of being "Student of the Week" is that the class turtle, Molly, gets to spend the week with you. The student has to write a paragraph about the things Molly did while at their house. Here are a few pictures of AC and Molly...



riding in the van



painting at Easely Amused




listening to dad read Junie B. Jones books




listening to dad read Captain Underpants books

Meeting Jackson's teachers

August 21, 2009---This morning Jackson met his new teachers for his K4 preschool class this year.



I think he is really going to like his class. His lead teacher was a high school advanced science teacher for many years who decided to teach little ones a few years ago. The classroom has a jungle animal theme and they will be doing a dinosaur unit. The curriculum consists of Bible verses, devotions, science experiments, cooking, math, reading, and letters of the alphabet. The teachers are very organized and structured and they expect the students to be responsible and disciplined. He will be attending classes Monday-Friday, 8:45 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. I hope he has a fabulous year because this just all sounds so exciting!!!

First Day of 1st Grade

August 12, 2009---Today was Anna Catherine's first day of first grade. She says she wasn't ready to go back to school but she woke up on her own and was quite chipper at 5:50 am. Let's see how long that lasts--hahaha! Since she was up so early we actually had time to paint her toenails before school, her choice of color and style of course.

She was prepared---new backpack, new lunchbox, and new outfit. All of which she picked out. We arrived in time to take a few pictures before the halls were too crazy:

with her teacher, Mrs. Kling:

Two of her friends/classmates from kindergarten are in her room this year so I think seeing familiar faces this morning helped keep her emotions in check. Here's hoping for a wonderful first day in the first grade!