E's New Class

Not only did E get confused about what school she was going to, but it didn’t sink in with her until we got in the car for her first day that Brother wasn’t going.  She was not pleased and cried for him, but each day has been better than the last.  The good part is that she loves her class and teachers.  She gets to “sign in” each day to practice tracing her name (still a lefty as of now).  There are lots of new centers and group time and more organized learning time that she seems to really enjoy.  She is familiar with most of the kids and there are three new friends as well.  

This is the same class and teachers that Ben had two years ago so it is fun to be in there again.  Elizabeth is already impressed with the themes of the week and the art projects.  She helped the teacher pick out paint one day and was just thrilled about what they might make with it.  We look forward to a big year of learning and fun!

First Days of Kindergarten

 
On the first day, Mom and Dad were able to take Ben to his new room at regular time.  Ben was a little nervous, but did really well.  He decided to pack his lunch the first day so he had his new backpack and lunch box with him.  Mrs. Andrews was asking the kids to pick a favorite color of play dough and take it to any seat they wanted at the tables.  Ben picked yellow which was a bit of a surprise as it is his third favorite color (lol), and then chose a table of boys to join.  There was a very social dad there trying to make introductions and get the boys talking.  They stayed pretty quiet, but were all pretty content.  Mom started to get teary and decided it was time to be done with dropoff.  There were still many parents grilling the teacher that were there far before we arrived.  But since Ben was okay, we said a quick goodbye and left.

 

Ben’s first day report was hysterical.  He did really well and didn’t seem to get upset during the day.  He had an incident on the playground where he got some stickers in his hand after falling.  One of the teachers was able to get them out so he didn’t have to go to the nurse, so he was pretty pleased that he had been brave and didn’t even cry.  He also had a new friend step on his shoe and made it come off.  He said he kind of ended up in a heap and that Mrs. Andrews had to fix his shoe, but he did okay.  He ate most of his lunch, but apparently Mom put way too much in because she was worried he would go hungry.  He also let Mom know that the note she left him was “too much of a surprise” and not welcome.  It was on Lion King paper which is “for babies”.  Ooops!  Consider it noted.  He did agree that sometime a joke on plain paper would be okay, but nothing else.  

Ben learned two names the first day, one of which he already knew.  We are so blessed that a friend from preschool ended up in our class by chance!  How great to have a familiar face!  He had also made up two names for a couple of classmates – “Tickle Monster” and “The Annoying One”.  Luckily he said these names were just in his head and he hadn’t actually called them this.  One tickled him several times after Ben had asked him to stop and the other touched him and messed with him too.  We encouraged him to tell the teacher if it continued too much and he said they each had another chance and that he wasn’t supposed to tattle.  He decided the next day that he definitely wouldn’t sit with them at lunch as they touched his back the whole time just to bother him.  It was really funny that the age of the kids got to Ben.  He quickly picked up on some immaturities and told us that “some kids were probably only 4!”  He was used to being the youngest kid in class so this was a rude awakening to him that these other kids could possibly be ready for kindergarten.  After meeting the entire class, his new assessment was that he was the very tallest and the second oldest.  How did he know he was second oldest?  "I asked the kid that looked older than me when his birthday was and he is already six.  So I must be the second oldest."

He started Before and After Care and that went really well.  At least 4 or 5 kids from his class go so he has some friends to walk with.  He likes those teachers and enjoys the fun toys and games they have.  They also get to go to the big playground that kindergarten doesn’t get to use during the day.  Super fun!  Although, he does have a favorite tire swing on the kindergarten playground where he plays daily.  Overall, his experience has been good so far.  He reports that he isn’t getting tickled or touched anymore and that he knows those friends’ real names now.    He is underwhelmed by the “work” they have done so far, but we keep reminding him that it is still early and that many of these kids had never been to school before.  Hopefully he doesn’t complain to the teacher!  We were able to attend Popsicles on the Playground for new families to the school.  It was awesome to see Ben in action.  He saw several from his class and ran up to them and said their names and at one point he just started yelling at one of the moms “Mrs. Andrews!  I have seen five others from Mrs. Andrews!” because her daughter was in his class and looking unsure.  He claims he often plays alone or doesn’t know who he played with so it was nice to see that he is actually social and talks to new friends.  Yea!

Now we are looking forward to Back to School night and learning more about the year ahead.  It should be an adventure!

Meet the Teacher

Thank goodness for Meet the Teacher!  We had some anxiety about changing schools prior to starting at Jenks and it was so nice to get to go inside, see the classroom and meet Mrs. Andrews.  She is wonderful!  Ben had worried about everything from getting lost at school to wondering if his classmates and teacher would be speaking English.  (That's what you get when you watch too much Olympics!)  Seeing the room, some of the kids and meeting the teacher alleviated his concerns greatly.  He even wanted to stay when we needed to move on to other things because he hadn’t finished reading books.  His assessment after Meet the Teacher was that he was the tallest kid he had seen in the class so he was guessing he was at least second tallest.  

We were also able to order a directory, yearbook, buy spirit wear and much more in the gym during Meet the Teacher.  Ben found one shirt he liked so we bought that.  He thought the others were either too crazy or had cartoon drawings on them so we are holding out for other options later.  We may have to hit the team shop at the high school before long.  

The most surprising part of our visit was little miss E’s disappointment.  She was really worried about going and we soon realized that she thought it was for her too.  After she realized that she would still be going to her old school, instead of being relieved she was angry to be excluded.  She wanted to sign her name on the PTA poster and wanted to get her supplies, etc.  Didn’t plan for that one. . . .oops!

OKC Trip

When school was out and right before new classes started, we took a short trip to OKC.  We had a couple of fun days in town as well on either side of our quick trip.  We hit the aquarium in Tulsa and ate out at a couple of “new to us” restaurants.  In OKC we went to the outlet mall that opened last year to do some serious back to school shopping.  We got new fall clothes for both kids and did really well.  We also ate at some “new to us” restaurants in OKC.  There was an Italian restaurant that was such a hit with the kids that Ben is still talking about it. 

We also spent a whole day at the Science Museum in OKC.  We were worried it would be too much for older kids, but they loved it.  They didn’t want to leave as it was closing after a full 8 hours there.  We did shows and lots of interactive exhibits and spent lots of time building and testing out all sorts of hands on activities.  Ben got to try out a flight simulator and proceeded to tell the man running the exhibit that he had done a real one at his dad’s work with guns (he remembered a refueling hose as a gun), but that this was fun too.  We’ll definitely be heading back to the museum again and would also like to visit the zoo next time. 

Changes

The kids have enjoyed many fun activities as their current classroom stays come to a close.  Ben had a pizza party at school complete with ice cream sundaes.  Elizabeth had an indoor "picnic" and fun cookie cakes.  Ben also enjoyed a pool party with some of the boys in class.  

Elizabeth started visiting her new classroom with Ms. Anita, Ms. Sabrina and Ms. Shelley.  It is the same class that Ben was in two years ago!  We are thrilled to be back in this class and look forward to all that Elizabeth will learn this year.  We have also signed Elizabeth up for dance class with Ms. Jane.  She wasn't quite ready last year, but she is more than excited this year.  Every morning - Mom, is today the day I dance with Ms. Jane?  When will she measure me?  Are my shoes and costumes here yet?  We are excited for her to experience lessons as she is constantly dancing around the house.  Hopefully she lets Ms. Jane teach class.  

Ben didn't visit his new classroom at school because he is moving to a new school!  We have so many upcoming activities to learn about elementary school.  It is so exciting.  There has been some anxiety, but as we learn more details it is getting more and more exciting.  Ben got a postcard in the mail with his new teacher's name.  It didn't mean a whole lot to us, but we were able to find out that a friend from preschool got the same teacher!  Thank you, God, for familiar faces during this transition!  What a blessing!  Ben will also be in before and after care with the same friend and maybe at least one more familiar face.  Soon they will all be familiar faces though.  We'll attend Meet the Teacher a couple of days before school starts to see his class, buy spirit wear, and sign up for all sorts of fun activities.  Soon after school starts there are fun things like popsicle night, a family picnic and a book fair.

Lots of changes happening!  We are ready to be past the actual transition time, but so excited about the new things in store!

Music Camp and VBS

Ben enjoyed Music Camp for the first time at Cedar Ridge this year.  It is like Vacation Bible School with a focus on music and a musical performance at the end of the week.  Ben learned five memory verses, made crafts, played games and learned several great songs all with the theme Faith in the Furnace.  He did really well and was able to memorize all five verses by the end of the week.  It was a tiring week, but lots of fun.  He watched some of the elementary performance that is more like a musical with speaking parts as well as songs and thought that was pretty cool.  Something to look forward to!

Both kids enjoyed VBS at school this year.  The theme was "Sky" and they learned lots of ways that they can trust God in all situations.  What a timely lesson with lots of changes coming in schools/classrooms, etc.  The songs were songs that they had heard in church some and they rocked out!  Elizabeth calls one of them "Dad's song" that he has led at church before and likes a lot.  The favorite song was "I'm Counting on God" and we have been singing it a lot lately!  They both did awesome in the performance for parents at the end of the week.  Ben knew every word and sang so well.  Elizabeth sang well also, but Mom was especially proud of how she stood with her class, smiled and gave Mom a thumbs up.  What a difference a year makes!  There would have been tears, trying to leave, etc not too long ago.  Two blossoming and maturing kiddos!  The week was also filled with fun crafts, activities and treats.  The big report of the day was what special treat they ate and what was their favorite part.

We are so blessed that the kids were able to participate in these activities this summer!

Olympic Fun

We have watched just about as much Olympics that you can fit into each day and still go to school, work and get "enough" sleep.  We all have our favorites, but it amazed us that the kids really wanted to watch each sport.  The first weekend they were so excited with the shooting, table tennis and other less televised sports.  Like many others, our favorites were swimming, track, gymnastics and some of the team sports like basketball, soccer and volleyball.  Ben quickly learned all of the athletes names and could rattle off their stats, records, opponents, etc.  He can even pick out family members of the athletes in the stands.  I didn't think he could be more well versed at so many sports before this started, but now he is an Olympic encyclopedia.  

Ben learned the theme songs for the various sports and could tell you from the other room what was coming on next.  Elizabeth also watched plenty but was less interested in the details.  She liked the horses the best and the diving and gymnastics.  She has done many pretend dives and gymnastic "jumping" and landing.  She is ready to participate in 2024!

Not only has Ben enjoyed soaking up all of the current athletes info, it has been fun for Mom and Dad to share past Olympic stories with some of the replays they have shown and past wins and losses.  Wow, the video quality has changed considerably since the Dream Team of 1992!  It is hard to imagine that we will have a 9 year old and 7 year old next time around, but we're looking forward to it already!!

Builders!

The kids have really enjoyed going to kids workshops at Home Depot.  They each have aprons and have earned several badges for their creations.  Our most recent projects were wooden moving vans and small bulletin boards.  Ben prefers to leave his projects natural wood and maybe add a few stickers.  Elizabeth on the other hand - her favorite part is painting.  Luckily you can make either choice and we end up with two unique projects!

4th of July Fun

We started celebrating early this year with a family gathering in Olive on Saturday the 30^th.  We enjoyed games, water play, a new toy tractor for the kids to drive, good food and fun times.  The kids had shopped for fireworks earlier and brought some small ones to do.  They enjoyed their first sparklers with fancy protective plastic cups over their hands per Mom’s request.  Ben enjoyed driving Miles around on the tractor and doing “chores” for Uncle John.  Both kids enjoyed a fun new dice game that Aunt Terry had discovered and especially enjoyed winning prizes.  It was a great time!

We ended the weekend by watching the Rhema fireworks on the 1^st with our small group at church.  We enjoyed a great meal and play time with the kids and then stayed up to watch the fireworks that didn’t start till 10pm!  Ben was hesitant and decided that he was immediately tired at 10 and needed to go home.  He persevered and we let him use earplugs to dampen the noise.  He realized that they were farther away than he expected so the noise wasn’t quite that bad.  Both kids seemed to enjoy it okay.  It was the first year that we’ve been able to watch big fireworks due to noise aversions and the late hour.  We hope it is a tradition that continues!

The kids enjoyed their annual 3^rd of July parade at school again.  They had decorated shirts and marched with their classes.  They were able to enjoy popsicles afterward before we headed home.

On the actual 4^th of July we enjoyed a leisurely day off with a cookout for the four of us and more small fireworks in the backyard.  The kids watched big fireworks on PBS and we called it a day!  Too many late nights earlier in the week to stay up again.

Bugs!

Elizabeth brought something home from Coweta recently.  It was a small plastic box with two cicada shells and one dead cicada bug.  Mom was surprised that she was so overjoyed by this souvenir from Grandma and Grandpa’s.  Apparently she liked finding them and then squealed in delight as she pretended they were tickling her hair.  Oh my!

That night she had placed the box on her bed next to her pillow.  Mom asked if she could move it to her dresser and Elizabeth replied that she wanted to sleep with them.  She was going to have them as her “sleep buddy” for the night.  Mom suggested that it wasn’t a good idea as the box was hard and might poke her in the night so it was agreed that they would be in the floor next to her bed or on the dresser at night. 

How exciting that she loves nature and isn’t afraid of these things, but where did she come from?  Ha ha!  The bugs were popular enough to later go to school as show and tell and are frequently carried around in one of her many purses.