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!