Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes...

Happy Labor Day!

Wow! It's September 1st and we're already going into the third week of school.

The last 2 weeks have been filled with lots of "mommy emotions" as my three little vessels have sailed through the doors of their schools and have yet to look back. We've shaken it up a bit here in The Acres. I guess it's my version of a mid-life crisis with age 40 quickly approaching. As if Sam starting MIDDLE SCHOOL wasn't enough, Fulton and Oliver have both started a new (to them) school. They now attend the school for which we are zoned and where Sam was in 5K and are no longer in the Montessori school - which is our district's lottery program.

This black and white-traditional school-Libra kinda girl has preached on this blog for 5 years about my love for the Montessori philosophy. That love still remains! If someone had told me 10 years ago that I'd be an advocate for something other than rows of desks, text books, tests, and homework, I'd look at them as if they had 9 heads. The Montessori environment was great for Sam and seemed to be a good fit so far for Oliver. But Fulton demonstrated that a different style might be better for him. And that is perfectly fine! I feel blessed to have a child who can - and more importantly - feels comfortable expressing his desires for his education. All that said, we are truly grateful that our neighborhood school is a FANTASTIC option for the traditional setting and we are delighted to be part of such a great community. {Now, if some smart person could just develop a program to incorporate aspects of both traditional learning and Montessori principals the world would be the greatest place ever.}

It was a decision we did NOT make lightly. There was lots of prayer involved over the last year. And I know I like to think I'm wonder woman, but - Surprise! - I'm really not. So it made sense for us to move Oliver too, because there was no way this momma could do 1 in a new middle school, 1 in a new traditional school, and 1 in Montessori. I'm not that organized.

Any who...the beginning of another school year has come to pass. Shannon always laughs at me because everything I do, I view as a first or a last. Where does that fall in the categories of pessimist, optimist, or realist??? Sam walked confidently into his first day as a middle schooler. {Side note: So those of you who questioned my decision to do Montessori and asked, "How in the world can a Montessori child transition into a traditional middle school?!?!" Well...it happened and it was BEAUTIFUL!} We dropped Fulton off successfully at his first day of 3rd grade in a new school.  And with Oliver it was a first and last for both of us...his first day of Kindergarten and our last-first drop off for a Kindergartner. :( It truly seems like yesterday that I sent Sam off for his first day and now my little Ver is gone too.

It's true what my mom told me. Don't blink! Because there's something about the swiftness of time from the moment they walk through the doors of Big Boy school. Before you know it they'll be on their way to college. So while we are embracing some big changes in their education this year, we are also trying to savor every minute with them being "little". Some days I want my babies back so much it hurts. Other days, I'm excited to see who it is that they are becoming. I know God has great plans for them!

Cheers to a new school year {and new schools}, sweet boys!

 Fulton 3rd, Sam 6th, Oliver 5K

 

 Off to their new school! Go Braves!!

They looked a little unsure as I walked away from their classrooms. But I cried happy tears when I picked them up, as they were both very excited from their first day in a new school!

 

 Sam and his buddy Henry heading into the abyss.

Their commentary in the backseat as Katie and I approached the drive way of the school for drop off was absolutely hilarious.

There were several nervous squeals and a few "oh! I don't know if I can do this." But they did. And lived to tell about it!

Celebrating Five

 My baby turned FIVE a week ago! Completely unbelievable.

Since our first family trip to Disney {to be posted} he has been "upset" {obsessed} with "Wizard" Mickey!

He has a Wizard Mickey hat, a doll to sleep with, and a figurine who rides around with us. So it was no surprise that he would want a Wizard Mickey theme party!

On the heels of Holiday Market and Christmas, momma was burned out and looking for quick and easy.

His birthday fell on a district half-day and I pressed my luck planning an outside birthday party at the park in January. But it couldn't have been a more beautiful and perfect day for a party!

I love Oliver's age.

He has an opinion about things. He knows how to count down the "wake ups". He appreciates detail. He gets SUPER excited about events.

Turning five for Oliver was a big event!!!

And apparently, at five, big things happen...

You get a donut birthday breakfast!

 

 

You have your first Celebration of Life at school.

 

You got to pick the best party favor ever {in your opinion}...Punch Balloons!

 

 

 

You should have seen mommy transporting them...YIKES!

 

 

You get to have a special after-the-party play date with two of your best buddies.

 

You get to pick where we eat supper...Chick-Fil-A, of course.

 

You learn to shave.

 

And you finally figure out the monkey bars.

 

 

BIG THINGS are also in you future, Ver-man! Your smile, your personality, and your determination will get you very far, as they are qualities loved by all of us.

What I also love is...
that you are our "baby".
that you are friendly.
that you are a perfectionist {just like someone else I know}.
that your blue eyes are sometimes "greeeeeenish".
that you spend $.40 a day on milk even though I pack you a drink in your lunchbox.
that in your prayers you ask if God will come into your room to get rid of the bad dreams.
that you ask if the Tooth Fairy works for God.
that you think Cupid is real and that eating Valentine's Little Debbie's will "make you get in love".
that you know and hold us to your bedtime routine {bath, 2 books, prayers and scratch back for 2 songs.}
that you are one of our biggest blessings.

Happy 5th Birthday, sweet boy!

There he goes!

In case you haven't heard...
MY BABY STARTED SCHOOL MONDAY!

For many parents this is just one of those things we do.

But for the freak show that I am, this is MONUMENTAL!

More "MENTAL" than "monu" because I have serious issues. It's no secret! I am a crier. I cry all.the.time. Especially when it has to do with my boys and milestones.

For a year I've had people say, "I remember you with Sam/Fulton. What are you going to do when Oliver goes to school?"

If you've been around the blog a while, you may remember this, this and this.

AWFUL.

You've heard of Attachment Disorder. But I think I have DEtachment Disorder! They could probably add it to the DSM in my honor.

I have loved the birth to 4ish phase of my boys' lives so much that I just hate to see it end.

I love the noon pick up from the preschool. The quiet and silly conversations that we'd have over PB&J sandwiches, trips to the grocery or Target, blowing bubbles on the porch, swinging, and after school play dates. I loved the silly cartoons we'd watch, the snuggling on the sofa, and getting suckers at the bank. It makes sending them to school all day so bittersweet.

But I guess it's even more bittersweet this time because he's my last.

His first day went superbly well! However, Tuesday morning lacked the same spark. There was lots of "I'm tired!" "I went to school yesterday." And "I don't want to go to school!."

But hopefully it's not anything that "The Kissing Hand" can't fix. I've read that to my boys for years and always at the start of a new school year. I made sure we read it again Tuesday night.

I love that book! It's so sweet.

{source}

Any who. So this DEtachment Disorder...

I think I've passed it on to Sam and Fulton. We were all super excited, yet anxious, for Oliver to start school.

A few side stories as we sent Oliver to school:

Sunday night:

Fulton and Sam were giving Oliver "tips" on being in big-boy school. Fulton sat him down and said, Oliver, if you need to go potty and don't know how to wipe your bottom you're going to have to ask for help and it's really embarrassing! So you may want to just tinkle at school and poop at home!

Great! Thank you, Fulton for the sage advice!


After I tucked Oliver in I got a little teary as I walked out of his room. I went to tuck Sam in and he noticed and said "Oh mom, don't cry! Lots of kids have been to school there. And they didn't come out dead!"

And thank you, Sam!

Monday at school:

We dropped Oliver off. There were a few tears from me, but nothing like I have thought. I was super proud of myself! And Oliver did beautifully!!

I picked him up all in one piece, happy, and ready to tell me I had forgotten to send something with him. What? He did not know.

So in a convo with his teacher to find out what I'd forgotten {which was nothing...still don't know what he meant}, she said Fulton sent his Assistant Teacher to check on Oliver. Fulton told his teacher that he heard Oliver crying down the hall and that he knows what his cry sounds like. BLESS!

God Bless his sweet, sweet heart! And God bless his sweet teacher for going to check and easing his mind. It was NOT Oliver at all. Oliver was curled up on his nap mat sound asleep!

I cried when she told me the story. Sweetest thing ever!

His teacher also told me Sam was about to break his neck peeking into Oliver's classroom as he passed by. I love it! Oliver is the luckiest little guy in the world to have these great big brothers!!

As for this cuckoo mother, I couldn't wait to see him at 2:30.

But here's the sweetest part that will be etched in my brain forever...

My three boy walking to school together for the very first time. It's the only year that they'll all be together. Priceless. {I just wish this pic wasn't so blurry!}

So there he goes!

I love you Ollie-bird. I hope you have a great year.

Ready. Set. Go!

6:15 came awfully hard this morning for mama, but not for these guys!

They were chompin' at the bit! I think Fu and Sambo were both feeling extra "big" today, as they have both bridged to the next level at school.

You know all the things mamas say on the first day of school about time flying by and all that stuff...well, it's fo-real! I felt all of that and more this morning. They both looked so grown up and I didn't have to do a thing to help them. Very bittersweet.

They were ready to roll well before it was time to go. The dreary rainy morning wasn't stopping them like it was their mama. Fortunately, I convinced them to let me drive them instead of walking (scootering). And at 7:15 they were on their way to another school year.

I am now the proud mom of this adorable 1st grader...

Fulton's 1st day of 1st grade - Mrs. Geiger's class

And this handsome 4th grader...

Sam's 1st day of 4th grade - Mrs. Brown's class

 

When Shan texted me to find out how their first day went, I was happy to send him this pic...





Everyone is all smiles!

I think it's gonna be a great year!

XO,

Back to School Prep

In the last week or so we have been making lists and checking them twice. I love the excitement back-to-school time generates. New shoes, backpacks, a few fresh pieces of clothing, and the school supply displays popping up all over town cause a sense of giddiness among parents and students. It's kinda like Christmas.

When the boys got their classroom placements we also got... dun-dun-dun ...The LIST! Each year we get all hyped-up and rush out and battle the Black Friday-like crowds to get all the specifics. Some of the teacher requests crack me up. They ask for certain brands, colors, styles, etc. I can remember my mom taking me to pick out my new Trapper Keeper and getting a pack of pencils or Erasermate pens (remember those??) and loose-leaf paper. That was it! I think it has kinda gotten out of hand. And I really don't know how, when, or why. Whatcha gonna do? They need their stuff.

But I happen to be a bit of a school/office supply junkie and the drawers of my craft room look like the early stages of hoarding. Sooo shopping for school supplies is right up my alley. I actually get a little jeally that I don't get to use all of it. Pencils...I love the smell of new pencils. And there are few things more awesome than a brand new pack of Crayola markers!!!!

Any who...

 

 So what's in The Pig bags?

Let's see...

1 clipboard

14 (yes, fourteen) composition notebooks

2 spiral notebooks

2 1" binders

1 1/2" binder

1 small sketch pad

1 pair of scissors

1 set of watercolor paints

1 box of colored pencils

1 zipper pouch

4 boxes of #2 Ticonderoga pencils

2 packs of wide-ruled notebook paper

2 boxes of washable markers

3 boxes of tissues

24 glue sticks

1 red pocket folder

1 pack of TWISTABLE colored pencils

Antibacterial wipes

PHEW!!!!
That would be the teacher-requested school supplies for S & F We're not quite there with O yet.

And along with buying all those very particular supplies, I like to buy a few surcies for our teachers and make them a Teacher's Tackle Box. I remember being a school-based speech therapist and #1 loving little surcies from parents and students and #2 being so thankful when they were useful. It's nice to feel loved and appreciated!

These pics are actually from last year but I'm putting together the same thing for them this year. My friend Misty did a similar one last year too.

I will be happy to share my PDF files for you to print your own labels. Just contact me by leaving a comment below or on Facebook.

So the last couple of days have been spent doing all the back-to-school prep work...cleaning out and organizing their clothes, locating lunchboxes and backpacks, and packing up the school supplies. The boys are super excited about their Back-to-School Rally tonight. They'll get to drop off their goodies and meet their teachers. Good times for the Baker boys!

What do y'all do to get ready for the new school year?

Stay tuned for highlights from our last minute vacay and "Summah 2012"!

XO,

Whodja get?

I went to a small Catholic school growing up. It was a sweet everyone-knows-everyone community, that included the teachers. There was no suspense in which teacher you would have the next school year because there was only one teacher per grade and that teacher was most likely the same teacher that had been there 30 years prior. So what you saw was what you got. Like it or not.


This is a BIG year for us. You may recall my post on my boys bridging to Upper El {Sam} and Lower El {Fulton}. Oliver will only be going into 3K at his preschool, but it's his last year there until he joins his brothers at the Montessori school. So BIG things are happening here! So much anxious energy can be felt coming from all of us.

My boys have had the great anticipation of "the letter" all summer long. I love it. With summer coming to an end, they ask everyday if "the letter" announcing their classroom placement has come.


Then the other day... it came.

And they were all smiles when they found out their placements.

We feel VERY blessed with all three of the awesome "picks" for the 2012-2013 school year. I've heard nothing but good about Sam and Fulton's teachers. As for Oliver's teacher, well, we go way back (here and here). And we just adore Mrs. Frannie. She's like a family member. Sam and Fulton have both had her and now Oliver. So exciting!

It's gonna be a great year!


So tell me, whodja get? Are you excited about your child's class placement this coming year?

XO

Last Week of School (Part 2)

In case you missed it...Last Week of School Part 1
Tuesday and Wednesday of last week we celebrated 2 milestones in the Montessori philosophy.

{Background info}Most Montessori schools are broken into 3 levels of blended grades - Primary (3K-5K), Lower Elementary (1st grade-3rd grade) and Upper Elementary (4th & 5th grade). They stay with the same teacher and classmates for up to 3 years. Upon completion of each level the students participate in a Bridging Ceremony. The ceremony marks the transition from one level to the next. It serves as a graduation of sorts.

It was an exciting 2 days as we were celebrating Sam and Fulton's bridging ceremonies. Sam bridged from Lower El to Upper El and Fulton bridged from Primary to Lower El. I loved that they actually crossed over a cute wooden bridge from their current teachers and over to a teacher from the next level. Our awesome principal read a sweet book to the students and parents. My favorite of the two was Koala Lou! OH MY WORD! The ladies on our row were blubbering like fools.

I can't believe how quickly time has passed. It seems like just yesterday that I wrote this post on Sam's 1st day of 5K and now he's going into FOURTH GRADE! Something is terribly wrong here.

And this little guy will be in FIRST GRADE!!

What?!?!?

Any who... the bridging ceremonies were precious and were the gateway into another phase of my boys' lives. We have been truly blessed thus far with loving, Godly teachers who have helped foster my boys in their academic journeys.
Fulton's Bridging: Primary-Lower El
Ms. Turbeville has been a dream to work with. Fulton just adores her and her assistant Mrs. Brunson. I love knowing that his teachers have prayed for him and that they have helped build a young man with a great confidence academically. He is going to do great things in 1st grade.

{More Background info} The teacher on the other side of the bridge in the video when Fulton crosses over is my dear life-long friend Phoebe. We met in 5K and went all the way through school together. I loved the parallel. She saw me through all my years of schooling as a friend and now she's there to see my boys go through. They say it takes a village...I'm glad she's in mine!  

Sam's Bridging: Lower El-Upper El
Sam's journey through Lower El has been an amazing transformation. He left his preschool and went to big boy school at a traditional public school. When we got the phone call that he had been selected through the lottery to attend the public Montessori school (located behind our house - no less) we jumped at the chance. His transition was a little rocky at first, but he has fallen head over heels in love with his new teacher Ms. Boozer (with whom I think he's a little smitten) and her assistant Ms. Rickenbaker (who has seen him through all 3 grades) and he has really wowed us. They have been so good to Sam and VERY hard to top!

 We topped our crazy year-end off with lots of hugs, as the boys will be moving on to new levels, classes, classmates and teachers.

Finally... I love doing a comparison in on the 1st day of 5K and the last day to see how much the boys have grown. I did Sam's here back in '09. Here's Fu-bird's-

So school is out for SUMMER and the Bakers are ready!!!

Stay tuned for the 2012 Baker Summer Games ;-)