Judah's End of Year Programs for Kindergarten and First Grade

Since we're going way back, here's Judah's end of Kindergarten program in Mrs. Sapp's class in May of 2016.

And his end of 1st grade program in Mrs. Underhill's class in May of 2017.

"My School Ready?"

It was super frustrating to Judah that we dropped his brothers off at school every day for two weeks while he didn't get to go.  I kept trying to explain that his school wasn't quite ready yet.  After I used that a couple times, he started asking every day, "My school ready?"  He also kept trying to get his backpack out and ready to go.  He even started pulling his clothes out at night for the next day, like his brothers do every night.  So, finally, Judah got to start school Wednesday after Labor Day.

I could only get him to cooperate for a picture when I said it was for Daddy.

 'Cause what's cuter than a backpack as big as the kid?

Judah has the same three year old teachers that Eli had.  They are great.  The first day, I did manage to snag a kiss and hug.  The second day, he was way too quick and bolted to circle time before I could grab him.  At least I know he's happy, my little social butterfly.

Now In Session

Today was the first day of second grade for Luke and first grade for Eli.  We thought they were going to be together in a combined first-second grade class, which Eli was pretty pumped about. As it turned out, there were too many first graders, so Eli is in the combined first-second class and Luke ended up being put in a combined second-third class.  He was thrilled with the fact that he would be with his upper-classmates from last year, and Eli was okay with it because he knew one of his friends from last year would be in his class with him. They were, according to them, absolutely not ready and completely bummed that summer was finished.  

I love Eli's teacher, who has been Luke's teacher for the past two years.  I don't know Luke's teacher yet, but he says she's one of the two best teachers in the whole school.  From my communication with her, I get the impression she loves God and feels like teaching is a gift to her.  Which will be a gift to our family.  I'm definitely praying for these two ladies.

School may be in session...

(Judah does not love having to get up early to take his brothers to school.)

 But summer is a state of mind!

(What the boys did with their afternoon.)

Judah's End of the Year Programs

Judah had his first Thanksgiving and Christmas programs at preschool.  He's not the biggest fan of being on stage.  But he certainly is cute.

Seriously want to kiss. those. lips!

I know Kris' mom is not going to love this picture of herself, as it is not an accurate depiction of her, but it is the only proof I have that anyone was there to support him at his debut. 

This is all I have of the Christmas program because he made it halfway through Jingle Bells and then completely lost it. He and I spent the rest of the program trying to get it back together.  Thankfully he won't have to do it again for a few months.

Judah's First Day of School

Judah started preschool on Wednesday at the Methodist Church preschool where Luke and Eli went.  He'll go three mornings a week while I'm helping Kris' mom a bit at her office.

Where Eli would happily stay home with me for the rest of his life (and has recently put a request in that Kris quit his job so he can stay home with us too), Judah has been itching to get in the classroom since he was old enough to squirm out of my arms and dart past the teacher to play with the other kids (while I was still outside trying to pry Eli off of me, since it was actually his class).

Judah's first day of school, he wheeled his little backpack behind him right into the classroom, with barely a look back in my direction.  Mr. Social Butterfly.

He was completely uninterested in pictures.  I managed to sneak some at pickup, but as soon as he figured out what I was up to he put a stop to it.

Heeeeeyyyy!

 Mama, no!

 I'na see!  I'na see!  I'na see!

School Time

I'm sure most moms who blog have already put up pictures of their children's first day of school.  I saw plenty of them on Facebook.  We took pictures of Luke and Eli's first days, but I'm not sure they're post worthy.  Luke's are good, but Eli is turned away from the camera so you won't see where he's been crying.

Can you hear the sound of my little heart breaking?

I know it will work itself out.  I know he'll adjust.  I know it just takes time.  But right now, I'm trying to hide my tears too.  For whatever reason, ones I will probably only be able to put into words a few years down the road, I feel this need to protect and mother Eli far more than I do Luke or Judah.  Maybe because he is less independent, even though he's growing every day.  Maybe it's because he really just wants to be with his mama and daddy, and I love that so much.  Maybe because I remember being the same way.

Whatever the reason, I so needed this devotional this morning from my devotional book, Jesus Calling. (By the way, this is the best five minute devotional I've ever had.  It nails the very thing going on in my life on a daily basis.  It's almost like the author, or maybe God, is stalking me.  I love it!)

"Entrust your loved ones to Me; release them into My protective care.  They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands. (I told you - STALKING!)  If you let a loved one become an idol in your heart, you endanger that one - as well as yourself.  Remember the extreme measures I used with Abraham and Isaac.  I took Isaac to the very point of death to free Abraham from son-worship.  Both Abraham and Isaac suffered terribly because of the father's undisciplined emotions.  I detest idolatry, even in the form of parental love.
   When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand.  As you entrust others into My care, I am free to shower blessings on them.  My Presence will go with them wherever they go, and I will give them rest.  This same Presence stays with you, as you relax and place your trust in Me.  Watch to see what I will do."
Jesus Calling
August 23rd

UPDATE: When I picked the boys up today, I asked them how the day went.  Eli said, "Good!  It was fun!"  And then he remembered that he wasn't supposed to like school and quickly said, with a little smile, "Oh, I mean, it was boring."

The Easter Egg by Luke

Today is Luke's last day of kindergarten, and he's been coming home all week with all the papers he's accumulated over the year.  It has been fun to see what he's worked on as well as how much progress he's made.  I really hadn't realized how big a difference the year had made in his writing and ability to express his thoughts, but it's pretty stunning.  

This is from the beginning of the year.  The teacher had to decipher what he wrote.

                                                  This is from two months ago.

My favorite thing he came home with was a twelve page story called "The Easter Egg".  I'm not sure if it's finished or over how long of a period of time it was written, but I laughed out loud over several parts.  I don't expect any other person to appreciate this as much as I did, or even to read the whole thing.  But I wanted it saved digitally so that:

1. I can remember how much he made me smile with pride and genuine appreciation for his work. 

and 

2. He can know how much I cherished every accomplishment of his and how much I enjoyed watching him grow.

Plus, I know that I am every bit as bad about going on a "cleaning out" spree as my clutter free mother, and this will surely be thrown away in the heat of the moment.

Grandmothers, you don't get a pass on this; this is required reading for you. :)  If you need it to be larger you can click on the picture.

Eli's Graduation

Eli had his pre-school graduation yesterday.  He is not my most picture lovin' child, so I do the best I can.

Eli says when he grows up he wants to be a pilot.

 I wasn't sitting in a great spot for pictures, but I did get one of him looking at the camera.  That's what happens when you come flying in on two wheels at the very last second and you have to sit wherever there's a spot left.  One of these days I will learn to manage my time better.

 The best out of ten tries.

 Luke loves a good photo opportunity.  He wanted to come to the graduation, and Eli really wanted him there. 

Ms. Mandy, Luke's teacher from last year and Eli's teacher this year.

Ms. Kerri, Eli's teacher's assistant. The best photo of the day!

Eli, we are proud of you.  You have grown up so much in the past year.  We can't believe you're ready for kindergarten!

Luke's Self Portrait

Luke came home from school with his first self portrait last week.  I kept asking him, "Did you do this by yourself?"  He doesn't do a lot of drawing at home, so I had no idea how much his drawing skills had improved since he began school.  We were way impressed!

I love the blond hair mixed in with the brown.  I'm not quite sure what the blue on the sides is all about, but he did confirm that he isn't planning on growing pigtails and dying them blue.

Pinterest Pickpocket

This week is teacher appreciation week at Eli's school.  I am a firm believer that there is not a teacher out there who wouldn't rather receive a group gift from the class rather than 20 paperweights.  Therefore, another mom and I organized a week of class gifts.  I wanted to not only buy something nice that the teachers would enjoy but to also come up with a creative, memorable gift that would let them know that what they are doing for our children is so appreciated.  So I stole one off Pinterest.  My day was Tuesday, and I made a photo collage of the class.  It took me to the maximum limits of my current creative and technical abilities (I say "current" because I'm determined to grow!), but I was pleased with the outcome.  So where Eli's teachers.

Can you spot my little cheeser?  It was hilarious taking pictures.  To the child, each girl smiled and posed sweetly.  Almost every single boy made a crazy face or refused at least once to have their picture taken.  I even had to take several boys' pictures again on another day (including Eli's).  Sigh. They're just born that way, I guess.

The Finished Product

Luke's recycling project turned out great.  Papa was able to tell Daddy how to make the headlights work using recycled solar panels, and Luke's class had fun turning off the classroom lights and watching them glow.  (By the time I took the picture the batteries were dead and the headlights didn't work anymore, but if you look closely, you can see they are there.)

An interior shot.  My favorite part was the seat and steering wheel.

If the kid was this serious about a recycling project, science projects are going to be interesting...

What Do You Do When Your Kid Is Smarter Than You?

(Disclaimer: Today was "Mismatch Day".  He doesn't normally go to school - or anywhere - dressed like this.)

You call Papa!

Eli's Rock Star Day

Thursday was Rock Star Day at Eli's school. While he wasn't 100% sure he liked the idea of dressing up crazy (he definitely takes after both his mama and his daddy like that) he did look pretty awesome!

 The closer we got to school the more unsure he felt about his ensemble.  He begged for tennis shoes to replace the boots, while I begged for cooperation long enough to get in the class door. This is how he felt about it...

And this is post tears and Mama saying, "Okay, okay, shhh, shhh, shhh, don't cry, we'll change your shoes. It's okay, it's okay, we'll change them right now." 

And this is post shoe change, post bandana removal, post tears, and "This is your LAST picture, Mom."

Judah wanted his hair spiked too (he was literally pulling his hair up in the air and pointing at the hair gel), but had to settle for boots since we were short on time.  At least one of them wore the boots...

Does Eli's outfit look familiar?