End to the First Week of School 2012

Boogie had a great start to the school year. It was wonderful to see him get back into the groove of things pretty easily. However, it took the entire week of school until Sunday for him to settle. During the week and part of the weekend, he just bounced everywhere and had a terrible time following directions from mommy and daddy. He holds it together so well in school, that I think he can't contain himself once he's let out of the building. On Sunday, I was relieved to see a somewhat calmer Boogie Man. He sang next to us in Church, and I absolutely love it when he sings. I think his singing and my kids' giggles might be my favorite sound in the entire world.

Before all the screaming began.

Buggy had a great first day of school and a very tough start to the second day. On the second day, the students go by themselves and it lasts only an hour. Buggy started the morning telling me she wasn't feeling well and maybe she should stay home from school so that she doesn't get the other kids sick. How thoughtful. She had a sniffly nose, but was otherwise just fine. Just very, very nervous and anxious. My mom came to take Boogie to school and Buggy lost it. She started crying and screaming about how she wanted to go with Lola to drop off Boogie at his school.  I had to physically hold her down to buckle her into her carseat as she arched her back, cried, and screamed.  Her wailing became louder the closer we came to her school. By the time we made it into the parking lot, it was piercing. I opened up the van door and she was clutching her carseat. I had to pry her fingers off of the seat. When I took her out of the car, I closed and locked it. She immediately turned to it and clawed at the van to go back in.  I had to physically drag her to the front doors of the building and down the hall as she literally dug in her heels and wailed all the way to the classroom. Thank goodness the preschool team is awesome. They looked up immediately and the TA gently grabbed Buggy and pulled her away from me. I kissed her hand and took off running, only to be reminded as I headed out the door that the kids were supposed to have something for show and tell and did Buggy have anything by chance? Epic Mommy fail. No, I didn't. Fortunately, a MOPS friend saw the fiasco and followed me to the van. After some digging around I came up with an audio book and my friend dropped it off for me. Whew!  Mr. Bananas and I ended up hanging out in the van waiting for Buggy.  When I came to pick her up, she had a big grin on her face, bounced out of her classroom, and told me it was the "funnest day ever" and asked if we could do it again.  Yes, I'm happy to do it again, just without all the drama.

I'm happy that the kids are doing well and that the first week ended well. I think both kids will have a wonderful school year and I'm really looking forward to hanging out with Mr. Bananas when it's just the two of us. I don't think he minds that the big kids are in school, it means Mama can give him all the attention his little heart desires.

The early mornings are wearing out the kids and they are going to bed earlier. They fall asleep quickly and ready for the new day. Now if only Mama can get to bed early, too. Wouldn't that be something!

Mr. Bananas waiting for Buggy to get out of school.

Oh, that face. I love it. Can't you just see the mischievous twinkle in his eyes? 

Choices, Choices

I love our local elementary school. I love the proximity. I love the programs that are offered. There's so many that I can't put Boogie in all the ones I know that he would love because of scheduling!  I especially love his teacher. We totally hit the jackpot with Boogie's kindergarten teacher.  I could not have asked for a better foundation for his elementary schooling...

...Which brings me to what to do about next year. I think that his teacher is so fabulous that they only place to go is getting a teacher who is wonderful, but not incredible, and that alone will be a bit of a let-down. I just found out about the foreign language immersion programs that our district offers and I think it's so flippin' cool and I know that Boogie would love going to any of those school and learning a new language.  I just went to one of the open houses today and I was impressed. If Boogs were to be accepted, it would totally rock all of our worlds in a good way.

However, it's difficult to get into any of the schools. There are only 7 schools who offer foreign language immersion and each school offers only one of the following languages: Spanish, French, or Chinese.  There is a very small, small, small chance Boogie will be able to get into any of them because of the high demand, the small number of seats available, and the luck of the draw.  But I'm thinking, "Why not try?"

There are many factors to consider: distance, accessibility, time, etc.  But I think what Boogs would get in return would outweigh many of those factors.  Of course, there is the very conveniently located and outstanding school that's a 7-minute walk from our home. They also offer foreign language classes, but it's only once a week for part of the year.

Choices, choices.  I will do some more in-depth research on each of the schools and seriously consider the impact on our life. I have to keep in mind that I'll have a preschooler next year and I'll have to shuffle her back and forth to her school. I'll also have a toddler in tow.  I think I'll apply to the programs that are nearest to our home. Even though it would be cool to apply to all 7, if he should get in and we can't make the haul, it's not fair to the others who desperately want to be in the program.

I'm leaving this one in God's hands.  But honestly, either way, Boogie will have a great academic year next year.  I'm just stoked that our county offers so much in resources and so does our local school. I've taught in our county and I don't remember any of my schools offering the variety or number of after school activities that our local school has to offer.  I'm so excited for him and I look forward to what next year will bring.  For Buggy, too, as I start her preschool application process this week!

Ecclesiastes 3:11  He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from the beginning to end. (NIV)