1st Day of School...2nd Year of Kindergarten

So, we're almost into October and I'm just now posting the pictures from early August when my babies started another year of school. Better late than never!

Brooks is in a pre k 3 class at Our Savior Lutheran (same school as last year) and she is already off to a great start. She is holding her pencil perfectly and counting up a storm. She LOVES coloring and does a fantastic job of staying in the lines. And so far, she has remained very well adjusted to her classroom, teacher, and friends. She really likes school and it isn't until she comes home that she displays more of her honey badger tendencies. I can usually count on some kind of a meltdown before we even get back to the house which is less than 3 miles away. These meltdowns are made up of, but not limited to, "I told you I wanted Elsa hair", "Harrison said he was first but I am", "why don't I get picked up first?", where's my snack, I don't want this snack it's yucky", and "when is it my birthday?" And I know that "When is it my birthday?" doesn't seem like a typical meltdown but as soon as I answer her question and acknowledge that she will be turning 4, she goes into a downward spiral of denying and screaming that she is already 4 and turning 8. So maybe her counting is a little off. This is also the time of day that Harrison and Brooks start fighting like cats and dogs and I start contemplating boarding school. Sometimes I just sit there and stare at them in total confusion at their reasoning for tantrums and arguments. But Brooks' strong personality and overwhelming confidence show me that she is able to hold her own when she is at school (or anywhere for that matter) and if anything, I should provide more after school activity to keep her busy.

And Harrison is having another go at kindergarten which is going great. This year he is in a class of 10 kids and his teacher is wonderful. My only set back is that school is out at 1:00 instead of 3:00, like last year, so I'm having to improvise on after school ideas since my kids need constant stimulation. But I love that Harrison is actually enjoying his school work and he is also getting stellar reviews on his manners. He also seems keenly aware of recognizing his friends' feelings and does a wonderful job at being kind to others. Proud mama! I have a feeling he will be able to take on first grade next year with a new level of confidence and, double bonus for him, he will have friends in his grade AND the grade above. For a social creature such as Harrison, this is icing on the cake! He is doing tennis and swimming this fall which is also going really well. And, we are finally at a stage, with Harrison, that he is sleeping through the night and not getting up to get in our bed and I have to imagine that his improvement in school is slightly influenced by his sleeping habits. Brooks is another story.

Both kiddos are great little students this year and I'm excited to see what this school year brings!