New School Year

This school year has brought on a lot of firsts, especially for Jacob. Jacob is in first grade this year and not only was he starting a new school in a new state, but since he had half day kindergarten in Colorado, this was also his first time attending school full day- unlike all his classmates who attend full day kindergarten here. 

Jacob was feeling understandably nervous about starting school somewhere new and having to make new friends, and then feeling sad about missing his old friends. He also had an extra long summer and was a little out of practice with reading and writing and was nervous about the work load getting harder with full day. Or maybe it was just me that was nervous, but either way, it was a big transition. 

Luke gave Jacob a blessing the night before school started and he seemed very grateful for the prayer on his behalf. It made us all feel better, and we were grateful that we were at least mostly settled in our home, and knew that he would be ok. We had gone to the school and already met his teacher- Mrs. Spoor- and Jacob was brave and confident about where he needed to go and what to do. 

1st Day of School 9/9/15: Jacob (1st) & Blake (Pre-K)

It is nice that the bus stop is right next door, at our neighbor Chloe's house. She is in kindergarten and quickly became friends with Jacob and Blake, so that has been a blessing too that they have a friend right next door. It was Jacob's first time riding a bus to school but he was excited about this part. He went off for school without a problem, and came home happy too!

Blake also started preschool at the Saratoga YMCA on the same day. We moved in too late to get him in the free program, or into the Wilton Y that is closer to us. I also had a hard time letting go of the perfect setup he would've had in Colorado, where I had gotten him signed up for the free preschool program at Jacob's elementary school in the neighborhood. But I've learned to settle and accept that things are different here and it's been a fun preschool for him.  

He attends school in the afternoon on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 12:30-3:00. After the first week, I signed him up for an additional afternoon class on Tuesday and Thursdays from 1-3 so that he could attend school every day, and this second class is specifically designed to be smaller and really prepare for Kindergarten- which Blake desperately needed. I have not regretted it since the first day. The teachers are wonderful and very positive, and Blake has grown and improved so much! [The first day in this class he didn't even know how to hold a pencil and was resistant and stubborn. After 4 months, he can now write his name, and can identify and write all his letters. This was a big deal!] So even though it's been a small sacrifice to drive 20 minutes to take him to school every day, it has been worth it and I'm so glad he's been enjoying preschool!

While the one class focuses more on academics, his other preschool class is fun and has field trips every month, swimming lessons every Wednesday, and other neat activities like learning Spanish and crafts. Since they don't offer transportation, Ava and I have tagged along to each of the field trips as well, so that's been fun! His first field trip in September was to the Horse Racing Museum, which followed with a picnic in Congress Park. 

 Here is him starting swim classes. With 22 kids in the class there are only 4 boys! 

While it's nice to be able to run errands and have time with just Ava while the boys are at school, I miss having them around more, and the days when we could just relax at home. So when we got a day off school shortly after school started, I was happy to spend some time with them, enjoy the warm fall weather, and I took the boys to hang out at Saratoga Lake- a favorite spot now. 

So proud of my boys for adjusting so well into their new routines- Luke and I love watching them grow! We're off to a great start for a big year!