School Pictures

We got the boys' school pictures back today. Holy cow are they handsome and they actually turned out so good! Remember last years?

How does this happen.............

Where has the time gone? I get pretty emotional looking at these posts from the past two years. How did these boys grow up and where was I????

Last Year

Two Years Ago

1ST AND 3RD GRADE

The boys had a great day at school. Isaac was a bit disappointed they took away play time in first grade and you have to learn the whole time!

Eli was very upset that he couldn't go with....he cried and cried when he had to go to daycare and the big boys got to go to school.

I am not sure what happened or when it happened, but they are so grown up. When we got to school, Evan decided I didn't need to stand with him. He told me he was fine by his friends, and that I could go with Isaac. When Isaac got to his line, he told me he thought he was fine by himself too. He wanted to try going in by himself. That's where I drew the line and told him I needed to go in with him. So....he walked in his line and my friend and I (who had just experienced the same things by her 3rd grade and 1st grade daughters) walked in together....much behind the big kids!

First Day

I knew this day would come. It is still just so hard for me to believe that I have a 2nd grader and a kindergartener! I just don't know where the time has gone. This morning went very well. Both boys were so excited which made things a lot harder on me!

Evan loves school so there was no doubt that he would be excited to go. Isaac did a complete 360 from last year. He has been so excited for school! He was not shy at all, he walked in did what he should and sat down next to some little boys in his class. I can tell already that he is a lot more confident this year and making friends a lot easier. He has been more social this summer at the park and pool making friends. What a relief! 

So apparently this is the difference between kindergarten and 2nd grade. Apparently pictures are fine until you are with your friends!

I don't do S's....

So, the preschool teacher stopped me today and told me that Isaac is opening up...and he cracks her up. Oh GREAT...what now???

I guess today they were making a puppet. They were to write their name on the back of it. She got over to him, and all he had written was "I-A-A" She told him he did a great job, but he was missing some letters.

He said to her "Oh, I don't do S's...they too hwad (hard without the R)." She said that she couldn't do anything but laugh at him!

She said that he tests everything. He has told her things like "oh, I don't cut....my mom told me I don't have to" He is testing her to see what he can get away with. Once she says he has to do it, he doesn't argue or anything. He gladly does it, just needs to test out the waters first.

Life

Things are well around here. We are getting back into the swing of school. As much as I miss my summer, I can honestly say that it is nice to have a routine and schedule again. I think I function  best with a schedule and a purpose. I get to lazy if I don't. It is nice to be at work and around other adults. So far, things at school are off to a great start! Last year was a rough year and I remember by the fifth day of school, I was ready for summer again. 

The boys are doing well with the school routine. Evan is still loving school. I will be interested to see how he is doing when he starts bringing stuff home. I hope he is getting back into the swing of things. The reading and writing really clicked for him at the end of last year. I hope that it is coming back as quickly.

Isaac had another day of preschool yesterday. He was a bit nervous to go, but Vickie said he went in fine. Later in the day, I talked to the preschool teacher (mostly to see if she served "blood" at snack time again ... if you don't know what I am talking about, see an older post). She laughed and said Isaac is doing fine. She did ask if he is a loner at home. She said he hasn't played with the others yet and just does his own thing. Of course, now I am worried again - just when I started to feel better about things. His teacher said that she thinks he just isn't too confident yet. It breaks my heart to think of him not wanting to do things because he isn't confident in himself. I was trying to think of things we could do at home to build him up. I think Ben and I do praise him a lot and get excited when he does color or draw something. I think he looks at Evan and sees how well Evan can do, and feels like he can't do it. His teacher said he didn't want to swing yesterday because he didn't know how to pump his legs. It is so strange how he is such a stinker at home and yet at school he is so quiet and unsure of himself. It seems like he would just come into school being as bold as he is at home. I suppose it isn't necessarily a bad thing that he is so quiet and shy at school, but I hope that his personality starts shining through too...that's what makes Isaac, Isaac. 

Eli is doing awesome. He is eating like crazy! Last week when we took the boys to their appointments, I had Eli weighed. He has gained a pound in a month. Since he has had his tubes, he has really taken off. His cheeks are finally filling out and his legs are getting bigger too. He is eating mostly table food, and only some baby food. Last night he had a whole banana, canned carrots and toast for supper. 

He is one active little boy too. He is into EVERYTHING!!! He opens cupboards and drawers and climbs on everything. He pulls himself up to things, but doesn't walk around things yet. Still no teeth either. He tries to say everything too....his favorites are "all gone" "Isaac" "da-da" and "uh-oh" 

First day...

The boys both enjoyed their first day of school yesterday. When we got in the car, I asked if they had fun...Evan's response "Oh yeah, it was so fun. First grade is awesome!" He loves school. 

Isaac said it was fun too, but without as much enthusiasm. I do have the luxury of seeing the boys' teachers whenever I want. For the past two years, I have made it a point to not be "one of those parents" and even though I work with the teachers, I seldom asked how Evan was doing. I figured they would tell me if there were concerns. This morning, I just couldn't resist. It was killing me not knowing how Isaac did yesterday. She said he did just fine. When asked if he wanted chocolate milk or white milk, he responded with  a straight face "I don't drink milk, only blood" He eventually settled for chocolate milk. She said she and the associate busted out laughing. I was of course embarrassed! I worry about lots of things with him in school. I know deep down that he will eventually learn to hold his pencil the correct way and learn his letters and numbers and how to write. What I worry about the most is what comes out of his sweet little mouth. I feel like I no longer have any control over it....I just hope he doesn't get me turned into DHS! 

I just have to document this so I don't forget it....it is something that happened a few weeks ago. Isaac wanted to color so I sat down with him and we were coloring. I asked him if he wanted to draw a picture. He didn't know what he would draw, so I suggested he draw a picture of himself. He started with a big circle for his head. He kept getting stuck on what to draw next, so I would ask him "what else do you have" and he would say legs and draw legs, then arms, then eyes, etc etc. After a couple times, he said what now. Instead of telling him what he should draw I tried to get him to think of it on his own. I said "what else do you have" and he said "a penis" and proceeded to draw a line between his legs. I had a hard time telling him he was wrong, but tried to explain that he shouldn't draw things that we can't see when our clothes are on! This is why I worry about him going to school :) 

Three years

preschool

kindergarten

1st grade

Look at how much he has grown from preschool to 1st grade. How is this possible? 

First day pictures

No tears...

For the boys anyway....I shed some tears in the car. I don't know how these little boys grow up so fast!

I got the boys off to the first day of school without any trouble at all. Evan was up a 6:30 and wondered if we could leave for school. He has been so excited! He was dressed and was wearing his bookbag by 7:00 a.m. He loves everything about school, the social part, the learning, the playing, the eating....EVERYTHING. He loves it all.

Isaac was not so peppy. He was just very nervous. We have been reading a book about a bunny that was going to preschool and was very worried. I think Isaac really connected the whole idea. He was nervous about it. Once we got in the car, he was getting more attached to the idea. He said he was nervous (omit the r's) anymore...Before we got out of the van, we gave each other our kissing hands...and whispered about our little secret. I cut a small piece of one of his blankies and put it in his sock...just in case he was sad, he could think of that. He thought that was a great idea and relaxed a bit when he knew he could touch his blankie and not be scared. 

We dropped Evan off. He walked right in his classroom, waved and that was it. He was so excited! Isaac was a bit clingy, but went with the teacher to find his name badge and empty his supplies. He did great, found his locker and waved and walked into his classroom. I really wanted to go see him again in his classroom, but knew I should leave before he changed his mind about staying. He should be getting picked up right now.  I hope he had fun and I hope it went alright. Evan was a huge factor in today being a success. I wish I had a big brother to show me the world. I wish I had someone like Evan to hold my hand and walk me into places that are new and scary. 

Evan held Isaac's hand all the way into the building. He is an awesome big brother...it is definitely the role he is cut out for. Last night, I was listening to them talk in bed. I was hiding around the corner. Evan was telling Isaac that preschool is not scary. The only time the Isaac won't see Evan out at recess is if it is snowy, because preschoolers don't have recess in the winter. He told him that he was just down the hall and if he needed him, he would be there. He told him preschool is fun because you get to paint and have chocolate milk. 

Evan is the most compassionate kid I know. That is what makes him so special. He truly has a gift of reassuring Isaac...Isaac is one lucky kid. 

As always, I have plenty of pictures to share...I will load them tonight. 

Finally...

Eli finally slept through the night last night. This is the first time since we got to Clarksville a week ago. For some reason, he had been waking up in the middle of the night and wanting to sleep with us. He has been sick and not eating, so we are pretty sure that is why. He hasn't been eating very well either...only 2-3 ounces at a time. I think he is finally feeling better too...he has eaten 3 6oz bottles so far today without fighting us. The last week, we have had to practically hold him down and force feed him. Today went much better and he seems like he is back to his normal, happy self.

On the other hand, it must be Isaac's turn to be sick. Last night he threw up in the middle of the night. He hasn't eaten much and hasn't really acted like himself the past two days. He seemed a bit better today so hopefully he won't get any worse. This past week has been NUTS! I hope things slow down soon.

We are looking forward to summer. I can't believe that May is this week! Our last day of school with kids is May 27th. It seems amazing that we have survived all that has happened this year. Hope we survive these next few weeks. It will be very busy. Ben is finishing up his grad class through UNI. He has two papers to write. His last night of class is Tuesday. I have to write a few papers and finish up my portfolio so I can graduate on May 18th. These three years of grad school have gone so fast. It seems like not that long ago I was trying to figure out if I should sign up for grad school, and now I am graduating (if I get my assignments done, that is!) I am SOOOO ready to be done. I don't think it has really hit me yet...probably will in June when I don't have to go to Storm Lake for 4 weeks. Speaking of grad school...I have to get going on my papers. Enough procrastinating.

Spring...was here

Spring was here yesterday. It is gone now...supposed to get cold again. The boys took advantage of the nice weather and got outside last night. Eli loves the breeze...he crinkles his forehead up and opens his mouth and licks his lips. Must feel funny on his face. The boys rode bikes last night. Evan is doing pretty well on his bike without training wheels. He is getting more confident and picked up where he left off last summer...he still doesn't know how to use the breaks but he is excited to practice when he can. Isaac can pedel his little bike so well this year too.

Isaac had his preschool visit. He was nervous. When we were driving to the school, he said "know why I'm nervous (omit the r)? So I don't cry." He was afraid he would be sad....he was really concerned about Evan not being there with him. As ornry as he is, and as tough as he seems, he really is shy....until he warms up that is! When I picked him up he was sitting on the carpet, just as he was supposed to be! His teachers said he did really well. He didn't have a painting like the other kids had. His teacher said he didn't want to paint. He told me in the car that he didn't want to paint "so it would be quicker" Not sure what that means. Either he was playing and didn't want to stop, or he was ready to go home and thought that if he didn't paint I would be there sooner. Who knows. One thing about Isaac is that things are done on his terms and time...not necessarily when you want him to. It was a relief to know that he did well today.

Here are some pictures from the last few days.....

Eli's first time in an outside swing. He laughed and laughed!!

We have this picture from when Ben and I moved in 7 years ago...and now the reason why we are moving out....TOO SMALL!!